1. Nine killed as gunmen storm hotel

    Heavily armed gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Tripoli on January 29, killing at least nine people, including foreigners, before blowing themselves up with a grenade*.

    Officials said shooting erupted inside the five-star Corinthia Hotel and security forces evacuated* guests, including Tripoli’s prime minister and an American delegation.

    Militants claiming ties with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria said in a Twitter message they were responsible for the attack.

    2. Michelle’s outfit causes a stir

    Michelle Obama has drawn mixed reactions over her decision not to wear a headscarf* on a recent visit to Saudi Arabia.

    Michelle arrived in the country with her husband, U.S. President Barack Obama, on January 27 local time to pay their respects to the royal family after the recent death of King Abdullah.

    However, while she opted for* loose clothing on the visit to the royal palace, she did not wear a headscarf.

    The move prompted a backlash* on Twitter from Saudis using the hashtag* #Michelle_Obama_NotVeiled.

    3. Kim Jong Un confirms Russia visit

    North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has confirmed his attendance at Russia’s celebrations in May marking the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said on January 28.

    The trip, if it takes place, would be Kim’s first foreign visit since taking power in 2011.

    “About 20 state leaders have confirmed their attendance, and the North Korean leader is among them,” Yonhap said.

    4. Malaysia declares MH370 an accident

    Malaysia declared on January 29 the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 an accident, clearing the way for the airline to pay compensation to victims’ relatives while the search for the plane goes on.

    The Boeing 777 aircraft disappeared on March 8 last year, carrying 239 passengers and crew shortly after taking off from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, bound for* Beijing. Among the passengers were 154 Chinese nationals.

    “We officially declare Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 an accident and that all 239 of the passengers and crew on board are presumed to have lost their lives,” Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said.

    5. Japan outrage at hostage ‘beheading’

    Japan and other nations condemned with outrage and horror on Sunday the beheading purportedly* by the Islamic State group of Kenji Goto, a journalist who sought through his coverage of Syria to convey the plight* of refugees, children and other victims of war.

    The failure to save Goto raised fears for the life of a Jordanian fighter pilot also held hostage by the extremists.

    6. Italy elects Mattarella as president

    Italian lawmakers elected Sergio Mattarella, a constitutional court judge and veteran center-left politician, as president on Saturday, handing a welcome political victory to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

    Mattarella, speaking at his office in the Constitutional Court after the vote, said, “My first thoughts are of the difficulties and hopes of our citizens.”

    He later visited the site in Rome where German troops killed 335 Italians in World War II, saying that Europe must unite to battle terrorism.

    7. Measles spreads in U.S.

    U.S. health officials confirmed on Saturday that more than 100 people have been infected with measles* in the United States since December.

    There are 91 confirmed cases in California alone, most linked to an outbreak at Disneyland, but the virus has made its way to New York as well.

    A student at Bard College in Dutchess County, New York state, sent shivers throughout the state on January 30, after it was discovered that he had boarded an Amtrak train in Manhattan earlier in the week. (SD-Agencies)