Yuri Zhigalkin: The tragedy at the mine in West Virginia. A lobbyist with connections in the leadership of the country pleads guilty of corruption. Why are journalists kill in Russia? These are the topics of the heading "Today in America." An explosion at a mine in West Virginia, where thirteen miners were underground, became the main news of the United States in the new year. Says Allan Davydov.

Vladimir Ivakhnenko Moscow agreements on the resolution of the gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine are ambiguously evaluated in Kyiv. Politicians and experts predict a further aggravation of Ukrainian-Russian relations. The compromise achieved between Moscow and Kiev, most likely, will not put an end to the gas dispute between the two countries.

Today, the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Maktum Bin Rashid al-Maktum, died. He died during a visit to Australia. Al-Maktuma was in 60 years. The causes of death are not reported. His successor - according to the Constitution - becomes his younger brother. In Dubai, 40-day mourning has been declared.

The program is conducted by Alexander GOSTOV. The Radio Liberty correspondent Denis Kamenchikov takes part. Alexander GOSTEV: In the vicinity of Yekaterinburg, on the eve of the New Year, the so-called "Internet rupor" earned. In fact, this is an access point to a global network with remote control, which anyone can use a passerby. The Internet Rupor is installed at an ordinary bus stop. With details, the Yekaterinburg correspondent of Radio Liberty Denis Kamenchikov.

Efim Fishtein The severity of the conflict, which flared up around the supply of Russian gas to Ukraine and its transit to Europe today smoothed out the reached agreement on new prices. However, the impact that this conflict has made on politicians and the public of European countries will be noticeably for a long time.

The program is maintained by Andrei Shari. The Radio Liberty correspondent in Germany, Yuri Veksler, takes part. Andrei Sharia: In the south of Germany, in the resort town of Bad Reichenhal from the rubble by Tuesday evening, the bodies of 11 dead rinks died during the collapse of the roof. The police say that at least another 4 people were killed. Rescuers are forced to stop working due to the danger of the collapse of the building.

The European Union welcomed the achievement of an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv on the issue of prices for the gas supplied to Ukraine. A member of the European Commission on Energy issues Andris Pibalgs described the agreement as extremely important for Russia and Ukraine - if they seek to preserve the position of reliable gas suppliers to Europe. Pibalgs also emphasized that Europe should learn lessons from the conflict and look for alternative fuel suppliers.

The program is conducted by Alexander GOSTOV. The Radio Liberty correspondent Kirill Kobrin takes part. Alexander GOSTEV: Radio Liberty continues a series of reports on the topic "Results of 2005".

In the Grozny district of Chechnya, on Wednesday morning, two soldiers who conducted sapper reconnaissance were blown up on a mine in the morning. With severe wounds, the victims were delivered to the Khankalsky hospital. In the Shalinsky district, a car with three employees of the anti -terrorism center of the republic was fired, one was wounded.

Andrei Sharry: The Man of the Day Radio Freedom today is an Australian -American film actor, producer and director Mel Gibson, who celebrates his anniversary. Gibson was born in 1951 in a suburb of New York, in a large Catholic family. He received acting in Australia. He made his debut in the cinema in 1977, he received fame at the very end of the 70s after filming in the Mad Max militant.

In Iraq on Wednesday, about 50 people became victims of explosions and attacks. In the city of El Midadia, at least 30 people were killed and at least 40 -A - they were injured in an explosion committed by a suicide bomber during a funeral - in a crowd of praying Shiites. In Baghdad, at least 8 people were killed as a result of two explosions of mined machines. Earlier in the Iraqi capital, a senior employee of the Ministry of Oil Industry and his son were shot dead.