Russian Ship Still Iced In

 More than 70 passengers aboard a Russian ship trapped in the Antarctic are ringing in the New Year still stuck in the ice.

Bad weather and thick ice have thwarted several attempts to reach the research vessel which became stranded Christmas Eve. Blizzard conditions forced an Australian icebreaker to turn back yesterday after coming within ten nautical miles. A Chinese icebreaker called off its first attempt to reach the Russian ship due to heavy ice.

A helicopter from the Snow Dragon may be used to rescue trapped passengers once the weather clears. (Metro Networks inc.)