Jun 13, 2019

U.K. signs U.S. extradition request for Julian Assange

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

British Home Secretary Sajid Javid told BBC Radio 4's "Today" program Thursday he's signed a request for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to be extradited to the U.S., where he faces computer hacking charges.

"He’s rightly behind bars because he broke U.K. law. There’s an extradition request from the US that is before the courts tomorrow but yesterday I signed the extradition order and certified it and that will be going in front of the courts tomorrow."

— British Home Secretary Sajid Javid

Why it matters: Assange has been indicted by the Justice Department on 18 counts for conspiring to hack into a government computer and for violating the Espionage Act — charges that have alarmed journalists and activists who fear a crackdown on First Amendment rights.

Go deeper: Timeline: Julian Assange's 9-year legal limbo reaches its climax

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Axios

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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:45 p.m. ET: 19,282,972 — Total deaths: 718,851 — Total recoveries — 11,671,491 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9:45 p.m. ET: 4,937,441 — Total deaths: 161,248 — Total recoveries: 1,623,870 — Total tests: 60,415,558 — Map.
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Education: Cuomo says all New York schools can reopen for in-person learning.
Public health: Surgeon general urges flu shots to prevent "double whammy" with coronavirus — Massachusetts pauses reopening after uptick in coronavirus cases.
World: Africa records over 1 million coronavirus cases — Gates Foundation puts $150 million behind coronavirus vaccine production.

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Why it matters: That's the same night Joe Biden's running mate (to be revealed next week) will address the nation. Clinton and Warren represent two of the most influential wise-women of Democratic politics with the potential to turn out millions of establishment and progressive voters in November.

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