Author: Newyorki

After more than thirteen years in England, including five years spent in prison, Julian Assange pleaded guilty in the Northern Mariana Islands, a remote US territory in the Pacific, and walked out of court a free man. The timing—and location—of the plea deal seemed unexpected. However, an agreement between Assange, an Australian citizen who leaked US national security secrets in 2010, and American prosecutors had been advancing quietly for months. Assange leaked the documents and was investigated during the Barack Obama administration. He was indicted under the Donald Trump administration, with the case continuing into Joe Biden’s presidency, which began…

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel during a Monday meeting with its defense minister to avoid further escalation in Lebanon as they discussed efforts to secure the release of hostages in Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Washington to reaffirm the value of ties with Israel’s top ally, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public criticism of the United States for what he described as a delay in weapons deliveries. In a two-hour meeting with Gallant at the State Department, Blinken discussed indirect diplomacy between Israel and Hamas on an agreement that “secures the release of all hostages and…

With tensions escalating in Lebanon, new reports have emerged detailing Hezbollah’s extensive armament at Beirut’s main civil airport, raising alarms about the potential for a catastrophic explosion. Why it matters: Hezbollah’s stockpiling of weapons at Rafik Hariri International Airport, just four miles from central Beirut, could turn the airport into a major military target, similar to the devastating 2020 Beirut port blast. Details: According to unnamed sources cited by The Telegraph, Hezbollah is storing significant quantities of Iranian weapons, missiles, and explosives at the airport. The cache includes unguided Iranian-made Falaq artillery missiles, short-range Fateh-110 missiles, ballistic missiles, and M-600…

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a significant crackdown on corruption under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This rigorous anti-corruption campaign has garnered considerable attention and support both domestically and internationally. The Kingdom’s authorities recently announced the initiation of several criminal cases, reigniting discussions and affirmations of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s commitment to eradicating corruption. In Saudi Arabia, the fight against corruption has become a cornerstone of national policy, particularly under the ambitious Vision 2030 initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with the guidance of King Salman bin Abdulaziz. This strategic framework, now in…

The Big Picture: The Biden administration is nearing the conclusion of a landmark security and defense deal with Saudi Arabia, a development poised to significantly alter Middle Eastern geopolitics. This potential treaty, named the Strategic Alliance Agreement, is aimed at fostering diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Israel, a key priority for President Biden. Driving the News: According to the Wall Street Journal, this deal commits the U.S. to defend Saudi Arabia. In exchange, Riyadh would grant the U.S. access to its territory and airspace, thereby enhancing the protection of American interests and regional partners. This draft treaty is modeled on…

A British woman, Fiona Harvey, who claims to be the inspiration for the stalker character in the Netflix hit “Baby Reindeer,” sued the streaming service on Thursday, seeking $170 million in damages. Harvey identified herself as the real-life “Martha,” portrayed in Richard Gadd’s show as a delusional and violent woman. The lawsuit, filed in California, argues that the show’s opening claim of being “a true story” is a lie designed to attract viewers and destroy her life. Netflix responded by asserting their intent to defend the matter vigorously and support Gadd’s right to tell his story. “Baby Reindeer,” which premiered…

Republican extremist accuse Democrats of ‘worshiping’ Floyd in interview posted on X The Congressional Black Caucus has condemned Marjorie Taylor Greene after she accused Democrats of worshiping George Floyd, the 46-year-old Black man who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in 2020. On Monday, Greene, a Republican representative from Georgia, went on an expletive-filled rant in which she accused Democrats, including Jamie Raskin of Maryland, of worshiping Floyd, whose death sparked global outrage and protests over police brutality. In a video posted on X, Greene can be seen speaking to a reporter, saying, “We have Jamie Raskin in…

Donald Trump faced Republican voters for the first time as a convicted felon on Tuesday during the final state primaries for the 2024 presidential nomination, where he continued to sweep up votes. The ex-president has already locked up the Republican nomination to run against President Joe Biden, making the votes in Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota formalities. Some political observers had wondered if Republican voters might sour on Trump’s divisive candidacy after he was found guilty last week of falsifying business records in a conspiracy to unlawfully influence the 2016 election. Though Trump steamrolled over other Republican…

What’s happening: President Joe Biden’s recent description of Israel’s cease-fire proposal has been labeled “not accurate” by a senior Israeli official, as uncertainties about the U.S. ally’s position on the deal grew Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense pressure from various factions, including threats from right-wing ministers to dissolve his government if he agrees to the hostage deal. Driving the news: Biden announced on Friday that he was outlining a truce proposal attributed to Israel and passed by mediators to Hamas. However, Netanyahu, facing significant internal dissent, finds himself in a challenging position. A senior Israeli official…

What’s happening: Iran’s involvement in Sudan is growing, marked by a recent ‘Fars Air Qeshm’ Boeing 747 freighter flight from Bandar Abbas, Iran, to Port Sudan. This airline is known for military logistics and arms shipments. Why it matters: This flight suggests Iran is significantly increasing its support for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in their ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Such external backing has the potential to intensify and complicate the conflict, possibly leading to more violence and instability in the region. Context: The Red Sea is not just a crucial maritime route for global trade…