• The head of Iraq's war-crimes tribunal said the United States has pledged to hand over Saddam Hussein and about 100 other suspects to Iraqi authorities before July 1 if Iraq is ready to take them into custody. U.S. officials denied any decision had been reached.

• A homemade bomb exploded in a crowded market in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing four Iraqis and wounding 23, a security official said.

• The Russian Foreign Ministry said a Russian energy company worker was confirmed dead and two others were abducted when gunmen fired on their car south of Baghdad. An Iraqi serving as a bodyguard and translator was reported wounded.