Dmitry Medvedev

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree to recognize the breakaway regions of Georgia, - Abkhazia and South Ossetia - as independent states. In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Bridget Kendall at his residency in the Russian city of Sochi on the border with Abkhazia, Medvedev was asked why Russia had signed the decree in the face of international opposition.

Alex GallafentAlex Gallafent is blogging from the DNC. Read his blog. Also follow Alex on twitter.

Iranians make clear distinction between American people and American policies. Read more at FRONTLINE/World

U.S. presidential race on the minds of many Afghans. Read more from FRONTLINE/World

Lebanese share hopes and fears about Obama and McCain. Read more from FRONTLINE/World

PRI's The World in Denver: Who's Cleaning the Convention Center? from Clark Boyd on Vimeo.

The World's William Troop introduces us to Fratello Metallo, an Italian monk who sings heavy metal songs.

The answer to our Geo Quiz is Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. That's were the very first instant ramen noodle was invented. And today is the 50th anniversary of the instant noodle. To celebrate we speak with Mr. Toshiya Suganuma of Ippudo Restaurant in New York City about what it takes to make a good bowl of ramen.

Lisa Mullins speaks with Wall Street Journal correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov about a rising number of attacks by Komodo dragons on villagers in Indonesia. The villagers blame environmental efforts to protect the dragons.