Julian Assange has departed the UK after reaching a plea deal with US authorities, finally ending his 14-year legal battle and paving the way for his return to Australia. He will plead guilty to a single felony charge of conspiring to disclose classified US documents, with his five years already served in a British prison counting towards his sentence.
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have unveiled Gliese 12 b, a new "super-Earth" exoplanet located 40 light-years away, which is considered a prime candidate for habitability within its star's habitable zone. This exciting discovery offers an unprecedented opportunity to study potential life-supporting conditions and understand habitability around common red dwarf stars, marking a crucial step in the search for life beyond Earth.
In a significant geopolitical move, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a "Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" on June 19, 2024, featuring a mutual defense clause that mandates immediate military assistance if either country is attacked. This pact, which deepens military and economic ties while drawing strong condemnation from Western nations, reflects Russia's need for war supplies and North Korea's desire for advanced technology, prompting South Korea to reconsider its policy on lethal aid to Ukraine.
The highly anticipated first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump is scheduled for June 27 in Atlanta, marking an unusually early and critical face-off designed to sway undecided voters. Hosted by CNN with a unique format of muted microphones and no live audience, this high-stakes encounter offers Biden a chance to project vigor and Trump an opportunity to criticize current policies, both aiming to mobilize their bases and capture swing voters.
As the UK general election on July 4th approaches, the Labour Party maintains a significant and consistent lead, often exceeding 20 percentage points over the ruling Conservative Party in recent polls. This substantial gap presents a formidable challenge for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with both parties intensely campaigning to sway undecided voters and potentially usher in profound shifts in the nation's policies.
In a pivotal 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal ban on bump stocks, ruling that these devices effectively convert semi-automatic rifles into illegal "machine guns" under federal law. This significant decision maintains a key restriction implemented after the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, marking a victory for gun control advocates while drawing criticism from gun rights proponents who argue executive overreach.
