In the wake of setbacks faced in the ongoing war against Ukraine, Russia has decided to make “major changes” to its military structure. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu informed that the proposed changes to its armed forces will take place from 2023 to 2026. In other news, Germany named Boris Pistorius as the country’s new defence minister on Tuesday (January 17) following the resignation of Christine Lambrecht a day prior.
The United States imposed visa restrictions for 25 people including lawmakers for “undermining democracy” on Tuesday (January 17) over the trial in absentia of exiled democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
For the first time in 60 years, China’s population has fallen. 2022 saw the nation’s population take a historic turn to mark the start of a long period of decline in its citizens’ numbers. As per Reuters, this marks the beginning of profound implications for the economy of the nation.
The El Nino climate phenomenon later this year may make 2023 to record ‘off the charts’ temperatures causing unprecedented heatwaves, scientists have warned. The El Nino refers to the warming of sea surface temperatures.
A BBC report says that a former commander with the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group has claimed asylum in Norway. Twenty-six-year-old Andrey Medvedev is currently in Oslo after being detained by border guards following his intrusion last Friday. He is facing charges of illegal entry to Norway, his lawyer Brynjulf Risnes told the BBC.
The Indian Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the central government to respond by February 15 to a batch of petitions seeking to criminalise marital rape, which is not recognised under the existing law.
