**Summary:** The French public prosecutor's office has requested a seven-year prison sentence for former President Nicolas Sarkozy in his appeal trial regarding the alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the Libyan regime.

**Key points:**
- Prosecutors also requested a 300,000-euro fine and a five-year ineligibility period for the former president.
- The appeal trial, which began in March 2026, concerns charges of corruption and illegal campaign financing.
- In the first instance, Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy.
- The Paris Court of Appeal is scheduled to deliver its final verdict on November 30, 2026.
- The prosecution also sought prison sentences for former close associates, including Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux.

**Why it matters:** This case marks a significant legal challenge for a former French head of state, involving allegations of foreign interference and corruption in a presidential election.

rtbf.be - Procès libyen en France : sept ans de prison réclamés contre Nicolas Sarkozy

mediapart.fr - Procès libyen en appel : le parquet général réclame sept ans de prison contre Nicolas Sarkozy

lalibre.be - Procès libyen: voici la peine requise par le parquet contre Nicolas Sarkozy

sudouest.fr - Procès libyen en appel : l’accusation requiert la condamnation de Nicolas Sarkozy à sept ans de prison

ladepeche.fr - Nicolas Sarkozy : le parquet général requiert sept ans de prison dans l'affaire du financement libyen présumé de la campagne présidentielle de 2007

French Prosecutors Seek Seven-Year Prison Term for Nicolas Sarkozy in Libyan Financing Case

**Summary:** The Philippine Senate was placed under lockdown on Wednesday night after reports of gunfire and alleged attempts by armed individuals to enter the building, amid ongoing tensions regarding an arrest warrant for Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa.

**Key points:**
- Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa is the subject of a pending arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to the Duterte administration's drug war.
- Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla visited the Senate to investigate the incident, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured lawmakers the government was not behind the security breach.
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag denied deploying any agents to the Senate, stating that all officials were attending a workshop.
- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident and that authorities would respect the Supreme Court's legal review process.

**Why it matters:** The incident marks a significant escalation in the political instability surrounding the ICC's investigation into the Philippines' former drug war policies and the legal status of key administration figures.

myjoyonline.com - Philippine Senate in lockdown after gunshots fired

inquirer.net - Bato dela Rosa surrender key to easing Senate tensions

inquirer.net - Jonvic Remulla meets with senators after shots heard in Senate

inquirer.net - Bato safe, no arrest tonight after Senate chaos, Cayetano says

inquirer.net - NBI chief Matibag denies deploying agents to Senate amid gunshots

Philippine Senate Placed Under Lockdown Following Reports of Gunfire

**Summary:** Moroccan security forces arrested a 22-year-old individual in Dakhla for alleged ties to the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization. The suspect was reportedly planning attacks against individuals and public order.

**Key points:**
- The arrest was conducted by the Judicial Police based on intelligence provided by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance.
- Authorities seized electronic devices, various bladed weapons, and paramilitary-style uniforms during the operation.
- The suspect has been placed in custody pending a judicial investigation overseen by the public prosecutor's office.

**Why it matters:** The operation highlights Morocco's ongoing proactive security measures to neutralize potential terrorist threats and maintain national stability.

yabiladi.com - Dakhla : Arrestation d’un extrémiste terroriste affilié à Daech

hespress.com - توقيف "متطرف داعشي" بمدينة الداخلة

Moroccan Authorities Arrest 22-Year-Old Suspected ISIS Affiliate in Dakhla

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for a three-day state visit, marking his first trip to China since 2017. The visit focuses on trade, technology, and international security issues.

**Key points:**
- President Trump is accompanied by executives from major US companies, including Boeing, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, and leaders such as Elon Musk and Tim Cook.
- Key agenda items include discussions on Iran, energy, artificial intelligence, and the potential for US arms sales to Taiwan.
- The talks aim to maintain a trade truce established in late 2025 and address market access for American firms.

**Why it matters:** The visit is a critical attempt to stabilize US-China economic relations and manage geopolitical tensions regarding Iran and Taiwan.

interfax.ru - Трамп прибыл с визитом в Китай

fedpress.ru - Зачем Трамп и Путин едут к Си Цзиньпину : мнение политолога

espreso.tv - Трамп прибув до Китаю з триденним державним візитом

US President Donald Trump Arrives in China for Three-Day State Visit

**Summary:** The reinstatement of the vice-presidency in Cameroon has triggered intense speculation regarding potential successors to President Paul Biya, as the recent deaths of several long-time regime allies signal a shift in the political landscape.

