Alona Utkina

Some universities in Kyiv are switching to distance learning on May 8-9, taking into account the threats. The Ministry of Education and Science did not give such recommendations, the decisions are made by the institutions independently.

Russia has lost over 700,000 soldiers but has not achieved any strategic goals in Ukraine. Admiral Bauer emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine to achieve a just peace.

Radmila Shekerinska stated that NATO is providing Ukraine with unprecedented military assistance. The organization has committed to providing 20 billion euros in military aid in the three months of 2025.

The southern part of Ukraine will be covered by a cyclone, which will bring heavy rains in the center, in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, and wet snow in the Carpathians. The air temperature will fluctuate from +10 to +21 degrees.

The US recorded the highest child mortality rate from influenza in 15 years – 216 cases. Experts attribute this to skepticism about vaccination.

The conclave of cardinals continues in the Vatican to elect a new Pope. Today they will vote four times, increasing the chances of electing the 267th pontiff.

At the age of 88, American political scientist Joseph Nye, known for the term "soft power," passed away. He criticized Trump for his disregard for it and an excessive emphasis on "hard power."

A new study has found that Christmas trees have memory and exchange information before solar eclipses. Sensors recorded bioelectric reactions, especially in older trees.

The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official exchange rate of the hryvnia for May 8. The dollar exchange rate is 41.43 UAH, the euro – 47.07 UAH, and the zloty – 11.00 UAH.

The Committee on Economic Policy has approved the agreement between Ukraine and the USA on mineral resources. Ratification of the agreement, which envisages the creation of a joint investment fund, will take place tomorrow.

Due to the deteriorating security situation, schools in Cherkasy and Kaniv will switch to distance learning on May 8 and 9. In Odesa, classes will be held according to the usual schedule.

Walt Disney Opens New Theme Park and Resort in Abu Dhabi. This will be the company's seventh and most technologically advanced park, the first in the Middle East, with an investment of $60 billion.

Search operations have been completed in the village of Puzhnyky in the Ternopil region, and the remains of 42 people have been discovered. DNA tests for identification will be carried out in Poland.

A feed with vertical videos, like in TikTok, will appear in the Netflix mobile app. Short videos will help users find new content to watch.

The UK government plans to introduce a fine of £1,000 and imprisonment for up to three months for climbing the Winston Churchill monument. This is part of measures to protect war memorials.

In April, rent increased in the Poltava region, and the cost of apartments in new buildings increased in the Zhytomyr region. Prices in the secondary market jumped the most in the Kherson region.

More than 70 former Eurovision participants are calling for Israel to be banned from performing due to the war in Gaza. They demand the same sanctions that were imposed on Russia in 2022.

South Korea has recorded the highest number of measles cases in the past six years, mainly due to unvaccinated travelers from Vietnam. The risk of rapid outbreaks remains low due to vaccination.

Ursula von der Leyen said that a bad deal with Russia could provoke it to new aggression. A just peace presupposes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Almost half of Ukrainians have a positive assessment of the Minerals Agreement between Ukraine and the United States. About 22% have negative expectations, and 19% believe that it will not have any impact.

The first stork chick has appeared in the Pyriatyn National Park to a well-known pair. The chick was named by a viewer from the USA who made the largest donation to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The fiber optic systems plant in Saransk suffered significant damage as a result of the strike. The possibility of suspending its operation is being considered, which may affect the supply of fiber optics to the Russian army.

Today, the death of Mykola Fedoruk, who served as the mayor of Chernivtsi for many years, became known. He held the position since 1998 and was repeatedly re-elected.

Friedrich Merz has been elected Chancellor of Germany. The NATO Secretary General and EU leaders congratulated him, emphasizing the importance of leadership for European security and cooperation between countries.

Today in the Vatican, the voting for the new Pope begins in the Sistine Chapel. The completion of the voting will be signaled by smoke from the chapel's chimney.

Russians attacked Kharkiv with drones, 3 out of 20 did not explode. 40 buildings were damaged, 920 windows were broken. Two people were injured, services are working at the sites.

About a thousand surveillance cameras will be installed in the Pecherskyi and Dniprovskyi districts of Kyiv. Also, digital accessibility and the Internet are being improved in the capital's schools.

The President of Ukraine congratulated Friedrich Merz and thanked him for his support of Ukraine. Zelenskyy expressed hope for Germany's leadership in European affairs.

Today, a repeat vote was held for the position of Federal Chancellor of Germany. Friedrich Merz received 325 votes.

SBU has notified three priests of the UOC (MP) of suspicion of justifying the aggression of the Russian Federation. They were waiting for the capture of Kyiv and glorified the occupiers, they face up to 8 years in prison.