Paris
According to a Deutsche Bank report, rent for a three-bedroom apartment in European city centers continues to rise, with only five cities having an average cost below 2,000 euros. London is the most expensive city with a rent of 5,088 euros, while Athens is the cheapest at 1,080 euros.
The International Olympic Committee is considering admitting athletes from Russia and Belarus to the 2026 Winter Games only as "neutrals. " Participation criteria will be strict: no support for the war and no ties to the army or security forces.
Warner Bros. announced a large-scale celebration of the 20th anniversary of the film "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" in 2025, which will include a re-release in cinemas, fan meetings, and exclusive merchandise. Events will take place in Europe, Asia, and North America, and new 3D Bitmoji lenses for Snapchat will also be launched.
The United States announced its withdrawal from UNESCO, citing that the organization has deviated from its founding mission. The US and Israel had already announced their withdrawal in 2017 during Donald Trump's presidency.
Oleksandr Usyk arrived at Wembley Stadium for the fight against Daniel Dubois for the undisputed world champion title. The Ukrainian will defend the WBA, WBC, WBO belts and try to reclaim the IBF title, which belongs to Dubois.
France held its traditional July 14 parade in Paris on Bastille Day, showcasing its military readiness and export defense systems. The parade involved 7,000 soldiers, 65 aircraft, and nearly 250 vehicles.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will meet in the Wimbledon final. Alcaraz is aiming for a third consecutive victory, while Sinner is seeking revenge after his defeat at the French Open.
American singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to a new charge of possessing a 'weapon' – a tequila bottle – in a London nightclub assault case. The trial is set to begin in October 2026.
Armani founder Giorgio Armani, who turned 91, announced his return in September after missing fashion shows. He thanked for the support and confirmed that he feels better.
The German government plans to purchase 15 more F-35 fighter jets from the US, increasing its planned fleet to 50 aircraft. This comes amid disagreements with France over the European next-generation fighter program.
The original Birkin bag, created for Jane Birkin in 1985, was sold at a Sotheby's auction in Paris for 8. 6 million euros, becoming the most expensive bag in history. This prototype, owned by the singer for ten years and then by Catherine Benier for 25 years, significantly exceeded the previous record.
A coalition of 31 countries supporting Ukraine is establishing a permanent headquarters in Paris under the leadership of Great Britain and France, which will later move to London. A coordination group will also be created in Kyiv, led by a British general.
Large-scale fires are raging in Greece, causing evacuations near Athens and on the island of Thassos. Significant parts of Europe, including Germany, Great Britain, Spain, and France, are preparing for the return of an anomalous heatwave with temperatures above 30°C.
French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day state visit to London, the first since 2008. He is expected to meet with King Charles III and discuss the migration agreement.
The River Seine in Paris has reopened for swimming for the first time since 1923. This happened after an investment of over 1.4 billion euros in cleaning the river ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated China's readiness to cooperate with France in nuclear energy, aviation, AI, green energy, and biotechnology. Issues concerning Ukraine and the Middle East were also discussed, and China resolved the issue of anti-dumping duties on European cognac.
Ryanair has canceled 170 flights, affecting over 30,000 passengers, due to a nationwide air traffic control strike in France. The disruptions affect flights to/from France and over its airspace, impacting routes from the UK to Greece and from Spain to Ireland.
The late Karl Lagerfeld's villa near Paris was sold for 4. 7 million euros at an auction using the traditional "candle" method. The two-hectare estate, acquired by a real estate company, includes three buildings, a swimming pool, and a tennis court.
On July 2, an anticyclone from Western Europe will bring clear weather without precipitation to most of Ukraine; daytime air temperatures will reach +29°. Short-term rains and thunderstorms are possible on the Left Bank.
Today, July 2, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the State Tax Service Worker and International Sports Journalist Day. The world also celebrates World Porcupine Day, World UFO Day, and Freedom From Fear To Speak Day.
On July 2, Ukraine expects a comfortable air temperature of +19-29 degrees without precipitation. In Kyiv, the temperature will be around +24 degrees, with only isolated thunderstorms predicted in the Left Bank.
Europe, particularly France, has been gripped by an anomalous heatwave, which has led to the declaration of a red alert level and the closure of the Eiffel Tower. Air temperatures could reach 41°C in Paris, 43°C in Spain, and 34°C in London. In France, schools are closed, there are power outages and train disruptions, and in Italy, outdoor work is prohibited.
Today, June 27, marks International Rosé Wine Day, ATM's Birthday, and International Fishermen's Day. On this day, the blessed hieromartyr Mykola (Charnetsky) and the venerable Samson the Physician are also honored.
A severe storm in France on June 25-26 caused the death of two people: a 12-year-old boy and a man on a quad bike. More than 40,000 lightning strikes and fallen trees were recorded as a result of the bad weather.
39-year-old Jackie Jaja, who has been on the sex offenders register since 2016, was arrested in France after attempting to organize a fake ceremony with a Ukrainian child at Disneyland Paris. He has been charged with fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and theft of personal data, and British police are looking for him for violating the terms of supervision.
The theft of more than 600 meters of cable near Lille disrupted Eurostar train traffic between London and Paris, leading to the cancellation of six trains and significant delays. This is the second consecutive day that railway traffic has been disrupted due to incidents near Lille-Europe.
In 2027, Wimbledon will unveil a monument to Andy Murray, the first British men's singles Wimbledon champion in 77 years. The statue will be installed for the tournament's 150th anniversary, honoring his two victories in 2013 and 2016.
Among the guests were Phoebe Gates and Eileen Gu, with the wedding expected in August in the Cotswolds.
Kazakhstan pursues a multi-vector policy, deepening ties with China and Russia, but maintaining partnership with the EU. Despite this, Europe lost a nuclear contract to Russia and China, which may weaken its position in the region.
Kirsty Coventry has taken over as head of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first woman and African to hold the position. She criticizes the automatic suspension of countries from the Olympics due to conflicts, proposing the creation of task forces to assess specific situations.