According to updated data, as a result of the explosion in the center of Baghdad, three people were killed on Sunday, seven were injured. This was transmitted by the Emirate satellite television channel Al-Arabia, referring to the information received from official Iraqi sources. Among the dead are two women. The incident occurred next to the Central Bank of Iraq in the area of ​​the Ash Shuhad bridge across the Tiger River.

Georgy Yartsev is ready to make any decision of the Executive Committee of the Russian Football Union about his further work as the head coach of the Russian national football team. Recall that the Russian coach has a contract for the qualifying cycle of the World Cup-2006, but this agreement can terminate the RFU Executive Committee after its meeting. "The fate of the coach Yartsev is not yet known. I have a valid contract with the Russian football union until 2005.

In Adjaria, elections are held to the highest legislative body of autonomy - the Supreme Council. At 7:00 Moscow time, 301 polling station opened. The elections were scheduled after the former head of the Adjar autonomy, Aslan Abashidze, left the country due to the crisis that arose in relations with the new central authorities of Georgia. Since May, Adjara has been carried out by direct presidential rule through the Provisional Presidential Council.

Chechen militants are going to move on to offensive actions. Such a statement was made by one of the leaders of the separatists Aslan Maskhadov. Aslan Maskhadov in an interview with Radio "Freedom" announced that Chechen separatists intend to change tactics and go to offensive. "The more people like Kadyrov oppress the innocent residents of Chechnya, making their lives unbearable, the more they turn these people against themselves," said Aslan Maskhadov.

India and Pakistan agreed to create a direct “hot line” of communication between foreign ministers of both states in order to ensure regional security and further strengthening of the atmosphere of trust, RIA Novosti reports. This is stated in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India, widespread on Sunday after consultations at the level of experts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India and Pakistan on confidence measures in the nuclear region.

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and nine high -ranking officials of his regime will soon be transferred to the Iraqi government. This was announced on Sunday by the Emirate satellite television channel Al-Arabia with reference to the press secretary of the coalition forces in Iraq.

British director Alan Parker, presiding in the jury of the Moscow festival, wants to make a film about the Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin. He talked about this on Sunday on the air of the Echo of Moscow radio station. Parker noted that he would like to make a film that would reflect the attitude of the West to Gagarin.

Everton President Bill Kenrait said that Wayne Runi's price increased sharply after he scored two goals against the Switzerland national team at the European Championship. Now Everton, if he sells his striker, is no less than 50 million pounds for an amount. "Our manager David Moss and I came to the conclusion that Rooney, having received less than 50 million pounds for him, would be wrong," Kenrait noted in an interview with News of the World.

Inimitable, as it is called in the world, the star of world cinema Meryl Streep flew on Sunday to Moscow as a guest of the XXVI Moscow International Film Festival (MMKF). She flew accompanied by her husband and three daughters, reports Echo of Moscow .

The radical Shiite leader of the Muktada al-Sadr is invited to take part in the general Iracial conference, at which the composition of the Iraqi Provisional National Assembly (Parliament) will be chosen. According to the Katar satellite television channel AL-JAZeera, the chairman of the committee for the preparation of the conference of the conference Foid Maasum said at a press conference in Baghdad on Sunday.

In the Sernovodsky district of Chechnya, on suspicion of involvement in illegal, delivered formations (NVF), four militants were detained. About this RIA "Novosti" was reported on Sunday in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Chechnya.

The new leader of the Al-Qaeda cells in Saudi Arabia was appointed Salikh al-Afi, reports the satellite television channel Al-Arabia. Al-Aufi replaced the al-Mugrin killed on the eve of the Saudi special services. About who he is, so far nothing has been reported. The murder of the leader of Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia was a “difficult blow” in grouping, Addel Dzhubeir, an adviser to the Saudi authorities on international affairs, said in Washington.

The Moscow Bureau of Human Rights sent a statement to Newsru.com in connection with the murder of one of the leading experts on the problems of racism and nationalism Nikolai Girenko. We give the text of the application.

On Sunday, June 20, it marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of one of the most striking representatives of the author’s song, film actor, journalist, writer and screenwriter Yuri Vizbor. The anniversary of the famous bard will be awarded with two concerts with the participation of famous performers and actors who honor the work of Vizbor. Concerts dedicated to the birthday of Vizbor are held for several years in a row and have become an annual tradition.

The leadership of Channel One did not offer the work of TV presenter Leonid Parfyonov. This was announced on the air of the Echo of Moskvy radio station by Channel One Channel Channel Channel One Konstantin Ernst. He added that Leonid Parfyonov himself also did not contact him on the issue of employment. At the same time, according to Ernst, he is ready to hire this TV presenter. “Leonid Parfyonov has a constant engagement from me, which he can use when he wants,” he said.