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Julian Assange Agrees to Plea Deal with US, Faces 62-Month Sentence, Potential Return to Australia

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has agreed to enter a plea deal with the Joe Biden administration that could pave the way for him to avoid imprisonment in the United States, according to recently filed federal court documents. Assange has reportedly consented to plead guilty to a felony charge connected to his alleged involvement in one of the largest breaches of classified US government material. This agreement would see him receiving a 62-month sentence, matching the duration he has already served in London’s high-security Belmarsh prison while contesting extradition to the US. The plea deal includes crediting his time served, potentially allowing Assange to return to his native Australia immediately.

Assange’s release from Belmarsh was confirmed by WikiLeaks, who announced that he had been granted bail by the High Court in London and subsequently departed from Stansted airport, as shown in a video posted by the organisation. A plea hearing and sentencing have been scheduled for Wednesday, with the US District Court in the Northern Mariana Islands chosen as the venue to avoid setting foot in the continental US.

The Justice Department prosecutors anticipate Assange will plead guilty to the charge and be sentenced accordingly. Assange had been sought by US authorities for publishing confidential military records leaked by Chelsea Manning between 2010 and 2011. The potential maximum sentence of up to 175 years in prison from the 18 counts of the 2019 indictment was unlikely to be imposed.

President Joe Biden supported a deal to facilitate Assange’s return to Australia, backed by Australian government officials. The UK court’s ruling granting Assange the right to appeal his final challenge against US extradition marked a notable victory after years of legal battles. His case has sparked debates over press freedom, government transparency, and legal implications, capturing international attention throughout his journey from asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy to incarceration and now a potential plea deal and return to Australia.

Under-construction Property Prices Surge 15.2% in Top Cities, India

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Prices of under-construction properties rose by 15.2% QoQ across top 13 cities in the June quarter. The supply of such properties which also increased by 11.7% QoQ helped the overall market for residential supply which witnessed the fastest growth rate in the last 24 months through the quarter, said a report.

This surge has resulted in prices of under-construction properties surpassing those of ready to move properties in several cities such as Gurugram, Mumbai, Noida and Thane, according to a Magicbricks Propindex report. The continued customer confidence in under-construction properties is seen as an indication of a promising outlook in the long run. On the demand front, top cities continued to grow, recording an aggregate increase of 4.6% QoQ during the June quarter. Gurugram, Delhi, and Noida, home to several corporate employees, registered the highest increases with a QoQ growth of 19.6%, 17%, and 16.4%, respectively.

Mother’s Quick Action Saves Her Life: Urgent Warning for Women on Heart Health, US

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RALEIGH. N.C. — Just four days after Cheryl Stokes gave birth to her son, she was rushed to the hospital. Doctors diagnosed her with congestive heart failure.

Almost 20 years later, she’s thankful she made that call because it saved her life.

I assumed because I was so heavy, I actually thought I was out of shape. I just had a baby, said Stokes. My sister-in-law was over and she’s like, ‘Cheryl, I can hear you trying to breathe. Are you having difficulty?’ I’m like yeah, but I’ll see the doctor in a few days. She’s like no ma’am. You call right now.

Cardiologists at UNC REX are sounding the alarm as heart disease remains the number one killer in both men and women; women are more at risk.

Unfortunately, women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men are, said UNC REX cardiologist Dr. Christopher Kelly, who is also president of the Triangle American Heart Association. They are less likely than men to seek medical attention. Unfortunately, at many hospitals, they may be less likely to get the appropriate medical attention. Those delays can lead to worse outcomes.

According to Dr. Kelly, women often ignore their symptoms because of the misperception that heart disease is a man’s disease. He told Eyewitness News that women present with a heart attack in unusual ways by not having chest pain or pressure as their main symptom.

The signs women should not ignore include shortness of breath, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea or vomiting and dizziness.

The Triangle American Heart Association said this year marks 100 years of the organization raising awareness on the impact of cardiovascular disease. Regular doctor’s visits and managing high blood pressure are just a few of the lifestyle factors that help keep it at bay.

Making sure bodies are moving and eating healthy and nutritious meals are super important to making sure these numbers are managed appropriately, said Joy Clark with Triangle GoRed for Women.

Many women like Stokes dedicate their time to helping others in the Triangle understand why the ‘Go Red for Women’ movement exists by wearing red for a day, but encouraging others to make lifestyle changes year-round.

Being healthy and alive for my son and family took a different meaning for me, she said.

Heatwave Hits UK: Central London to Reach 30C, Safety Warnings Issued

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Parts of the UK are expected to see even hotter temperatures on Tuesday as charities urge sun-seekers to be responsible amid safety warnings. The Met Office said central London could see a peak of 30C with high 20s more widely in south-east England as fine and sunny spells continue. It comes after the hottest temperature on Monday was recorded at 28.3C in Wisley, Surrey, making it the hottest day of the year so far, the forecaster said. While Scotland and Northern Ireland will be slightly cooler and are likely to see some showers on Tuesday, further very warm or hot spells of sunshine are predicted elsewhere across the country. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) issued a safety warning on Monday reminding people heading to coastal areas to take precautions, emphasizing water safety and the importance of following guidelines.

