Milestones

  • RESIGNED

    George Mitchell, as U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, after two years of trying to broker peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He made little progress.

    APPLIED FOR

    A trademark on the name SEAL Team 6, by the Walt Disney Co., to use for children's toys, gifts and Christmas stockings, among other things; the elite Navy SEALs commando unit killed Osama bin Laden on May 1.

    SENTENCED

    Augustin Bizimungu, former Rwandan general, to 30 years, by a U.N. tribunal for his role in the 1994 genocide; he evaded capture for eight years.

    DEFECTED

    Shukri Ghanem, Libyan Oil Minister, to Tunisia; he is the latest of several high-ranking officials in the Gaddafi government to flee since NATO air strikes began.

    LAUNCHED

    Endeavour, on May 16, in its final mission. The shuttle's takeoff was watched by Representative Gabrielle Giffords, whose husband Mark Kelly was flight commander.

    IDENTIFIED

    Saif al-Adel, as the new caretaker leader of al-Qaeda; the former Egyptian special-forces soldier took over operational control after the death of Osama bin Laden.