Indications that the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi was near its end were more stark on Tuesday evening as rebels launched an aggressive attack on Gaddafi's vast, formerly impenetrable compound. They seized control, then held wild celebrations in the capital city, Tripoli and elsewhere.

Television reports showed rebels shooting into the compound and hauling away boxes of weapons and ammunition. In the reports, rebels who were interviewed said they had captured some of Gaddafi's forces within the compound, but up to press time they were no reports of Gaddafi or members of his family being found. In fact, there has been no account of the whereabouts of Gaddafi since the rebels invaded Tripoli over the weekend.

There has also been no pronouncement of absolute victory by the rebels, or conceding of defeat by government forces. However, all the reports indicate that the rebels have made significant inroads on the control of the Libyan government and the falloff of the regime is imminent.

Two Dutch Caribbean islands became independent countries early Sunday morning after the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved, five years after legal proceedings began.

With the end of the Netherlands Antilles, the islands of Curacao (population 142,000) and St. Maarten (population 37,000) will continue as independent countries but remain in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Three other islands that were also part of the Netherlands Antilles – Bonaire (population 13,000), St. Eustatius (2,900 inhabitants) and Saba (population 1,700) – will continue as special municipalities within the Netherlands.

They will be subject to Dutch law but can take a different standpoint on controversial issues such as abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage.

In Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, celebrations broke out after the flag of the Netherlands Antilles was taken down and replaced with the flag of Curacao.

A similar ceremony took place in St. Maarten and was followed by a fireworks display.

With the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao and St. Maarten will have more independence in terms of law making and government.

The Netherlands, however, will still play a role in their new government, as it remains partly responsible for their finances, defense and foreign policy. Aruba has had this status since 1986.

On the issue of currency, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will switch to US dollars to replace the guilder. Curacao and St. Maarten are expected to introduce a new currency that is linked to the US dollar.

At least for the next few years, the islands will remain as overseas countries and territories (OCT) within the European Union (EU) through their connection with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

After that, the EU may decide to give them another legal status within the union.

Nelson Mandela

The former South African president celebrated his special day surrounded by his extended family and friends at his home in Houghton, outside of Johannesburg. At his home, some 92 children, including Mandela’s grandchildren and great grandchildren, and others flown from his native village, Mvezo, sang a special birthday song for him. Earlier in the day, close friends including former Zambian president, Kenneth Kaunda called upon him. Guests also included his second wife, Winnie Mandela.

Days before Mandela’s birthday, the United Nation’s launched the first “Nelson Mandela International Day” which will be commemorated annually on his birthday.

Not only are 2010 World Cup soccer fans, enjoying the skills of unfamiliar soccer teams from nations like Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia, they are also getting a taste of South African culture – albeit in an annoying way.

For the first three days of the World Cup in South Africa, viewers watching games on television were confounded by a constant buzzing sound, as if drones of bees were humming in the broadcasters’ microphones. Some viewers speculated it was from the collective cheering of thousands of soccer fans in the stadiums from which respective games were being broadcast.