Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 67

66th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 67th 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 Aug 19, 2024 and Sep 29, 2024. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Australia Appoints New Minister of Health for Northern Territory

One noteworthy event has occurred in Australia, Steve Edgington has been appointed as the new Minister of Health of Northern Territory. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia welcomes the appointment of new Northern Territory Health Minister Steve Edgington and congratulates Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro on forming government. Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Professor Trent Twomey said the Guild looked forward to working with Minister Edgington and the Finocchiaro Government on expanding Territorians’ access to primary health services.

“We are delighted the Country Liberal Party will, within the first twelve months of being in government, bring to fruition its commitment to enable community pharmacies to provide treatment for 23 everyday ailments including swimmer’s ear, school sores, smoking cessation and asthma.”

Brazil Appoints New Minister of Human Rights Amid Scandal

Shifting our focus to Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has appointed Macaé Evaristo as Brazil’s new Minister of Human Rights. This decision follows the dismissal of former minister Silvio Almeida, who faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Evaristo, a state representative from Minas Gerais, brings a strong background in education and social services to her new role. She previously served as Municipal and State Secretary of Education in Minas Gerais and held a position in the Ministry of Education.”

The allegations against Almeida emerged when #MeToo Brasil, an organization supporting victims of sexual violence, received complaints about his behavior. These accusations reportedly involved several women, including Minister for Racial Equality Anielle Franco. Almeida vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as “absurd lies” aimed at damaging his reputation. He requested his own dismissal to allow for an impartial investigation. The government responded by initiating investigations through federal police, the public prosecutor’s office, and the presidency’s ethics commission.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Resigns Unexpectedly

In Sweden, NATO nation Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom unexpectedly resigned. He also announced his retirement from politics without giving a specific reason. Billstrom has been in office for nearly two years, during which time his country, traditionally a non-aligned nation, has become a NATO member. Interestingly, Billstrom quits just days after he praised Ukraine’s Kursk incursion and called Russian forces a “hollow war machine.”

Singapore Expands Powers to Combat Environmental Crime

In the realm of regulatory affairs, in a 2022 Interpol video, Mr Kittichai Runglaiboonwong from Thailand’s Department of National Parks walks around piles of illegally logged timber. At US$290 (S$380) per kg, a 59kg bag of agarwood could easily fetch about US$14,500, he says. The video did not mention whether the proceeds from this crime could have been laundered. But if dirty money from such crimes were to pass through Singapore, the Republic will soon have powers to investigate it. In August, Parliament passed a new Bill that allows the authorities to investigate illicit gains from a wider range of foreign serious environmental offences such as illegal logging, mining and waste trafficking. This represents a significant expansion of powers.

Fleetwood Councillor Convicted of Historic Offenses

Shifting our attention to legal advancements, Tony O’Neill, 59, formerly of The Esplanade, Fleetwood, was convicted of the charges following a trial at Preston Crown Court in July. He appeared at the same court today for sentencing for the historic offences, which prosecutors say occurred when the defendent was a younger man. O’Neill, formerly of The Esplanade, became a well-known figure in Fleetwood after serving on the town council and co-founding the local branch of the charity Men’s Shed in 2018, a support group for men who have experienced mental illness. He left the charity in 2022 and is no longer involved.

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