IN BRIEF (Page 12)

United States

Police hold bridge climber

New York City police said a French tourist was taken into custody after climbing the Brooklyn Bridge to take photos. Yonathan Souid, 23, of Esnandes, France, climbed over a fence on the pedestrian walkway just after noon on Sunday to reach a cable beam connected to the tower on the Manhattan side of the famed span that connects the heart of the city with Brooklyn. He has been charged with reckless endangerment and criminal trespass.

Burkina Faso

Kafando named interim leader

Career diplomat Michel Kafando was named on Monday as Burkina Faso's interim president to steer the West African nation during a one-year transition back to civilian rule following the toppling of its veteran leader. The appointment of the former foreign minister and UN ambassador is set to end weeks of uncertainty in the country after mass protests brought down the 27-year government of former president Blaise Compaore and the military seized power.

Pakistan

New missile test conducted

Pakistan conducted a test launch on Monday of an intermediate range of ballistic missile that is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 900 kilometers, the military said. The Shaheen-1A missile, with its highly accurate and indigenously developed guidance system, is among the most accurate of missile systems, an army statement said. It was the second test of nuclear-capable missile in less than a week.

Russia

Polish diplomats are expelled

Russia expelled several Polish diplomats on Monday for conduct "incompatible with their status", diplomatic jargon for espionage, adding that Warsaw had expelled Russian diplomats earlier on the same grounds. "The Russian side took appropriate measures, and a number of Polish diplomats have already left the territory of our country," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

United Kingdom

Parcel triggers evacuation

A building that is part of Parliament and houses the offices of many lawmakers was briefly evacuated on Monday because of a suspicious package. Workers were eventually allowed to re-enter the building. A spokeswoman for London's Metropolitan Police said that Portcullis House, opposite the Houses of Parliament and above the Westminster underground station, was evacuated while police investigated.

AP - AFP - Xinhua - Reuters

(China Daily 11/18/2014 page12)