Consumer prices for automobile gasoline on average in Russia per week from August 12 to 18 decreased for the first time since the beginning of the year - by 0.3%, the Federal Statistics Service said. The cost of one liter of fuel was 23 rubles 35 kopecks or in terms of more than 95 American cents. A reduction in gas prices was noted in 26 regional centers of the country, while at 50 they remained unchanged. The increase in fuel cost occurred in 7 regional centers.

US President George Bush condemned Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Moscow’s actions are complicated by the search for diplomatic ways to resolve the conflict, the American president said.

In Afghanistan, a citizen of Japan, an employee of one of the humanitarian organizations, was released this morning. According to the representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan, the Japanese managed to free the Afghan policemen near his abduction in the province of Nangarhar in the east of the country. One of the abductors in a clash with the police was wounded and detained, the rest managed to hide. A citizen of Japan was not injured.

Championship of the English Premier League. 2nd tour: "Portsmut" - "Manchester United" - 0: 1 (Darren Fletcher, 32)

Western countries and international organizations condemn the decision of Russia on the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Secretary of the United States Condolization Rice called him "deserving of regret." German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Russia's actions are "absolutely unacceptable." The UK Foreign Minister David Miliband also made a sharp condemnation of the Moscow decision.

Another heiress of the composer Richard Wagner, his great -grandson Nick Wagner decided to claim the post of head of the Bayroit Opera Festival, founded by Richard Wagner in 1872. Earlier, the composer Wolfgang Wagner, 88, announced his resignation from the post of manager. Then the two daughters of Wolfgang Wagner expressed a desire to take the vacancy of the leader. The Board of Directors of the festival will discuss all candidates in early September.

Music of the highest spheres Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In the statement shown by the Vesti TV channel, he noted that in his decision he took into account the “free will of the Ossetian and Abkhaz peoples” . “I signed decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of Independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” the president said. He called on other states to follow the example of Moscow.

The American Kuryatin is still up to 70% of the imported poultry meat The Russian government does not see the prospects for the country's entry into the World Trade Organization over the next year, the First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said on Monday. Negotiations on the accession of Russia to the WTO have been going on for 14 years, and a month ago, government officials predicted that they would be completed in the near future.

In the capital of Thailand - Bangkok, mass anti -government performances do not stop. Thousands of protesters broke into the building of the state television company and tried to storm the residence of the Prime Minister. The organizer of the protests - the opposition folk alliance for democracy - requires the resignation of the government.

In the south-west of Pakistan, at least 20 people were injured as a result of the explosion in the province of Belujan. The attack was committed today at a rally in the memory of one of the local elders, killed two years ago during the operation of government troops. The atmosphere in Beloudjistan is intense - local tribes require the expansion of autonomy and a larger share in profits from the sale of gas mined in the province.

Russia seriously spoiled relations with the West by making the final decision on the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia George Khukhashvili: “Saakashvili will try to simulate cooperation with the opposition to win the time“ The Enlightenment publishing house is preparing the textbook “History of Russia 1900-1945” The investigation

The program is conducted by Sergey Tarasov. The Radio Liberty correspondent Allan Davydov takes part. Sergey Tarasov : The city of Denver in the American state of Colorado gathered not only thousands of participants and guests of the National Congress of the US Democratic Party. Dozens of show business stars also gathered here. However, their support to a democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama this time, most likely, will not be widely advertised.

The program is conducted by Alexander GOSTOV. The Radio Liberty correspondent George Kobaladze takes part. Alexander GOSTEV : Georgia has already stated that Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is an undisguised annexation. This is a quote from a statement by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Gigi Bockerry. He talked with reporters immediately after the direct television of the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The program is conducted by Alexander GOSTOV. The Radio Liberty correspondent George Kobaladze takes part. Alexander GOSTEV : According to the latest reports of the Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, Giga Bokeria, immediately after the speech of the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, with a statement on the recognition of the two republics, said that this was an undisguised annexation. A number of Western countries expressed sharp dissatisfaction with the decision of Russia.

The unity of the Georgians around the national leader can be very deceptive If you believe the Russian media, the current authorities of Georgia do not enjoy any support among the population, the opposition is building up their strength, the former comrade -in -arms of Mikhail Saakashvili Nino Burjanadze is preparing to take his chair, and even the United States replaced its mercy to anger.