Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge for publishing U.S. military secrets as part of a deal with Justice Department prosecutors. This deal secures his freedom and marks the end of a long legal battle that raised concerns about press freedom and national security. The plea was entered in federal court in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands. Assange arrived at court wearing a dark suit and tie, without answering any questions.
Before becoming the controversial founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange was born in Townsville, Australia. He had a nomadic childhood, attended multiple schools, and became a teenage computer hacker. Assange was arrested for hacking in the 1990s and studied mathematics and physics at Australian universities. He later created a website that published classified military information from the U.S. and other countries. After spending time in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and a British prison, Assange has now pleaded guilty to a single felony charge.
Israeli citizens impacted by a recent Hamas attack are suing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), alleging that the agency’s payment of staff in U.S. dollars has indirectly financed the militants. UNRWA has defended its actions, stating that the staff members chose to be paid in dollars due to the lack of a national currency in Gaza. This lawsuit is the latest challenge faced by the agency, which has been providing essential aid during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of Israel has ordered the government to start drafting ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military. This ruling aims to end the exemption that allowed them to avoid compulsory military service. The ultra-Orthodox community, a significant part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, opposes enlistment, leading to a deep divide within the country.
Severe storms in the Midwest have caused floodwaters to breach levees in Iowa, prompting evacuations and road closures. The region is experiencing dangerous conditions, with tornado warnings, hail, and heavy rain. At least two deaths have been reported due to the storms, and President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster in several Iowa counties to mobilize federal aid.
A judge has modified a gag order on former President Donald Trump, allowing him to comment on witnesses and jurors in his New York hush money trial but prohibiting him from discussing court and prosecution staff. The modified order was issued after Trump’s conviction for falsifying records in connection with a sex scandal. Federal food safety regulators have warned Bimbo Bakeries USA about misleading labels on their products, stating that they must accurately disclose allergens to prevent potential risks to consumers.
In a tragic incident near Las Vegas, a man shot and killed five people, injuring a 13-year-old girl before turning the gun on himself as police closed in. The shooter was identified as Eric Adams, who took his own life when confronted by law enforcement. The North Las Vegas Police Department is working to determine a motive for the shootings.
The National Transportation Safety Board has accused Norfolk Southern of trying to interfere with an investigation into a derailment in Ohio, where flawed decisions led to a chemical spill. The NTSB also confirmed that a flaming wheel bearing caused the derailment. In Kenya, thousands of protesters stormed parliament to protest tax proposals, resulting in clashes with police and several casualties. President William Ruto has vowed to quash the unrest and deploy military support to maintain security.
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