At a Buckingham Palace state banquet, King Charles and Prince William shared a light-hearted moment with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. Recalling shared memories, Charles joked about his grandchildren’s Pokémon obsession, saying, "The phrase 'gotta catch 'em all' may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me, it is, perhaps, aspirational." The jest, which delighted the VIP guests and Prince William, highlighted the warmth between the royals. The evening featured a lavish menu and music from the Royal College of Music’s Senior Quartet, marking a joyful reunion amid Charles's continued recovery.

Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, returned to Australia after years of legal battles. He arrived at Canberra airport, greeted by his wife Stella, his father John, and many supporters. Assange hugged his family and waved to the media. Earlier, he walked free from a US court in Saipan after pleading guilty to one count of violating espionage laws. As part of a deal, he must destroy WikiLeaks' information. Assange spent over five years in a British jail and seven years in asylum in London. His charges stemmed from releasing classified US military documents in 2010.

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has been freed after pleading guilty to publishing US military secrets. He arrived in Canberra, Australia, to a warm welcome, sharing a kiss with his wife. Assange's release ends a long legal battle, with WikiLeaks set to hold a news conference today. The organization is known for exposing classified information, sparking global controversy. Assange's freedom is seen as a victory for free speech advocates and a blow to US efforts to prosecute him. He had faced years of legal proceedings and extradition battles.

Russia is set to resume direct passenger rail service with North Korea in July, following a four-year break due to the pandemic. Trains will run from Vladivostok to the North Korean port of Rason, allowing passengers to travel directly between the two cities. The announcement comes after President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to North Korea, where he deepened ties with Pyongyang and signed a bilateral deal including a mutual defense pledge. The resumption of rail service is seen as a further strengthening of relations between the two nations, as Russia seeks to expand its economic and diplomatic ties in Asia following sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine.

A controversial protest dubbed the "Paris Poop Protest" has been delayed due to the River Seine's persistent pollution issues. The demonstration, which aimed to criticize the government's €1.5 billion cleanup efforts, involved protesters planning to defecate in the river. The event was slated to coincide with a swim by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and French President Emmanuel Macron, but the swim was postponed after a report revealed high levels of fecal bacteria in the water. The swim has been rescheduled for July 15, just before the Olympics. The protest's postponement comes as a relief, but the river's pollution status remains a pressing concern.

Two NASA astronauts, Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams, are stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) with no set return date due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The spacecraft launched on June 5, but mechanical problems, including helium leaks and thruster issues, have delayed their return multiple times. NASA says the crew is safe with ample supplies on the ISS, which has a relatively open schedule until mid-August. The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, testing Boeing's spacecraft for routine ISS missions. NASA is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing safety over a quick return.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has pleaded guilty to one count of espionage as part of a plea deal with US authorities. He appeared in court on the US territory of Saipan, where he admitted to breaking US law by encouraging classified leaks. The judge sentenced him to time already served in a British prison, allowing him to walk free. The US extradition request has been dropped, and Assange is heading to Australia to reunite with his family. He arrived at court in a suit and tie, after flying from London on a charter plane. The flight cost $500,000, which his wife had appealed for donations to cover.

Four men were arrested at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's home in northern England for suspected aggravated trespass. The arrests came after a group, Youth Demand, posted videos of a man entering the property and defecating in a lake as an act of protest. The group is demanding an end to new oil and gas licenses and a two-way arms embargo on Israel. Police responded swiftly, apprehending the individuals within minutes of them entering the grounds. The incident highlights the increasing tensions and unconventional methods used by protesters to draw attention to their causes.

British PM Rishi Sunak accused Labour leader Keir Starmer of lacking a strategy to address the migrant crisis, suggesting that illegal migrants in Calais are waiting for a Labour government to ease their entry into the UK. Sunak emphasized that a Labour victory would end current migration controls, including the Rwanda relocation policy. The UK has recorded 12,901 Channel migrants in 2024’s first half, a new high. Sunak argued this demonstrates the need for stringent policies, while Starmer warned the asylum backlog could double if Conservatives remain in power.

A Korean Air Boeing 737 Max 8 experienced a sudden cabin pressure failure, causing it to drop 27,000 feet in 15 minutes on a flight from Incheon to Taichung. The incident, which occurred near Jeju Island, left 17 passengers needing medical treatment for ear pain and hyperventilation, though none suffered severe injuries. Terrified passengers, including children, used oxygen masks as the plane descended. The flight resumed the next day on a different aircraft. Korean Air is investigating the incident and has apologized to affected passengers, providing accommodation and support.