1. 60 killed in Pakistan

    Fighting between soldiers and Taliban militants over a strategic mountaintop in northwestern Pakistan has killed more than 60 people, a government official said Jan. 31.

    The battle started a week ago, when government troops seized the top of Jogi Mountain in the Kurram tribal area from militants, sparking clashes that killed six soldiers and 20 insurgents*, said Wajid Khan, a local government administrator.

    2. Egypt soccer riot

    Seventy-four people were killed when supporters clashed at an Egyptian soccer match, prompting fans and politicians Thursday to turn on the ruling army for failing to prevent the deadliest incident since Hosni Mubarak was ousted*.

    At least 1,000 people were injured in the Feb. 1 violence, when soccer fans invaded the pitch in the Mediterranean city of Port Said, after local team al-Masry beat visitors from Cairo, Al Ahli, Egypt’s most successful club.

    3. PNG ferry sinks

    Scores of people were missing off Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Thursday after a ferry carrying about 350 passengers sank, Australian rescue authorities said, with many feared dead.

    Australia’s Maritime Safety Authority said 238 people had been plucked* from the sea and from liferafts by 5.30 p.m., about 12 hours after the MV Rabaul Queen went down.

    4. Aquino’s romance

    The Philippines’ bachelor* president, Benigno Aquino, confirmed Feb. 1 that he had put the fizz back into* his love life by dating a South Korean media personality more than 20 years his junior.

    The Filipino leader, who turns 52 this week, told reporters of the romance when asked about rumors swirling in the local press about him dating Grace Lee.

    Lee, 29, who moved to the Philippines as a child, co-hosts a popular music radio program in Manila as well as several television shows.

    5. Cold snap hits Europe

    The death toll from the vicious cold snap across Europe has risen to more than 260, with the winter misery hitting thousands of those seeking to escape it Sunday as air traffic was affected.

    Ukraine has suffered the heaviest toll with 122 deaths, including many who froze to death in the streets as temperatures plunged* to as low as minus 38.1 degrees Celsius.

    6. Protests over Putin

    Tens of thousands of Russians defied* bitter cold in Moscow on Saturday to demand fair elections in a march against Vladimir Putin’s 12-year rule, while supporters of the prime minister staged a rival rally drawing comparable numbers.

    Smaller protests were held in other cities across the vast country, maintaining pressure on Putin one month before a March 4 presidential election he is expected to win.

    7. Syrian embassies attacked

    Protesters attacked seven Syrian embassies around the world following reports of the bloodiest episode yet in Damascus’ nearly yearlong crackdown on dissent. Mobs* trashed diplomats’ offices from London to Australia and set the embassy in Cairo on fire.

    Activists say Syrian forces killed more than 200 people in the city of Homs before dawn Saturday, bombing restive neighborhoods. The government denies the reports.(SD-Agencies)