Nicolas Sarkozy, the former President of France, has made history by becoming the first ex-leader of the country to serve a prison sentence. Sarkozy, who held office from 2007 to 2012, began his five-year term at La Santé prison in Paris on October 21, 2025, following his conviction for conspiring to fund his 2007 election campaign with money from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. This marks the first time since World War II that a former French leader has been incarcerated, the last being Philippe Pétain, who was jailed for treason in 1945. Sarkozy, now 70, arrived at the prison under heavy security, maintaining his innocence and vowing that ‘truth will prevail.’ He was placed in an isolation wing for his safety, sharing a 9 sq m (95 sq ft) cell equipped with basic amenities, including a toilet, shower, desk, and small TV. He is allowed one hour of daily exercise. Outside his Paris villa, over 100 supporters gathered to show solidarity, responding to a call from his son Louis. Another son, Pierre, urged for messages of love and support. Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was seen embracing him outside their home as supporters cheered. Despite his imprisonment, Sarkozy has received official support from French President Emmanuel Macron and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who plans to visit him in prison. Sarkozy continues to appeal his conviction, arguing that he is innocent and a victim of political revenge. The case has sparked widespread debate in France, with Sarkozy’s supporters viewing it as a miscarriage of justice, while critics see it as a necessary step in holding leaders accountable. Sarkozy’s imprisonment has also drawn attention to the broader issue of political corruption and the influence of foreign money in elections. As he begins his sentence, Sarkozy has chosen to take two books with him: a biography of Jesus and ‘The Count of Monte Cristo,’ a story of wrongful imprisonment and ultimate vindication.
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Four villages honored by UN Tourism
Four Chinese villages have been globally recognized for their exceptional contributions to cultural preservation, sustainable development, and rural tourism. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) awarded Huanggang in Guizhou, Jikayi in Sichuan, Dongluo in Jiangsu, and Digang in Zhejiang the prestigious title of Best Tourism Villages during a ceremony held in Huzhou, Zhejiang province. This initiative, launched in 2021, highlights rural destinations worldwide that excel in maintaining landscapes, cultural diversity, and local traditions. With these latest additions, China now boasts 19 villages on the global list, showcasing the country’s readiness and diversity as a tourism destination. Huanggang village, renowned for its Dong cultural heritage, features ancient drum towers and traditional wooden architecture. It is also celebrated for the Dong Grand Song, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Jikayi, nestled among snow-capped peaks and forests, is home to Gyalrong Tibetan-style homes and a unique highland agricultural civilization. Digang stands out for its ancient mulberry fish pond system, recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the initiative’s role in poverty alleviation, stating that 80% of the world’s poor reside in rural areas. By promoting these villages as tourist destinations, the program creates job opportunities and boosts local incomes. The recognition also motivates local governments to enhance infrastructure, as seen in Huanggang, where traditional granaries have been transformed into modern guesthouses, generating significant revenue. UN Tourism continues to support these communities through follow-up education and a global network for peer learning and exchange.
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Outage at Amazon Web Services shuts down internet platforms across globe
A widespread internet disruption occurred on Monday as Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud infrastructure provider, experienced a severe outage. The incident, which began around 3 am Eastern Time at AWS’s oldest and largest data center in Virginia, affected a multitude of services globally, including financial platforms, government websites, airlines, and gaming networks. The outage was attributed to issues with the company’s domain name system, which is essential for browsers and applications to load properly. Major platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, Fortnite, Reddit, Lyft, Delta Airlines, McDonald’s, and Robinhood were among those impacted, leaving users unable to access critical services. Even Amazon’s own e-commerce platform struggled to process orders. The outage also affected UK government sites, financial institutions like Lloyd Bank and Bank of Scotland, and telecom giant Vodafone. Delta Airlines reported flight delays, while cryptocurrency platform Coinbase assured users that their funds remained secure despite service interruptions. The incident has reignited concerns about global reliance on a few dominant cloud service providers, particularly in Europe, where critics argue that dependency on U.S.-based tech giants poses both security and economic risks. AWS, which controls 37% of the global cloud market and generates $107 billion in revenue, has faced similar outages in 2021 and 2023. Experts estimate the financial damages from this outage could reach billions of dollars. By mid-afternoon, AWS announced that the issue had been resolved, though many services were still in the process of recovering. The outage underscores the fragility of the internet’s infrastructure and the far-reaching consequences when a major provider experiences downtime.
