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World in brief

Bombs in Iran kill 4, wound more than 100

By wire services
Published October 16, 2005

TEHRAN, Iran - Two bombs planted inside trash bins exploded Saturday at a shopping mall near the Iraqi border that was previously targeted by extremists, killing four people and wounding at least 102, Iranian state television reported.

The explosions struck a shopping center in central Ahvaz, the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province. Shops in Naderi street and cars outside were damaged. Some of the injured were in critical condition, the broadcast said, showing pools of blood on the pavement.

Provincial official Gholam Reza Shariati said the bombs were planted inside two trash bins.

In recent weeks, Iran repeatedly has accused Britain of provoking unrest in the Khuzestan province, next to the region in Iraq where 8,500 British soldiers are based as part of the U.S.-led military coalition.

VATICAN CITY - Rejecting any change to celibacy for priests, bishops from around the world suggested dioceses share clergy and step up recruiting to cope with a priest shortage that makes it difficult for many Roman Catholics to attend Mass regularly, the Vatican said Saturday.

The 250 prelates attending the Oct. 2-23 Synod of Bishops have drawn up an initial set of proposals to vote on in the coming week and present to Pope Benedict XVI for his consideration in a future document.

MIAMI - A tropical depression formed in the western Caribbean.

The system could become Tropical Storm Wilma today, which would tie the record for the most storms in an Atlantic season, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

At 5 p.m., the 24th depression of the busy hurricane season was about 195 miles southeast of Grand Cayman and about 85 miles southwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica, forecasters said.

The depression had sustained winds near 30 mph and was drifting west at 3 mph.

BIRD FLU: Romanian authorities called for calm Saturday as they quarantined an eastern region where tests confirmed Europe's first appearance of a deadly strain of bird flu that has devastated flocks and killed dozens of people in Asia. Poland's government, meanwhile, banned the sale of live birds at open-air markets. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt was wrapping up a fact-finding mission in the hardest-hit region: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. He is expected in Indonesia today.

NEW DANISH PRINCE: Australian-born Crown Princess Mary gave birth Saturday to a baby boy who one day is expected to assume the throne of Europe's oldest reigning monarchy. Crown Prince Frederik was by her side. The royal couple has not announced a name, but it is likely to be Christian in line with Danish tradition.

[Last modified October 16, 2005, 01:33:15]