We answer the most important questions about the omicron option. How the Kremlin is trying to control historical memory. PCR test in Russia will be valid for 48 hours instead of 72

Good evening,

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This is Meduza's daily newsletter about the main events of the day. Today, the world has become one republic more: the island state of Barbados has officially left the power of the British crown. And not only did it work out, but it also declared the singer Rihanna a national hero . Prime Minister Mia Mottley wished Rihanna to continue to "shine like a diamond and celebrate her people with her deeds"

Subscribe to our newsletter and share the link in social networks or messenger. And shine like diamonds !

Pulse

The main thing - point by point

- Lukashenko said that he would come to Crimea - and this would mean the recognition of Crimea as Russian.

- Lionel Messi received the seventh Ballon d'Or . This is a record.

- 55 OPCW countries called Russia's response to the organization's request about the poisoning of Navalny insufficient.

- Mobile operators have stopped connecting new subscribers to unlimited Internet.

- Former shiigumen Sergius was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. In 2020, he was banned from ministry due to his radical views on the pandemic, and then excommunicated.

- Deputy Valery Rashkin filed a lawsuit against the State Duma . He was stripped of his immunity last week for killing an elk.

- The first channel will change the name and format of the "Field of Miracles" - but Leonid Yakubovich will remain the leader .

Texts of the day

We continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Harry Potter" - and ask the Muggles (and one magician!) What spell they lack in life

The question is answered by journalists and sports commentators, the organizer of concerts and musicians, the doctor of the red zone. And a real magician who uses magic outside of Hogwarts. Here, for example, is the response of Doxa Editor-in-Chief Armen Aramyan:

“I think we all need an anti-police spell – let’s say Policio abolizio! ✨ or Akabio! ✨ - the effect of which is that the people against whom it was applied understand that police control is violence and should not be applied to anyone.

And we are waiting for your answers !

Billionaire and friend of Putin Gennady Timchenko spoke in court in the case of the Magomedov brothers. And he was unexpectedly interrogated as an ordinary citizen

As Novaya Gazeta found out, Timchenko asked the court, under his personal guarantee, to release one of the defendants in the case, former senator Magomed Magomedov, from the pre-trial detention center. Most of the interrogation, the judge and the prosecutor devoted to asking Timchenko about the provisions of Article 103 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (personal guarantee), which the judge herself had to explain to the businessman .

Podcast "What Happened"

How the authorities of Russia (and not only) monopolize the right to interpret history

Since the summer of 2021, it has been forbidden in Russia to identify the role of the USSR and Germany, which is why historians may avoid studying this topic. Dealing with the history of repressions, "Memorial" (declared in Russia as a "foreign agent") is under threat of liquidation. Officials and deputies are constantly talking about the need to protect historical memory from distortions and falsifications, which the Western countries are allegedly engaged in. Professor of the European University in St. Petersburg Ivan Kurilla wrote the book “The Battle for the Past. How politicians change history” and became the guest of a new episode of the podcast.

Listen to What Happened on Meduza and YouTube , and subscribe to Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Castbox , Yandex.Music and other podcast services.

The coronavirus

Less than a week has been known about the omicron variant, and there are already many questions (and fears) about it. Answering the top five

Will the new variant supplant the delta? Will it be more dangerous or vice versa? Is it possible to "tweak" the existing vaccines for omicron? Closing borders - sensible action or panic? And how long will the borders be closed? Could the emergence of omicron have been avoided if more vaccines had been sent to Africa? The answers to these questions are at the link .

Other news about coronavirus

- The validity of the PCR test in Russia will be limited to 48 hours .

- The police of St. Petersburg detained suspects in the sale of QR codes. The prosecutor's office canceled the decision to initiate a criminal case.

- Public transport in St. Petersburg will not work on New Year's Eve.

- In Austria, they proposed for refusing to be vaccinated against coronavirus to fine up to 7,200 euros.

Today is "Giving Tuesday"

Here's How You Can Help If You Have Money, Stuff, or Time

Generous Tuesday is an international day of charity, when foundations, other organizations and just caring people hold various actions to draw attention to the topic of helping others. At the request of Meduza, the host of the charity podcast How Can I Help? Diana Andreeva talks about 22 ways to help those in need .

Sim-salabim, O precious diamonds of our heart! Your Medusa