WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange returned to Australia on a charter jet, raising a celebratory fist as supporters cheered. This followed his guilty plea to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors, concluding a long legal saga. Assange credited Australian government intervention with saving his life in a call to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Upon arrival, he embraced his wife … Continue reading Assange welcomed home in Australia a free man after Biden deal

The trial of Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist accused of espionage in Russia, began on Wednesday behind closed doors. U.S. officials have criticized the Kremlin for using the case for political purposes. The trial in Sverdlovsk Regional Court in Yekaterinburg marks the first presentation of evidence against the Wall Street Journal reporter, who is accused of working for the CIA. The case has been widely … Continue reading Russia starts secret trial for WSJ Gershkovich on spy charges

Israel’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for compulsory service, ending a decades-old system of broad exemptions. This landmark decision could destabilize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition as Israel continues its conflict in Gaza. The ruling addresses longstanding criticism that the exemption system was discriminatory, creating a divide within the Jewish majority over military service responsibilities, the Associated Press … Continue reading Israel’s high court orders army to draft ultra-Orthodox

The European Union has initiated membership talks with Ukraine, a decade after Russia seized Crimea, which led to conflict between the two nations. The negotiations began at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, with Moldova also starting its own membership talks shortly after. While these events mark significant progress towards EU membership, the process is expected to take years. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, speaking via … Continue reading EU launches membership talks with Ukraine

A Russian newspaper reported on Monday that the Russian military might have shot down a U.S. surveillance drone over the Black Sea. Pravda, a Russian daily, cited the Fighterbomber Telegram channel, which has connections to the Russian Aerospace Forces, suggesting that something was downed in the area. However, media outlets have been unable to verify this claim and is awaiting comments from the U.S. Department … Continue reading Russians Claim They Shot Down US Spy Drone over Black Sea

Finland has become the first country to start vaccinating humans against bird flu, health authorities announced on Tuesday. The country will offer bird flu vaccines to certain workers with animal exposure beginning next week. Finland purchased vaccines for 10,000 people, each requiring two doses, as part of a joint EU procurement. The vaccines, produced by Australian manufacturer CSL Seqirus, will be given to individuals aged … Continue reading Finland becomes first country to start Bird flu vaccinations for humans

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was released from a British prison on Tuesday and is heading to a remote Pacific island to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department. This agreement will end his yearslong legal battle over the publication of classified documents. Assange was charged with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, indicating … Continue reading Julian Assange leaves jail on his way to enter plea deal with the U.S.