In brief: Attack targets Sunni mosque

BAGHDAD – At least 28 people were killed, including a member of parliament, and 37 others were wounded when a suicide attack targeted a major Sunni mosque in west Baghdad on Sunday.

The explosion was inside Um al-Qura mosque, the headquarters of the Sunni endowment during the prayers of the last days of Ramadan, when attendance is up. Police said children were among the casualties.

Khalid al-Fahdawi, a lawmaker from the al-Wasat Coalition (the Middle Coalition), was among the dead.

Police said the suicide bomber used explosives hidden under a splint and tried to be as close as possible to the head of the Sunni endowment, Ahmed Abdul Ghafour al-Samarrai, who was injured. No group claimed responsibility.

Minister: Reactors will restart in 2011

TOKYO – Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda said he expects the reactivation of Japan’s nuclear reactors whose operations were suspended for scheduled checkups to begin this year.

Kaieda expressed his view at a press conference held Saturday for the five candidates in the Democratic Party of Japan’s presidential election, including himself.

The government’s policy on restarting the reactors has shifted under the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

According to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, reactor operations at 25 of the nation’s 54 commercial nuclear power plants are under suspension due to periodic checkups.

To restart, nuclear reactors must clear the first stage of stress tests.