The man was detained in Irkutsk in December during a raid to detect foreign citizens violating immigration rules.

Now aged 71, Ted Kohner, son of Chaliapin's daughter Tatiana, is making his first visit from the US to the motherland of his iconic opera singer grandfather.

He chose to become a hermit for six months on the shore of Lake Baikal in deep winter, miles from the nearest town and city.

She accuses police of 'ineptitude', 'misinformation' and 'cover-up' over student Colin Madsen's death.

This was the generic response over the past year when I've told people about my plans to run in this Sunday's Siberian International Marathon.

Sunbathing in snow and swimming in thermal pool included.

From levitating grass houses to kindergartens made of cheese and containers that heat themselves via text message... welcome to the future.

Some 35 Russian higher educational institutions are attending the annual Chinese showcase of international universities.