Yemen ruler ready to step down, Syria protests spread

(Reuters) - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah said on Friday he was ready to cede power, the third Arab ruler who may be forced out by popular protests which began in North Africa and have now spread into the Gulf, Syria and Jordan.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/25/us-mideast-idUSTRE72O6E420110325?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29

Israel to deploy rocket shield system near Gaza

(Reuters) - Israel has brought forward plans to deploy an "Iron Dome" rocket interceptor system because of increased mortar and rocket fire from the Hamas Islamist ruled Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said Friday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/25/us-palestinians-israel-shield-idUSTRE72O61A20110325?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29

Libyan leader 'arming volunteers'

Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is said to be arming volunteers to fight the uprising against his rule, a senior US military official has said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12864460

Jordan: Man dies in hospital after Amman clashes

A man has died after Jordanian security forces used batons and sprayed water to disperse a clash between pro-monarchy and pro-reform demonstrators in Amman.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12866531

Protests spread against Assad rule in Syria

DAMASCUS/DERAA, Syria (Reuters) - Protests spread across Syria Friday, challenging the rule of the Assad family after their forces killed dozens of demonstrators in the south.

http://www.whnt.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-international-us-sytre72n2mc-20110324,0,3068673.story

Palestinian who mysteriously disappeared in Ukraine still in Israel

Jerusalem (CNN) -- In the latest chapter of an unfolding story that reads like a spy thriller, a Palestinian engineer who was allegedly abducted by Israeli intelligence services in the Ukraine over a month ago will be kept in custody for at least another week after an Israeli court ruling.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/25/israel.mysterious.detainee/index.html?eref=edition_meast&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_meast+%28RSS%3A+Middle+East%29

Iraqi protesters rally in the rain

Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- Throngs of demonstrators protested in the rain Friday, rallying in central Baghdad's Tahrir Square against corruption, unemployment, the lack of basic services and the treatment of prisoners.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/25/iraq.unrest/index.html?eref=edition_meast&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_meast+%28RSS%3A+Middle+East%29

Deaths as Syrian forces fire on protesters

At least 20 killed near Daraa, a witness tells Al Jazeera, as anti-government protesters defy security crackdown.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011325145817688433.html

UN: One million flee Cote d'Ivoire violence

West African country "close to civil war", UN hears, while humanitarian officials warn of "massive displacement".

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/20113251588449258.html