Death rate doubles in Moscow

Moscow's health chief has confirmed that the mortality rate has doubled as a heatwave and wildfire smog continue to grip the Russian capital.



According to Andrei Seltsovsky there is twice the usual number of bodies in the city's morgues.



Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared around a nuclear reprocessing plant in the southern Urals because of nearby wildfires.



There has also been a new warning over shortfalls in Russia's grain harvest.



Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said this year's harvest, hit by fire and drought would be worse than previously forecast.



Mr Putin also said that a ban on grain exports could be extended beyond December 2010 because of shortages for domestic markets.