* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Monday, June 23, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Netflix unveils Dallas immersive venue for fans of hit shows like ‘Squid Game,’ ‘Stranger Things’ – Houston Chronicle

    Step Inside Netflix’s New Dallas Immersive Experience Featuring Hits Like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Stranger Things

    ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’: Civic Players bring ‘Young Frankenstein’ to life – Yahoo

    Civic Players Deliver a Hilarious and Unforgettable Performance of ‘Young Frankenstein

    ‘Wheel of Fortune’: Amputee Wins $60,000 After Breaking Incredible ‘Curse’ – Hastings Tribune

    Wheel of Fortune’ Amputee Breaks Incredible ‘Curse’ to Win $60,000!

    North Star Sports & Entertainment Network: Coming soon – KTTC News

    North Star Sports & Entertainment Network: Coming soon – KTTC News

    Safety concerns in Deep Ellum create apprehension as the entertainment district gains visitors – CBS News

    Safety Concerns Surge Amid Deep Ellum’s Booming Popularity and Growing Crowds

    Elisabeth Moss’ ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Emmy chances, by the numbers – Yahoo

    Elisabeth Moss’ ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Emmy chances, by the numbers – Yahoo

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Promising Technology Stocks To Follow Today – June 22nd – MarketBeat

    Top Technology Stocks to Watch Today – June 22nd

    Technology Convergence Report 2025 – The World Economic Forum

    Technology Convergence Report 2025 – The World Economic Forum

    How AI can help make cities work better for residents – MIT Technology Review

    How AI can help make cities work better for residents – MIT Technology Review

    Tech Champions with Leo Bletnitsky of Healthy Technology Solutions – Buzz Media Group

    Meet Tech Champion Leo Bletnitsky of Healthy Technology Solutions

    Crypto’s true revolution is about humanity, not technology – Cointelegraph

    Crypto’s Real Revolution: Transforming Humanity Beyond Technology

    $1 Billion Problem: New Technology Could Save Your Daily Cup of Coffee – SciTechDaily

    The $1 Billion Challenge: How New Technology Could Rescue Your Daily Cup of Coffee

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Netflix unveils Dallas immersive venue for fans of hit shows like ‘Squid Game,’ ‘Stranger Things’ – Houston Chronicle

    Step Inside Netflix’s New Dallas Immersive Experience Featuring Hits Like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Stranger Things

    ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’: Civic Players bring ‘Young Frankenstein’ to life – Yahoo

    Civic Players Deliver a Hilarious and Unforgettable Performance of ‘Young Frankenstein

    ‘Wheel of Fortune’: Amputee Wins $60,000 After Breaking Incredible ‘Curse’ – Hastings Tribune

    Wheel of Fortune’ Amputee Breaks Incredible ‘Curse’ to Win $60,000!

    North Star Sports & Entertainment Network: Coming soon – KTTC News

    North Star Sports & Entertainment Network: Coming soon – KTTC News

    Safety concerns in Deep Ellum create apprehension as the entertainment district gains visitors – CBS News

    Safety Concerns Surge Amid Deep Ellum’s Booming Popularity and Growing Crowds

    Elisabeth Moss’ ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Emmy chances, by the numbers – Yahoo

    Elisabeth Moss’ ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Emmy chances, by the numbers – Yahoo

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Promising Technology Stocks To Follow Today – June 22nd – MarketBeat

    Top Technology Stocks to Watch Today – June 22nd

    Technology Convergence Report 2025 – The World Economic Forum

    Technology Convergence Report 2025 – The World Economic Forum

    How AI can help make cities work better for residents – MIT Technology Review

    How AI can help make cities work better for residents – MIT Technology Review

    Tech Champions with Leo Bletnitsky of Healthy Technology Solutions – Buzz Media Group

    Meet Tech Champion Leo Bletnitsky of Healthy Technology Solutions

    Crypto’s true revolution is about humanity, not technology – Cointelegraph

    Crypto’s Real Revolution: Transforming Humanity Beyond Technology

    $1 Billion Problem: New Technology Could Save Your Daily Cup of Coffee – SciTechDaily

    The $1 Billion Challenge: How New Technology Could Rescue Your Daily Cup of Coffee

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Australia turned its back on Assange. Time made him a martyr

June 26, 2024
in News
Australia turned its back on Assange. Time made him a martyr
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1 hour ago

By Tiffanie Turnbull, BBC News, Sydney

Reuters Julian AssangeReuters

Julian Assange pumped his fist into the air when he landed

When Julian Assange stepped onto Australian soil for the first time in 14 years, he emotionally embraced his wife and raised his fist in triumph.