Baltimore NFL Star Inspires Kids at AI Athletics Day, US

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The Greenmount Recreation Center in Baltimore City recently unveiled its first AI computer lab dedicated to promoting STEM education among children aged 8-15. The initiative was kickstarted with an AI Athletics Day where kids got the chance to explore the world of artificial intelligence. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Sean Ryan emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation, stating, I’m here as living proof that these guys can become anything they want to be. The center aims to provide a platform for young minds to engage with cutting-edge technology and explore new possibilities in the field of AI.

Supreme Court Rejects Josh Duggar Appeal on Child Abuse Images, US

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The Supreme Court declined to hear former reality TV star Josh Duggar’s appeal on his conviction for downloading images of child sexual abuse. The decision came with no comment from the Supreme Court. Duggar, 36, claimed that the ruling violated his right to present a complete defense under the 6th Amendment.

Kenyan Police Lead Multinational Force in Haiti Against Violent Gangs amid Controversy

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Hundreds of Kenyan police officers are making their way to Haiti to spearhead a multinational force aimed at tackling the violent gangs that have destabilized the country this year and forced a change in government.

The deployment has sparked controversy. Kenyan President William Ruto is ignoring a court ruling that declared the action unconstitutional. Critics are worried about the Kenyan police’s history of alleged abuses.

The initial group of 400 officers will be part of the United Nations-led force, with a total of 1,000 expected from Kenya. During a ceremony closed to the media, Ruto dispatched the officers despite an ongoing court case seeking to block the deployment.

US President Joe Biden recently commended Ruto’s leadership during a state visit to Washington, announcing a $300 million contribution to the force while cautioning against a direct US troop presence in Haiti due to potential complications.

Violence in Haiti has reached alarming levels, leading to over 2,500 casualties in the first three months of the year. With gangs controlling a significant portion of Port-au-Prince and key roads, Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to step down as the international airport closed, trapping him outside the country.

The recent allegations against Kenyan police for using excessive force surfaced last week when two protesters died during anti-government demonstrations. One was shot by a suspected plainclothes officer, and the other was killed by a tear gas canister.

Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority is investigating the police’s conduct during these protests, which resulted in over 200 injuries.

EU Imposes Cyber Sanctions on Russian Hackers

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The Council of the European Union has approved additional restrictive measures against six Russian hackers involved in cyberattacks against EU countries and Ukraine. For the first time, restrictive measures are being taken against cybercriminal actors that use ransomware campaigns against essential services, such as health and banking, the Council of the EU added.

The new lists include two members of the Callisto Group, Ruslan Peretyatko and Andrey Korinets, who conduct cyber operations against EU member states and third countries through sustained phishing campaigns aimed at stealing sensitive data. The sanctions also targeted Alexander Sklyanko and Nikolai Chernykh of the Armageddon hacker group, overseen by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), which carried out various cyberattacks on the governments of EU member states and Ukraine. Additionally, Mikhail Tsarev and Maksim Galochkin, key players in the deployment of the Conti and Trickbot malware, were also sanctioned, along with members of the Wizard Spider hacker group that created Trickbot, a malicious spyware causing significant economic losses in the European Union.

In total, the EU cyber sanctions regime has been applied to 14 individuals and 4 legal entities, freezing assets, and imposing a ban on the entry of cybercriminals into the EU. This move underscores the EU’s commitment to combating cyber threats and ensuring the security and integrity of essential services in member states and beyond.

NHS Confirms Data Breach at London Lab Firm Amid Cyber Attack, UK

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Britain’s National Health Service stated that data released by hackers was taken from Synnovis systems, providing an update on the cyber attack impacting numerous London hospitals. Synnovis has confirmed that the data published by a cyber crime group was stolen from some of their systems, NHS England announced. There is currently no evidence that the cyber criminals have made a copy of the database where patient test requests and results are stored.

The cyber security breach has raised concerns about the security of sensitive medical information and patient data. The investigation into the extent of the breach is ongoing as Synnovis works to address the situation. Data privacy and protection remain a critical issue in the digital age, particularly in the healthcare sector where the confidentiality of patient information is paramount.

Efforts to enhance cybersecurity measures and safeguard against future attacks are underway as authorities continue to investigate the breach. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving threat landscape facing organizations and individuals in an increasingly interconnected world where data breaches can have far-reaching consequences. It highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols and vigilance in protecting sensitive information from malicious actors.

World Finance Magazine Awards 2024 Winners: Zenith Bank, Mega Bank, ICBC, BNL BNP Paribas, Nigeria

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World Finance magazine has revealed the esteemed winners of the 2024 Banking Awards, showcasing outstanding banks from around the world. The diverse categories highlight exceptional performance in commercial, retail, and private banking. Zenith Bank in Nigeria stands out for its innovative client-focused strategies, while Mega Bank in Taiwan undergoes a transformation to adapt to evolving banking trends. ICBC in Macau takes a bold step towards fintech integration for enhanced services, and BNL BNP Paribas in Italy remains dedicated to driving growth, sustainability, and technological advancement. These institutions impress with their innovative approaches, setting a high standard in the banking industry. For more details on all the winners, grab the latest issue of World Finance magazine, available online, on mobile, and in print now.