Assange Granted Asylum

Ecuador granted asylum to Julian Assange on Thursday, although Britain said it would carry out a binding obligation to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to Sweden, where he has been accused of sexual assault. Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said the asylum decision had come after "extreme and careful" consideration. British officials have said they could revoke Ecuador's diplomatic embassy in London, although Ecuador insisted it will not be treated like a British colony. British Foreign Minister William Hague said Britain will not allow safe passage for Assange out of the country. Assange, at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, called the decision "a significant victory."