JITTERY Chinese authorities wary of any domestic dissent staged a concerted show of force yesterday to squelch a mysterious online call for a “Jasmine Revolution” apparently modelled after pro-democracy demonstrations sweeping the Middle East.

Chinese authorities staged a concerted show of force today to squelch a mysterious online call for a "Jasmine Revolution" apparently modelled after pro-democracy demonstrations sweeping the Middle East.

Chinese authorities are detaining activists as a call circulates for people to gather in 13 cities for a “Jasmine Revolution”.

EGYPT’S military deployed on the streets of Cairo to enforce a night-time curfew as the sun set yesterday on a day of rioting and chaos that amounted to the biggest challenge ever to authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year regime.

Acil Tabbara reports from Dubai on unrest in the region and the role played by Facebook

Tunisia has issued an international arrest warrant for its exiled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia earlier this month amid violent protests.

Hundreds of Tunisian protesters demonstrated outside the prime minister’s office today to demand the removal of members of the ousted president’s regime still in the government.