A handful of supporters waved and cheered as he drove away from the air base.

But this was no hero’s welcome – there were no large crowds or champagne in sight.

Look closely though, and you will see signs of just how hard Australia’s government has worked to get the WikiLeaks founder back.

Out of shot of the cameras, he was followed off the plane by former prime minister Kevin Rudd, who is now the country’s ambassador to the US, and Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith – who was Rudd’s foreign minister between 2007 and 2010.

And minutes after Assange landed, the current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation, giving him a subdued welcome back.

“I am very pleased that this saga is over, and earlier tonight, I was pleased to speak with Mr Assange to welcome him home,” he said.

This is a far cry from the mood back in 2010, when Assange first found himself in hot water.

He had released thousands of unredacted US documents on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – including footage of a US helicopter firing on civilians – embarrassing Washington and allegedly endangering their informants and operatives.

Shortly afterwards Swedish authorities began chasing him over allegations he sexually assaulted two women – claims he said were politically motivated.

There was little sympathy for Assange in Canberra, so much so that he famously said the Prime Minister of the day had “betrayed” him.

“Let’s not try and put any glosses on this… information would not be on WikiLeaks if there had not been an illegal act undertaken,” Julia Gillard had said.

“And then we’ve got the common sense test about the gross irresponsibility of this conduct.”

Far from offering to advocate on his behalf, her government said it was providing ”every assistance” to US authorities and asked Australian officials to investigate whether he had broken any of the country’s laws as well.

They would later temper their language, but Gillard maintained “there’s not anything we can, or indeed, should do”.

Getty Images Julia GillardGetty Images

Julia Gillard was openly critical of Assange when she was PM

Outwardly at least, little would change for a decade.

After trying to unsuccessfully challenge Sweden’s international arrest warrant – which he alleged was a ploy to send him to the US – Assange fled to the Ecuador embassy in London where he lived for almost seven years.

In 2019 he was forced out of the embassy and imprisoned while he fought to block his extradition to the US.

As the case dragged on and Assange’s health declined, support for his release grew across Australia’s political spectrum. But it continued to stop short of the country’s highest offices.

The only prime minister to make big waves with comments about Assange’s freedom was Scott Morrison, when Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson toured the country to lobby on the WikiLeaks founder’s behalf in 2018.

“I’ve had plenty of mates who have asked me if they can be my special envoy to sort the issue out with Pamela Anderson,” Morrison told a local radio station, remarks Anderson called “smutty” and “unnecessary”.

‘Window of opportunity’

However with the election of Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2022, Assange’s circle told the BBC they hoped for change.

Swedish prosecutors had dropped the rape investigation, saying time had weakened the evidence. Documentaries began glamorising Assange’s work, calling him a valiant campaigner for truth, while also exposing his ill health and treatment in prison.

Then came the news he was a father to two young boys – conceived while he was in the Ecuadorian embassy and left to their mother to raise on her own.

Getty Images Stella Moris and Julian Assange's family on her wedding dayGetty Images

Stella Moris married Julian Assange inside Belmarsh prison in 2022

National animosity or ambivalence towards Assange was turning to pity. A poll from earlier this month indicated a large majority of Australians – 71% – said the US and UK should be pressured to close Assange’s case.

And Mr Albanese was viewed as an ally. He had long said he didn’t support many of Assange’s actions, but that “enough is enough”.

After taking office Mr Albanese reaffirmed his position, but stressed “not all foreign affairs is best done with the loud hailer”.

Many of Assange’s supporters believed the alignment of a Labor government in Australia and a Democratic administration in the United States was a window of opportunity, says political scientist Simon Jackman.

“But we’re coming up on election in the United States, the window for getting this done was starting to close,” the Honorary Professor of US Studies at the University of Sydney told the BBC.

“And so I think that was adding a little bit of energy… a little further impetus on the Australian side.”

During a state visit to the US late last year, Mr Albanese confirmed he raised Assange’s plight with President Biden directly.

And in February the Australian parliament – with the prime minister’s support – voted overwhelmingly to urge the US and the UK to allow him to return to Australia.

In the US, the case had long been considered “troublesome” for the Department of Justice and for successive presidential administrations, former CIA chief of staff Larry Pfeiffer told the BBC.

Add the pressure from Australia and frustration in the UK at the lengthy nature of proceedings there – friction in two important relationships – plus the passage of time and the prospect of yet another appeal, and the US had become very keen to resolve the case.

“I think there were people within the Justice Department who said, ‘Hey, you know, the guy did it to himself largely, but he’s pretty much done his time’,” Pfeiffer said.