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Slovakia court sentences the man behind the attempted assassination of prime minister to 21 years
A Slovak court has handed down a 21-year prison sentence to Juraj Cintula, the man responsible for the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024. The attack, which occurred in the town of Handlová, left Fico critically injured but he has since recovered after undergoing multiple surgeries. Cintula, a 72-year-old retiree, was convicted of committing a terrorist act, a charge he vehemently denied during the trial. The court ruled that his actions were a direct attack on the government, aimed at inciting its overthrow. Cintula’s motive, as he stated, was his opposition to Fico’s policies, including the cancellation of a special anti-corruption office, the cessation of military aid to Ukraine, and the government’s cultural stance. Despite his claims of not intending to kill, the court found his actions to be a severe threat to national security. The verdict can still be appealed, though it remains unclear if Cintula will pursue this option. The trial has further polarized Slovakia, a nation already divided over Fico’s pro-Russian and anti-Western policies. Critics argue that Fico’s leadership aligns Slovakia with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, sparking widespread protests across the country. Fico, who was absent during the trial, has publicly forgiven his attacker, stating he harbors no hatred towards him.
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‘The man who made India laugh’ – Tributes pour in for veteran actor Asrani
The Indian film industry mourns the loss of veteran actor Govardhan Asrani, who passed away at the age of 84 on Monday in Mumbai. Asrani, celebrated for his iconic comic roles, succumbed to a brief illness, as confirmed by his manager. His death marks the end of a remarkable career spanning over five decades, during which he starred in more than 300 films. Among his most unforgettable performances was his portrayal of an eccentric jailer in the 1975 classic *Sholay*, a role that cemented his place in Bollywood history. Born in 1941 in Rajasthan, Asrani began his journey as a voice artist at All India Radio before honing his craft at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). His versatility extended beyond comedy, with notable performances in films like *Koshish* (1972) and *Chaitali* (1975), showcasing his ability to tackle darker, more complex characters. Tributes poured in from across the industry, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising Asrani as a ‘gifted entertainer’ and ‘versatile artist.’ Colleagues, including director Ramesh Sippy and actor Akshay Kumar, reminisced about his unparalleled comic timing and generosity. Asrani’s family described his passing as an ‘irreparable loss’ for Hindi cinema and their hearts. His final rites were held in Mumbai, attended by close family and friends. Asrani leaves behind a legacy of laughter, artistry, and an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
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China, EU expected to play key role at COP30
As the world gears up for the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), China and the European Union are anticipated to take center stage in driving global climate efforts. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), expressed optimism about the collaborative potential of these two major climate actors, particularly in light of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement for the second time. COP30, set to take place in Belem, Brazil, next month, will review the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, a critical step in global climate governance. Andersen highlighted China’s ambitious renewable energy goals, including a target to increase wind and solar power capacity to 3,600 gigawatts by 2035, as a transformative force in the global energy transition. She also emphasized the potential for China-EU cooperation to spur low-carbon investments in developing economies, creating multilateral benefits. Andersen noted that such collaborations could stimulate industrial growth, generate jobs, and provide foundational infrastructure like renewable energy systems, which are essential for education, healthcare, and economic development in the Global South. The absence of the US, historically a key player in climate negotiations, underscores the importance of China and the EU’s leadership in ensuring the success of COP30. Andersen praised the ongoing dialogue between China and the EU, particularly within the G20 framework, and expressed confidence in their ability to drive ambitious climate action. She described the potential outcomes of their joint efforts as a ‘true win-win,’ with innovations and investments catalyzing sustainable development worldwide.
