BRUSSELS, Aug 11 – The European Commission has released 1 million euros ($1.52 million) in humanitarian aid for civilians affected by the fighting in South Ossetia, it said in a statement.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has boosted its forces in Abkhazia, a second rebel region of Georgia, and now has more than 9,000 paratroopers and 350 armour there, Interfax news agency quoted an aide to the commander of Russian peacekeepers as saying on Monday.

BEIJING (Reuters) – President George W. Bush said on Monday he had expressed grave concern to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin about Russia’s “disproportionate response” against Georgia in the South Ossetia conflict.