The Swedish prosecutors are set to announce a decision regarding the re-opening of Julian Assange rape case. The rape allegation had been put against Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange regarding allegations from two women Assange met in 2010. The allegations were denied by Assange.
Assange (47) had stayed in the embassy for seven years. But he was evicted last month and sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for breaching his bail conditions. As the prosecutors “didn’t see any possibilities to advance the investigation forward”, they closed the investigation in 2017.
A second sex-related allegation was also faced by Assange which was dropped in 2015 because the statute of limitations had passed. This had also been denied by him.
Assange had been dragged out of the Ecuadorean embassy last month. After that, a lawyer for one of the women involved asked for the investigation to be resumed. An official from UN visited Assange on Thursday, to check regarding his treatment in the high security prison.
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The Republic of Ireland has declared a climate emergency, a decision hailed by the Swedish teenage environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg as “great news”.
A Fianna Fail amendment to the Parliament declaring a climate emergency has been accepted without a vote. The amendment called on the parliament “to examine how [the Irish government] can improve its response to the issue of biodiversity loss”. This has been accepted on Thursday.
Eamon Ryan, The Irish Green party leader who raised the amendment called the decision “historic”. “Declaring an emergency means absolutely nothing unless there is action to back it up.That means the Government having to do things they don’t want to do”, said Eamon Ryan.
Scotland plans to raise targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2045. “Great news from Ireland!! Who is next” said Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old activist who raised the isuue of Global climate change.
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A surfer got killed in a shark attack in the coast of France’s Reunion Island. The man was surfing from Saint-Leu, a small fishing town.
The terrible attack took place at about 16:30 local time.
The region of Réunion had been noticed for severe shark attacks. And hence, water activities including surfing are heavily restricted on this place.
A witness said to the rescue officials that he saw a surfer suddenly disappearing from the sea and only his surfing board was left. Reports the local government in a statement (in French). The surfer is not yet been identified.
The Rescue officials told the media that the surfer’s legs were torn by the shark in the attack and his body was later found out from the Saint-Leu port.
Media reports said that other 3 people were also surfing in the area along with him but they returned safe.
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David Lidington, Minister for the Cabinet Office of Britain said that UK will be taking part in the European elections. The vote is scheduled on May 23rd. But, Prime Minister Theresa May said that Britain would not have to take part if MPs agreed a Brexit plan first.
David Lidington said to media, “It is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for the European parliamentary elections … So those will now go ahead”.
Lidington also said that the Government will be trying to make the delay ‘as short as possible’. Britain was due to leave the European Union on March 29th.
But, the proposal put forward by UK Prime Minister Theresa May was not agreed by the Parliament, and an extended deadline up to 31 October was given by EU.
David Lidington told reuters, “We will be redoubling our efforts … to try to make sure that the delay after that is as short as possible. Ideally we would like to be in a situation where those MEPs from the UK never actually take their seats in the European parliament, certainly to get this done and dusted by the summer recess”.
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While attending a campaign event in Albury, ahead of the nation’s general election, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been egged by a protester.
A 25-year-old woman, who threw the egg at the PM was arrested at the scene. New South Wales state police said that the woman was arrested on the spot. Local medias reported that the egg hit the PM’s head but it did not got broken.
The women was found wearing a beanie and casual clothes. The security guards suddenly grabbed and dragged her away, soon after the incident. Police inspector Scott Russell told, “We have a female in custody in relation to an incident involving the prime minister this morning”.
My concern about today’s incident in Albury was for the older lady who was knocked off her feet. I helped her up and gave her a hug. Our farmers have to put up with these same idiots who are invading their farms and their homes.
Mix 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt and flour in a food processor until combined. Add lard and pulse 12 times. Add 1/2 cup butter and pulse 7 or 8 times until pea-size.
After that add ice water through the feed tube until dough just comes together. Divide the prepared dough into balls and make the balls. Wrap in plastic wrap. Flatten it into discs. Refrigerate for about 1 hr.
