Steven Smith, of Columbus, could face the death penalty after his sexual assault on his girlfriend’s 6-month-old daughter killed the baby. Smith claims he didn’t intend to kill the child, a statement that his defense team is using to plea for Smith’s life Tuesday as they meet with the Ohio Parole Board. According to Ohio law, the death sentence requires intent to kill. Smith, 46, was not charged with sexual assault, meaning the jury could either convict or acquit him of aggravated murder. .

See the full story on KentWired.com.

North Korea said Tuesday that it will restart its plutonium reactor and increase production of nuclear weapons material. The reactor was built in 1986 but was shut down in 2007 as a part of international disarmament talks. Experts said it could take about three months for the reactor to begin production again, but North Korean officials said they plan to begin “without delay.” North Korea has threatened to build a missile that could reach the United States; however, experts say the Asian nation is years away from developing that technology. .

See the full story on KentWired.com

The United Nations General Assembly approved the first U.N. treaty regulating the international arms trade Tuesday. This has been a goal for more than a decade to try to keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists and other organized crime members. Iran, North Korea and Syria all voted “no” on Tuesday’s treaty; however, it passed with a vote of 154 to 3 with 23 abstentions. .

In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, an American woman was gang raped and beaten while riding in a public transport van. Her French boyfriend was restrained, beaten and forced to watch the attack. The couple boarded the van in Rio’s showcase Copacabana beach neighborhood. Police said Tuesday a 21-year-old man was arrested for the attacks, which occurred after midnight Saturday. Two other men, who are believed to be involved in the assault, had already been taken into custody. A Brazilian woman also came forward to say she was raped by the same men while in the van on March 23.

Contact Maura Zurick at [email protected].