Assange's refuge in Ecuadorian embassy 'in jeopardy'
London, May 25: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's nearly six-year refuge inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London is "in jeopardy" as he faces possible arrest by British authorities and subsequent extradition to the US, a media report said.
Assange has in the past claimed his position in the embassy was under threat but his current situation is "unusually bad" and he could leave the embassy "any day now", informed sources told CNN on Thursday.
"He will be forced out or made to feel so restricted that he might choose to leave on his own," the sources said.
Earlier this year, the Ecuadorian government cut off Assange's access to the internet, making it virtually impossible for him to manage WikiLeaks.
He has also had his access to visitors severely restricted. Assange is now only allowed to see his lawyers, who said their phones are jammed while they are inside the embassy.
British authorities have said that they would issue a warrant for Assange's arrest if he were to leave the embassy, CNN reported.
He faces charges in the UK for breach of bail for failing to surrender for extradition to Sweden, despite the fact that Sweden stopped investigating an allegation of rape against Assange in 2017.
Swedish prosecutors however, maintain the right to resume the investigation if Assange leaves the embassy.
The US has prepared charges to seek the arrest of Assange, who US intelligence agencies believe Russia used as an intermediary to distribute hacked emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign during the 2016 presidential election.
Ecuador's President, Lenin Moreno, is under increasing pressure from the US to expel Assange.
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Bengaluru records coldest December night in eight years at 13.30C, says IMD
Bengaluru: Bengaluru experienced its coldest December night in eight years, with the minimum temperature dropping to 13.3 degrees Celsius on December 13, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
According to the report published by The New Indian Express on Tuesday, IMD data shows that this is the lowest minimum temperature recorded in the city since 2016. The all-time lowest December temperature in Bengaluru was 8.9 degrees Celsius on December 29, 1883. In recent years, the city recorded 12 degrees Celsius in December 2016 and 12.8 degrees Celsius in December 2011.
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IMD officials reportedly said, day temperatures in Bengaluru and other parts of south-interior Karnataka will dip further in the coming days. They also forecast light drizzle in some parts of the region over the next few days.
“There will be a slight rise in night time temperatures from Monday, December 15, 2025, because of the prevailing south easterly winds. These winds will lead to the formation of a thin cloud cover and layer of water vapour over the atmosphere. The moisture level in the atmosphere will increase, leading to a dip in the day temperatures and a slight rise in the night temperatures from the prevailing 14 degrees Celsius,” TNIE quoted IMD senior scientist CS Patil as saying.
However, once these winds weaken, northerly and north-easterly winds are expected to return, which could lead to another drop in night temperatures. Officials allegedly said that Karnataka may see a longer and drier winter spell this year compared to previous seasons.
