It was 70 years ago, in 1937, that Ivan Papanin first landed on drifting ice floes and raised the Soviet flag over the North Pole-1 station.

ECONOMIST: Ventures into the near-abroad

Patrick became the first woman to win a pole and lead green-flag laps during NASCAR's season opener, sending her popularity to a new level.

NPR: Edwards Ends Long Drought At Phoenix

There are Hawaiian leis in the colours of the German flag, life-size porcelain dogs and alarm clocks topped with pole-dancing dolls.

BBC: Berlin��s kitschy and flavourful Little Vietnam

Over-coats were strewn over chairs and gloves and leather flag pole holsters lay around the floor.

BBC: Enniskillen bombing: a reporter's memories of 1987 attack