Shia cities of Karbala and Najaf kill up to 60 people and injure a further 120. (BBC)
Russia auctions off the main production unit of oil giant YUKOS to the small Baikalfinansgroup for 260.75bn Rubles ( US$ 9.37bn). Before the sale, YUKOS was said to owe US$ 27bn in unpaid Tax es, specifically an average of 90% of its revenue. Former CEO jailed Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other YUKOS officials maintain it is politically motivated. (BBC)
The people of Turkmenistan go to the polls to elect a new Parliament . Voters will choose between candidates, all of whom have pledged support to President Niyazov , the "Turkmenbashi" or "leader of Turkmens". (BBC)
