Putin, wife end 30-year marriage
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his long-suffering wife, Lyudmila Putina, are ending their nearly 30-year marriage, they announced on state television Thursday in a tone of mutual indifference.
“We practically never saw each other,” Putin told a reporter from the Rossiya 24 network as he and his soon-to-be-ex-wife departed a Kremlin ballet performance. “To each his own life.”
Russia’s first couple gave little explanation of why they chose to end the marriage now, other than the president’s assertion that “it was our joint decision.” Putina, who met her then-KGB agent husband while working as a flight attendant for Aeroflot, said only that she didn’t like the publicity or the air travel involved in her role as Russian first lady.
Prince Philip admitted to hospital
Queen Elizabeth II’s husband has been admitted to a London hospital for an exploratory operation, Buckingham Palace said Thursday. The palace said the operation on 91-year-old Prince Philip – which will take place today – comes after “abdominal investigations” that were carried out during the past week.
“He is in good spirits,” a palace spokeswoman said. She declined to elaborate on Philip’s condition, saying only that the queen’s husband is expected to be in the London Clinic for up to two weeks.
The queen is expected to carry out her scheduled engagements as planned today, which include a visit to the new BBC studios in London.
Brand announces new comedy tour
Russell Brand has a “Messiah Complex,” and he’s taking it on the road.
The British comedian announced Thursday that he’s launching a world comedy tour focusing on Che Guevara, Gandhi, Malcolm X and Jesus Christ. Brand says the show examines “the importance of heroes in this age of atheistic disposability.”
The “Messiah Complex” tour is set to begin Aug. 15 in Abu Dhabi and wrap up Dec. 9 in Iceland. Brand’s FX show, “Brand X,” concluded last month.
The birthday bunch
Singer Tom Jones is 73. Actor Liam Neeson is 61. Singer-songwriter Prince is 55. Rock musician Dave Navarro is 46. Actor-comedian Bill Hader is 35. Actor Michael Cera is 25.