IN BRIEF (Page 12)

United States

Man kills himself in front of WH

A man fatally shot himself on the crowded pedestrian avenue directly in front of the White House on Saturday, officials said. The Secret Service said a white male approached the fence north of the White House at about 11:45 am, "removed a concealed handgun and fired several rounds, none of which appear at this time to have been directed toward the White House". The man's identity is being withheld pending notification of his family.

Russia

Missiles enter production

The country has begun series production of its hypersonic Avangard missiles, local news reported on Sunday. "It is time for our Western counterparts to accept the new reality. Russian Kinzhal (missiles) are on duty, and Avangard missiles have entered series production," media cited a military-diplomatic source as saying. The two series of missiles can deliver nuclear or conventional warheads to a target more than 2,000 kilometers away.

Italy

Voting starts, stalemate likely

The country went to the polls on Sunday in a vote that could bring political gridlock after an election campaign marked by anger over the listless economy, high unemployment and immigration. Pollsters have predicted that former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and his far-right allies will emerge as the largest bloc in parliament, but fall short of a parliamentary majority. The initial results are expected early on Monday.

Poland

Building collapse leaves 4 dead

Officials said four people have died and 24 have been injured in the collapse of an apartment block in the western city of Poznan. Spokesman Slawomir Brandt said 24 teams of firefighters were working in the rubble after the collapse on Sunday of a building that contained 18 apartments. He said children are among the injured. Regional governor Zbigniew Hoffman said it was too early to determine the cause of the collapse.

(China Daily 03/05/2018 page12)