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Farmers return to their roots to reap abundant profits
Zhaotong, a city in Yunnan province, has emerged as a beacon of rural revitalization, leveraging its unique agricultural products to drive economic growth and improve living standards. Once part of China’s 832 poverty-stricken counties, Yiliang, a county within Zhaotong, has transformed its fortunes through the cultivation of specialty crops such as gastrodia elata, apples, and Sichuan peppers. The city now leads Yunnan in agricultural output, with last year’s total value exceeding 150 billion yuan ($21.06 billion) and projected to reach 180 billion yuan this year.
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Blue Jays set up World Series meeting with Dodgers
The Toronto Blue Jays have clinched their first World Series appearance since 1993 after a thrilling victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Trailing 3-1, outfielder George Springer delivered a game-changing three-run home run in the seventh inning, propelling the Blue Jays to a 4-3 series win. The only Canadian franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB) will now face the defending champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the highly anticipated ‘Fall Classic.’
Springer, a key player in the Houston Astros’ 2017 World Series triumph, expressed his elation, stating, ‘I’m just so happy for our team, our city, our country. This is such an unbelievable moment.’ With 23 post-season home runs, Springer now ranks third in MLB history, trailing only Manny Ramirez (29) and Jose Altuve (27). Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Springer’s clutch performance, calling it ‘October magic.’
The Mariners, who led the series 2-0 and 3-2, remain the only MLB franchise never to reach the World Series. Manager Dan Wilson acknowledged the disappointment but commended his team’s efforts, saying, ‘It’s a special team. It’s a shame that we had to come out on the wrong side of this one.’
The Blue Jays, who previously won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, will host the Dodgers in Game 1 on Friday, marking a historic return to the championship stage.
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Toxic haze in Delhi despite ‘green’ Diwali
Delhi, India’s capital, faced a severe air quality crisis following the Diwali festival, as firecrackers exacerbated the city’s already toxic atmosphere. Despite a Supreme Court directive to use less-polluting ‘green’ fireworks and restrict their use to specific time slots, residents defied the orders, bursting traditional firecrackers late into the night. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 360, categorizing the air as ‘very poor.’ The AQI measures PM 2.5 levels—fine particulate matter that can cause respiratory and other health issues. The World Health Organization recommends PM 2.5 levels should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic meter over 24 hours, but Delhi’s levels were 24 times higher in some areas. The city’s pollution problem intensifies during winter due to crop stubble burning in neighboring states and low wind speeds that trap pollutants. Although firecrackers were banned in Delhi since 2020, enforcement has been lax, and traditional crackers were openly sold in shops. Critics argue that even ‘green’ crackers, which emit 20-30% fewer pollutants, still release harmful substances. Residents reported thick smog and poor visibility, with many expressing resignation over the recurring issue. Experts fear that relaxing rules around firecrackers could undermine efforts to raise awareness about air pollution dangers. Authorities have implemented measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb emissions, but the situation remains dire.
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Can you name every team in the NBA in 10 minutes?
The highly anticipated NBA season is set to commence on Tuesday, October 21, at 00:30 BST on Wednesday, October 22. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey for all 30 teams across North America, each vying for the coveted championship title. To celebrate the start of the season, we invite you to test your basketball knowledge by taking on the challenge of naming every team in the NBA. You have just 10 minutes to complete this quiz—good luck! This quiz is part of our ongoing series of sports challenges, which also includes naming every Champions League winner, identifying the Faithfuls in our Traitors-inspired quiz, and listing every NFL team in 10 minutes. If you enjoy testing your sports knowledge, visit our dedicated sports quizzes page and sign up for notifications to receive the latest quizzes directly on your device.