Gymnast rumor update: Putin not amused

After rumors spread last Friday that Putin had divorced his wife in favor of a medal-winning rhythmic gymnast, the outgoing president seemed surprisingly good-humored about the whole thing. To a crowd of journalists in Italy he said,

In other publications of the same type, the names of other successful, beautiful young women from Russia are mentioned. I think it won't be unexpected if I say that I like them all — just as I like all Russian women."

But as it turns out, Putin's last laugh was to pack a slightly bigger punch. That same day, Moskovsky Korrespondent, the tabloid that broke the story, was shut down. National Media Company, the media house under which the tabloid ran, denied any suggestion that the suspension stemmed from political pressure, claiming instead the paper had closed so that they could develop "a new concept." Incidentally, the paper’s editor-in-chief has resigned.

Perhaps National Media should consider a Russian version of Hunting Illustrated as its "new concept." It might put the company back on the big man's good side.