Briefly

FRANCE

Sarkozy convicted over illegal financing

French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted and sentenced to a year of house arrest on Thursday for illegal campaign financing of his unsuccessful 2012 reelection bid. Sarkozy was accused of having spent almost twice the maximum legal amount of 22.5 million euros ($27.5 million) on the reelection bid that he lost to Socialist Francois Hollande. Sarkozy, France's president from 2007 to 2012, had vigorously denied wrongdoing during the trial in May and June. He can appeal the decision, which would suspend the sentence.

RUSSIA

Putin, Erdogan call Syria talks productive

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan described three-hour talks they held as "useful" and "productive" as they met to discuss the Syrian conflict. It was their first face-to-face talks in 18 months. The Russian leader hosted Erdogan at his Black Sea residence in the resort of Sochi. The two men, who did not address reporters after the meeting, had been expected to discuss issues involving northwestern Syria.

ECUADOR

Jails emergency put in place after riot kills 116

Ecuador's president has declared a state of emergency in the prison system following a battle among gang members in a coastal lockup that killed at least 116 people and injured 80 in what authorities say was the country's worst prison bloodbath. President Guillermo Lasso decreed a state of emergency on Wednesday. The order came a day after the bloodshed at the Litoral Penitentiary in the city of Guayaquil that officials blamed on gangs linked to international drug cartels fighting for control of the facility.

Agencies Via Xinhua