Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, is poised to plead guilty to a felony charge in a historic deal with the US Justice Department. Expected to appear in a federal court in the Mariana Islands, Assange faces an Espionage Act charge. Following his plea and sentencing in Saipan, he will return to Australia, marking his first travels since 2012.

A state of emergency has been declared in New Caledonia following deadly riots sparked by France's proposed changes to election regulations. The unrest resulted in multiple fatalities and significant arrests. This heightened tension highlights the deep-seated concerns of the Indigenous Kanak people concerning their political influence and socio-economic inequalities in the French territory.