Every day, countless events occur around the world, making it impossible to keep track of them all. That«s why we compile the most important news in this digest. Today, we summarize the past week, covering incidents, legislative bills, and what lies ahead.
Money Transfers to Be Blocked More Frequently
In 2026, the blocking of accounts and transfers of Russians may increase, according to an investment advisor from the Central Bank of Russia«s (CBR) register. Since the start of the year, 2–3 million cards have been blocked, although the Bank of Russia reports only 7,431 appeals in the first 19 days of January.
According to investment advisor Yulia Kuznetsova from the CBR register, banks have shifted from targeted responses to fraud to automated systems for assessing client behavior. They analyze:
frequency of operations;
amounts;
recipients;
changes in behavior;
purchases on marketplaces;
transfers between accounts.
New Scam Schemes That Look Too Convincing
Scammers have moved from primitive calls about «account blocking» to complex multi-step operations. They impersonate officials from the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media (MinTsifry), local police officers, and create fake but very useful services. We examine the new schemes that even cautious Russians are falling for.
Malicious Apps for Drivers
Malefactors distribute via Telegram and pirate sites programs disguised as radar detectors or navigators. After installation, such an app requests access to SMS, notifications, or banking apps to intercept confirmation codes and make unauthorized withdrawals.
Phishing Disguised as «Gosuslugi»
Scammers send a letter about registering a fake power of attorney, then call, posing as officials. They insist on an urgent «diagnostic» of the personal account on the portal. If refused, the victim is mass-attacked with calls and messages supposedly from various government agencies.
Catching a Criminal
Criminals call on behalf of a local police officer, reporting a «murder» of a neighbor, and ask for help in a «secret operation.» Under this pretext, they force the victim to withdraw money and hand it to a courier, while forbidding them from telling anyone.
Fake WhatsApp* Update
A new scheme offers users to install a «new version» of the messenger without glitches via dubious links. As State Duma deputy Anton Nemkin explained, this targets less prepared people. Installation risks data theft, SMS interception, and access to bank accounts.
* Owned by Meta corporation — an extremist organization whose activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation.
Driver Training to Change
From 1 March 2026, new driver training programs will come into force in Russia and will be valid for six years. Key changes will affect future category B drivers. This was reported by first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Transport Pavel Fedyaev in a conversation with TASS.
Main innovations:
Practice: the number of hours will increase. It can be completed not only on training grounds but also on the territories of auto enterprises.
Theory: it will be allowed to be mastered entirely remotely.
Additional categories: to obtain them, it will be sufficient to complete a shortened module instead of a full course.
New topics: the program will include interaction with scooter users, use of digital licenses and OSAGO (compulsory motor third-party liability insurance) policies, first aid in road accidents, and analysis of the concept of «dangerous driving.»
A new order from the Ministry of Education also makes adjustments to driving school programs.
The number of programs has been reduced — from 62 to 47. Some of them will become retraining courses for drivers who already have licenses and wish to open a new category. This will allow them not to retake traffic rules theory.
The number of practical driving hours for category B has been increased:
for cars with manual transmission — from 56 to 58 hours;
for cars with automatic transmission — from 54 to 56 hours.
Requirements for distance learning have been tightened: it will be allowed only for driving schools whose equipment meets new standards.
Unified State Exam Rules Changed
Russian universities have approved lists of entrance exams for 2026. Changes, made 12 days before the end of USE application acceptance, affected 48 fields of study and caused concern among graduates.
Key innovations:
For future teachers, the USE in a specialized subject (history for historians, chemistry for chemists) has become mandatory. The possibility of admission with social studies for all pedagogical directions has been abolished.
For engineering specialties (radio engineering, nuclear physics, etc.), physics has become a mandatory exam for 26 directions.
For a number of humanities fields, universities have received the right to make history a mandatory specialized exam.
