IN BRIEF (Page 12)

US directly arming Iraqi Kurds

The Obama administration has begun directly providing weapons to Kurdish forces, who have started to make gains against Islamic militants in northern Iraq, senior US officials said Monday.

Al-Maliki deploys militias after ouster

Iraq's president named a new prime minister to replace Nuri al-Maliki on Monday, urging him to form a broad government that can stem communal bloodshed, but it was unclear whether Maliki would step aside.

'Bamboo Ceiling' inhibits Asian-Australians

Australia's self-image as a successful multicultural society is getting a second look after research released on Monday has again exposed a "bamboo ceiling", in which Asian-Australians are vastly underrepresented in key leadership positions in both the public and private sectors.

Afghan security forces kill 51 militants in a day

Fifty-one Taliban militants were killed during Afghan security forces' operations across the country within a day, the country's Interior Ministry said on Monday morning.

ROK seeks talks with DPRK over family reunions

The Republic of Korea proposed on Monday to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that the two sides hold senior-level talks next week to discuss having another round of reunions of war-separated families.

Seoul to offer $13.3m in aid to Pyongyang

The Republic of Korea will offer $13.3 million in humanitarian aid to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea through international agencies, Seoul's Unification Ministry said on Monday.

Israelis, Palestinians begin new talks

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resumed indirect talks mediated by Egypt on Monday on ending the month-old Gaza war, Egypt's state news agency said, as a new 72-hour truce appeared to be holding.

Erdogan starts search for new PM

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was convening his ruling party leadership Monday to find a new premier for Turkey following his victory in the country's historic first direct vote for president.

Rioting erupts after black teen shot dead

Rioting and looting erupted in Ferguson, Missouri, late on Sunday and spread to neighboring towns as protests over the killing of a black teenager by a police officer turned violent, police said.

Ukraine's forces 'close to retaking Donetsk'

The Ukrainian military said on Monday it was preparing for the "final stage" of taking back the city of Donetsk from separatists after making significant gains that have split rebel forces on the ground.

Rocket leads to prison break

Rockets slammed into a high-security prison on Monday in the rebel-held city of Donetsk, igniting a riot that allowed more than 100 prisoners to flee, authorities in eastern Ukraine said.