Briefly

JAPAN

2nd round of toxic water release on Oct 5

Japan will begin releasing a second batch of nuclear-contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant from next week, its operator has said, despite the exercise angering the international community and environmentalists when it began in August. "The inspections following the first release have been completed … The (second) discharge will start on Oct 5," TEPCO said on Thursday. In the first phase, around 7,800 metric tons of nuclear-contaminated water were released into the Pacific out of a planned total of 1.34 million tons, equivalent to more than 500 Olympic swimming pools.

UNITED KINGDOM

Harry Potter actor Gambon dies aged 82

Veteran actor Michael Gambon, who was known for his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films, has died, his publicist said Thursday. He was 82. A statement from his family, issued by his publicist, said he died following "a bout of pneumonia." "We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside," his family said. He was cast as the muchloved Dumbledore after the death of his predecessor, Richard Harris, in 2002.

Agencies via Xinhua