Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, is set to begin his five-year prison sentence following a Paris court’s ruling on Monday. Sarkozy was convicted of criminal conspiracy for allegedly financing his 2007 presidential campaign with funds from Libya. Despite his claims of innocence and an ongoing appeal, the court ordered immediate incarceration, citing the severity of the offense and its impact on public order. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, is the first former French leader in modern history to face actual prison time. The court granted him 18 days to organize his affairs before reporting to the National Financial Prosecutor’s office to finalize the incarceration date. Sarkozy’s supporters argue that his appeal should grant him the presumption of innocence under French law, but the ruling aligns with France’s judicial norms, where 90% of adults sentenced to at least two years are immediately imprisoned. The case revolves around allegations that Sarkozy, as a presidential candidate and interior minister, orchestrated corruption at the highest level, leveraging Libyan funds with the help of close associates. Sarkozy maintains the charges are part of a plot by the Gadhafi regime, retaliating for his role in the 2011 NATO intervention that led to Gadhafi’s downfall. For safety, Sarkozy is expected to be held in a high-security ‘VIP area’ of La Santé prison, where he will have access to basic amenities and can file a release request pending his appeal trial, likely scheduled for next spring.
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Chinese coast guard rams and damages a Philippine vessel off an island in the South China Sea
In a recent escalation of tensions in the disputed South China Sea, a Chinese coast guard vessel employed a high-pressure water cannon against a Philippine government ship anchored near Thitu Island, a territory occupied by the Philippines. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, resulted in minor structural damage to the Philippine vessel, BRP Datu Pagbuaya, though no injuries were reported among its crew. The Philippine coast guard condemned the act as a dangerous and provocative maneuver, emphasizing that such aggression would not deter their commitment to protecting national sovereignty.
The Chinese coast guard defended its actions, claiming that the Philippine vessels had illegally entered what it referred to as Chinese waters near Sandy Cay, a cluster of sandbars situated between Thitu Island and China’s artificial Subi Island base. According to Chinese authorities, the Philippine ships ignored repeated warnings, prompting the coast guard to take lawful measures to drive them away. Beijing reiterated its longstanding claim over virtually the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated such claims. The ruling, supported by the United States and its allies, has been consistently rejected by China.
The Philippine coast guard released video footage showing the Chinese vessel firing the water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, striking both the ship and its flags. Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, affirmed that such bullying tactics would not force Manila to relinquish any territory. Meanwhile, Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun accused the Philippines of undermining regional peace and stability, placing full responsibility for the incident on the Philippine side.
Thitu Island, known as Pag-asa in the Philippines, is the largest of nine islands and reefs inhabited by Philippine forces in the Spratlys archipelago, a highly contested region of the South China Sea. China has transformed several barren reefs into militarized artificial islands, including Subi, which lies just over 20 kilometers from Thitu. The latest confrontation adds to the challenges faced by the Philippine government, which is also grappling with natural disasters, including recent earthquakes and typhoons that have devastated parts of the country.
Philippine coast guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan vowed that the harassment would only strengthen their resolve to protect Filipino fisherfolk and uphold national sovereignty. The incident underscores the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, involving multiple nations and raising concerns over regional stability.
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A man in Brazil turned his childhood dream into a small cinema for film lovers
SAO PAULO — For Carlos Costa, the magic of cinema began at the age of six when his grandmother took him to see the 1977 Brazilian comedy “O Trapalhão nas Minas do Rei Salomão.” That experience ignited a lifelong passion and a dream: to one day own a movie theater. Five decades later, Costa turned that dream into reality with the opening of Cine LT3, a 35-seat independent cinema in Sao Paulo.
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Matt McCarty misses out on chance at PGA Tour history and settles for a 60 in Japan
YOKOHAMA, Japan — Matt McCarty experienced a bittersweet moment in his burgeoning PGA Tour career during the Baycurrent Classic. Despite carding the lowest score of his professional journey, McCarty couldn’t shake the disappointment of narrowly missing a historic milestone. On Sunday, he approached the final hole with a tantalizing opportunity to match the PGA Tour’s 18-hole record of 58, set by Jim Furyk in 2016. However, a single errant swing dashed his hopes, sending his ball into the trees and forcing him to settle for a bogey and a final score of 60. ‘One swing away from a 58,’ McCarty lamented. ‘It’s a tough way to finish a really good day.’
McCarty’s remarkable round began on the 10th hole at Yokohama Country Club, where he trailed the leader by 13 shots. He ignited his performance with four birdies on the back nine, followed by a flawless streak of birdies on the front nine. However, his momentum faltered at the 409-yard ninth hole, which curves sharply to the left. ‘I was a little tight and tried to guide it too much,’ McCarty admitted. ‘I thought I had a chance around the corner.’ His ball struck a tree and veered into the forest, leaving him with a penalty and a challenging recovery. Despite the setback, McCarty managed to salvage a bogey, showcasing his resilience.
Reflecting on his performance, McCarty expressed mixed emotions. ‘It’s weird to play that well and come off the course feeling like this,’ he said. While his 60 remains a career-best, the near-miss of a record-breaking 58 left a lingering sense of what could have been. The PGA Tour record of 58, achieved by Furyk at the Travelers Championship, has only been matched by 14 other rounds of 59, most recently by Jake Knapp earlier this year. McCarty’s performance, though not historic, underscores his potential and determination on the tour.
