Alexander Smelov, 55, killed in his office in Yakutsk.

13 year old revealed as the daughter of a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father - separate humanoid groups now proven to have crossbred.

This is a satellite town, some 20 km to the south from the centre of Novosibirsk, amid enchanting woodland close to the Ob Sea. Accessible by local train or minibus from the city, too.

Set up in Soviet times by one of Russia’s greatest minds, mathematician Mikhail Lavrentyev, it allowed the young forward-thinking scientists who moved East from Moscow and St Petersburg a pleasant lifestyle, enabling them to work successfully.

It is home to 32 institutes and researching centres, the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Novosibirsk State University. 

Scientists say there is growing evidence that rising temperatures were catalyst for massive unexplained holes in ground.

Local reindeer herder witnessed the tundra explosion that led to birth of new hole in river.

Tattooed 2,500-year-old princess found mummified and preserved in permafrost could finally be reburied in special monument.

More craters expected to form due to such eruptions as permafrost melts - and they ARE caused by global warming releasing methane gas.

Ancient mummy preserved by permafrost dressed up for her debut 21st century appearance despite calls for solemn reburial from native peoples.

Deposits uncovered 56 years ago set to finally be extracted as drillers aim to take on China and become a major force in producing ore.