Every few years the dark side of humanity reminds us of how bestial, how savage we can be when we put aside all the constraints of civilised behaviour.

Hosni Mubarak is preparing to face trial tomorrow on charges of corruption and ordering the killing of protesters during the 18-day Egyptian uprising that toppled him.

Tunisia’s former autocratic leader, whose downfall triggered uprisings in the Arab world, condemned his upcoming trial as a “shameful masquerade”, according to a statement.

Fresh doubts surrounded the Duke of York’s continuing role as UK trade ambassador today, in the wake of controversy about his ties with a convicted paedophile.

EMBATTLED Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, under intense pressure to quit, was slapped with an EU visa ban while ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was also hit by travel restrictions.

Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi has announced his resignation after a renewed outbreak of street violence in the North African country in the past few days.

EUROPE voiced fears last night about a new wave of illegal immigration after Libya threatened to break its cooperation on controlling the flow and more Tunisians landed in Italy.

President Barack Obama today slammed Iran for its harsh treatment of anti-government protesters and called on governments throughout the Middle East to avoid crackdowns on pro-democracy supporters.

SHOCKWAVES from the ousting of presidents in Tunisia and Egypt continued to roll across north Africa and the Middle East yesterday, with peoples long subject to autocratic rule demanding to be heard.

Celebrations have erupted across the Middle East after Hosni Mubarak stepped down as Egypt’s president.

Italy has warned it faces a humanitarian crisis with some 1,600 refugees from Tunisia arriving in its waters over the past two weeks following unrest there.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy has urged government ministers to holiday in France after his own prime minister was criticised for taking a family holiday paid for by Egypt’s government.

WORLD food prices reached their highest level ever recorded in January and are set to keep rising for months, the UN food agency said yesterday, warning that the hardest-hit countries could face turmoil.

SOME 219 people were killed and 510 injured during the violent protests that led to the ouster of Tunisian strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the head of a UN human rights mission said yesterday.

TUNISIA yesterday unveiled major changes to its interim government in a bid to put an end to daily protests against figures linked to ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who stayed on in key posts.

TENS of thousands of people called for the Yemeni president’s ousting in protests across the country yesterday.

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.

Thousands of anti-government protesters inspired by the Tunisian revolution clashed with riot police in the centre of Cairo today demanding the overthrow of president Hosni Mubarak.

THOUSANDS of anti-government protesters rallied outside Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi’s office yesterday, calling for him to quit after the downfall of the north African state’s 23-year regime.

Tunisia’s prime minister has pledged to quit politics after elections he says will be held as soon as possible, amid protests by citizens still angry at officials linked to their deposed president’s regime.

TUNISIA’S interim leadership promised a “complete break with the past” and freed political prisoners yesterday in efforts to appease street protesters who want a total purge of the old guard from a unity government.

Riot-torn Tunisia’s interim leaders today announced a new national unity government following the overthrow of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali amid massive street protests.

There is further unrest in Tunisia where protestors are demanding the ruling party of the ousted president give up power.

Riot-torn Tunisia was poised today for the announcement of a new government and hopes of a peaceful fresh start for the nation.

Tunisian police have arrested the head of the presidential guard for ousted leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the state news agency reported today.

Tunisia's president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is dismissing the government and calling early legislative elections in six months as rioting continues in the capital, the Tunisian state news agency has said.

Tunisians began voting today to elect a new President and parliament in a race expected to achieve another landslide victory for Zine El Abidine Ben Ali despite timid measures by authorities to let the nascent opposition have its say.