A brief look at the stories making headlines in the Russian-language press

That opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko would finish first in the opening round of Ukraine's presidential election was widely expected: The pro-democracy, pro-Western candidate has led in opinion polls for more than a year.

There have been a flood of reports, rumors and theories over the last two weeks about problems with the U.S. presidential election.

President Vladimir Putin has enthusiastically welcomed the re-election of U.S. President George W. Bush, as has much of Moscow's political elite.

Ban on German Plants MOSCOW (Bloomberg) -- The government is suspending imports of fruit, vegetables, flowers, seeds and herbs from Germany as of Monday because of repeated violations of sanitary norms, the Agriculture Ministry said. The ban does not extend to processed plant products such as jams or canned vegetables, said a ministry spokeswoman Friday. The government discovered thrips insects in flowers imported from Germany on two occasions earlier this month, she said. In June, Russia banned flower imports from the Netherlands after finding plants infested with thrips. Some Dutch flowers are imported to Russia through third countries. Moscow's market for cut flowers is close to $1 billion a year. Gazpromneft Approved MOSCOW (AP) -- The government has approved a plan for the merger of natural gas giant Gazprom and the state-owned Rosneft oil company, Interfax reported last week.

The son of Governor Valentina Matviyenko may soon be appointed to a top post at the St. Petersburg office of Vneshtorgbank.