In Ukraine, 18,277 new companies were registered in the first half of 2025, but 6,653 businesses ceased operations. The net increase is 11,624 companies, which is the lowest figure in the last five years.
European hotels have filed a class-action lawsuit against Booking. com over forced pricing policies from 2004 to 2024. The lawsuit is supported by over 30 national hotel associations, and the case will be heard in the Netherlands.
China refused to stop purchasing oil from Iran and Russia, citing national energy interests. Beijing stated that coercion and pressure would not succeed.
Plastic production has increased more than 200-fold since 1950, causing illness and death, and inflicting at least $1. 5 trillion in damage annually. Negotiations for a global treaty to limit plastic production are accompanied by deep disagreements between countries.
The Gdańsk prosecutor's office announced the arrest of Ukrainian Ihor H. for damaging the water supply network in Sopot. He faces up to eight years in prison.
The large-scale fire in the municipality of Ponte da Barca, which destroyed almost 4,800 hectares, has been stabilized. Rescuers remain on high alert due to the predicted sharp rise in temperature.
Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder advocates for Ukrainian refugees in Germany to receive lower payments as asylum seekers, instead of citizen's benefits. According to him, this applies to all Ukrainians, not just newcomers, and is the reason for the low employment rate of refugees.
In Mykolaiv region, civilians attacked TCC servicemen, damaged a car, and injured a soldier. The serviceman used a traumatic pistol for self-defense.
An international investigation has revealed that the smuggling of Anguilla anguilla eels is a multi-billion dollar business. Since 2021, almost 4 tons of glass eels have been exported from the EU, and gang members have been arrested.
Over the past day, 116 combat engagements took place at the front. In the Pokrovsk direction, 38 attacks were recorded, the occupiers are also pressing on Zaporizhzhia and Temirivka.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine announced a roadmap for the development of Ukrainian aviation, which will bring it closer to NATO standards. The document was developed based on NATO's Air Power Doctrine to strengthen Ukraine's capabilities.
A large-scale fire broke out at a gas distribution station in Kurgan, with flames reaching the height of a 10-story building. Residents are being evacuated and gas supply is being cut off in the Ryabkovo and Severny microdistricts.
16-year-old Ukrainian driver Oleksandr Bondarev from the Prema Racing team won a Formula 4 race in Italy for the first time in history. He overtook his teammate three minutes before the finish, securing his debut victory.
Ukraine's women's beach volleyball team, Maryna Hladun and Tetiana Lazarenko, won historic gold at the European Championship in Düsseldorf. The Ukrainians defeated the French duo Clemence Vieira and Aline Chamereau with a score of 2:1.
Heavy rains covered the coast of Sochi and Tuapse, causing infrastructure damage, including a bridge collapse. The authorities of the Krasnodar region declared a state of emergency, opening temporary accommodation points for those affected.
Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kryvonozhko was appointed head of the Ukrainian Air Force by presidential decree. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of developing combat aviation and air defense, as well as integrating foreign equipment.
The United Nations reported the deaths of 1373 Palestinians since late May 2025 while searching for food in Gaza. Deaths were recorded near aid distribution points and along food convoy routes.
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff visited the Gaza Strip, where he discussed the humanitarian situation and the Iranian issue. The visit took place after criticism of the aid distribution system by Human Rights Watch.
"Newcastle" rejected "Liverpool's" offer for Alexander Isak, valuing the player at 150 million pounds sterling. The Swedish striker, who has three years left on his contract, did not participate in the pre-season tour due to a hip injury.
60-year-old actor Maxim Glotov, a native of Odesa, was found dead in his Moscow apartment on August 1. He had stopped responding to calls a few days prior.
Russian troops attacked the train station in Sumy with two drones. The windows of train No. 45 Kharkiv – Uzhhorod were damaged, and passengers were promptly transferred to other carriages.
In Sweden, a 10-month-old girl's clitoris enlarged, resembling a penis, after skin contact with her father, who used testosterone gel. Doctors warn about the risk of hormone transfer to children through skin contact.
Chinese authorities have accused US intelligence agencies of cyber espionage against Chinese military companies. The attacks allegedly exploited Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities to access secret information.
Participants of the EIT in research methodology have received their results. The results card, necessary for admission to postgraduate studies, is available for download in their personal accounts.
A 57-year-old Kyiv resident is suspected of raping two girls aged 8 and 12. The court arrested the suspect without the right to bail until September 26, 2025.
Forecaster Natalka Didenko predicts dry and warm weather in most of Ukraine on August 2-3. Precipitation is possible in Rivne region, the Carpathians, the east, Dnipropetrovsk region, Zaporizhzhia, and Poltava region.
HUR employees identified and published data of a representative of the separate drone aviation brigade GROM "Kaskad". The corresponding brigade launches "Shahed" type drones on the territory of Ukraine and strikes civilian and humanitarian infrastructure, terrorizing the civilian population.
French swimmer Leon Marchand became world champion for the third time in the 200-meter individual medley, clocking 1:53. 68. This happened the day after he set a world record in the same event.
Danish Ambassador Ole Mikkelsen visited the site of the Russian strike in Kyiv. The representative of the Kingdom of Denmark's diplomacy expressed deep condolences in connection with the tragic events that occurred on the night of July 31 and assured of his country's continued support for Ukraine.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has received final approval to build a 14-story luxury eco-hotel in Herzliya, Israel. The project, in which the actor owns a 10% stake, has drawn criticism due to its scale and the ongoing conflict in the region.
