Iran downplays Hormuz threat amid fears of military confrontation, battle looms in Yemeni town captured by al-Qaeda, violence continues in Syria as Arab League's mission mandate expires, and more.

Somali famine outpacing the delivery of humanitarian aid, Morocco's February 20 Movement reiterates its rejection of cosmetic reforms, Yemen's Saleh authorizes power transfer talks, and more.

Libyan opposition forces storm Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound and destroy his sculpture of a fist crushing a US plane, after a defiant Saif al-Islam earlier reemerged in Tripoli.

Syria's demonstrators refuse to "kneel down" and vow to reclaim their dignity, Bahrain's pro-democracy protesters show no sign of retreat, Saudis rally for the release of political prisoners, and more.

Somali famine spreads to more regions, Libya's Islamists deny forging an alliance with Gaddafi, Israel approves 900 new settlements units in East Jerusalem, and more.