Moscow - Moscow - Europe's biggest, most dynamic and hectic city - is impressive. But the fast-paced lives of Muscovites slow to a crawl as soon as they get into their cars each morning.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic is a side effect of Moscow's economic boom. Even on a normal weekday, about 650 traffic jams - totalling some 700 kilometres in length - will clog the streets. The average speed during rush hour is about 8 to 11 kilometres per hour.

Los Angeles - The electoral world in the United States is ruled by two parties, the centre-right Republicans and the centre- left Democrats, which for most of the world present an eminently conservative panorama.

Yet far from the glamour of the prime-time televised debates, there are options, including what many on the planet would consider the "real" left.

Although a marginal force, it lobs regular criticism against the two-party system and is actually fielding its own presidential candidates for the November 4 elections.

Sydney - Investors sold Australian stocks at the opening bell