Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 178

178th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 178th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Oct 09, 2026, and Nov 15, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Venezuela Appoints Oliver Blanco as New Foreign Minister in Diplomatic Reshuffle

One noteworthy event has occurred in Venezuela, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has appointed Oliver Blanco, a 35-year-old diplomat who began his political career alongside a veteran opposition figure, as the country’s new foreign minister. The appointment is part of a broader reshuffle of Rodríguez’s international affairs team as she seeks to consolidate authority during an unsettled transition period.

Blanco replaces Félix Plasencia, who held the post for several years. Rodríguez has given Plasencia a new assignment: relocating to London to press Venezuela’s long-running claim to roughly a billion dollars in gold reserves held at the Bank of England, which has refused to release the bullion, citing doubts over who holds legitimate authority to claim it.

Justice Thomas Bradley Sworn In as Queensland’s 28th Governor

Shifting our focus to Australia, Justice Thomas Bradley has been sworn in as Queensland’s 28th governor in the state’s parliament.

In his first address as governor, Justice Bradley said he and his partner, Dr Matthew Yoong, looked forward to engaging with people across Queensland.

“We aim to spend as much time out of Brisbane as we spend in it,” he said.

“To help harness the wisdom, the skill and the goodwill that is in every community as we all answer the call of the Olympic motto, which is to go faster, higher and stronger, together.”

Premier David Crisafulli said the appointment marked a “significant moment” for Queensland.

Justice Bradley served on the Supreme Court from 2018 and moved to the Court of Appeal in 2025.

Helliate Rushwaya Approved as Zimbabwe’s New Ambassador to Rwanda

In Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) board chairperson Helliate Rushwaya is set to become the country’s ambassador to Rwanda after Kigali approved her appointment.

The Rwandan Cabinet granted approval for Rushwaya to serve as Zimbabwe’s ambassador, based in Kigali. She is expected to replace Charity Manyeruke, a former University of Zimbabwe professor.

Rushwaya is the first of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s proposed new diplomats to be publicly confirmed by a host country, marking the first visible step in a much wider reshuffle of Zimbabwe’s foreign service.

Australian Court Fines Star Entertainment A$260 Million for Widespread Anti-Money Laundering Breaches

In the realm of regulatory affairs, The Federal Court of Australia has fined The Star Entertainment Group 260 million Australian dollars (£137 million) over “widespread and systemic” breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act).

Handing down judgment today (28 October), Justice Moore held that the casino giant had built a business dependant on “turning a blind eye” to high-risk customers and on services facilitating seamless money transfers that gave rise to significant money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

While previous regulatory interventions stopped the judge from levying the 400 million Australian dollar (£212 million) penalty sought by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), he considered that the company’s contraventions warranted a very significant fine, not least to send a message to other casino operators that putting profit over AML/CTF compliance is simply “not worth the risk”.

Iraqi Lawmaker Muthanna al-Samarrai Sentenced to Six Years for Oil Contract Corruption

Shifting our attention Iraq, a specialized anti-corruption court in Iraq sentenced lawmaker Muthanna al-Samarrai to six years in prison and ordered him to repay nearly $20 million for exploiting his position to profit from state oil contracts.

Al-Samarrai, who heads the Sunni political bloc Azm Alliance, used his parliamentary oversight role to benefit from public works and procurement deals involving the state-owned North and South Refineries companies. The lawmaker played a direct role in awarding contracts and steering payments to associates through four private companies, according to Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission. The court ordered him to return 30 billion Iraqi dinars ($19.81 million) in illicit gains following his arrest in June 2026 alongside a former deputy oil minister.

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