Around 400 delegates are expected including representatives of 41 ethnic minorities representing around a quarter of a million people. 

Lena Pillars, a World Heritage Site, hit by the rampant flames, as calls grow for greater efforts to tackle infernos.

Bears are increasingly coming out of the forest in search of food, say wildlife experts.

Angara Airlines An-24 loses one engine then hits sewage treatment works and bursts into flames after crew lost control.

You want to breast feed as long as possible, but you also need to work to make ends meet. 

Three cities east of the Urals are in the top ten for a new survey of national contentment.

Communists want Soviet dictator immortalised forever in stone.

EU delegation targeted by activists, who say meeting is glossing over the truth and turning Russia into aggressors.

The wild cat jumped on its victim from behind as she queued at the ticket kiosk.