He emphasised the importance of the economically buoyant Asian-Pacific region as critical to the development of Russia as Western markets stall.

People begin to mop up their waterlogged homes: but what about the 'abandoned' dogs and cats?

At Akademgorodok, and a real favourite of this guide. Don't be fooled by the exterior, from the candlelit lobby this brilliant restaurant gives you the warmest welcome no matter how cold it is. In summer, there is also patio eating outside. 

A truly fine wine list and a mixture of sumptuous European, Asian and modern Russian food, plus a young and dedicated staff who ensure that your lunch or dinner will be memorable. 

One of Denis Ivanov's excellent restaurants in Novosibirsk and not always the one that attracts most media plaudits but for us this is a gem, showing the new Russia at its finest. 

Nicknamed Forrest Gump, he completes a 9,905 kilometre odyssey braving temperatures as low as minus 48C on his 18 month adventure.

As the world prepares to herald in the arrival of 2015, we look back at the winter celebrations of the Soviet yesteryear.

Palaeontologist says osteoporosis could have been major contributor, brought on by a lack of minerals in habitat from climate change.

As Western children salute Santa's Rudolph, here in the Sakha Republic the antlered animals are in peril from ravenous predators.

Parents concerned about their children from huge wild cat  - or more than one - on the loose, with another terrorising Solontsovy village.