1. Libya rebels

    Forces opposed* to Muammar Gadhafi took control of several western Libyan towns. Protest leaders established a transitional* “national council” in several eastern and western cities seized from the Gadhafi regime* and called on the army to help them take the capital Tripoli.

    The United States said it was prepared to offer “any kind of assistance” to Libyans seeking to overthrow* Gadhafi.

    2. Carnival tragedy

    At least 17 people were electrocuted* and 50 others injured in a small town in southern Brazil after an overhead power cable broke and fell into a crowd of people enjoying on the eve of the Rio de Janeiro carnival.

    The revelers* were dancing near a truck playing loud music during pre-carnival celebrations in the main square in Bandeira do Sul in Minas Gerais state on Sunday night when the tragedy occurred.

    3. Tunisia PM replaced

    Tunisia’s Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi resigned on Sunday and was replaced by Beji Caid Essebsi, a former minister, after anti-government protests left five people dead over the weekend.

    Security forces again clashed with protesters in Tunis demanding the removal* of some ministers of Ghannouchi’s interim* government before the premier announced his resignation.

    4. Sailboat hijacked

    Pirates have hijacked a Danish sailboat with four adults and three children aboard as they were crossing the Indian Ocean, Denmark’s government said on Monday.

    The Danish Foreign Ministry said the ship sent a distress signal* on Thursday. On board was a Danish couple, their three children — aged 12-16 — and two adult crew members, also Danes.

    5. New Zealand quake

    Grieving New Zealanders mourned Christchurch earthquake victims on Sunday as police said the disaster’s final death toll was set to reach above 200. Sina.com reported that 23 Chinese remained missing after the quake.

    6. Extradition of Assange

    Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, was given a verdict* on Thursday that he is to be extradited* to Sweden to face his sexual assault* allegation*.

    Howard Riddle, district judge of Belmarsh Magistrates’ Court in south London, agreed to extradite Assange to Sweden despite his lawyers’ argument that Assange would not receive a fair trial in Sweden.

    7. Chicago mayor

    U.S. President Barack Obama’s ex-enforcer* Rahm Emanuel was crowned mayor of Chicago, picking up the title from retiring Mayor Richard Daley, who has governed the U.S. city for 22 years.

    Emanuel, who will be the Windy City’s first Jewish mayor, pledged to work to overcome the “old divisions and old ways that have held Chicago back.”

    (SD-Agencies)