Gadhafi Opponents Mass In Eastern Libya

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An anti-Gadhafi placard in Benghazi reads "A flood of freedom, topple the idols of oppression, 42 years of repression and darkness, in four days the regime fell, toppling the human idols is a religious and national duty".

Alaguri/AP

An anti-Gadhafi placard in Benghazi reads "A flood of freedom, topple the idols of oppression, 42 years of repression and darkness, in four days the regime fell, toppling the human idols is a religious and national duty".

Alaguri/AP

NPR's Lourdes Garcia Navarro, who's in eastern Libya, tells Morning Edition rebel forces are gathering there to oppose fighters in the west, loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. Military service is compulsory, so young men are familiar with firearms. But Lourdes says they're breaking out heavy weaponry. The Guardian's Martin Chulov, who's in Benghazi, tweets Gadhafi controls little of his country. But he adds

Loyalist elements still in town. Benghazi's fear Ghaddafi's last act of vengeance is not far away

The New York Times says Gadhafi has used thousands of experienced mercenaries and irregular forces to attack Libyans to keep his grip on power. There could be a showdown in the capital, Tripoli and many expect a wider bloodbath.

WIKILEAKS FOUNDER TO FIGHT EXTRADITION ORDER

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Julian Assange

Matt Dunham/AP

Julian Assange

Matt Dunham/AP

A British judge has ordered Julian Assange to go to Sweden, where prosecutors want to question him about alleged sexual assaults. Assange, who's been in Britain under court supervision, is appealing the ruling; the Guardian reports his appeal will delay a final decision for a few more months. Assange says if he's transferred to Swedish custody, he'll eventually be transferred to American custody and might face charges from U.S. officials over Wikileaks' publication of secret government documents.

HAWAII ADOPTS CIVIL UNIONS

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Hawaii lawmakers look on as Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs the Hawaii Civil Unions bill into law.

Eugene Tanner/AP

Hawaii lawmakers look on as Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs the Hawaii Civil Unions bill into law.

Eugene Tanner/AP

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed legislation legalizing same sex civil unions on Wednesday, the same day the Obama Administration opted to stop arguing for the Defense of Marriage Act. As Mark reported earlier, it bans federal recognition of gay marriage. The Hawaii Reporter says the Hawaii law offers gay and lesbian couples some of the same legal and economic benefits of marriage.

Coming up: the Washington Post reports the Maryland state senate is voting on civil unions today. The Baltimore Sun takes a glance at similar legislation in other states.