Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy stripped of nation's top honour
The centre-right politician has been embroiled in legal battles since leaving office in 2012.
France's highest court upheld his conviction for corruption and influence peddling in 2024, ordering him to wear an electronic tag for a year — a first for a former French head of state.
Also in 2024, an appeals court confirmed a separate conviction for illegal campaign financing in his failed re-election bid in 2012.
The rules of the Legion of Honour award meant the revocation — announced in a decree published in Sunday's Official Bulletin — had been expected.
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Sky News AU
16 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Luxury brand Louis Vuitton suffers massive data breach
French luxury house Louis Vuitton has been the victim of a large data breach which revealed the personal information of Aussie shoppers, including clients' home addresses and passport numbers. The high-end label, best known for its iconic monogram handbags and accessories, was the victim of a data breach by an unauthorised third party on July 2. In recent days, reports have emerged that clients in South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Italy and Sweden were impacted by the breach. On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Aussie customers have also been tied up in the security breach. In a client email obtained by Louis Vuitton confirmed clients' first and last name, gender, country, phone number, email address, postal address, date of birth, purchases and preferences data, and passport number were exposed in the breach. The French luxury house clarified that no financial information was stolen during the breach. "Dear Client, We regret to inform you that an unauthorised third party temporarily accessed our system and obtained some of your information," the email said. "On July 2, 2025, we became aware of a personal data breach resulting from the exfiltration of certain personal data of some of our clients following an unauthorised access to our system. "We would like to assure you that our cybersecurity teams have taken care of the incident with the utmost diligence and attention. "Technical measures were immediately taken to contain the incident after its occurrence, notably by blocking the unauthorised access. Louis Vuitton teams are mobilised to cooperate with the competent authorities which have been notified." Louis Vuitton also warned customers to remain vigilant against any suspicious communication which could be linked to the stolen data. "We warmly recommend that you remain vigilant against any unsolicited communication or other suspicious correspondence, including emails, phone calls or text messages," the company said. "While we have no evidence that your data has been misused to date, phishing attempts, fraud attempts, or unauthorized use of your information may occur. You should never disclose your Louis Vuitton password to anyone, and you can rest assured that Louis Vuitton will never ask you to disclose it." Collecting and storing customers' details and purchase history is an industry-standard practice for most companies selling pricey wares, which rely on cultivating lucrative client-customer relationships. Louis Vuitton is one of several companies under the banner of French conglomerate LVMH, which also incorporates the likes of Dior and Tiffany & Co. Both Dior and Tiffany & Co. have been hit by similar breaches in recent months amid a broader wave of cyberattacks targeting customer information.
The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Ukraine and Russia poised to hold peace talks
The first peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in seven weeks are imminent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says. Zelenskiy quoted a senior Kyiv official as saying the talks will be held in Turkey on Wednesday. Russia's state TASS news agency reported a source in Turkey had also said the talks would take place on Wednesday. However the RIA news agency, also quoting a source, said they would take place over two days, Thursday and Friday. The Kremlin said it was waiting for confirmation of the date of the talks but said the two sides were "diametrically opposed" in their positions on how to end the war. Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on Monday that he spoke with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, in preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with Russia in Turkey. "Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. More details will follow tomorrow," Zelenskiy said. Umerov, previously defence minister, was appointed to his current role last week and headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia. Ukraine has backed US calls for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow says certain arrangements must be put in place before a ceasefire can be introduced. Russian forces have launched sustained attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, including missiles and hundreds of drones on Monday night that killed two people and injured 15. Ukraine has also launched long-range drone attacks. "The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, and the preparation of a leaders' meeting," Zelenskiy said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Zelenskiy to meet him in person. Putin has said he does not see Zelenskiy as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired in 2024. "There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far." Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers. But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three-and-a-half years of war. The Kremlin says Ukraine must abandon four regions Moscow says have been incorporated into Russia. Trump said last week he would impose new sanctions in 50 days on Russia and nations that buy its exports if there is no deal before then to end the conflict. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking in Kyiv after talks with Zelenskiy, noted Russia's refusal to implement an immediate ceasefire as well as its "maximalist" demands. "Discussions must begin, but on a basis that respects the interests of both parties, because diplomacy is not submission," he told a news conference. "And diplomacy begins with meetings at the level of heads of state and government, something Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for." Barrot said he favoured devising an even tougher sanctions package if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire. The first peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in seven weeks are imminent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says. Zelenskiy quoted a senior Kyiv official as saying the talks will be held in Turkey on Wednesday. Russia's state TASS news agency reported a source in Turkey had also said the talks would take place on Wednesday. However the RIA news agency, also quoting a source, said they would take place over two days, Thursday and Friday. The Kremlin said it was waiting for confirmation of the date of the talks but said the two sides were "diametrically opposed" in their positions on how to end the war. Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on Monday that he spoke with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, in preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with Russia in Turkey. "Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. More details will follow tomorrow," Zelenskiy said. Umerov, previously defence minister, was appointed to his current role last week and headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia. Ukraine has backed US calls for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow says certain arrangements must be put in place before a ceasefire can be introduced. Russian forces have launched sustained attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, including missiles and hundreds of drones on Monday night that killed two people and injured 15. Ukraine has also launched long-range drone attacks. "The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, and the preparation of a leaders' meeting," Zelenskiy said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Zelenskiy to meet him in person. Putin has said he does not see Zelenskiy as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired in 2024. "There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far." Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers. But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three-and-a-half years of war. The Kremlin says Ukraine must abandon four regions Moscow says have been incorporated into Russia. Trump said last week he would impose new sanctions in 50 days on Russia and nations that buy its exports if there is no deal before then to end the conflict. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking in Kyiv after talks with Zelenskiy, noted Russia's refusal to implement an immediate ceasefire as well as its "maximalist" demands. "Discussions must begin, but on a basis that respects the interests of both parties, because diplomacy is not submission," he told a news conference. "And diplomacy begins with meetings at the level of heads of state and government, something Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for." Barrot said he favoured devising an even tougher sanctions package if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire. The first peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in seven weeks are imminent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says. Zelenskiy quoted a senior Kyiv official as saying the talks will be held in Turkey on Wednesday. Russia's state TASS news agency reported a source in Turkey had also said the talks would take place on Wednesday. However the RIA news agency, also quoting a source, said they would take place over two days, Thursday and Friday. The Kremlin said it was waiting for confirmation of the date of the talks but said the two sides were "diametrically opposed" in their positions on how to end the war. Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on Monday that he spoke with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, in preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with Russia in Turkey. "Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. More details will follow tomorrow," Zelenskiy said. Umerov, previously defence minister, was appointed to his current role last week and headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia. Ukraine has backed US calls for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow says certain arrangements must be put in place before a ceasefire can be introduced. Russian forces have launched sustained attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, including missiles and hundreds of drones on Monday night that killed two people and injured 15. Ukraine has also launched long-range drone attacks. "The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, and the preparation of a leaders' meeting," Zelenskiy said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Zelenskiy to meet him in person. Putin has said he does not see Zelenskiy as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired in 2024. "There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far." Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers. But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three-and-a-half years of war. The Kremlin says Ukraine must abandon four regions Moscow says have been incorporated into Russia. Trump said last week he would impose new sanctions in 50 days on Russia and nations that buy its exports if there is no deal before then to end the conflict. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking in Kyiv after talks with Zelenskiy, noted Russia's refusal to implement an immediate ceasefire as well as its "maximalist" demands. "Discussions must begin, but on a basis that respects the interests of both parties, because diplomacy is not submission," he told a news conference. "And diplomacy begins with meetings at the level of heads of state and government, something Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for." Barrot said he favoured devising an even tougher sanctions package if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire. The first peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in seven weeks are imminent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says. Zelenskiy quoted a senior Kyiv official as saying the talks will be held in Turkey on Wednesday. Russia's state TASS news agency reported a source in Turkey had also said the talks would take place on Wednesday. However the RIA news agency, also quoting a source, said they would take place over two days, Thursday and Friday. The Kremlin said it was waiting for confirmation of the date of the talks but said the two sides were "diametrically opposed" in their positions on how to end the war. Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on Monday that he spoke with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, in preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with Russia in Turkey. "Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. More details will follow tomorrow," Zelenskiy said. Umerov, previously defence minister, was appointed to his current role last week and headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia. Ukraine has backed US calls for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow says certain arrangements must be put in place before a ceasefire can be introduced. Russian forces have launched sustained attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, including missiles and hundreds of drones on Monday night that killed two people and injured 15. Ukraine has also launched long-range drone attacks. "The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, and the preparation of a leaders' meeting," Zelenskiy said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Zelenskiy to meet him in person. Putin has said he does not see Zelenskiy as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired in 2024. "There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far." Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers. But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three-and-a-half years of war. The Kremlin says Ukraine must abandon four regions Moscow says have been incorporated into Russia. Trump said last week he would impose new sanctions in 50 days on Russia and nations that buy its exports if there is no deal before then to end the conflict. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking in Kyiv after talks with Zelenskiy, noted Russia's refusal to implement an immediate ceasefire as well as its "maximalist" demands. "Discussions must begin, but on a basis that respects the interests of both parties, because diplomacy is not submission," he told a news conference. "And diplomacy begins with meetings at the level of heads of state and government, something Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for." Barrot said he favoured devising an even tougher sanctions package if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
HK probes Louis Vuitton data leak affecting 419,000
Hong Kong's privacy watchdog is investigating a data leak affecting about 419,000 customers at Louis Vuitton, as the brand grapples with a series of breaches in several countries. Leaked information included names, passport details, addresses and email addresses as well as phone numbers, shopping history and product preferences, Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said. No payment information was affected, Louis Vuitton - the main brand of luxury giant LVMH - said in a statement. It had discovered an unauthorised party had accessed some client data and it was now working with "the relevant regulators and affected clients," the company added. The Hong Kong watchdog said it had also launched an investigation into Louis Vuitton Hong Kong, including whether there had been delays in notifying authorities. It said the French head office had found suspicious activities on its computer system on June 13, discovered Hong Kong customers were affected on July 2, and then reported the breach to the watchdog on July 17. The luxury group reported similar breaches in its operations in South Korea and Britain earlier this month. Hong Kong's privacy watchdog is investigating a data leak affecting about 419,000 customers at Louis Vuitton, as the brand grapples with a series of breaches in several countries. Leaked information included names, passport details, addresses and email addresses as well as phone numbers, shopping history and product preferences, Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said. No payment information was affected, Louis Vuitton - the main brand of luxury giant LVMH - said in a statement. It had discovered an unauthorised party had accessed some client data and it was now working with "the relevant regulators and affected clients," the company added. The Hong Kong watchdog said it had also launched an investigation into Louis Vuitton Hong Kong, including whether there had been delays in notifying authorities. It said the French head office had found suspicious activities on its computer system on June 13, discovered Hong Kong customers were affected on July 2, and then reported the breach to the watchdog on July 17. The luxury group reported similar breaches in its operations in South Korea and Britain earlier this month. Hong Kong's privacy watchdog is investigating a data leak affecting about 419,000 customers at Louis Vuitton, as the brand grapples with a series of breaches in several countries. Leaked information included names, passport details, addresses and email addresses as well as phone numbers, shopping history and product preferences, Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said. No payment information was affected, Louis Vuitton - the main brand of luxury giant LVMH - said in a statement. It had discovered an unauthorised party had accessed some client data and it was now working with "the relevant regulators and affected clients," the company added. The Hong Kong watchdog said it had also launched an investigation into Louis Vuitton Hong Kong, including whether there had been delays in notifying authorities. It said the French head office had found suspicious activities on its computer system on June 13, discovered Hong Kong customers were affected on July 2, and then reported the breach to the watchdog on July 17. The luxury group reported similar breaches in its operations in South Korea and Britain earlier this month. Hong Kong's privacy watchdog is investigating a data leak affecting about 419,000 customers at Louis Vuitton, as the brand grapples with a series of breaches in several countries. Leaked information included names, passport details, addresses and email addresses as well as phone numbers, shopping history and product preferences, Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said. No payment information was affected, Louis Vuitton - the main brand of luxury giant LVMH - said in a statement. It had discovered an unauthorised party had accessed some client data and it was now working with "the relevant regulators and affected clients," the company added. The Hong Kong watchdog said it had also launched an investigation into Louis Vuitton Hong Kong, including whether there had been delays in notifying authorities. It said the French head office had found suspicious activities on its computer system on June 13, discovered Hong Kong customers were affected on July 2, and then reported the breach to the watchdog on July 17. The luxury group reported similar breaches in its operations in South Korea and Britain earlier this month.
