Cubans did not enjoy genuine democratic freedoms when they voted in Sunday's legislative elections, for which 614 candidates -- all members of the ruling Communist Party -- contested 614 seats.

Ten years ago, an economic crisis in one developing country could set off a chain reaction among investors around the world. And once investors suffered sharp losses in one place -- for example, Thailand, South Korea or Indonesia -- they began rolling back everywhere. This time around, the scenario is playing out differently. Although the financial markets crisis that began last year has not yet reached the point where investors are pulling out of developing markets, money continues to flow freely in the opposite direction as the world's financial giants tap into government funds from former Third World countries.

First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev left Moscow in early January to tour a few regions. He is traveling more as President Vladimir Putin's de facto successor than as a presidential candidate. Medvedev is using his trip to inspect the major projects that are located in the regions and to establish contact with the local political elite.

The greatest disappointment of the post-communist era has been the failure of the West -- particularly Europe -- to build a successful relationship with Russia. Most policymakers and experts expected that, after an inevitably troublesome period of transition, Moscow would join the United States and Europe in a strategic and economic partnership, based on shared interests and values. The pace of change might be doubtful, but not its direction.

Bicycle enthusiasts ride on through winter temperatures and traffic jams.

A recipe from Homemadecafe's head chef Sergei Poletayev.

Just over 10 years ago, Moscow saw the opening of Europe's then-largest mall, the Okhotny Ryad shopping center, which brought a new level of glitz to the city's nascent mall developments. Along with its gaudy gold trim and fancy decor, the Manezh also introduced the capital's first food court and, located just next to it, a slick new Czech beer restaurant -- U Shveika.

Foreign ministers of several world powers should agree on a new draft sanctions resolution against Iran at a meeting in Germany on Jan. 22, a French diplomatic source said Monday.