Briefly

FRANCE

Ex-president Sarkozy loses corruption appeal

Former president Nicolas Sarkozy lost his appeal against a 2021 conviction for corruption and influence peddling at the Paris Court of Appeals on Wednesday. The court upheld a three-year prison sentence. It said two of those years were suspended and that Sarkozy would wear an electronic bracelet instead of going to jail for the remaining year. A lower court in 2021 had found Sarkozy guilty of trying to bribe a judge after leaving office.

INDIA

Hooch tragedy death toll rises to 20

The death toll in the recent hooch tragedy in the southern state of Tamil Nadu has risen to 20, an official said on Wednesday. More than 30 people are undergoing treatment in hospitals. The victims possibly consumed liquor that contained a mixture of ethanol-methanol and other chemical substances, a senior police officer said.

NEPAL

Guide sets Qomolangma record with 27th ascent

A Nepali sherpa guide scaled Qomolangma, also known in the West as Mount Everest, for a record 27th time on Wednesday, beating his own record. Kami Rita, 53, scaled the 8,849-meter mountain early in the morning along the traditional southeast ridge route, guiding a foreign climber, officials said.

Agencies - Xinhua