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Learning English from the News

Upper intermediate level

Julian Assange walks free

Episode 240626 / 26 Jun 2024

(Image via Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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The story

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has walked free from a US court after pleading guilty in a deal to end a legal battle that has lasted years.

His organisation, WikiLeaks, published secret US military records in 2010. Assange has now pleaded guilty to one charge connected to espionage.

He’s now back in his home country, Australia, and will not have to go to US prison. 

Neil and Beth explain this news story and teach you some useful vocabulary.

News headlines

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange strikes plea deal with the U.S.
NPR

From Afghanistan to Hillary Clinton’s emails: Wikileaks major document dumps
The Telegraph

Julian Assange timeline: The many twists and turns of Wikileaks founder's lengthy legal fight
The Evening Standard

 

Key words and phrases

strikes a deal
makes an official arrangement

  • I’ve struck a deal with my boss to work from home on Tuesdays.

dumps
releases of a large amount of digital information or data.

  • No one was interested in Juan’s photo dump of 50 pictures from his holiday.

twists and turns
dramatic changes in direction

  • My grandparents lived through WW2 and their lives were full of twists and turns. Everything changed for them.

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