FRANCE: Former president Nicolas Sarkozy maintained his innocence today, telling an appeal hearing in Paris that not a single euro cent from Libya had helped fund his 2007 presidential campaign.

“I owe the truth to the French people,” he told a three-judge panel. “I’m innocent.”

Mr Sarkozy, 71, was found guilty in September of criminal conspiracy and sentenced to five years in prison for his part in a scheme to obtain funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi in exchange for political and diplomatic favours.

VENEZUELA: Delcy Rodriguez remained acting president today, exceeding the 90-day limit set by the high court following the US kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro in January.

Under Venezuela’s constitution, temporary absences are to be filled by the vice-president — Ms Rodriguez’s former role — for up to 90 days.

Such interim appointments can be extended by the National Assembly for an additional 90 days, though it has not yet voted to do so.

UNITED STATES: The Artemis II astronauts have begun their journey home, wrapping up a lunar cruise that revealed never previously seen views of the far side.

The mission, which took the three US astronauts and one Canadian deeper into space than any other humans in history, was a significant step towards landing boot prints near the moon’s south pole in just two years.

TURKEY: Three assailants opened fire at police today outside the building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, sparking a gunfight that left one attacker dead.

The other assailants, two brothers, were captured after being wounded.

Two police officers sustained slight injuries in the clash, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul told reporters.