Human rights activists and representatives of the intelligentsia from around the world have addressed the leaders of the European Union with an open letter, urging them to condemn the Russian authorities "for the dirty and cruel" war in Chechnya. The authors of the letter declare the need to immediately stop military operations, begin negotiations with the President of Chechnya Aslan Maskhadov and allow international human rights observers to the Republic.

In Moscow, a memorial service for those killed as a result of the disaster of a Russian aircraft in the Batumi area will take place. The discovered remains of the dead are not yet identified. They are delivered to a special laboratory in Rostov-on-Don. Last night, two side recorders of the broken IL-18 were delivered to Moscow. One of them is unsuitable for decoding, it will take two to three days to process data.

The Russians Anna Kurnikova and Evgeny Kafelnikov reached the final of the solitary discharges of the Tennis tournament "Kremlin Cup" in Moscow. Kournikova, who defeated last year's champion in the semifinals, Frenchwoman Natalie Tozia, in a decisive match will meet with the first racket of the world Swiss Martina Hingis. Kafelnikov, who today defeated his compatriot Hingis Mark Rosse, will play with David as an advent from Germany in the final.

The leader of the Unity party Sergey Shoigu said that the political association he head should become the ruling party of the conservative-centric. He announced this, speaking at the second congress of the party, which takes place in Veliky Novgorod. According to Shoigu, the number of members of the organization exceeded 200 thousand people. According to the Radio Liberty correspondent, the congress discusses the project of the party program and the program of actions for the next year.

In Kosovo, elections to local authorities are held today. Elections are held under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and with the participation of international observers. According to the OSCE, voters are more active. Near one of the polling stations in the city of Peca, an unexplored manual grenade was found. Other such incidents are not reported.

In this issue: - Nizhny Novgorod teachers do not understand how to live one hundred rubles a month; - The only Orenburg reserve - under the sight of officials; - Krasnoyarsk residents were offered a deal - refuse lawsuits and receive children's benefits; - How to erase the line between the city of Ryazan and the village of Sokolovka?

Representatives of Belarus and the Russian concern "Gazprom" signed a protocol in Minsk confirming the intention of both parties to build a gas pipeline, on which Russian gas will enter Western Europe. The plan provides for the construction of a branch bypassing Ukraine: it will pass through Belarus, Poland and the territory of Slovakia. The protocol was signed by the Prime Minister of Belarus by the Lord of the Ermoshinsky head of Gazprom Remus Vyakhirev.

The television movie of Sergey Miroshnichenko "Unknown Putin" was recognized as the best in his category at the Leipzig International Documentary Film Festival. The picture of Miroshnichenko was demonstrated outside the competition, but the jury, changing the rules, awarded her. "Unknown Putin" was removed by order of the RTR television company. The first part was shown on the Russian channel during the pre -election presidential campaign in March this year.

At least 60 Palestinians were wounded today in the gas sector and on the western coast of the Jordan in clashes with Israeli troops, the France Press reports. The clashes broke out after the funeral of four Palestinians who died during yesterday's riots. In total, almost 140 people have died in the Palestinian territories and in Israel in Palestinian territories, most of them are Palestinians.

Andrey Korolev, Murmansk: According to the press service of the Northern Fleet, the Norwegian divers themselves insisted on the resumption of work, relying on the security measures taken by them, allowing them to immerse themselves on the corps of the submarine when the sea is excitement up to 4 points.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive on Sunday with a four -day visit to France, during which he will negotiate with President Shirak and take part in the EU summit.

China sharply criticized the report of the European Parliament on the situation in Hong Kong. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Beijing opens up against interference from abroad in the internal affairs of the PRC. The report of the European Parliament expresses concern about the situation in the field of justice and freedom of the media that has developed in Hong Kong after the return of this former British colony of China in 1997.

Azerbaijan authorities did not allow a rally in the center of Baku Party of Civil Unity, which achieves their official registration. According to the Radio Liberty correspondent, the police detained several organizers of the protest. The Civil Unity Party was created this year and supports the ex-president of Azerbaijan Ayo Mutalibov.

On Sunday in Tehran, a closed trial begins over 17 supporters of reforms. According to the Iranian state radio, participants in the Berlin Conference will appear before the Islamic revolutionary court, at which in April this year the issue of the future of Iranian reforms was discussed. Conservative circles of the country accuse the conference participants of insulting Islam.

Israeli troops send tanks and helicopters to the advanced positions - waiting for new clashes with Palestinians on the western coast of Jordan. These measures were taken after the armed Palestinians opened fire on the Jewish settlement in the vicinity of Jerusalem. During yesterday's clashes, at least four Palestinians were killed and about 150 were injured. Radical Islamic groups said they would fight Israel until they achieve maximum territorial concessions.