After five straight gold medals at the World Junior Hockey Championships, Canadians have to be satisfied with silver this year.

Russia will be restoring military priesthood in 2010. The four main faiths will be able to have their chaplains in the armed forces.

Ukraine

A Russian citizen, allegedly working for Russia

Russia has won the women

Christmas spirit is not limited to the church. Hundreds turned out for a hot air balloon demonstration near Moscow.

After almost two decades in the NHL and a couple of seasons in Russia, Jaromir Jagr is fast approaching his final appearance for the Czech Republic just over a month from now at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

President Barack Obama has criticized US security agencies after they failed to prevent an attempted bombing of an airliner on Christmas Day.

The Moscow residential real estate market has been lucrative, with an accommodation deficit driving sales and rental prices over the last decade. But it too felt the impact of the 2009 economic downturn.

Russia