Residents of the far eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk stocked up on water today before the arrival of a toxic chemical slick that could force authorities to shut off water and central heating despite subzero temperatures.

Russia today sent a cargo plane to the Pakistani capital, carrying tents, beds, blankets and other bedding for victims of the devastating weekend earthquake, the Emergency Situations Ministry said.

A helicopter crashed in northern Siberia today, killing at least six of the 15 people on board.

An explosion blamed on a natural gas leak destroyed a section of a nine-storey apartment building in the northern Russian city of Arkhangelsk early today as residents slept, killing at least 15 people and leaving dozens trapped.