Sarkozy, Penal Colony No. 2, and the Footlong of Discontent
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy convicted on corruption charges, Alexei Navalny transferred to notorious prison, and much more.
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Good morning. It's Tuesday, March 2, and we're covering a conviction in France, a pivotal voting rights case, and the fate of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected]. First time reading? Sign up here. NEED TO KNOW
Sarkozy Convicted Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted yesterday on charges of corruption. Two years of the three-year sentence will be suspended, with the remaining year spent under house arrest. The decision makes Sarkozy the second French president to be convicted after leaving office in the past decade—Jacques Chirac was found guilty of embezzlement in 2012, though the entire sentence was suspended. The charges stem from a 2014 attempt by Sarkozy to exchange a prestigious position for a judge in return for information on a separate probe into whether Sarkozy manipulated L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt into financing his 2007 campaign. He also faces an upcoming trial over whether he exceeded legal limits on campaign spending during the same election. The most sensational of Sarkozy's legal woes involves claims he funneled roughly $60M from former Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi to his campaign. A trial has not yet been set for the latter charges. Sarkozy will remain free pending appeal. Brnovich v. Democratic National CommitteeThe US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in two cases with potentially wide-ranging impact on election law. The consolidated cases, both from Arizona, question the scope of Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, color, or language. At issue is whether Arizona's ballot collection law—which prohibits third parties, with certain exceptions, from delivering someone else's completed ballot—unfairly targets minorities. The justices will also consider a rule that requires ballots cast outside of a voter's precinct to be discarded; a law critics say unfairly burdens Hispanic and Native American residents. However, because the laws are designed as race-neutral, the cases will test what qualifies as a Section 2 violation, an outcome likely to impact election law in all 50 states. A decision is expected by early summer. Separately, the House will consider a nearly 800-page overhaul to federal election law. If passed, the package would still need to clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. Penal Colony No. 2Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny will spend at least the first part of his two-and-a-half-year sentence at one of the country's most notorious prisons, according to reports yesterday. Known as Penal Colony No. 2, observers say the site, located 60 miles east of Moscow, was chosen to "psychologically break" Navalny, who has been one of the most outspoken critics of President Vladimir Putin. Navalny was arrested after voluntarily returning from Berlin in January. Prosecutors argue he violated the terms of his probation—referring to Navalny's emergency medical transport after being poisoned en route to Moscow and slipping into a coma. His case has sparked ongoing protests, mostly youth-driven, across the country, with more than 10,000 people being arrested. Read descriptions of the prison from former inmates here. Enjoy reading? Share 1440 with your three closest friends. ACTION PLAN POWERED BY SCIENCE
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Inside Xinjiang’s Prison StateNew Yorker | Ben Mauk. One of the most detailed looks to date at China's vast network of detention facilities where Muslim minorities in the country's Xinjiang province are held—with rare accounts from survivors. (Read, $$) Footlong of DiscontentThe Hustle | Zachary Crockett. The story of Subway's famous $5 footlong deal, a promotion that was wildly popular—except with franchise owners squeezed by its terrible unit economics. (Read) WHAT'S YOUR REAL AGE?
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AI platform creates deepfake videos from old still photos. The International Space Station is getting some new solar wings. Mapping the price of beer in every country. Tech startup Clue set to release a "digital contraceptive." AI botches an attempt to write candy heart messages. Archaeologists unearth the oldest known pet cemetery. Lady Gaga's dog walker makes first comments since ambush. Possible Banksy work appears on British prison. Clickbait: Alabama woman faces felony charge for stealing, painting neighbor's goat. Historybook: Children’s author Dr. Seuss born (1904); Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Jones born (1919); Former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev born (1931); Wilt Chamberlain sets all-time NBA record with 100 points in a single game (1962).
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