Putin quashes marriage rumours

What a spoilsport. Vladimir Putin has dismissed rumours that he plans to marry the beautiful Russian gymnast and Duma deputy Alina Kabaeva. A report about the pair's impending nuptials appeared in the Russia newspaper Moskovski Korrespondent this week and was followed widely in the world's media.

But at a press conference in Rome today - Putin is in Italy having talks with newly elected Prime Minister Silvio Berlosconi - the Russian leader said that the claims had "no word of truth" in them.

Putin, however, would not be drawn on his 25-year marriage to wife Ludmilla. Insiders believe the couple have all but separated and a formal announcement will be made when he hands over power to the new President next month. (Continued below)

The Moskovski Korrespondent's source for the story was an unnamed (and he/she will be hoping it remains that way) party-planner in St Petersburg who claimed to have been bidding to organise the couple's wedding reception in June.

True or not, Ms Kabaeva would make a perfect consort for Mr Putin. She is said to possess "extreme natural flexibility" as an athlete, and has represented Russia both at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games. Even better, she has posed for "daring photographs wrapped in nothing but furs".