Fifty-three people were killed in a 72-hour span in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, making it one of the deadliest three-day periods in recent memory, state attorney general's office spokesman Arturo Sandoval said on February 20.

Libya's unrest spread to the capital Tripoli on February 20 after scores of protesters were killed in the second city Benghazi, which appeared to have slipped out of control of forces loyal to strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

The Israeli prime minister on February 20 accused Iran of trying to expand its influence in the region by planning to send naval ships through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean.

Banks opened on February 20 after a week-long closure as Egypt’s economy struggled to get back on its feet after political turmoil caused by the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak and subsequent labor protests.

A fire has swept through a home for disabled children in the western Estonian town of Haapsalu, killing 10 children.

Demonstrations against a planned neo-Nazi rally in Dresden turned violent on February 19, but succeeded in blocking right-wing extremist marches to the city centre.

Thousands of Thai "Red Shirts" gathered in Bangkok on February 19 to mark nine months since a bloody crackdown on their anti-government rally and to press for the release of detained leaders.  

Eighteen people have been killed and more than 70 wounded in an attack on a bank in the Afghan city of Jalalabad on February 19, according to the provincial governor.

Uganda's incumbent leader appeared destined on February 19 to extend his 25 years in office but as results trickled in, the opposition front-runner charged fraud in the East African nation's presidential election.  

Thousands of Moroccans are expected to join nationwide protests on February 20 to demand that King Mohammed hand some of his powers to a newly elected government and make the justice system more independent.