January 23 News Digest: Black Snow and Policy Proposals
Every day, numerous events occur around the world, making it impossible to keep up with all the news. Therefore, we compile the most important stories in this digest. Today, we summarize the events of January 23.
Sale of Strong Alcohol Proposed to Be Limited
In Russia, it has been proposed to limit the sale of strong alcohol until 9:00 p.m. Vladislav Grib, deputy secretary of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation (OP RF), believes that such a measure will help reduce the level of alcoholism in the country.
However, the sale of low-alcohol beverages is proposed to be allowed until 11:00 p.m. in the regions. According to Grib, restrictions on the sale of strong alcohol should be introduced gradually.
«I believe that strong drinks, such as vodka, should be sold only until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., while low-alcohol drinks can be left for sale until 11:00 p.m. I suppose this will affect the level of alcoholism and the level of crime, among other things,» Grib noted in a conversation with RIA Novosti.
State Duma Proposes Abolishing USE and BSE
Russia should completely abandon all borrowed Western elements in the education system, including the Basic State Exam (BSE) and Unified State Exam (USE). State Duma Vice Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy advocated for their sequential abolition.
In Tolstoy«s opinion, changes are necessary not only in the abolished Bologna system but in the entire educational system of the country. He claims that the current Russian education system was created based on Western models.
«We need to change not only the Bologna system; a decision has already been made on that. We need to change the entire system, which was built as a copy of Western education, because both the USE and the BSE are all attempts to build a system under the Bologna framework. I believe we need to sequentially abolish the USE, return to the traditional education system consisting of graduation and entrance exams,» the speaker stated during an open dialogue with student participants of the SMO (special military operation), which took place at the Museum of Victory.
School Hours for Important Subject to Be Reduced
Starting September 1, 2026, the approach to studying foreign languages in Russian schools will change. This was announced by Alexei Lubkov, rector of Moscow State Pedagogical University (MPGU).
He explained that from the 2026 academic year, the Ministry of Education intends to reduce the number of hours allocated for studying foreign languages in grades 5–7 from three to two hours per week. This means the total volume of hours for this subject will decrease from 510 to 408. In grades 8–9, the educational process will remain the same—three hours per week.
Lubkov emphasized that this decision is aimed at reducing the academic load on schoolchildren and more rational distribution of time. At the same time, foreign languages will retain their status as a compulsory subject in the school curriculum.
Furthermore, in the near future, schoolchildren will not be able to do homework using GDZ (ready-made homework solutions), because Russia is developing a bill to prohibit the distribution on the internet and social networks of ready-made solutions for homework and assignments for the All-Russian School Olympiad.
This decision is aimed at combating cheating and increasing motivation for independent learning, which will positively affect the level of knowledge and objectivity of assessments. An exception will be made only for materials published in textbooks and their official versions, writes Parlamentskaya Gazeta.
Decision Made to Raise Student Stipends
In Russia, it has been proposed to increase stipends for full-time students to the level of the subsistence minimum—18,939 rubles (approximately $199 at current rates). This initiative was put forward by State Duma deputy Sergei Mironov. According to the bill, it is planned to set the minimum amount of state academic stipends for full-time students studying at the expense of the budget at a level not lower than the subsistence minimum for Russia as a whole for the current year.
Mironov believes that equating stipends to the subsistence minimum will create a fairer system of support for students. According to him, due to the insufficient size of current payments, students are forced to work.
«They combine work with study because earnings are a priority for many. They spend most of their free time working in stores, offices, as couriers. Many start studying shortly before the session, and therefore the level of knowledge is corresponding,» the deputy noted.
In addition, the deputy proposed indexing student stipends annually.
Call to Revive Milk Kitchens
The distribution of free food for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women through milk kitchens should be a federal support measure and operate in every region. This statement was made by State Duma deputy Sergei Mironov.
He noted that since the 2000s, the system was transferred to the regional level, where it was often replaced by cash payments that do not provide adequate child nutrition.
«In this regard, the first thing that needs to be done is to return so that there are milk kitchens everywhere in the regions. So that the state monitors the quality, and so that pregnant mothers and children up to 3 years old receive high-quality, normal, healthy nutrition. For children with allergies, separate nutrition is needed,» the deputy said in a conversation with TASS.
He also considers the quality of nutrition for pregnant women and children up to three years important, including special products for babies with allergies. He emphasized that this prevents many diseases in the future.
Milk kitchens issue specialized nutrition based on medical indications, regulated by regional acts. The menu may include formula, milk, kefir, porridge, puree, juice, and cottage cheese. To obtain child nutrition, an application must be submitted through a polyclinic or the government services portal.
Sectors with Salary Growth in 2026 Named
This year, salaries may grow by 10-20% or higher, said Alexander Veterkov, deputy general director of Rabota.ru, to RIA Novosti. However, the increase will not occur in all sectors; it will mainly affect the defense industry, information technology, and high-tech engineering design.
He also noted that in 2025, salary increases became unprofitable for businesses due to rising costs and declining revenue, making increases in the wage fund loss-making, RIA Novosti reports.
Russians Listed Consequences of Unauthorized Leave
If an employee decides to go on leave without coordinating with the employer, it may be counted as absenteeism. This was reported by Yulia Sanina, director of personnel and organizational development at the Rabota.ru service.
According to her information, the employer is obliged to provide leave in accordance with the schedule and does not have the right to refuse it to the employee. However, if the employee wants to change the dates of leave, this must be coordinated with the manager.
«The refusal in this case is absolutely legal. Unauthorized leave without coordination is equated to absenteeism and can become a lawful reason for disciplinary action or dismissal,» the lawyer said in a conversation with RT.
Sanina also clarified that postponing leave or early return to work is possible only with the written consent of the employee.
Girl in Krasnoyarsk Buried to Death by Snow While Playing in Yard
In the village of Berezovka, Krasnoyarsk Krai, a girl died under snow drifts. Details of the incident were told by the press service of the Investigative Committee management.
The schoolgirl was 10 years old. She was playing near a neighbor«s house on Sovkhoznaya Street.
«The girl was digging a tunnel in a large snowdrift, during which the upper part of the snow collapsed and blocked the exit. The child could not get out and died,» described the Investigative Committee.
The exact cause of death is still unknown. The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under the article «Causing death by negligence.»
Black Snow Covers City in Primorye
The city of Nakhodka in Primorye was half covered with black snow. Footage was published on its Telegram channel by Amur Mash.
«Covered with coal dust: snowdrifts, sidewalks, yards, cars, and children»s carousels suddenly turned dark,« the publication says.
Residents of Promyshlennaya Street in the Astafyev area are forced to wipe windowsills and furniture several times a day. It is noted that the cause of this phenomenon was the coal warehouse of «Terminal Astafyev.» But according to local residents, such a problem did not arise in previous years.
