Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed the long-serving Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov today amid a bitter and conflicted dispute. Luzhkov was a dominant figure in Russian politics and business, and one of the main questions after his departure is who is going to take over Moscow, one of the most lucrative real estate and financial centers in the world.

As Moscow battles the unprecedented heat wave (this weekend is expected to the hottest ever here with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius / 104 F), it finds itself completely unprepared for such extreme weather, making it yet harder for Muscovites.

Today, during his trip to California, Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev visited Twitter headquarters and opened his Twitter account.

Dmitry Medvedev — the first Russian president who actually uses the internet, owns an iPad.

In a blow to the US Consumer Protection Act, which allows buyers to exchange and return unwanted merchandise, Russia suspended adoptions of Russian children by Americans.

At least 26 people died and dozens more were injured in the Moscow subway explosion Monday morning.

The figures are out on the volume of bribery in Russia and they are staggering. Experts estimate that bribery accounts for 20% to 30% of Russia's GDP. To prove the experts right, a police detective demanded a multimillion-dollar bribe and got arrested in Moscow.