World IN BRIEF : ITALY : Blasts Jolt Milan and Rome; 5 Dead

A car bomb ripped through downtown Milan, killing at least five people. An hour later, suspected car bombs jolted the ancient heart of Rome, injuring 24. Milan police said the dead included three firefighters and a policeman who were apparently called to the scene by a telephone warning of a blast. One of the Rome blasts heavily damaged St. John Lateran Basilica, the Pope’s church in his capacity as Bishop of Rome. The other struck near the ancient Forum and the Michelangelo-designed Campidoglio Square, seat of city government. No one claimed responsibility for the blasts.