Lawyers

• Julian Assange’s detention in Ecuador Embassy deemed a violation of right to liberty, WikiLeaks founder may be freed following UN decision

  A United Nations panel has decided that Julian Assange's asylum in the Ecuador Embassy in London is tantamount to arbitray detention, International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. Should the decision be made final, Assange may then be free to go out without being arrested.

• Japan's Abe asks Biden for investigation of possible U.S. spying

  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday for an investigation into possible spying on high-level Japanese government and corporate officials following WikiLeaks' release last week of a list of spying targets, Japan's top government spokesman said on Wednesday.

• NSA wiretapped two French finance ministers: Wikileaks

  The U.S. National Security Agency wiretapped the communications of two successive French finance ministers and collected information on French export contracts, trade and budget talks, according to a report by WikiLeaks.

• NSA spied on French presidents: WikiLeaks

  The United States National Security Agency spied on French presidents Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande, WikiLeaks said in a press statement published on Tuesday, citing top secret intelligence reports and technical documents.

• Assange likely to remain in embassy pending U.S. Wikileaks probe

  WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is likely to remain at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London where he has taken refuge as long as U.S. authorities pursue a criminal investigation of his anti-secrecy group, one of his lawyers said.

• New Saudi Deputy Crown Prince marks generational shift

  Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, a close friend of the United States and a scourge of Islamist militants, will be the country's first king from the third generation of its ruling dynasty.

• Judge approves name change for Wikileaks leaker

  A Kansas court ruling will have the US military change the name of Wikileaks leaker Private First Class Bradley Manning to Chelsea Manning, USA Today reported.

• Bradley Manning: Former PFC Takes Stand & Apologizes for Hurting the U.S. (Video)

  Convicted leaker Pfc. Bradley Manning took the stand on Wednesday and apologized for "hurting his country," pleading with a military judge to enable him to go to college and become a productive citizen.

• Bradley Manning Trial: Army Private Who Pleaded Guilty to Leaking Secrets Could Face Up to 20 Years in Prison (Video)

  Pfc. Bradley Manning, who in May 2010 was detained for leaking classified combat videoes to WikiLeaks, including a U.S. helicopter gunship attack, began his trial Monday at Maryland's Fort Meade. In February, the 25-year-old Manning pleaded guilty to 10 of the 22 charges against him and faces up to decades in jail. He did not plead guilty to aiding United States' enemies, which carries the potential for a life sentence.