Try GOLD - Free
Suspected Nobel Peace Prize leak 'highly likely' due to espionage
The Straits Times
|October 13, 2025
A possible leak that preceded the announcement of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was “highly likely” the result of espionage, the Nobel Institute told Norwegian media on Oct 11.
-
The odds of Ms Machado winning the prize jumped from 3.75 per cent to nearly 73 per cent overnight from Oct 9 to 10 on the predictive betting platform Polymarket.
But no expert or media outlet had mentioned her as being among the favourites for the prize, with the announcement made just a few hours later in Oslo.
“Highly likely it’s espionage,” the director of the Nobel Institute and secretary of the Nobel committee, Dr Kristian Berg Harpviken, told Norway’s TV2 television.
On Oct 10, the head of the Nobel committee said he did not believe Ms Machado’s name had been leaked.
This story is from the October 13, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times

The Straits Times
China's new export curbs may deal a heavy blow worldwide
Rules impact arms manufacturers in particular, drawing concern in Europe
3 mins
October 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Shanmugam to deliver ministerial statement on race and religion
Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam will deliver a ministerial statement on race and religion when Parliament sits on Oct 14.
3 mins
October 14, 2025

The Straits Times
Poor Scotland have to be 'at a higher standard'
Scotland coach Steve Clarke was angered by his side's \"poor\" performance as they ground out a 2-1 home win over Belarus on Oct 12 to stay in contention for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
3 mins
October 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Girl, 15, among five caught vaping after feedback on hot spots
Following reports from the public, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) identified vaping hot spots in Khatib, Yishun and Punggol and fined five people for vaping.
1 min
October 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Malaysia urban rail operator rebounds from crisis after operational revamp
Prasarana eyes S’pore MRT’s reliability standard, after turnaround from multiple system failures and prolonged station closures
4 mins
October 14, 2025
The Straits Times
'Real progress' made in delivering aid to Gaza, says UN
Top UN humanitarian official Tom Fletcher said almost the entire Gaza population needs food aid.
2 mins
October 14, 2025

The Straits Times
CHHETRI, 41, STILL THE FACE OF INDIAN FOOTBALL
In this series, The Straits Times highlights the players or teams to watch in the world of sport. Today, we focus on Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri, who at 41 is the fourth-highest international goalscorer of all time.
3 mins
October 14, 2025
The Straits Times
‘It was a terrifying feeling’: Actress Rui En battled depression
Ahead of World Mental Health Day on Oct 10, Singaporean actress Rui En shared that she suffered from depression in the first half of 2024.
4 mins
October 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Jane Zhang falls off 2m-high stage during concert in Xi’an
Chinese singer Jane Zhang gave her fans a scare on Oct Il after she fell off a 2m-high stage during her concert in Xi’an, China.
1 mins
October 14, 2025
The Straits Times
Cordlife granted 14-day extension to respond on possible suspension
Private cord blood bank Cordlife has been granted a 14-day extension for it to respond to the Ministry of Health (MOH) on its possible suspension.
3 mins
October 14, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size