Arctic and one from Cryosphere Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They're expected to arrive at the scene later today, at which time they'll take samples of soil, air, and water.

According to the Siberian Times, initial reports and images were suspected to be fakes, but the new images taken by Russian engineer Konstantin Nikolaev suggests it's very much real. The feature is thought to have formed about two years ago.

Scientist have posited a number of theories to explain the crater, though it's not likely to have been caused by a meteorite impact, nor does it exhibit the features of a sinkhole. One website claims that it's evidence "of the arrival of a UFO craft" to Earth. But there are at least two other — and far moreConvicted drug smuggler Michaella McCollum has been granted permission to transfer from Peru to a jail closer to home in Northern Ireland.

Her accomplice Melissa Reid from Scotland is waiting on the South American authorities agreeing to the terms of her move back to the UK. The pair were jailed last year for six years and eight months after admitting trying to smuggle cocaine worth £1.5 million from Peru to Spain.

A solicitor has described the conditions of their detention as horrendous.

The Irish government has been providing consular support to McCollum, an Irish citizen.

A letter from the Republic's department of foreign affairs said: "The Peruvian authorities have confirmed that they have accepted Michaella's prison transfer request and have passed this to the UK National Offenders' Management Service (Noms) which co-ordinates