IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Egypt

Hamas, Fatah start new talks

Egyptian security officials say rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have begun reconciliation talks in Cairo ahead of negotiations with Israel on cementing the Aug 26 Gaza conflict truce. They said the talks were being held on Monday behind closed doors at the Egyptian intelligence headquarters in Cairo.

Ukraine

Kiev notes some progress on truce

Ukraine said government troops have begun withdrawing their heavy artillery in the country's eastern region, as have rebels in the area. Andriy Lysenko, spokesman for Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said Kiev's forces had started withdrawing. He said the rebels had also begun the withdrawal of heavy artillery, although it was "not as massive as we expected".

Yemen

Shiite rebels tighten grip

Security officials said a Yemeni Shiite militia has occupied the headquarters and house of a powerful army general allied to Sunni Islamists and is setting up checkpoints across the capital after sweeping through the city. Monday's move against General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar consolidates the Hawthi rebels' grip over Sanaa after a week of deadly battles.

India

Heavy rains bring landslides

Heavy rains in parts of northeastern India triggered landslides and flash floods, killing at least seven people, officials said on Monday. A senior police official in Meghalaya state said the deaths occurred in the northern part of the state. The rains also caused heavy damage in neighboring Assam state, where floods washed away several bridges and submerged homes in Goalpara district, local official Pritam Saikia said.

AP - AFP

(China Daily 09/23/2014 page12)