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.

SOFIA (Reuters) – Profits from drugs trafficking through Bulgaria have been used to fund organizations like Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, the parliamentary security commission said on Tuesday.