The Ministry of Education has set the minimum USE scores required for admission to subordinate universities in the 2026/2027 academic year. According to the order, the figures are as follows:
Russian language and social studies — 42 points;
mathematics, physics, literature, and geography — 40 points;
computer science — 45 points;
history — 38 points;
foreign language — 35 points;
biology and chemistry — 39 points.
However, State Duma Vice-Speaker Petr Tolstoy believes that Russia needs to gradually abandon the OGE (Basic State Exam) and USE. This is necessary within the framework of distancing from all elements copied from Western models.
Large-Scale Indexation of Social Payments to Take Place
From 1 February 2026, over 40 social payments and benefits will increase in Russia. The indexation will be 5.6%.
Main changes:
Federal beneficiaries (disabled people, veterans, etc.) will have their monthly cash payments (EDV) and compensation for the set of social services (NSU) increased — to approximately 1,800 rubles (about $18 at current rates).
Maternity capital will increase. For first application, the payment will be nearly 729,000 rubles (about $7,300), and for a second child — up to 963,000 rubles (about $9,600). Balances on existing certificates will also be indexed.
Payments under occupational insurance (for workplace accidents) will be raised. Maximum amounts: lump-sum payment — up to 163,600 rubles (about $1,600), monthly — up to 125,800 rubles (about $1,300), sick leave — up to 503,000 rubles (about $5,000).
No application is required. All payments will be recalculated automatically.
Shopping Center Collapses in Novosibirsk
In Novosibirsk, the roof collapsed at a two-story shopping center. Nothing remained of the second floor. One of the main versions of the incident, according to specialists, is excessive snow load.
The moment of collapse was caught on video: first, windows fly out of the building, after which the structure folds like a house of cards, hitting parked cars nearby.
During search and rescue operations, three victims were found inside. Minister of Health of the region Rostislav Zablotsky reported that one of them could not be saved.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, there should be no other people in the building. For final verification, it was decided to dismantle the shopping center to its foundation. The prosecutor«s office of Novosibirsk Region has begun an investigation into the collapse.
Russians Warned of Phased Restrictions on Telegram
The phased introduction of restrictive measures regarding the Telegram messenger in Russia is due to its failure to comply with requirements to counter criminal activity. This was stated by deputy chairman of the Council for Digital Economy Development under the Federation Council Artem Sheikin.
The senator emphasized that foreign messengers are used to organize terrorist attacks, fraud, and other crimes against Russians, and Telegram does not comply with Russian norms designed to curb such activity.
Sheikin recalled that since August 2025, restrictions have been consistently introduced against the service: audio and video calls became unavailable, and file transfers partially slowed down. Such a gradual approach, he said, allows users to adapt and switch to other platforms.
As noted by head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy Sergei Boyarsky, messengers WhatsApp* and Telegram in Russia are not intended to be blocked simply «out of spite». However, they must comply with Russian legislation.
* Owned by Meta corporation — an extremist organization whose activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation.
New Tests and Procedures Become Free
From 2026, a test for lipoprotein (a) — an important marker of genetic risk for early heart attacks and strokes — has been included in the compulsory health insurance (CHI) medical check-up. All Russians aged 18–40 can take it once.
An elevated level of this indicator, which is practically independent of lifestyle, indicates a high risk of cardiovascular diseases. For people over 40, the test is available for a fee (approximately 1,500–2,000 rubles, about $15–$20). Based on the results, doctors will give personalized recommendations for risk reduction, writes RIA Novosti.
Also included in the check-up is an expanded cholesterol check («lipid profile») once every six years (for ages 18–39) or once every three years (after 40).
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which can detect Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, and other chromosomal pathologies in the fetus, can now also be done free of charge under the CHI policy. This right will be granted to pregnant women whose standard screening shows a medium or high risk for the fetus. In commercial clinics, the cost of comprehensive NIPT can reach 50,000 rubles (about $500).
In addition, a test for DNA of the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been added to the list of free tests. If the result of the primary analysis is positive, the doctor will additionally perform liquid-based oncocytology.
