International
The trial against Sarkozy opens for financing his campaign with Gaddafi money
The Paris Correctional Court began on Monday the trial against former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and twelve other men for the alleged irregular financing of the 2007 electoral campaign with money from the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi.
Sarkozy, who turns 70 at the end of the month, did not want to make statements to the press before the start of the hearing, to which he presented himself in a dark suit and black tie.
In the brief interrogation to which the president of the court, Nathalie Gavarino, subjected all the defendants present (some did not attend, there is one who is considered probably dead and another is in Lebanon, in search and capture), the former head of the French State between 2007 and 2012 recalled that his current profession is a lawyer.
Before the hearing began, Sarkozy was talking in the courtroom with several lawyers and with the other three of the main defendants, former ministers Claude Guéant, Brice Hortefeux and Éric Woerth, as well as with his brother Guillaume.
In this process, which will last until April 10, the French president between 2007 and 2012 is accused of crimes that, if found guilty, could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 375,000 euros.
Sarkozy’s convictions
The former conservative president has already been convicted on two occasions, and one of them is definitive, after the opinion a month ago of the Supreme Court, with a firm sentence of one year in prison for a case of corruption and influence peddling, which he can serve under house arrest with an electronic bracelet.
In addition, Sarkozy has been sentenced in the first instance for the irregular financing of his failed presidential election campaign of 2012 (he lost to the socialist François Hollande), to a sentence of one year in prison, half exempt from compliance and the other half under house arrest.
The appeal trial has already taken place and the decision will be known during this year.
The first hearing this Monday will be dedicated to procedural appeals that try to annul the process.
International
U.S. reinforces southern border with additional military personnel
The U.S. military has announced the deployment of more than 600 additional troops to the Mexico border, reinforcing President Donald Trump’s efforts against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
According to the U.S. Northern Command (Northcom), the new deployment includes 40 Air Force intelligence analysts and 590 Army engineers. This move will increase the total number of troops currently stationed or scheduled for deployment at the southern border to approximately 9,600.
The decision aligns with the administration’s broader border security strategy, emphasizing intelligence gathering, infrastructure development, and operational support for law enforcement agencies.
International
New ‘Bitcoin Bonds’ could save U.S. government $554 Billion, says investor Andrew Hohns
Andrew Hohns, renowned investor and founder of Newmarket Capital, recently introduced his ‘Bitcoin Bonds’ at the Bitcoin for America event. This innovative mechanism combines traditional U.S. Treasury bonds with investments in Bitcoin, aiming to lower federal debt costs while building a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the government.
Hohns’ plan proposes issuing $2 trillion in bonds, allocating 10% to Bitcoin purchases and 90% to other government expenditures. These bonds would offer a significantly lower interest rate of 1%, compared to the current 4.5% on 10-year bonds—potentially saving the federal government $554 billion over a decade.
A unique feature of these bonds is that investors would not only receive the standard 4.5% annual interest but also share profits from Bitcoin’s value appreciation with the government. Additionally, Hohns advocates for tax exemptions on capital gains and interest earnings from these bonds, making them an attractive option for American families looking to hedge against inflation.
“This plan doesn’t just cut debt costs—it provides American families with a new savings tool,” said Hohns.
International
Pedro Castillo suffers health crisis, rushed to hospital
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, who has been on a hunger strike since Monday, was hospitalized after suffering a health crisis, the court handling his trial announced on Thursday.
The 55-year-old was rushed to the Vitarte Hospital, the nearest facility to the presidential prison where he has been detained since December 2022. Judge Norma Carbajal stated that Castillo experienced a decompensation just hours before his trial resumed. However, medical reports confirm that he is now stable and out of danger.
Despite a request from Castillo’s public defender to suspend the hearing, the court decided to continue with the proceedings.
U.S. reinforces southern border with additional military personnel
New ‘Bitcoin Bonds’ could save U.S. government $554 Billion, says investor Andrew Hohns
Pedro Castillo suffers health crisis, rushed to hospital
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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