**Key points:**
- President Paul Biya's decree re-establishing the vice-presidential position has led to competition among technocrats, presidential family members, and political insiders.
- The deaths of multiple historical figures in the regime during April and May 2026 have disrupted established power networks and loyalty structures.
- Observers note that the loss of these key allies complicates the transition of power, as the current system relies heavily on personal allegiances rather than formal institutions.

**Why it matters:** The simultaneous loss of veteran political figures and the uncertainty surrounding the vice-presidential succession threaten the stability of Cameroon's long-standing neopatrimonial governance model.

camer.be - :: La mort des compagnons de Biya accélère la fin d'une ère politique

jeuneafrique.com - Vice-président de Paul Biya : un silence qui dure et une liste de prétendants qui s’allonge

Cameroon Faces Political Uncertainty Amid Succession Speculation and Loss of Key Figures

**Summary:** Over 1,700 people are under quarantine on an Ambassador Cruise Line ship in Bordeaux, France, following the death of a 90-year-old passenger and a suspected outbreak of gastro-enteritis.

**Key points:**
- Approximately 50 passengers have reported symptoms, with health authorities conducting tests to identify a potential norovirus infection.
- The vessel, carrying 1,233 passengers and 514 crew members, departed from the Shetland Islands on May 6.
- The ship previously made stops in Belfast, Liverpool, and Brest before arriving in Bordeaux, with plans to continue to Spain.

**Why it matters:** The incident highlights public health protocols on international cruise vessels and the management of infectious disease outbreaks in confined maritime environments.

rtbf.be - France : plus de 1700 personnes confinées dans un paquebot après un décès, une épidémie de gastro-entérite suspectée

lalibre.be - Plus de 1.700 personnes confinées dans un paquebot en France après un décès: ce que l'on sait

Cruise Ship Confined in Bordeaux Following Passenger Death and Gastro-Enteritis Outbreak

**Summary:** Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) has confirmed that Indonesia will retain its emerging market classification, despite removing six Indonesian stocks from its Global Standard Index during the May 2026 rebalancing.

**Key points:**
- OJK (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) stated that the removal of specific stocks is part of a routine index provider cycle.
- The OJK reported that the Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) decline following the announcement remains within a normal range.
- Market reforms aimed at increasing transparency in share ownership structures led to the index adjustments.
- A further update on Indonesia's market status is expected during the Market Accessibility Review in June 2026.

**Why it matters:** The decision confirms Indonesia's continued credibility as an emerging market, while the index adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to improve transparency and data accuracy in the domestic capital market.

antaranews.com - OJK sebut koreksi IHSG usai rebalancing MSCI masih wajar

okezone.com - MSCI Pertahankan Status Indonesia di Emerging Market tapi Depak 6 Saham, Ini Respons OJK

MSCI Maintains Indonesia's Emerging Market Status Despite Index Rebalancing

**Summary:** The Indian government has increased import duties on gold and silver to 15% from 6% to curb bullion demand, reduce the trade deficit, and stabilize the rupee amid economic pressures from energy disruptions in the Middle East.

**Key points:**
- The new tariff structure comprises a 10% basic customs duty and a 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC).
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appealed to citizens to limit gold purchases and unnecessary foreign travel to help protect the currency.
- Gold and silver imports accounted for approximately 11% of India's total import bill in the fiscal year ending March 2026.
- The duty hike is expected to impact annual bullion demand by 5-10% and may lead to increased volatility in domestic commodity derivatives markets.

**Why it matters:** The move reflects India's efforts to manage a record-low rupee and a widening current account deficit caused by high energy costs and significant bullion imports.

CNBC - India hikes bullion import duties as the world's second-largest gold market faces a declining rupee

Financial Post - India More Than Doubles Gold, Silver Tariffs to Defend Rupee

Mint - India raises gold , silver import tariffs to 15 %; revises customs duty on precious metal findings

India More Than Doubles Gold and Silver Import Tariffs to Support Rupee