Five Everyday Situations Can Lead to Criminal Cases
Everyday actions that seem innocent at first glance — working as a courier, helping a friend with card registration, or transferring money via a link from a chat — can turn an ordinary person into a suspect in a criminal case. Lawyer Yuri Levin in an interview with Gazeta.Ru named the five main traps leading to charges of drug trafficking, fraud, or even terrorism financing.
Working as a «courier» without a contract. Tempting offers to earn extra by delivering «parcels» without formalization often mask drug distribution (Article 228 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) or sending money obtained through fraud (Article 159). The courier learns about the contents only during interrogation.
Registering cards or SIM cards for a friend«s »business.« If stolen funds are received on your details or your number is used to call fraud victims, the investigation will consider you not a random person but an accomplice.
Role of a nominal director. Receiving a salary »for signing« in a company you do not control is a direct risk. Such companies are used to cash out money and evade taxes, and all responsibility falls on the person whose name is in the documents.
Transfers for »charitable causes« from anonymous chats. Financial aid to unclear foundations without verified reporting can be considered as terrorism financing (Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
»Curiosity« about prohibited content. Storing or transmitting extremist materials, even out of curiosity, constitutes a crime.
Teenager with Knife Attacks School Employee in Nizhnekamsk
A 13-year-old student of multidisciplinary lyceum No. 37 in Nizhnekamsk (Tatarstan) committed an armed attack on a female employee of the educational institution. According to the press service of the republic«s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the teenager with a cold weapon was detained on the spot by arriving Rosgvardiya (National Guard) officers.
The incident occurred during lessons. According to preliminary data, the minor brought a knife into the building and wounded a woman, after which he ran through the floors and set off firecrackers. Later it turned out that the victim was a cleaner. According to city mayor Radmir Belyaev, she was promptly provided medical assistance, and her life is not in danger.
All students were quickly evacuated from the building, and none were harmed. The detainee had a knife, mask, and tactical gloves confiscated.
Two days before the attack, the student of lyceum No. 37 in Nizhnekamsk lost a close friend, reports 116.RU. All details were followed online.
Outbreak of Dangerous Virus in India
An outbreak of the dangerous Nipah virus, which can cause an epidemic, has occurred in India. There is no treatment or vaccine for it, reports The Metro.
The Nipah virus can transmit from animals to humans and between humans. In India, it is most often contracted through contact with bats. In humans, it can be asymptomatic or cause acute respiratory diseases. Main symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle aches, nausea, and sore throat.
In severe cases, the infection can lead to brain inflammation and coma within two days.
Several cases of the disease have been identified in the country. This week, a doctor, a nurse, and a medical facility employee were infected with the virus. It is also claimed that there is already a first fatality.
Mother Confesses to Killing Her Own Son
In Moscow, the body of a boy born in 2020 with signs of strangulation was found. According to the prosecutor«s office, he was drowned. The child»s mother admitted guilt. She will be checked for sanity. A criminal case has been initiated under the article on murder of a minor (clause «v» part 2 article 105 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
As Baza writes, in the morning she went to church, then returned and decided to kill her son so that «he would go to heaven.» Officially, such details have not been published.
Putin Promises to Change Work of Kindergartens in Russia
The work of kindergartens and nursery groups will be extended until 8:00 PM. This is necessary so that mothers can return to work as soon as possible and not lose their qualifications. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
«It is very important for a woman after giving birth to return to work as quickly as possible, not to lose her qualifications. And what can help do this? Just nursery groups, just extending the child»s stay in nursery groups and in kindergartens,« said the president.
Vice-Premier Dmitry Chernyshenko added that the government will work out this issue with regional heads.
Other News
In addition to the weekly news digest, we collect the main events that occurred in the Special Military Operation (SVO). Read about how the situation on the battlefield changed and what political decisions were made this week here.
A lot of interesting things are happening in the world of show business as well. Singer Klava Koka was accused of using artificial intelligence, Telegram founder Pavel Durov decided to become a TikToker, and actor Nikita Kologrivy angered scammers. All the stories from the lives of stars are told in a separate article.
