IN BRIEF

Japan

Another atomic reactor restarted

A utility switched on another nuclear reactor on Tuesday in a small victory for the government's pro-atomic push, despite strong public opposition after the 2011 Fukushima meltdown. The restart of the No 3 reactor at the Takahama nuclear plant brings the number of running reactors in Japan to five, while dozens more remain offline. The plant is located in Fukui, 350 kilometers west of Tokyo.

Iraq

100,000 children at risk in Mosul

Up to 100,000 children are in danger as Iraqi forces battle to retake west Mosul from the Islamic State group, the United Nations children's agency UNICEF said on Monday. Nearly eight months into the massive operation to recapture Iraq's second city, security forces have retaken all but a handful of areas in west Mosul from the extremists.

India

'Rapists' throw baby out of cab

A nine-month-old baby died when she was thrown out of a moving autorickshaw by men accused of gang-raping her mother, police said on Tuesday, in the latest case of sexual violence in India. Police said they had registered a case of murder and gang rape after the alleged attack on May 29 in New Delhi. Police said the baby had died of head injuries.

Russia

US bomber intercepted

The Defense Ministry said on Tuesday one of its fighter jets intercepted a US strategic bomber that was flying near the border of Russian airspace. The ministry said it had to scramble the Su-27 to the area over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday after radars spotted an aircraft flying along the border. It said the Russian jet identified it as a US B-52 bomber and escorted it until it flew further away from the border.

Thailand

Man jailed for 'note' robbery

A court on Tuesday sentenced a Canadian man to 14 months in jail for crimes linked to a rare bank robbery in Singapore where he allegedly used nothing more than a threatening note to steal $22,000. According to authorities in Singapore, David Roach strolled into a Standard Chartered bank branch in July, handed the teller a scrap of paper and walked off with the cash. The 28-year-old then fled to Bangkok.

Myanmar

Yangon to ban smoking in public

The government is planning to ban smoking in public areas in Yangon, official media reported on Tuesday. For the purpose of protecting citizens, especially young people, from being impacted by smoke-related health problems, the authorities will set up smoke free areas in sports arenas and stadiums, public parks, playgrounds, schools, universities, bus stops, cinemas, markets, hospitals and pagodas.