In a landmark ruling on Wednesday, a Peruvian court handed down a 14-year prison sentence to former President Martín Vizcarra for his involvement in a corruption scandal during his tenure as governor of Moquegua, a southern state in Peru. The court also imposed a nine-year ban on Vizcarra from holding any public office. The verdict stems from allegations that Vizcarra accepted illicit payments totaling approximately $611,000 from construction companies in exchange for awarding them lucrative contracts for two major infrastructure projects: an irrigation system and a hospital. Prosecutors had initially sought a 15-year sentence, but the court settled on 14 years, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses. This case underscores Peru’s ongoing struggle with political corruption and its efforts to hold high-ranking officials accountable for their actions.
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Czech president ready to swear in Babiš as prime minister if conflict of interest is resolved
In a pivotal development in Czech politics, President Petr Pavel announced on Wednesday that he is prepared to appoint populist billionaire Andrej Babiš as prime minister within a week, provided Babiš addresses concerns over potential conflicts of interest arising from his extensive business empire and political role. This follows Babiš’s ANO (YES) movement’s victory in the recent parliamentary elections, which paved the way for a coalition government with the Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves. The coalition has agreed to form a 16-member Cabinet, with ANO holding eight positions, including the prime minister’s office. However, the president emphasized the need for Babiš to comply with the country’s stringent conflict-of-interest laws, which were amended in 2023 to prevent politicians from leveraging their wealth and power. Babiš, who owns around 200 companies under the Agrofert conglomerate and has significant investments in healthcare, must ensure his businesses remain eligible for state and EU subsidies. During a meeting with the president, Babiš presented his proposed Cabinet lineup and expressed his desire to have the new government in place by mid-December. However, the coalition’s nomination of Filip Turek, honorary president of the Motorists, sparked controversy due to his past racist, homophobic, and sexist remarks. President Pavel rejected Turek’s candidacy, deeming him unfit for a ministerial role. The coalition, known for its critical stance on EU policies, particularly regarding the environment and migration, is also expected to shift the country’s position on supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia.
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UAE: Girl returns money she found in public place; Ajman Police honour honesty
In a heartwarming display of integrity, a young girl named Shaimaa Ali has been honored by Ajman Police for her honesty after she returned a sum of money she found in a public place. The incident occurred when Shaimaa discovered the money and immediately requested her elder sister to accompany her to the Musherif Police Station to hand it over to the authorities. The police station hosted a special ceremony to recognize her commendable act, where officers posed with Shaimaa and her father, celebrating her positive attitude. At the event, Shaimaa was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a gift, acknowledging her honesty. Brigadier General Al Muhairi, who attended the ceremony, praised Shaimaa’s actions, emphasizing that such behavior reflects good upbringing and social awareness. He highlighted the importance of promoting a culture of returning lost items and protecting public property. This incident is not isolated in the UAE, as similar acts of honesty have been frequently reported. For instance, in September, Dubai Police honored a student for returning a lost wallet containing cash and a cheque valued at Dh200,000, and in April, a citizen was recognized for returning a lost passport and money. These acts underscore the UAE’s commitment to fostering values of honesty and community responsibility.
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Chelsea dominate Barca in Champions League, Man City lose
In a stunning display of dominance, Chelsea FC delivered a masterclass performance to defeat FC Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in Tuesday’s Champions League fixture. The comprehensive victory was highlighted by teenage sensation Estevao’s spectacular individual effort, cementing Chelsea’s position among the tournament favorites.
The match turned decisively in Chelsea’s favor when Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo received his second yellow card just before halftime, reducing the Catalan giants to ten men. Chelsea had already taken the lead through a Jules Kounde own goal in the 27th minute, capitalizing on defensive confusion from a well-worked corner routine.
Estevao, the 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy, stole the spotlight from his much-hyped counterpart Lamine Yamal with a breathtaking solo goal in the 55th minute. Receiving the ball on the right flank, he danced past two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net. Substitute Liam Delap completed the scoring in the 73rd minute to seal a memorable victory.
Meanwhile, Manchester City suffered their first Champions League defeat of the campaign after manager Pep Guardiola made sweeping changes to his starting lineup. Resting key players including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva, City fell 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium. Alex Grimaldo and Patrik Schick found the net for the German visitors, exposing City’s rotated defense.
