First Thing: Assange leaves UK after striking deal with US justice department

WikiLeaks founder reportedly travelling to US plea deal hearing in Northern Mariana Islands. Plus, how fashion entered its ‘ugly’ decadeGood morning.Julian Assange has struck a deal with the US justice department, freeing him from a UK prison, and is expected to plead guilty to breaching US espionage law in a deal that would allow him to return home to Australia.Will he face more jail time? Probably not. Under the deal, which must be signed off by a judge, he will probably be credited for the five years he has already served and face no further prison time.How long was he held at Belmarsh prison? 1,901 days.How would a ceasefire be worked out? It would be based on prevailing battle lines during peace talks, according to Kellogg and Fred Fleitz. Continue reading...