When the Soviet Union rejected religion, it ditched Christmas, too — but kept the tree. Nowadays, many Russian Jews continue the yolka (New Year tree) tradition, though they've taken it to America.

MOSCOW - It's Christmas in Russia, and the signs are everywhere: The presents are unwrapped, the tree vendors have packed it in and the populace is full and hung-over. Confused? Blame a 16th ...

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. A retired French army general believes Russia will force Ukraine into an unconditional peace by securing a decisive victory on the battlefield by next Christmas.