Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has admitted to a single felony charge for releasing U.S. military secrets in a deal with the Justice Department. This agreement secures his release and brings an end to a lengthy legal battle that sparked debates about freedom of the press and national security. Assange entered his plea in federal court in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, wearing a suit and tie. He did not speak to reporters as he entered the courthouse.
Julian Assange, the controversial founder of WikiLeaks, was born in Townsville, Australia, and led a tumultuous life before becoming known for publishing classified information. He spent time as a computer hacker in his youth, was arrested for hacking in the 1990s, and studied mathematics and physics at Australian universities. Assange later founded WikiLeaks, which exposed military secrets from the U.S. and other countries. His legal battles led to years spent in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and a British prison.
Israelis affected by Hamas’ attack in October are suing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), alleging that the organization indirectly funded Hamas by paying employees in U.S. dollars. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma defended the agency, stating that employees chose to be paid in dollars due to the lack of a national currency in Gaza and the Palestinian territories. The lawsuit is the latest challenge for UNRWA, which has provided aid during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the military must enlist ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, ending a system that allowed them to avoid compulsory military service. This decision has caused divisions within Israel and poses challenges for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, as ultra-Orthodox Jews are a significant part of it.
A judge has modified Donald Trump’s gag order, allowing him to comment on witnesses and jurors in his hush money trial but prohibiting discussion of court and prosecution staff. The trial concluded with Trump’s conviction for falsifying records and covering up a potential scandal. Food safety regulators have warned Bimbo Bakeries USA, the company behind Sara Lee and Entenmann’s, to stop using misleading labels regarding allergens in their products. FDA inspectors found that the company inaccurately listed allergens on labels.
A man in Las Vegas shot and killed five people, wounded a 13-year-old girl, and then committed suicide when confronted by police. The North Las Vegas Police Department responded to the incident in a residential neighborhood. Brazil’s Supreme Court has decriminalized the possession of marijuana for personal use, making it one of the last Latin American countries to do so. In Kenya, thousands of protesters stormed parliament to protest tax proposals, leading to clashes with police and several casualties.
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