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In 1984 a Russian scientist invented what would become one of the most popular computer games ever; today it is estimated that at least a billion people have played Tetris. It was created in 1984 by Alexey Pajitnov, a young researcher at Moscow's Academy of Science. Bored by his job in the cybernetics department, he began using his love for mathematical puzzles to create a new computer game.

Firefighters extinguished a massive fire aboard a docked Russian nuclear submarine Friday as some crew members remained inside, officials said, giving assurances that there was no radiation leak and the vessel's nuclear-tipped missiles were not on board....

Mikhail Gorbachev, who resigned as Soviet president 20 years ago Sunday, has urged Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to follow his example and step down....

Up to 1 million Russians are ready to take to the streets to protest against a disputed election and Vladimir Putin's "corrupt regime" is unlikely to hold on to power for more than two years, protest leader Alexei Navalny said on Friday.

Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov said on Monday he would run for president against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin next March, weeks after falling out with the Kremlin over his abortive leadership of a small pro-business party.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a probe into allegations of electoral fraud during the Dec. 4 parliamentary vote.

Tens of thousands of Russians turned out in central Moscow and across the country Saturday to protest what they believe were rigged parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the United States of encouraging protests over Russia's parliamentary election and said hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign funds were used to influence the vote.

A state-TV exit poll indicates a sharp drop in support for Vladimir Putin's United Russia party in parliamentary elections, down to 48.5% from 64% in 2007.

Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's daughter, whose defection to the West during the Cold War embarrassed the communists, has died at 85.