1. Brennan picked for CIA

    U.S. President Barack Obama on January 7 nominated counterterrorism* adviser John Brennan to head the CIA.

    The addition of Brennan and Chuck Hagel, who was nominated to be America’s next defense secretary, along with Democratic Senator John Kerry as nominee for secretary of state, rounds out Obama’s national security team as he faces daunting challenges of winding down the war in Afghanistan, dealing with the Iranian nuclear standoff* and curbing military spending.

    2. Chavez inauguration postponed

    Venezuela will postpone the inauguration* of President Hugo Chavez due to his health problems, the government said on January 8. His health condition is another sign that the socialist leader’s cancer may be bringing an end to his 14 years in power.

    The 58-year-old former soldier has dominated the South American OPEC nation since 1999. He has not been heard from since he had surgery in Cuba on December 11, 2012 — his fourth operation since he was diagnosed* with cancer in June 2011.

    3. Curiosity finds ‘flower’ on Mars

    NASA has released a series of new photos taken by its Curiosity rover that appear to show a “flower” in a rock formation on the surface of Mars.

    NBCNews.com’s photo blog reported that the photos were taken last week as part of an effort to capture 360-degree images during Curiosity’s trek through Mars’ Yellowknife Bay.

    4. Minister probed for tax evasion

    Prosecutors* in France said on January 8 that they would investigate allegations of tax evasion* surrounding Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac.

    French media reported last year that Cahuzac held a bank account in Switzerland for more than 20 years.

    Cahuzac denies the allegations and is suing for defamation*.

    5. Obama tabs Lew to lead U.S. Treasury

    U.S. President Barack Obama will nominate White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew to be his next treasury secretary.

    If confirmed by the Senate, Lew would replace Timothy Geithner, the longest-serving member of Obama’s original economic team, who has said he would step down after one term.

    A 57-year-old policy expert, Lew will have to confront a host of tricky economic topics ranging from how best to define the government’s role in the housing market.

    6. Savile committed at least 214

    sex crimes

    Former BBC star Jimmy Savile was on the top list of Britain sex offenders. He committed at least 214 sex crimes against victims who were aged as young as 8, police said on January 11.

    Investigators released a report cataloging more than 50 years of rapes and indecent assaults. It accused the late television and radio host of using his celebrity status to gain access to vulnerable children in hospitals, nightclubs and even a hospice for the terminally ill.

    7. Three Chinese workers kidnapped

    Three Chinese workers were kidnapped* by militants in Sudan’s Darfur region on January 12 and a Chinese engineer was also missing.

    The Sudan branch office of China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co. reported to the Chinese Embassy in Khartoum that a construction site on the road between El Fasher and Um Keddada in North Darfur State came under attack from a group of armed militants at about 2 p.m. local time.

    The three Chinese drivers transporting building materials were kidnapped along with several Sudanese workers, and the Chinese engineer also went missing.

    (SD-Agencies)