Akademik Shokalskiy

• Rescued Antarctic scientists back on dry land

  Scientists whose Antarctic expedition became trapped in sea ice finally returned to dry land on Wednesday.

• Trapped ships break through Antarctic ice

  Two ships - a Chinese icebreaker and a Russian research vessel - broke free on Tuesday from thick Antarctic ice where they had been trapped for days.

• Trapped Antarctic ship passengers can't go overboard with New Year celebrations

  Passengers and crew aboard a Russian ship trapped for eight days in ice off Antarctica planned to ring in the New Year with dinner, drinks and song as they waited for a break in a blizzard to allow a Chinese helicopter to rescue them.

• Antarctic ship passengers to be evacuated by Chinese helicopter: Russia

  Russia said on Monday that most of the passengers stranded on a scientific expedition ship off Antarctica will be evacuated by a Chinese helicopter should the weather allow.

• Cracking ice bodes well for Antarctica ship rescue

  Ice that has trapped a Russian ship with 74 people on board in Antarctica appeared to be cracking up on Sunday, raising hopes for a rescue.