The State Duma of Russia approved on Friday in the first reading the cancellation of the legislative norm on the electoral pledge in the federal parliamentary elections. The deputies supported the bill proposed by the deputies of the Perm region. According to the authors of the initiative, the abolition of the pledge will allow small parties that do not have great financial capabilities to participate in the elections to the State Duma.

The program is conducted by Dmitry Morozov. The Radio Liberty correspondent in Copenhagen, Sergei Dzhanyan, takes part. Dmitry Morozov: Vevrope in full swing is preparations for Christmas holidays and the celebration of the New Year. However, the global financial crisis made its adjustments and, traditional for December, the pre -holiday shopping race in search of gifts to relatives and friends.

The program is conducted by Kirill Kobrin. The Radio Liberty correspondent Ivan Trefilov takes part. Kirill Kobrin : the situation in world financial markets, economics trends, currency courses, interviews on economic topics - in the economic panorama of Ivan Trefilov. Ivan Trefilov: By the end of the week, the technical regulations for milk and dairy products will enter into force in Russia, which will replace the previously operating standards.

UN Secretary General Pan Hi Moon approved the verdict, issued by the International Tribunal, three former Rwandan officers for involvement in the 1994 genocide. On Thursday, all three were sentenced to life imprisonment. Among them, the Bagosor Teonesty, who held a high post in the military department of Rwanda. The court found the defendants guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This morning, a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas group in the gas sector expired. Hamas announced the cessation of a truce, accusing Israel of non -compliance with its conditions - in particular, the refusal to remove the blockade of the gas sector. The UN representatives reported on Thursday about the suspension of food supply to the sector - in connection with the depletion of reserves. The reason is the toughening of the Israeli authorities of the border regime with the gas sector.

The program is conducted by Mark Krutov. The Radio Liberty correspondent in Tomsk Melanie Bachin takes part. Mark Krutov: State Duma deputies of the Tomsk region want to contact the government with a request to freeze energy tariffs for the next year. According to them, in the conditions of an economic crisis, the population simply will not be able to pay bills. Already now in the region, due to the debts of energy, the heat supply restrictions are introduced.

The Su-24 bomber crashed under Voronezh. According to the assistant to the Commander -in -Chief of the Air Force Vladimir Drik, both pilots managed to eject and remained alive. It is reported that there are no victims and destruction on Earth.

In 2008, 41 journalist was killed in the world in connection with his professional activities. Such data are quoted by the International Committee for Protection of Journalists with Headquarters in New York. According to this organization, Iraq remains the most dangerous country for journalists for the 6th year in a row. In 2008, the number of dead reporters in Iraq reached 11.

Robert Redford, Russell Crowe, Julianna Moore and other Hollywood stars signed a petition not to conduct an acting strike. On Monday, 130 of its members, including George Clooney, Morgan Freeman and Tom Hanks, turned to the Guild of Film Akaters of the United States. They urge the leaders of the trade union to concede and accept the conditions of the alliance of cinema - and television producers.

Ukraine and the USA, as expected, will accept an important document on strengthening strategic partnership today. The contract will be signed in Washington at a meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vladimir Otryzko with US Secretary of State Condolizes Rice. It is reported that the document will stipulate areas of Ukrainian-American cooperation and emphasized the promise of the United States to achieve the provision of Ukraine in NATO.

The program is conducted by Kirill Kobrin. The Radio Liberty correspondent Marina Timasheva takes part. Kirill Kobrin : In Moscow, the scandalous congress of the Union of Cinematographers, marked by protests, statements about not legitimacy and other things, is coming to an end. At this stormy event, our correspondent Marina Timashenva is present. She is now on the phone on the air of Radio Liberty. Marina, hello! Marina Timasheva : Hello, Cyril! I must report on today.

Yuri Zhigalkin: The views of the Americans about the situation in Iraq have changed dramatically. Nevertheless, they expect obvious changes from the Barack Obama in American foreign policy. These are the results of a public opinion poll.

The Estonian Embassy in Moscow hosted the ceremony of the Order of the White Star to the writer Mikhail Weller. The Order established in 1936 is awarded to Estonian citizens for merits; The decision to reward Weller was made by the President of the country Thomas Hendrick Ilves in connection with the sixtieth anniversary of the writer.