In the conflict between Russia and Georgia, diplomats are trying to take the place of the military After a five-hour conversation, Condoleezza Rice persuaded Mikheil Saakashvili to sign a document on the principles of settlement, which was agreed upon in Moscow by the presidents of Russia and France on August 12, and signed by the presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Eduard Kokoity and Sergei Bagapsh on August 14 .

Belarus has taken a serious step to improve relations with the West. On Saturday, August 16, former presidential candidate 52-year-old Alexander Kazulin was released early from prison, after the EU and the United States insisted on his release. According to media reports, the oppositionist was pardoned by presidential decree.

An alternative version of the Unified Social Tax reform was proposed by former Deputy Minister of Finance Alexei Kudrin, and now Minister of Health and Social Development Tatyana Golikova. For Ms. Golikova’s department, the redrawing of the social tax is not an end in itself, but only a means for carrying out a new pension reform. Which in turn would correct the consequences of the 2002 reform, when people who retired during Soviet times suffered the most.

July 15 -- August 15, 2008 “Politicians Through the Eyes of the Media,” a joint project of Vremya Novostei and the Medialogia company, are ratings of the political figures most actively discussed in the Russian media.

The dollar has risen in price in Russia by another 20 kopecks Sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate of the ruble against the dollar continue in the foreign exchange market. Last Friday, the official dollar exchange rate increased from 24.29 to 24.5 rubles. The euro fell in price in Russia by 0.1%, from 36.19 to 36.14 rubles. The value of the bi-currency basket against the ruble decreased by 0.5%, from 29.68 to 29.82 rubles.

Russia and Germany have different views on the conflict in Georgia The Russian authorities are convinced of the legality of their actions on the territory of South Ossetia and, if necessary, are ready to act in the same way again.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke the world record in the most prestigious discipline Over the three days of athletics competitions that began on Friday, a dozen sets of awards were played out in the Beijing Olympics program. The Russians have already won four medals. The victorious initiative was made by walker Valery Borchin, who won the 20-kilometer distance; yesterday Gulnara Samitova-Galkina finished first in the steeplechase (3000 m with obstacles), setting a world record.

The war on the Internet was no less fierce than in real life On August 8, after the start of hostilities on the territory of South Ossetia, several websites of the unrecognized republic were attacked. The main South Ossetian resources turned out to be inaccessible - they were overloaded as a result of DDoS attacks, which these days have become the most popular weapon of hackers “warring” in the Caucasus.

Winner of eight gold medals, Michael Phelps became the main hero of the 2008 Games long before their completion. American swimmer Michael Phelps, whom IOC President Jacques Rogge called “the icon of the current Olympics,” became its main hero. The goal that the 23-year-old athlete set for himself - to win eight gold medals at one Olympics - was completed yesterday after the Stars and Stripes won the 4x100m medley relay.

History shows that wars in which the interests of great powers are affected do not end with the cessation of hostilities. The end is reached when a political agreement is concluded that is acceptable to the parties involved. For the first time since the Second World War, Russia found itself in a situation where it had to use political and diplomatic means to defend what was achieved during the fighting.

CLUBS Viva Cuba. Salsa, merengue, cha-cha-cha, mamba, rumba. Caribbean dance evenings at the Union of Composers club, 20.00. Crazy Rhythm: Alexander Nadein (guitar), Sergey Vasiliev (double bass), Pavel Timofeev (drums). Jazz. Jazz Town , 21.00. Raisa Nur. Bard song classics, personal classics and new songs. “The Wood Grouse’s Nest” , 20.00. " Ivan Kupala " (St. Petersburg). Folk rock. "Tin" , 21.00. THEATERS "Chapaev and Emptiness". Based on the novel of the same name by Victor Pelevin.

At the beginning of the week, changes are coming: the power of the anticyclone, which in recent days has been providing the European territory of Russia with heat, will be attacked by the Atlantic cyclone. And in the northwest, due to the cyclone coming from the Gulf of Finland, there will be short-term rains, heavy in places, with thunderstorms and gusty winds, and the temperature will already be +20...+25°C, only in the east up to +30°C.

Russia and Georgia are preparing to clarify relations in international courts The presidents of the unrecognized republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Eduard Kokoity and Sergei Bagapsh, became targets of criminal prosecution by the Georgian authorities. “They will be convicted for crimes committed against humanity and citizens,” Georgian State Minister for Reintegration Temuri Yakobashvili told reporters on Saturday.

The Russian women's foil team, having defeated the US team in the decisive match - 28:11, won our only gold medals in the fencing tournament. In fact, the battle at the previous stage against the Italians turned out to be an early final. In regulation time the score was equal - 21:21, and Svetlana Boyko tipped the scales in our favor, making a winning shot in a duel with the famous Valentina Vezzali, who holds the title of four-time Olympic champion (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004) .

The festival of short films, documentaries and animations has ended in St. Petersburg The fourth Open Cinema festival of short, documentary and animated films has ended in St. Petersburg. If we take into account that one of the St. Petersburg complexes is precisely the absence of a “big” film festival, then it is clear that “Open Cinema” demonstrates complete freedom from it.