Japanese companies consider investment in railway extension via islands of Sakhalin and Hokkaido.

The new 6.5 kilometre rail link will open in 2017 across the world's 10th longest river.

These are the first pictures and video of scene in Khabarovsk region where a sudden and massive rock movement causes semi-blockage and flood risk.

Drifts have reached one metre in height with schools closed, cars abandoned and even a military tank pulling out stranded drivers.

Flights from east of Russian resumed for the first time since last year's earthquake and tsunami which led to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

Petition fails to ban kids' championship as an event involving sex abuse or encouraging 'child striptease'.

Foreign visitors transiting on Russian airlines will be able to stay for 72 hours without documents as part of move to help boost tourism and economy.

The senior politician called for a change of identity for the vast eastern third of Russia, as the country angles itself towards Asia.

It should be called the 'Pacific region', he suggests.