Russia

While warmer weather might make farming possible in cold regions such as Siberia, it's already causing havoc on existing farmland in the south of Russia.

The official line in Russia is that it doesn't matter who wins in November, since it won't change what the Kremlin sees as Washington's anti-Russia stance. But some candidates are better than others.

Ramzan Kadyrov is an aggressive supporter of Vladimir Putin, vilifying opponents of the Russian president as traitors and "Satans" who should be eliminated. But his bluster may provoke a backlash.

To celebrate the feast of Epiphany marking the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, thousands of Russian Orthodox faithful take a dip in icy waters. How does it feel? "Absolutely good," one man says.