Put it in the lowest level of oven. Place a baking sheet on rack and preheat to 425 F. Roll the dough portion into a 12-in. circle on a lightly floured surface. Press onto a 9-in. pie plate, then refrigerate. Roll remaining dough portion into a 13-in. circle. Place on a large plate and refrigerate.
In a large bowl, toss the apples with lemon juice. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large frying pan over medium. Add apples and cook, stirring, until liquid evaporates, 7 to 9 min. Transfer it to a baking sheet and set on a rack, turning occasionally, until cooled, 25 min. Stir 2/3 cup sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt and nutmeg in a bowl. Sprinkle over apples and toss to combine. Pour apples and any juices into chilled pie shell, spreading evenly.
Spread the remaining dough over apples, pressing edges of dough together. Trim the edges with scissors, if needed, leaving 1/2-in overhang. Fold top edge under bottom edge, then crimp together using index finger and thumb. Cut 3 to 5 steam vents on top. Brush with egg wash without touching the edges. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Put the pie on hot baking sheet and bake for 20 min. Reduce heat to 375 F, then rotate the pie. Continue baking until crust is deep golden brown and a paring knife can be easily inserted into apples, 20 to 25 min. Cover with foil if browning too quickly. Cool on rack for at least 2 hr.
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Roger Federer returns to clay after three years. Federer said that he was glad he made the decision to return to clay courts. He will be playing his first match since 2016, after break due to knee and back issues.
At the Madrid open, that starts on Monday, the world number four will be playing his first competitive clay outing since the Italian Open in 2016.
Federer said, “I’m happy that the decision I took last December, when I started feeling like I definitely want to play on the clay, was the right one”.
“I haven’t looked back yet during the clay court build-up, thinking, ‘Ah, maybe I shouldn’t have.’ I’m happy I’m here, I’m happy I am on the surface. It takes some time getting used to how to construct the points a little bit more because there is more baseline (play), a possibility to play with more angles and height. It’s been interesting and fun, but not so challenging”, added Federer.
After winning his most recent title in Miami, Federer said, “I’m very excited. It’s a good challenge, a good test. Confidence, I don’t know, it’s in no-man’s land. I have to start from scratch”.
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Pope Francis has started a three day visit to the countries Bulgaria and North Macedonia. His visits aimed at improving relations with the Orthodox Church.
On arriving, Pope was greeted by Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borissov. Borissov said about Pope’s visit as, “it reflects his interest in the peaceful economic development of the Balkans”.
During his visit, Pope urged the Bulgarians to change their attitude towards migrants. The Orthodox leaders said they would not take part in joint services or prayers with the Pope.
Pope said, “To all Bulgarians, who are familiar with the drama of emigration, I respectfully suggest that you not close your eyes, your hearts or your hands — in accordance with your best tradition — to those who knock at your door”.
“Bulgaria faces the effects of the emigration in recent decades of over two million of her citizens in search of new opportunities for employment,” he said, adding that this had “led to the depopulation and abandonment of many villages and cities”, he added.
The Vatican has been trying for the unity between the two branches of Christianity, which split in 1054. During his three day tour, Pope is also visiting a refugee camp on the outskirts of Sofia and a commemoration of Mother Teresa, the most famous native of the Macedonian capital Skopje.
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During emergency landing of a Russian plane at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow, 41 people were killed on board. Reports said that at least 2 children were included in the attack.
Videos were released in several social media and it showed passengers using emergency exit slides to escape the burning Aeroflot aircraft. The plane Aeroflot flight SU 1492, burst into flames on impact and bouncing down the runway.
Reports said that the plane was carrying 73 passengers and five crew on board. Yelena Markovskaya, an investigative committee official said, “There are 37 survivors – 33 passengers and four members of the crew”. 5 people are admitted in the hospital.
Interfax news agency of Russia reported that a “loss of communication” caused by a “lightning strike” had led to the decision to return to Sheremetyevo. Reports said that an American citizen was also killed in the crash. The cause of the accident has not yet been officially declared.
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