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December 13, 2022

Viktor Bout Joins Russian Ultranationalist Party; Brittney Griner Resumes Playing Basketball
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In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin has canceled his annual
end-of-the-year press conference for the first time in a decade amid
rising domestic criticism over his handling of the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Viktor Bout, the former Soviet military officer who became
known as the "Merchant of Death" for trafficking arms to dictators, has
joined the pro-Kremlin ultranationalist LDPR party.

Bout was released from a U.S. prison last week in exchange for WNBA
basketball star Brittney Griner. Griner has not spoken publicly since
her return, but her agent said she's doing well and was able to play
basketball on Sunday for the first time in nearly 10 months. Her first
act on the court was reportedly a slam dunk.


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