On Saturday, the winners of the Berlin International Film Festival were announced. According to AP, the film about the life of Afghan refugees "In This World" was recognized as the best film of the year. The Golden Bear-winning film is directed by Michael Winterbottom. The second prize, "Silver Bear", went to the film "Adaptation" by Spike Jonze, in which Nicolas Cage played the main role.

Murmansk businessman Nikolai Dubenko intends to open the production of clothes from fish skin, NTV reports. According to Dubenko, fish skin is inexpensive, and with the right dressing, the resulting material is superior in quality to calfskin. Dubenko says that none of his male strongmen friends could break the material, no matter how hard they tried. From the skin of cod, catfish and salmon, you can sew very durable and lightweight boots and jackets.

Photo Reuters On Saturday, powerful anti -war manifestations are held around the world. The most massive demonstrations are expected in New York and London, as the organizers say, more than half a million people will take part in them. Other large processions will also be held in Berlin, Paris, Rome, Cape Touun, Tokyo, Dublin, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Toronto, Tokyo, Bangkok and other cities. The first to rally were residents of Australia and New Zealand.

Friday, February 21, is declared the day of the election of the head of the city administration, RIA Novosti reports.

Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Alexei Gromov, Vladimir Putin held a meeting in the Kremlin on the issues of Russia's foreign and domestic policy. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, head of the presidential administration Alexander Voloshin, Secretary of the Security Council Vladimir Rushailo, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, FSB Director Nikolai Patrushev and Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov.

In the near future, the UN Security Council will hold a meeting on issues related to the nuclear program of the DPRK. This was announced to journalists in New York by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ivanov. "In Moscow's opinion, the UN Security Council should not take any decisions that would complicate the situation," he said.

In the Gudermes region of Chechnya, a ZIL-131 truck was found, in which there were about 1200 kg of explosives. According to Interfax with reference to the statement of representatives of the headquarters of the Joint Group of Forces in the North Caucasus, the truck was found and the cargo was neutralized by army special forces.

Deputy Director General of REN-TV for Information and Social and Political Broadcasting, host of the 24 Hours program Alexander Gerasimov accepted the offer to take the position of Deputy Director General of NTV for Information. It is reported by "Echo of Moscow". The presentation of Gerasimov to the team is scheduled for Monday.

The entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan was a mistake. So says the former president of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev. “It was clear to the entire Politburo (in 1985, when Gorbachev became the head of the Central Committee of the CPSU - Ed.) that a gross mistake had been made, that the people did not accept the revolution that we so much want to support,” says Gorbachev’s article, which he wrote for the magazine "Soldiers of Russia", and also handed over to Interfax.

For the first time in four years, cell phones began to work in Chechnya, Interfax reports. On Saturday, the Megafon mobile communication system was put into operation. According to the agency, the first handsets will be given to the heads of the Chechen administration, ministries and departments. Of course, there are no restrictions on access to cellular communications. All ordinary citizens will be able to get a cell phone.

Four people were detained on Saturday in Chechnya, RIA Novosti reports. According to the operational headquarters for managing the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus, three of the detainees are residents of the Naur and Shelkov regions of Chechnya. They are charged with an armed attack on a resident of the village of Shelkovskaya and stealing 15,000 rubles from him. Now, investigative and operational measures are being carried out with the detainees.

Iraq continues to deceive the international community at a time when it is required to cooperate immediately and fully with the UN on important issues. This was stated by US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Washington welcomes "improvements in Iraq's attitude towards inspectors," Powell said, but that's not enough. The Secretary of State recalled that UN Security Council Resolution 1441 provides for the adoption of serious measures in case Iraq does not comply with it.

Council of Europe High Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gil-Robles is in favor of holding a referendum on the Constitution in Chechnya, but does not consider it the only possible solution to all problems in the republic. "For three years, the Chechen population has been subjected to terrible violence, it has endured all the horrors of the war. Today, the search for any military solution will not help.

Another suspect in participation in the terrorist act in Kaspiysk was detained in Moscow on Saturday night. According to Interfax, Khanali Umakhanov, a resident of Dagestan, was put on the federal and international wanted list, he was charged in absentia with terrorism. As a result of the terrorist act in Kaspiysk, committed on May 9, 2002, 45 people were killed and died from wounds.

About 150,000 people took to the streets of Melbourne on Saturday to protest against the planned US war with Iraq, reports BBC News. The demonstration began with the howling of sirens, with which the organizers of the procession reminded of what awaits the inhabitants of Baghdad in the event of a military operation. The most common posters were "No war for oil!" and "Don't bomb Iraq!". Protest marches were also held in other Australian cities.