Getty Images Albanese and Biden walk in front of flagsGetty Images

Albanese raised Assange with Biden at a meeting in October

But getting the deal over the line is credit to Australia, he adds.

“This is testament to how quiet diplomacy can work.”

Still a polarising figure

In the hours after the plea deal was announced, Stella Assange said people had come to see her husband differently.

“The public climate has shifted and everyone understands that Julian has been the victim,” she said.

In reality, he is still an extremely polarising figure in Australia.

Alexander Downer – a former Australian foreign minister and its High Commissioner to the UK between 2014 and 2018 – has long argued Australia should not intervene in the saga.

“What he did was a criminal offence, and it was a terrible thing to do, morally as well, and endangering people’s lives in that way,” he told BBC’s Radio 4 programme.

“Just because he’s Australian doesn’t mean he’s a good bloke,” he added.

On the other hand, Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said Assange was persecuted for “telling an awful, inconvenient truth about war crimes”.

“The persecution of Julian Assange has shone a light on a broken legal system, one in which an innocent man must plead guilty to be free,” he said.

Others sit in the grey middle.

Barnaby Joyce has long been one of the MPs leading calls for Assange’s release – arguing his treatment has been horrific and that the extraterritorial aspect of the case is worrying.

But he always clarifies in the next breath that he doesn’t believe what Assange did was right.

“I’m a former serving member of the Defence Force… I’m not here to give a warrant to his character,” he told the BBC News Channel.

Some have spoken in support of his freedom, but voiced discomfort at his characterisation as a hero and journalist. Others pointed to concern over claims of election interference – even the characterisation by US officials that WikiLeaks is “a nonstate hostile intelligence service”.

Even Mr Albanese trod a delicate line: “Regardless of your views about his activities, and they will be varied, Mr Assange’s case has dragged on for too long,” he said in parliament on Wednesday.

With his feet now firmly on Australian soil, it appears Assange will finally be able to get on with his life – starting with his 53rd birthday next week, which he’ll celebrate alongside his family for the first time in 14 years.

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : BBC News – https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ggv6zdk1do

Tags: AustralianewsTurned
Previous Post

Boy, 4, left behind at wildlife park after nursery trip

Next Post

Watch as girl, five, declares on air at Glastonbury she has a boyfriend

US judge blocks slashing of universities’ federal funding from National Science Foundation – Reuters

US Judge Halts Cuts to Federal Funding for Universities from National Science Foundation

June 23, 2025
The Computer-Science Bubble Is Bursting – The Atlantic

Is the Computer-Science Boom Coming to an End?

June 23, 2025

6 Life Moments When Staying Silent Is the Wisest Choice

June 23, 2025
Dollar Gains as the World Awaits Iran’s Response to US Attack – Yahoo Finance

Dollar Gains as the World Awaits Iran’s Response to US Attack – Yahoo Finance

June 23, 2025
The Political Economy of Reform in Lebanon and its Challenges – Middle East Transparent

Unveiling Lebanon’s Reform Journey: Overcoming Challenges and Political Obstacles

June 23, 2025
Three AI Trends Reshaping the Future of Media & Entertainment – TVTechnology

3 Game-Changing AI Trends Revolutionizing the Future of Media and Entertainment

June 23, 2025
Tell us your immigration crackdown story – CNN

Tell us your immigration crackdown story – CNN

June 23, 2025
Promising Technology Stocks To Follow Today – June 22nd – MarketBeat

Top Technology Stocks to Watch Today – June 22nd

June 23, 2025
Steelers Prediction Sees TJ Watt Trade to Buccaneers in Blockbuster – Yahoo Sports

Steelers Prediction Sees TJ Watt Trade to Buccaneers in Blockbuster – Yahoo Sports

June 23, 2025
Senior Thesis Spotlight: Considering facets of human psychology from a data science point of view – Princeton University

Exploring Human Psychology Through the Lens of Data Science: A Senior Thesis Spotlight

June 23, 2025

Categories

Archives

June 2025
MTWTFSS
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30 
« May    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (697)
  • Economy (713)
  • Entertainment (21,611)
  • General (15,527)
  • Health (9,753)
  • Lifestyle (718)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (716)
  • Politics (720)
  • Science (15,932)
  • Sports (21,209)
  • Technology (15,698)
  • World (693)

Recent News

US judge blocks slashing of universities’ federal funding from National Science Foundation – Reuters

US Judge Halts Cuts to Federal Funding for Universities from National Science Foundation

June 23, 2025
The Computer-Science Bubble Is Bursting – The Atlantic

Is the Computer-Science Boom Coming to an End?

June 23, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version