Russians consider our membership in the G-8 an indicator of the greatness of a power On the eve of the opening of the G8 summit, the Public Opinion Foundation tried to find out whether Russians know what this G8 is and why Russia needs it? To the question, “Do you know, have heard, or are you now hearing for the first time the expression “G8?”, a quarter of those surveyed answered that they were hearing such a name for the first time.

This year's Moscow International Festival promises “good” films At yesterday's press conference, the Moscow International Film Festival finally announced its program. Quentin Tarantino, the most iconic director of all time, who “ditched” the festival two years ago, this time firmly promised to personally present the second part of “Kill Bill” at the opening. And the pride of the organizers cannot even belittle the fact that this film is being released in wide release on June 18.

Manufacturers of low-quality weapons will be separated from government orders The number of complaints about Russian defense products on the domestic market has increased tenfold in recent years. On the outside, where customers are stricter, - at 20.

The Germans will be able to get to St. Petersburg by water The Finnish company Silja line will begin regular ferry flights between the German port of Rostock and St. Petersburg from June 17. The cargo-passenger ferry Finnjet, which will serve the new route, belongs to the “ice” class of sea vessels and can simultaneously carry 1,780 passengers and 400 cars.

The famous security officer was not forgiven, but was spared The retrial of the former deputy head of the advisory council of the FSB of the Russian Federation, Yuri Levitsky, ended yesterday in the Meshchansky Court of Moscow. He and several other retired intelligence officers were accused of extorting money from one of the leaders of the Intersectoral Industrial Bank.

Tskhinvali asks Moscow for help Tomorrow in Moscow, the State Duma committees (on CIS affairs and relations with compatriots, on international affairs and on security) will discuss the situation around South Ossetia at a closed meeting. Among the guests is Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Moscow must respond to the calls of the unrecognized republic not to leave it alone with Georgia.

In recent days, the draft Urban Planning Code has been very actively discussed - one of the key documents that the State Duma will consider in the first reading tomorrow. Urban planners believe that it is largely unfinished and requires a large number of amendments.

Our riders are participating in the most prestigious race in Europe for the first time The most prestigious race in the Old World, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans marathon, will start this coming weekend. And for the first time, Russian racers will participate in it - pilots of the Yukos-Freisinger team Alexey Vasiliev and Nikolay Fomenko. To say that participating in this 24-hour marathon is an honor for any racer is to say almost nothing.

Gas will be supplied to Belarus on Russian terms Negotiations between the team of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov in Minsk began with a gift. It was generously presented by the president of the host country.

Moving the three-point line did not upset Baranova The eighth championship of the WNBA is gaining momentum. The participating teams, as last season, include two Russians - Elena Baranova from the New York Liberty club and Svetlana Abrosimova (Minnesota Links). Captain of the Russian national team, Baranova began her career in the overseas league in its first year and is now considered one of the most experienced players in the NBA.

Most likely, there would not have been Russian racers in the 24 Hours of Le Mans marathon for a long time, if not for the simple German millionaire Manfred FREISINGER. For some reason, the owner of the Freisinger Motorsport team immediately took a liking to Russian pilots, four years ago taking on Alexei Vasiliev and Nikolai Fomenko, unknown to anyone in Europe. And, apparently, Mr. Freisinger does not regret his decision now.

After four months of inactivity, the publication of the New Time magazine, which became a victim of the struggle for real estate in the center of the capital, resumed publication. As deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine Vadim Dubnov told the Vremya Novostei newspaper yesterday, on Thursday readers will see the latest issue of the publication, which has not been published since February, when journalists were not allowed into the editorial office, located in a mansion on Maly Putinkovsky Lane.

The Russian President was greeted with nesting dolls at the G-8 summit The real work of the next G8 summit on the American island of Sea Island began early this morning, Moscow time. Yesterday, distinguished guests were welcomed all evening at Hunter Air Force Base near Savannah. The plane of Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin landed there first - at 18.00 Moscow time.

The Kursk Regional Duma wants to force all candidates for people's representatives to undergo a medical examination Today the State Duma plans to consider an amendment to the law “On Elections of Deputies”, proposing to subject all candidates for people's representatives to a mandatory medical examination. The Kursk Regional Duma came up with this initiative, which could find a response in the souls of many voters.

Yesterday, the annual summit of the G8 leaders, which includes Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Russia, the USA, France and Japan, opened in the US state of Georgia on the resort island of Sea Island. In addition to participating in collective meetings, Vladimir Putin plans to talk with the host of the summit George Bush, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and King Abdullah II of Jordan, who is invited to the summit as a guest.