Cephalotrocity

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/29962667

Russia has moved to classify key demographic statistics following a dramatic collapse in its birth rate, which has plunged to levels not seen since the late 18th or early 19th century, according to a leading Russian demographer.

For decades, Russia has been experiencing a plunging birth rate and population decline, which appears to have worsened amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine—with high casualty rates and men fleeing the country to avoid being conscripted to fight.

Projections estimate that Russia's population will fall to about 132 million in the next two decades. The United Nations has predicted that in a worst-case scenario, by the start of the next century, Russia's population could almost halve to 83 million.

Gross domestic product (GDP) only grew by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2025 – a notable decline from 4.5% growth in the previous quarter and 5.4% in the same period last year, the Moscow Times reported, citing Rosstat data.

The latest data from Rosstat came in below expectations: the Russian Economic Development Ministry estimated GDP growth at 1.7% and Bloomberg analysts predicted 1.8% growth.

The drone targeted a shuttle bus that was transporting civilians near the city of Bilopillia at 6:17 a.m. local time, the Sumy Regional Military Administration reported on Telegram.

Sumy Oblast is a northeastern region that borders Russia's Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk oblasts.

Ukraine lost an F-16 fighter jet on Friday morning after an incident on board, though the pilot ejected safely, the Ukrainian air force said in a statement.

"According to preliminary data... an unusual situation arose on board. The pilot moved the aircraft away from the settlement and successfully ejected," it said on the Telegram messenger.

A U.S. congressional official on May 9 announced that Washington had given the green light for Germany to transfer the weapons to Kyiv, the NYT reported. The shipment includes 125 long-range artillery rockets and 100 Patriot air defense missiles.

The European Union has pledged to supply over 1.35 million rounds in 2025 and plans to allocate nearly 1.9 billion euro ($2.1 billion) from Russian frozen assets in military support for Ukraine, Ukrainian officials announced on May 9.

The sanctions list includes 58 individuals and 74 companies, with 67 Russian enterprises related to military technology. The decree comes into force on May 9, the day of its publication.

Cross-posted from "Clips from the Victory Day Parade in Moscow." by @LaFinlandia@sopuli.xyz in !ukraine@sopuli.xyz

Mirror

Cross-posted from "An exciting new Switch emulator launches tomorrow — Here's how to get it" by @cm0002@lemmy.world in !android@lemdro.id

Cross-posted from "Arrow reborn: an all-Canadian EV aims to revolutionize industry" by @CowsLookLikeMaps@sh.itjust.works in !canada@lemmy.ca

This is not a vehicle for sale, but rather a technology showcase demonstrating Canadian know-how in the industry. While not something you can 'buy', I felt it was on-topic enough to warrant the crosspost. Mods do your worst! :P

Cross-posted from "Xi Jinping supports Putin’s position on war against Ukraine" by @MicroWave@lemmy.world in !world@lemmy.world

In a joint statement following talks, Xi Jinping and Putin stated that the war in Ukraine could only be resolved by removing its "root causes".

Such formulation clearly echoes key Russian propaganda messages used by the Kremlin to justify the launch of the full-scale war, including the threat of NATO expansion, discrimination against Russian-speaking people and the suppression of the Russian language, culture and media in Ukraine.

The agency says all registered political parties have been informed that 822 special ballots cast by electors in 74 electoral districts across the country were left with the returning officer in the riding of Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam.

Elections Canada says the ballots should have been returned to its headquarters by April 28 at 6 p.m. to allow them to be counted.

Elections Canada says an initial analysis shows that the outcomes in those 74 districts were not affected by the mislaid ballots.