Iraq

Provincial governor escapes blast

The governor of Iraq's eastern province of Diyala on Saturday escaped unharmed a suicide car bomb attack on his house, which killed a guard and wounded seven people, provincial police said.

Vatican City

Church blasts media for 'gossip'

The Vatican on Saturday condemned Italian media reports of intrigue, corruption and blackmail among senior prelates, saying these could be a form of pressure to sway voting in next month's conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI's successor. A Vatican spokesman dismissed as "gossip, disinformation and sometimes calumny" the reports, which are linked to an investigation of leaked papal documents.

Turkmenistan

Leader eager to plant 3 million trees

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov of Turkmenistan announced on Saturday a new campaign to plant 3 million tree saplings this year with the aim of transforming the desert Central Asian nation.

France

Drug contaminant found in horsemeat

Several horse carcasses containing the drug Phenylbutazone have probably ended up in the human food chain, France's agriculture ministry said on Saturday. Phenylbutazone is an anti-inflammatory treatment for horses. A ministry official said that there was only a "minor" health risk.

News Watch

Envoy says Iran meets obligations

Iran said on Saturday it will not go beyond its obligations nor accept anything outside its rights under the non-proliferation treaty, ahead of talks this week with major powers over its disputed nuclear drive. "Iran has fulfilled its NPT obligations as an active and committed member," said Iran's top nuclear negotiator.

Xinhua - Reuters - AFP

(China Daily 02/24/2013 page2)