Russian heatwave

Russia is experiencing its warmest December on record.

Perhaps only in Moscow could a top temperature of seven degrees (44F) be described as a heatwave.

But in the middle of December, it is unheard of in the Russian capital.

It hit that high last week and is expected to again this weekend.

Bears in the Moscow Zoo have not yet been able to hibernate and mushrooms are again flourishing in the forests.

Scientists are reluctant to link the extraordinary weather to global warming, but it has not stopped most of the locals, who say a few extra degrees of warmth might not be a bad thing for Russia.