Vice Premier sees scope to make Arctic 'ours forever' with plans to harness resources and help protect fragile environment.
Record sighting of Narwhal at 88 degrees north by Russian scientific expedition.
Average temperatures in the north of the Kara and Barents seas were 4C to 5C higher than previous years.
Challenge to polar doom warning from respected international expert Professor Peter Wadhams of Cambridge University.
Culture on edge of Siberia was 'as advanced' as in Middle East, then considered to be the apex of development.
Expert says deadly gas released from melting permafrost region will lead to 'awful' consequences for global warming.
Satellites show giant hole ringed by 20 'baby craters'.