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].

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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 Committee

The 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. 2

Russian 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.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> San Diego’s Comic-Con, the world’s largest comic book convention, will be held virtually in 2021 for the second straight year; an in-person convention is planned for November (More)

> The 2021 Golden Globes pull in an estimated 5.4 million viewers, down 60% from last year; would be the lowest-rated broadcast for the awards since 1995 (More)

> J.J. Watt, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, departs Houston Texans after 10 seasons and signs two-year, $31M contract with Arizona Cardinals (More) | Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers donates $1M to California small businesses affected by COVID-19 (More)

Science & Technology

> Rocket Lab and satellite operator Spire Global to separately go public via special purpose acquisition companies as SPAC-craze hits the space industry (More) | How do SPACs work? (More)

> Archeologists in Pompeii recover almost fully intact ceremonial chariot; discovery is the latest find following an investigation into an illegal dig (More)

> Researchers develop potential vaccine strategy to prevent urinary tract infections; drug regimen showed success in mouse studies (More)

Business & Markets

Brought to you by The Ascent

> US stock markets surge (S&P 500 +2.4%, Dow +2.0%, Nasdaq +3.0%) on vaccine optimism; S&P 500 sees best trading day since June 2020 (More) | Videoconferencing giant Zoom surpasses earnings expectations on 369% annual revenue growth; shares up more than 10% in after-hours trading (More)

> All US Apple stores are open to customers for the first time since the pandemic led to store closures (More)

> Texas’ oldest power cooperative files for bankruptcy protection due to $1.8B grid debt stemming from February winter storms (More)

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Politics & World Affairs

> First Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines expected to be administered today (More) | US reports a total of 514,647 COVID-19 deaths, up 1,567 from yesterday; see averages here (More) | Almost 51 million people (15% of US population) have received at least one vaccine dose; see how your state is doing here (More)

> Deposed Myanmar (Burma) leader Aung San Suu Kyi appears in hearing, faces two new charges (More) | Gunmen release hundreds of kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria (More)

> Senate confirms Miguel Cardona as secretary of education in 64-33 vote (More) | Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) released from hospital after getting knocked unconscious from an accidental fall over the weekend (More) | Third woman accuses New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) of unwanted advances (More)

IN-DEPTH

Inside Xinjiang’s Prison State

New 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 Discontent

The 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)

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ETCETERA

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).

"Everybody pulls for David, nobody roots for Goliath."

- Wilt Chamberlain

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