St Petersburg, Russia  - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stressed Russia's leading role in the world economy Saturday and criticized US fiscal policy.

Moscow  - At least three people have died from a toxic spillage at a Chinese plant on the border with Russian, the ministry of natural resources cited Chinese media as saying.

Moscow  - A gas blast onboard a cargo ship docked for repairs in Russia's European exclave of Kaliningrad killed three workers with seven more missing, Russian news agencies reported Friday.

Berlin  - Russian President Dimitry Medvedev Thursday began his first Europen trip since being sworn in last month with a visit to Germany, arriving in Berlin shortly before noon.

Medvedev was welcomed with full military honours by Chancellor Angela Merkel before holding talks with the chancellor, President Horst Koehler and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

During the one-day visit, Medvedev is to make a keenly awaited foreign policy address at a Berlin hotel.

He is also to lay a wreath at a Russian war memorial in former east Berlin.

German politicians have expressed hopes for a new phase in relations with Russia, stressing political and human rights issues alongside the vital economic ties.

Berlin  - Russian President Dmitri Medvedev arrives in Berlin Thursday on his first foreign visit in Europe since taking office last month with a key German official saying he should be taken at hi

Riga  - Russia hopes for "equal partnership" with the European Union, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Igov Shuvalov said Wednesday.