At least 35 people, including 17 civilians and a Nato-led soldier, have been killed in Afghanistan today. The country’s interior ministry announced that 17 civilian road-workers were killed when Taliban rebels attacked them in the southern region of Zabul.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s leading businessmen appealed to president-elect Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday to respect their property rights and protect them from arbitrary state interference.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Heading Russia’s biggest political party would be a logical step for Vladimir Putin when he steps down as president, the head of Russia’s most powerful business lobby said on Tuesday.