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A Myanmar town lies in shambles as both sides in civil war vie for control
KYAUKME, Myanmar — Ten days after its recapture by Myanmar’s military government, the town of Kyaukme remains a ghostly shadow of its former self. Schools have reopened, but the once-bustling market is eerily empty, with vendors hastily closing their stalls at the sight of visiting journalists. The Associated Press, granted rare access to the war-torn area under military supervision, documented the devastation on Friday. The town, located in Shan State, is now a scene of charred wreckage, with official buildings such as the courthouse, police station, and government housing reduced to ruins. The hospital’s operations have been temporarily relocated to a nearby Chinese temple, and at least one fire engine lies burnt out. While civilian houses appear mostly unscathed, the majority of the town’s 46,000 residents have fled, leaving Kyaukme a desolate shell. The ethnic militia previously in control accused the military of causing the destruction through air strikes and heavy weapons, while government soldiers claim the militia destroyed structures during their retreat. Kyaukme’s strategic location on a highway connecting central Myanmar to China has made it a focal point in the ongoing civil war, which erupted after the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021. The town has changed hands twice since then, most recently falling back to the military on October 1 after a three-week battle. Army checkpoints now dot the road from Nawnghkio, a recently recaptured town, to Kyaukme, with unexploded ordnance and land mines posing ongoing threats. Locals who remain, unable to afford relocation, describe a town on the front lines of conflict, with residents unwilling to return until nearby areas are secured.
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Afghanistan says it has killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between neighboring nations, Afghanistan announced on Sunday that its forces had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations. The Taliban government described the action as a retaliatory response to repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace by Pakistan. Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities had accused Pakistan of bombing Kabul and a market in eastern Afghanistan, though Islamabad denied responsibility. The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed that Afghan forces had also captured 25 Pakistani army posts and wounded 30 soldiers. The Torkham border crossing, a vital trade route between the two countries, remained closed on Sunday, further straining relations. Pakistan, meanwhile, accused Afghanistan of harboring members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group Islamabad blames for deadly attacks within its borders. Kabul has consistently denied these allegations. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Afghan assault, asserting that Pakistan’s army had responded decisively, destroying several Afghan posts and forcing a retreat. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the escalating tensions, urging both sides to prioritize dialogue and restraint. The conflict underscores the fragile security dynamics along the 2,611-kilometer Durand Line, a border Afghanistan has never formally recognized.
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Trump directs Pentagon to ‘use all available funds’ to pay troops during shutdown
Amid an ongoing federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump has issued a directive to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, ensuring military personnel receive their scheduled pay on October 15. This move comes as thousands of federal employees face pay freezes or layoffs, marking an unprecedented escalation in the political standoff between Republicans and Democrats. Trump emphasized his commitment to the military, stating on his Truth Social platform, ‘I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government Shutdown.’
The shutdown, now in its 12th day, stems from a deadlock over a spending plan. Democrats refuse to support a Republican proposal unless it preserves expiring tax credits that reduce health insurance costs and reverses Trump’s cuts to Medicaid. Republicans, meanwhile, accuse Democrats of unnecessarily prolonging the shutdown and causing widespread disruption.
In a controversial move, the Trump administration has begun laying off thousands of federal workers, citing the shutdown as justification. White House Office of Management Director Russell Vought announced the start of ‘reductions in force’ (RIFs), with over 4,000 employees dismissed across seven agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Treasury Department, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The CDC’s Washington DC office was entirely laid off, affecting critical roles such as Ebola response and immunization efforts.
Major unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees and AFL-CIO, have filed a lawsuit in northern California to block the layoffs, calling them ‘disgraceful’ and illegal. However, the Justice Department argued that a restraining order would ‘irreparably harm the government.’ The White House has indicated that more layoffs are imminent, with agencies like the Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency likely to see further cuts.
The political fallout from the shutdown continues to escalate, with both parties blaming each other for the impasse. Trump’s directive to pay military personnel may alleviate some pressure on congressional leaders, but the broader impact on federal workers and essential services remains a growing concern.
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Afghan Taliban confirm ‘retaliatory’ border attacks on Pakistan
The Taliban government has acknowledged launching retaliatory strikes against Pakistani forces along the mountainous northern border, escalating tensions between the two nations. The Taliban claimed the attacks were in response to Pakistan’s alleged violation of Afghan airspace and bombing of a market in Paktika province on Thursday. Casualties from the clashes remain unclear.
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South Africa debates changing name of world-famous Kruger park
South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park, a cornerstone of the nation’s tourism industry, is at the center of a heated debate over its name. The park, which attracts nearly a million visitors annually, was named in 1926 after Paul Kruger, a 19th-century president of the South African Republic. While Kruger is revered by Afrikaners as a hero who resisted British colonialism, many South Africans view him as a symbol of the country’s racist past, accusing him of displacing black communities and excluding them from governance.
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Farmer finds car-sized Nasa probe in Texas field
In an unexpected turn of events, a farmer in Edmonson, Texas, stumbled upon a NASA research probe the size of a car in his field. The probe, which had gone missing during a mission, veered off its intended trajectory and crash-landed on October 2. The incident has sparked widespread interest, as such occurrences are rare and often shrouded in mystery. NASA officials have since confirmed the discovery and are investigating the cause of the deviation. The probe, designed for advanced scientific research, was on a critical mission to gather data on atmospheric conditions. The crash landing has raised questions about the safety protocols and tracking mechanisms employed by the space agency. Meanwhile, the farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed both surprise and concern over the unexpected visitor. Local authorities have cordoned off the area to ensure public safety and facilitate NASA’s recovery efforts. This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of space exploration and the challenges faced by scientists and engineers in ensuring mission success.