In brief: Japan restarts first nuclear reactor since Fukushima tsunami disaster

Tokyo – A power plant operator in southern Japan restarted a nuclear reactor, the first to begin operating under new safety requirements following the Fukushima disaster.

Kyushu Electric Power Co. said Tuesday it had restarted the No. 1 reactor at its Sendai nuclear plant as planned. The restart marks Japan’s return to nuclear energy four-and-half-years after the 2011 meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan following an earthquake and tsunami.

The plant said today that there had been no problems in the first 24 hours of operation.

Westminster to add obedience competition

New York – Next year’s Westminster Kennel Club show will showcase dogs on their very best behavior: It’s adding an obedience competition.

The new event, announced Tuesday, will feature 35 competitors vying for top dog at sitting, heeling, jumping, retrieving and performing other exercises on cue.

The show has grown since 2013, when some preliminary judging moved from Madison Square Garden to roomier space at piers on Manhattan’s West Side.

An agility competition was added the next year, bringing mixed-breed dogs into the Westminster pack for the first time since the show’s early years. The agility contest will be back next year, on Feb. 13.

Mixed breeds also are eligible for the Feb. 15 obedience contest.

Mexican ambassador to U.S. seat filled

Mexico City – Mexico said Tuesday it has chosen a U.S.-based Mexican academic as its new ambassador to Washington, filling a key diplomatic post that has been vacant for five months.

Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department said the new envoy will be Miguel Basanez, who is currently an adjunct professor at Tufts University’s Fletcher School.

The ambassadorship to Mexico’s most important trade and investment partner has been empty since former Ambassador Eduardo Medina Mora was nominated to Mexico’s Supreme Court in March.

Analysts had questioned why Mexico left the post vacant so long. About 11.4 million Mexican-born people live in the United States and about 1 million U.S. citizens live in Mexico, according to the department.

Wallenda completes longest tightrope walk

West Allis, Wis. – High-wire daredevil Nik Wallenda has completed his longest tightrope walk during an appearance at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Wallenda on Tuesday evening crossed the 1,576-foot wire that was strung more than 10 stories above the Milwaukee Mile Speedway on the fairgrounds. The 36-year-old Wallenda holds nine Guinness World Records for his stunts. He walked across Niagara Falls in 2012.