Eight-time world ice speedway champion Nikolai Krasnikov has died in a car accident near Ufa. The tragic event marks a significant loss for the sport and its fans.

In other news, Russians are now permitted to nap during their lunch breaks at work, provided it doesn’t compromise workplace safety or violate company policy. Headhunter lawyer Olga Vladimirova clarified that employees are free to use their personal time as they see fit.

Significant changes are also coming to how average earnings are calculated in Russia, affecting vacation pay, sick leave, business trip expenses, severance pay, and compensation for unused vacation time. The new regulations are scheduled to be in effect from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2031.

Meanwhile, tourists in Sochi are facing disruptions due to severe weather. Heavy rains have led to beach closures, and the Dzhubga-Sochi highway was flooded after the Iram River overflowed. The region has also experienced tornadoes at sea and snowfall in the mountains, with forecasts predicting more adverse conditions, including an increased risk of mudflows.

Looking ahead, Russia is considering a proposal to increase maternity capital for each subsequent child by 25% of the previous amount. This could see payments for the first child reaching 690,300 rubles in 2026, 862,700 rubles for the second, and 1 million rubles for the third.

However, Russians are warned to be vigilant about scams. A new lottery scam is targeting citizens by enticing them to fake websites where they are tricked into entering their card details in order to supposedly claim prizes, resulting in financial losses.

Finally, Russia is considering doubling the increasing coefficient for water utility payments for households without installed meters. This measure aims to encourage the installation of water meters and promote responsible water usage.