In other Champions League action, Marseille mounted a comeback victory against Newcastle United with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring twice after Ashley Barnes’ early opener. Juventus secured a dramatic 3-2 win against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt thanks to Jonathan David’s injury-time winner, while Borussia Dortmund cruised to a 4-0 victory over Villarreal despite missing two penalties.
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Exclusive: Sudan’s RSF took blood from civilians trying to flee el-Fasher
In a harrowing revelation, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have been accused of forcibly extracting blood from civilians in North Darfur, marking another grim chapter in the ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The atrocities, which include rape, executions, and ransom demands, have been described as part of a broader campaign of terror.
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US Senator Jim Justice agrees to pay over $5m in long-overdue taxes
Senator Jim Justice, a prominent Republican figure and former governor of West Virginia, has agreed to settle a staggering $5 million in overdue taxes, just hours after being sued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The settlement resolves a lawsuit alleging that Justice and his wife failed to fulfill their tax obligations dating back to 2009. Justice, who transitioned from leading West Virginia to serving as a first-term senator in 2025, has a background rooted in his family’s extensive coal empire, which once controlled numerous mines across multiple states. In October, Justice dismissed the tax assessment against him as “politically motivated,” drawing parallels to the challenges faced by former President Donald Trump. The IRS revealed that the couple owed $5.16 million in back taxes and interest, which they have now agreed to repay in full, though a specific timeline remains undisclosed. Despite Forbes estimating Justice’s net worth at $1.9 billion in 2021, it plummeted to “less than zero” by 2025. The senator and his family are also grappling with additional financial pressures, including $1.4 million in liens related to unpaid sales taxes at their historic resort, The Greenbrier, and its sporting club. Furthermore, the IRS has filed over $8 million in liens against the couple for other unpaid personal taxes. The settlement marks a significant development in Justice’s ongoing financial and political challenges.
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Kashmir to Cannes: Rahul Bhat on ‘Kennedy’ and his new innings in Bollywood
Despite remaining unreleased in its home country, Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed film ‘Kennedy’ continues to garner international recognition, with actor Rahul Bhat’s powerful performance as a supposedly deceased police officer operating in the shadows earning particular praise. The film received a remarkable seven-minute standing ovation at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, establishing Bhat’s transformation from television heartthrob to serious character actor.
Bhat’s journey from his childhood in Vichar Nag, Srinagar, to Bollywood exemplifies resilience amid adversity. Forced to flee during the Kashmiri Pandit exodus of 1989-90, his family lost everything in the displacement. “We anticipated returning home, but never did. All childhood memorabilia were plundered,” Bhat revealed during the film’s screening at Dubai’s Mitti Indian Independent Film Festival.
After relocating to Mumbai post-high school, Bhat initially found success in television, with his earnings skyrocketing from ₹7,000 to ₹1 lakh per episode during the peak of his TV career. However, his Bollywood debut in the commercially unsuccessful ‘Yeh Mohabbat Hai’ led to professional disillusionment. This setback prompted a strategic pivot toward production through his company Filmtonic, while simultaneously deepening his cinematic education through extensive film study.
The transformative reunion with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in 2012 reignited Bhat’s acting career. Kashyap, recognizing Bhat’s untapped potential, cast him in ‘Ugly’ (which premiered at Cannes), followed by ‘Dobaara’ and ultimately the career-defining ‘Kennedy’. Bhat describes Kashyap’s directorial approach as uniquely magical: “He never explicitly instructs actors, yet guides them profoundly. For ‘Kennedy’, I mastered unconventional skills like peeling apples in one continuous motion and loading firearms blindfolded.”
Currently, Bhat maintains multiple upcoming projects including Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘The Wives’, Mayur Puri’s ‘Lost and Found in Kumbh’, and a Netflix series. Despite his darker roles, he embraces the emotional complexity: “An actor’s professional fluctuations are like ornaments—I derive meaning from them.” He remains deeply connected to his Kashmiri heritage, currently developing a personal film project drawn from his experiences, explaining: “In silence, my mind finds solace in memories of home, my Kashmir.”
