The Swedish Foreign Ministry has dismissed the first secretary of its trade and economy department for violating diplomatic rules by getting involved in commerce.

A potentially thorny issue in the talks will be Medvedev’s initiative for a broader European-Atlantic security treaty, which is seen by many Western governments as an attempt to restore Moscow’s influence by undermining NATO.

While honest cops work their tails off solving murder cases, their commanding officers often pocket a bribe from the killers, after which the cases are declared unsolved and closed.

Alenichev apologized for his actions in a statement distributed by his United Russia party.

The deal will be finalized in the first quarter of 2010, after the parties get approval from the two countries’ regulatory bodies.

Dung officially invited Russia to participate in the construction of his country’s first nuclear power plant, as Rosatom, the state’s nuclear arm, positions itself as a major player in the world’s nuclear power industry.

Local preservationists say Vyborg's unique architecture is in danger, and they are appealing to international organizations to intervene to protect the city’s old town.

The dismissal follows a decision by Medvedev to fire 20 prison officials earlier this month in connection with Magnitsky’s death in a Moscow detention center.

The goal of turning the organization into a gas OPEC is off the agenda for the time being, the group's new chief executive Leonid Bokhanovsky said Tuesday.

Putin praised Berlusconi for his courage and said his strong character would allow him to return to work quickly.