The program is maintained by Andrei Sharogradsky. The Radio Liberty correspondent in Madrid Viktor Cheretsky takes part. Andrei Sharogradsky: The average life expectancy of women in Spain is 87 years, and men are 83 years old. The Spaniards believe that their longevity testifies to both the growth of welfare and the improvement of the social security system in the country. However, the "aging" of the Spanish society, as in other countries, caused many problems.

The fourth day is continuing a rescue operation on the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station in Novosibirsk in a pre-trial detention center, who had been investigated today in America.

(Mikhail Afanasyev)

The program is conducted by Mikhail Salenkov. The Radio Liberty correspondent in Yekaterinburg Denis Kamenchikov takes part. Mikhail Salenkov: The season in Russian theaters will traditionally be opened in September-October. However, in Yekaterinburg in two places - Kolyada Theater and the Philharmonic - in August they prefer not to relax, but to work. Denis Kamenshchikov: The very center of the city. Quiet, built mainly by old mansions, Turgenev Street.

Irina Lagunina: The decline in the Russian economy turned out to be the deepest, in comparison not only with the countries of the "big seven", but also among the four largest developing countries in the world, including, in addition to Russia, China, India and Brazil. Moreover, in Russia is the maximum inflation among all these countries. However, many experts believe that the lower point of the crisis by the Russian economy has already been passed - there is simply nowhere to fall further.

In Afghanistan, presidential and regional elections will be held today. 41 people nominated a candidate for the post of head of state. Most observers believe that the best chances of victory are with the current President Hamid Karzai. Its main rivals, according to polls, are Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah and ex -minister of planning Ramzan Bashardost. On the eve of the elections in Afghanistan, the security situation was aggravated.

(Anatoly Kletsov, Ivan Shchedrin)

In the center of Baghdad, at least 2 people died and 10 were injured as a result of an explosion of a bomb attached to a bicycle. On Wednesday, the capital of Iraq was subjected to a series of attacks. At explosions and shelling, at least 95 people died, over five hundred were injured. It was the most bloody day in Baghdad over the past year and a half.

Irina Lagunina: The anniversary of the recognition of Russia's independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is approaching. During this time, no one except Russia took a similar step. The president of Nicaragua wanted, but the parliament opposed. Recognition remained incomplete. Meanwhile, in Russian information funds, the war, which preceded this recognition, is shown as a saving, liberation and preventing the destruction of the whole people of the Georgian side.

A policeman is killed in Dagestan. According to ITAR-TASS with reference to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic, in the village of Chontauel Kizilyurt district, unknown in the evening on Thursday opened fire on an employee of the road-road service, who was returning home from work. The policeman died on the spot, the shooters disappeared by the car. A criminal case has been opened.

Ecologists are convinced that bees will not harm the townspeople In the UK, a nationwide campaign for the salvation of bees is gaining strength, the population of which is catastrophically reduced. Citizens install hives on balconies, roofs of their houses and in their own gardens. British bees on the verge of extinction. It is estimated that more than 200 types of bees and 25 types of bumblebees live in the United Kingdom. Over the past two years, their population has decreased by 15 percent.

The persistent assurances of the authorities, the situation under control, caused panic among the inhabitants of Abakan The Khakass journalist Mikhail Afanasyev, against whom a criminal case has been instituted in connection with his publications on the situation at the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station , said in an interview with Radio Liberty, which he was accused specifically.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry continues to rescue work at the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station At the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station, water pumping from flooded compartments began. This morning, the bodies were found first one, and then two more dead during the accident at the hydroelectric power station. The official number of victims of the accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station is now 17 people.

The elections to Afghanistan Afghanistan are held the second presidential and regional elections in the history of the country. Voting takes place in conditions of increased safety measures. The Taliban movement threatens with terrorist attacks in polling stations. Explosions and attacks in recent days have occurred in Kabul and other areas of the country. More than 30 people claim the post of head of state, among them two women.