IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Japan

Govt to restart nuclear reactors

Japan is moving a step closer to restarting nuclear reactors as utilities are set to ask for safety inspections at their idled reactors, the clearest sign of Japan's return to nuclear energy nearly two and a half years after the Fukushima disaster. With all but two of its 50 reactors off-line since the crisis, Japan has been without nuclear energy that once supplied about a third of its power.

Venezuela

FM: No contact with Snowden

Venezuela said on Saturday it had not had any contact with former US security contractor Edward Snowden, a day after President Nicolas Maduro offered him asylum in defiance of Washington. "No, there has not been any type of communication," Foreign Minister Elias Jaua told state television when asked about the case.

India

Bombs target Buddhist site

Multiple small bomb blasts at one of Buddhism's holiest sites - the Bodh Gaya temple complex in eastern India - wounded two monks on Sunday but the historic temple was undamaged, police said. The Indian government called the blasts a "terror attack" after nine bombs exploded at the complex in Bihar state, which attracts Buddhists and other visitors from all over the world.

Australia

Whale knocks out surfer

A Sydney surfer had a lucky escape on Sunday when he was hit by a whale frolicking off Bondi Beach and knocked unconscious. Bishan Rajapakse, a 38-year-old doctor, said the last thing he remembers before waking up on the beach was saying, "Hey, how's it going?" to the whale, believed to be a southern white, as it swam near him and other surfers.

AP-Reuters

(China Daily 07/08/2013 page12)