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4 dead as fire engulfs residential high-rise buildings in Hong Kong: Government
A devastating fire broke out in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in four fatalities and multiple injuries. The blaze, which erupted at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, quickly escalated to a No. 4 alarm, the second-highest emergency level, by 3:34 p.m. local time. According to the Hong Kong government, four individuals were confirmed dead, two are in critical condition, and one is stable as of 5:00 p.m. Public broadcaster RTHK reported that several people remain trapped inside the burning buildings, with two individuals suffering severe burns. Firefighters, some of whom were injured while battling the flames, faced significant challenges due to the scale of the fire and the presence of bamboo scaffolding on several adjacent towers. The incident has also disrupted local transportation, with the Tai Po highway closed and bus routes diverted. Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex comprising eight blocks and nearly 2,000 residential units, is now the site of a tragic disaster that has left the community in shock.
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VPN-using Iranians angry after X locations reveal officials using state-issued SIMs
Iranian citizens have expressed outrage after X’s newly introduced location feature exposed government officials and pro-regime figures using Iran-based SIM cards to access the platform, despite its official ban in the country. The revelation has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, as ordinary Iranians require VPNs to bypass the government’s strict internet censorship. Among those identified was Information and Communication Technology Minister Sattar Hashemi, whose account appeared to be based in Iran, suggesting he bypassed the VPN requirement. Social media users criticized the government for allegedly distributing ‘white SIM cards’ to officials, granting them unrestricted access to blocked sites. The terms ‘White SIM Card’ and ‘Class-based Internet’ trended on X as Iranians voiced their frustration. Mani Ghasemi, chair of tech site Digiato, condemned Hashemi and other reformist politicians for their use of these SIMs, calling their opposition to internet censorship insincere. The Iranian government has long restricted access to platforms like X, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, while attempting to curb VPN usage. Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has pledged to review the stringent internet controls, which aim to steer users toward domestic websites. Critics argue that certain institutions, including news agencies linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enjoy special privileges with unfiltered internet access. Following the controversy, several officials and journalists altered their X account locations from Iran to ‘West Asia.’ Journalist Vahid Khatami defended unrestricted internet as a professional necessity, while Ali Ahmadinia, head of public relations, promised a review of ‘white SIM card’ distribution.
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Tenable co-CEO Mark Thurmond to provide keynote address at Black Hat Middle East 2025
Tenable (NASDAQ: TENB), a global leader in exposure management, has confirmed its prominent role at the upcoming Black Hat Middle East 2025 conference in Riyadh. The event, scheduled for December 2-4, will feature a pivotal keynote address from the company’s co-CEO, Mark Thurmond.
Thurmond’s presentation, titled “Beyond the Silos: Exposure Management in a New Age of Risk,” will argue for a fundamental paradigm shift in global cybersecurity strategy. He is poised to assert that traditional security models have been rendered obsolete by a perfect storm of challenges: an exponentially expanding digital attack surface, a fragmented arsenal of security tools, and adversaries who are rapidly maturing, particularly through the weaponization of Artificial Intelligence.
The timing and location of this address are highly strategic. It will directly contextualize these cyber risks within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, a national transformation strategy underpinned by massive investments in digital infrastructure and AI. Thurmond will emphasize that protecting such monumental technological progress requires a new, proactive defensive posture.
Key critical themes to be explored include:
The Illusion of Fragmented Defense: Despite organizations deploying an average of over 80 distinct security solutions, security teams are drowning in complexity and a daily deluge of tens of thousands of alerts. This siloed and disjointed approach inadvertently creates an overwhelming advantage for attackers.
The AI-Powered Adversary: Cyber attackers are now leveraging AI to develop highly sophisticated and hyper-realistic attacks at an unprecedented pace. This technology allows them to compress attack development timelines from weeks down to mere minutes, effortlessly bypassing conventional, signature-based defenses.
The Rise of Proactive Exposure Management: Tenable advocates for a decisive move away from reactive “firefighting” and toward a strategy of pre-emptive “fireproofing.” Exposure management provides unified, holistic visibility across the entire modern attack surface—encompassing cloud, IT, identity, and operational technology (OT) environments. This enables organizations to continuously identify, prioritize, and remediate critical vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
“The cybersecurity playbook we’ve relied on for the past two decades is fundamentally broken,” stated Mark Thurmond. “In this new era defined by AI, embracing the discipline of exposure management is not an option but a necessity. This pre-emptive methodology is the only viable path to fortify our defenses and ensure a secure and prosperous future for the global digital economy.”
Conference attendees are encouraged to attend the keynote session and visit the Tenable exhibition booth for live demonstrations of the AI-driven Tenable One Exposure Management Platform.