Vladimir Putin made what seemed to be an implausible promise in August 1999. The newly appointed prime minister said he could end a crisis caused by the incursion of 2,000 rebels from Chechnya into Dagestan in ""a week and a half or two weeks.""

On his first official visit to European capitals since being named the Kremlin's favored presidential successor, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was in Belgrade and Budapest on Monday, announcing Hungary's participation in the South Stream pipeline and pledging significant economic and political aid to Serbia.

The vodka had been flowing for about 30 minutes when Andrei Bogdanov poured another shot for the plump, elderly woman in a green beret.

Bilingual children have unique opportunities but also face special challenges.

Fans of bohemian cafes will be happy to hear that one of Moscow's favorite arty eateries, Kvartira 44, has now become a chain with the opening of a second branch.

A recipe from Yar's head chef Matthew Cooper.

Community Bulletin Board

The decades-long division of Cyprus could be resolved by the end of the year, the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots said Monday, a day after Greek Cypriots elected a new president.

New South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office Monday with a promise to boost prosperity not only in his own country but in North Korea as well, provided that the communist state abandons its nuclear weapons.

Israel deployed thousands of troops and police officers along the volatile border with the Gaza Strip on Monday, fearing a mass demonstration by the Hamas militant group against Israel's blockade of Gaza would turn violent and spill into Israel.