Scientists remain confident of one day bringing back the beast to roam again in Siberia.
His height of 215 cm - or 7ft - was too much for low cost airline Pobeda flying from Novy Urengoy to Moscow.
He emphasised the importance of the economically buoyant Asian-Pacific region as critical to the development of Russia as Western markets stall.
Virologist Dr Vladimir Blinov fears comeback of flu strain which cost two million lives in 1957.
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.
Enjoy the cats with your cuppa as you experience finest feline therapy.
The Arctic was at the centre of world's attention in recent years, with the Nordic countries now on a steady, but a serious race for dominance in the region.
Six holy men summon players' ancestors, begging for support in the game against Spain.
Pictured: the gleaming riches no-one was meant to see belonging to an ancient nomad potentate, and his queen...or was she his concubine?