IN BRIEF (Page 11)

South Korea

Media exchange helps relations

Media exchanges between China and South Korea have played an active role in bilateral relations, Cai Mingzhao, minister of the State Council Information Office, said at a seminar in Seoul on Monday. Cai said China and South Korea have witnessed many achievements in bilateral relations since the nations' top leaders met in July. He credited the frequent exchanges of the two countries' media, and encouraged them to expand news coverage of both nations.

Kenya

Somalis given aid after floods

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Somali Red Crescent Society have provided emergency assistance to 23,000 Somalis who have been affected by severe flooding in southern Somalia. The agencies said on Monday they have swung into action by providing 23,000 displaced people in Kismayo with cash grants of $50 each, calculated to help them cover their food and other basic needs for the next few weeks.

United Kingdom

Britain bans forced marriage

British legislation banning forced marriage came into effect on Monday, with those found guilty of the largely hidden practice facing up to seven years in prison. The law applies not only within Britain but also makes it a criminal offense to force a British national into a marriage abroad, as many youngsters are flown out to weddings in their ancestral homelands, particularly in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

Pakistan

Operation kills 177 terrorists

Pakistan military on Monday said 177 "terrorists have been killed" in major military operation against the local and foreign militant groups in North Waziristan tribal region over the past two days.

The security forces, backed by fighter jets and gunships, launched offensive on Sunday on the direction of the government, saying the militant groups had staged a war on the state of Pakistan.

Reuters-Xinhua-China Daily

(China Daily 06/17/2014 page11)