The largest Russian battle rap platform Versus Battle has hidden all videos on its YouTube channel, “Beware, News” noted. Versus Battle did not comment on its actions. The channel has 4.4 million subscribers, and the most popular battle on Versus - between Oxxxymiron and Jonyboy - had 60 million views. As noted by “Beware, News”, other well-known battle platforms — RBL, Inde battle, BRP, Siberian Groove — also hid all videos on YouTube channels without explanation.

The European Union, as part of the twelfth package of sanctions against Russia, has imposed personal restrictions on 61 individuals and 86 organizations. Their list is published in the Official Journal of the EU.

How far away is Ukraine from actually joining the E.U.? On December 14, European leaders decided to begin accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Additionally, the European Council granted E.U. candidate status to Georgia. With this, E.U. leaders upheld the Council of the European Union’s conclusion on enlargement and followed all of the recommendations made earlier by the European Commission.

In Moscow, the actor and dancer Dmitry Krasilov, known by the clip of “UNO” of the Little Big group, died. It is reported by TASS. As a source in operational services told the agency, the body of 29-year-old Krasilov was found in his apartment. According to preliminary data, the cause of Krasilov’s death was heart failure. According to TASS interlocutor, on the eve he complained about poor health.

The Catholic Church has allowed priests to bless same-sex couples. The corresponding document was published by the Vatican's Doctrinal Office. As stated in the declaration, the blessing in such situations is based on the principle that love and mercy from God can be received by all people without exception if they ask for it. Priests themselves must decide in each specific case whether to give a blessing to same-sex couples or not.

A new legal paper draws from an impressive array of conspiracy theories to explain Russia’s problems JHU Sheridan Libraries / Gado / Getty Images In mid-December, the St. Petersburg academic journal Legal Science: History and Modernity published an article titled “The Russian Family as the Basis of Russian Statehood” (it’s since been deleted from the publication’s site).

The Moscow Theater on Pokrovka canceled the premiere of Anastasia Pautova’s play “Cremulator” based on the novel by the Belarusian writer Sasha Filipenko. “They called the director and said that there would be no performance. While she was talking at the directorate, the actor who plays investigator Perepelitsa was taken to the military registration and enlistment office.

The current head of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, won the country's presidential elections with 89.6% of the votes. This was reported by Reuters with reference to the National Election Commission of Egypt. Egyptian presidential elections took place on December 10-12. The turnout for voting, according to official data, was 66.8%.

BP stopped oil supply through the Red Sea Maxar / Getty Images satellite picture of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship captured by the Husites. The southern part of the Red Sea, not far from the coast of Yemen. November 28, 2023 The four largest world shipping companies suspended the passage of ships through the Suez Canal or sent them to other routes due to the threat of attacks in the Red Sea from the Yemen Husites, writes BBC News.

Actor James McCaffrey, best known for voicing Detective Max Payne in the video game series of the same name, has died. This was reported by TMZ with reference to a statement from his representative. McCaffrey was 65 years old. As TMZ notes, the cause of the actor’s death was cancer. He died on December 17, surrounded by loved ones. Max Payne is one of the most famous and popular shooter video franchises.

A criminal case was brought against Boris Akunin. That's what he answered - full text David levenson / getty images The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case against the writer Boris Akunin (Grigory Chkhartishvili). He is suspected of “justification of terrorism” and the spread of “fakes” about the Russian army. Boris Akunin left Russia in 2014, after the annexation of Crimea, and since then has repeatedly spoke out against Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The Government Commission on Forever Activities supports the bill on the introduction to the Criminal Code of Article 136.1 on liability for Russophobia. This was reported by RBC, familiar with the relevant letter, as well as Interfax with reference to the source. The bill prepared by deputy Irina Yarovaya provides for liability for “discriminatory actions committed outside the territory of the Russian Federation” in relation to a resident of Russia or a compatriot or for calls for such actions.

The EU authorities have adopted the 12th package of economic sanctions against Russia in connection with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. This was reported by the EU Delegation to Russia. The new package of sanctions will include a ban on the import, purchase and transfer of diamonds from Russia. The measure applies to Russian non-industrial natural and synthetic diamonds, as well as diamond jewelry, starting January 1, 2024.

Boris Akunin in Russia is now officially “terrorist”.

The Investigative Committee of Russia has confirmed the initiation of a criminal case against the writer Boris Akunin (Grigory Chkhartishvili). As the department explained, the case was opened under articles on “fakes” about the army (207.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and on public justification of terrorism (205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The Investigative Committee did not explain why exactly the case was opened.