640 hectares of agricultural land cleared of mines in January
Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine
Details: Also in January, under 16 previously concluded agreements, operators began clearing land of mines and unexploded munitions. The total area of these lands is more than 1,300 hectares, and the cost of demining is more than UAH 85.1 million (about US$2 million).
In January, 34 new applications were submitted by farmers to participate in the programme.
Since the start of the programme and as of 1 February, the Centre for Humanitarian Demining has signed 50 agreements with operators to carry out work on a total area of over 9,300 hectares. The cost of the works under the agreements is more than UAH 536.5 million (about US$12.9 million).
Background: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development considers demining of Ukraine's agricultural land to be an important financial issue that it is ready to support in the coming years.
Support UP or become our patron!
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Warning signs in Europe's job market: Workers now brace for tariff effects
Much attention has been given to how US import tariffs might hit Europe's industries and corporate giants as the once-solid transatlantic trading relationship faces one of the biggest challenges of the modern era. One area that has been largely ignored — the fate of workers — could also suffer, as ripples in the EU's economic stability lead to a reduction in job opportunities and weakened employment stability. Here's an overview of what to expect in the months ahead. Job vacancy rate One indicator of labour market health is the rate at which vacancies appear, a sign of how stable businesses feel. When lots of jobs are up for grabs, it tends to be a sign that companies are confident and ready to hire more people. When openings start to dry up, it usually means they're getting cautious. If vacancies are rising while unemployment is low, workers have more choice and bargaining power as demand is high relative to supply. But when available job offers fall, it's often the first hint that the labour market is slowing down. Employers generally hit pause on hiring well before they start letting people go, which is why vacancy rates are such an important early clue as to what's coming. And right now, the data shows risks ahead. In first-quarter figures released by the European Commission in June, there was a slight drop in the job vacancy rate, which came in at 2.4% in the eurozone. That's down from 2.5% in the final quarter of 2024. When looking at the yearly change, the drop is more significant, as the rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 2.9%. As seen in the graph below, the COVID-19 pandemic had the most pronounced impact on job vacancies, much more than the 2008-2009 economic crisis. While the market recovered somewhat in 2021 and 2022, vacancy rates are now dropping again. Vacancy rates dropped the most in Germany, Greece, Austria and Sweden, indicating that employers are growing more reluctant, if only marginally, to hire more people. For workers, a falling vacancy rate often means fewer opportunities to change jobs, less leverage to negotiate higher pay, and a longer wait to re-enter the market if they get laid off. If the decline seen at the start of 2025 continues, workers could find themselves in a much tougher bargaining position by the end of the year. Hours worked and overtime Another important indicator is the squeeze on working hours or indicators that show employers are cutting back shifts, a step often taken before moving to layoffs or instituting a hiring freeze. Overtime hours also decrease when employers trim shifts in response to falling demand or input shortages. In the EU, in 2024, people aged 20-64 years worked 36 hours on average per week, including full- and part-time work. This number refers to the hours people worked in their main job in the reference week. Countries with the longest working week were Greece at 39.8 hours, Bulgaria at 39, Poland at 38.9 and Romania at 38.8. By contrast, when it comes to European Union countries, the Netherlands had the shortest working week at 32.1 hours, followed by Austria, Germany and Denmark (all with 33.9 hours). The number of hours worked decreased by 0.3% in both the eurozone and the European Union in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the previous quarter, according to Eurostat. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, hours worked increased by 0.1% in the eurozone and decreased by 0.2% in the EU. Fewer hours on the job does not just mean more free time. It often means less pay and fewer benefits, especially for hourly workers. If hours continue to shrink, the impact will be felt fastest among lower- and middle-income households already squeezed by increased living costs. Even if employment levels hold steady, underemployment — when workers have a job but can't get the hours they want — can rise. In the first quarter of 2025, 10.9% of the EU's extended labour force was underutilised, amounting to around 23.6 million people. This suggests that the erosion in job quality can run deeper than headline unemployment figures might immediately show. Labour rights Europe's institutional safeguards for workers are deteriorating, which is worrying when considering the economic shocks that could potentially be caused by tariffs in the future. The Labour Rights Index for 2024 flags gaps in legislation based on its assessment of labour protections across the world. It evaluates aspects like freedom of association, employment security and family responsibilities through a 0–100 scoring system. In Europe, countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, France and Italy score 94, while countries such as Germany and the UK score 88.5 and 88 respectively. While many EU countries score highly on paper, the index highlights persistent legislative gaps in areas such as protection against unfair dismissal and equal treatment for non-standard workers. These gaps mean that even in stable economic periods, large groups of workers remain less shielded from sudden job loss or deteriorating conditions. Related Years at work: Which European countries have the longest average working life? UK job vacancies fall at a slower pace while wage growth holds steady Meanwhile, the ITUC Global Rights Index 2025 shows how these legal weaknesses translate into reality, and tracks violations of labour rights such as restrictions on strikes, the formation of unions, and judicial access and protections on a yearly basis. According to ITUC, Europe saw its worst-ever average score in 2025, at 2.78, compared to 2.73 in 2024 and 2.56 in 2023. "Europe continued a rapid deterioration from 1.84 in 2014 — the biggest decline seen in any region worldwide over the past 10 years," the ITUC report highlights. According to the ITUC index, "nearly three-quarters of European countries violated the right to strike and almost a third of them arrested or detained workers. More than half were denied or restricted access to justice — a sharp increase from 32% in 2024." What does this mean? The economic signals of a slowing labour market — falling vacancy rates, shrinking working hours, and rising underemployment — suggest that workers may have less power to protect themselves just as their jobs and incomes come under strain. In other words, tariffs and other trade shocks could land much harder in 2025, not simply because the economy is cooling, but because the institutional defences that once helped workers weather downturns are eroding at the same time. With early warning signs already visible, the next few quarters will reveal whether these shifts are temporary tremors or the start of a deeper downturn for Europe's workforce. If the combination of tariff pressure and eroding rights persists, the cost could be measured not only in lost jobs, but in lasting damage to workers' bargaining power for years to come. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
2 top AI-related stocks for investors to consider buying!
Companies linked to artificial intelligence (AI) have become highly coveted stocks to buy. We're mainly talking about US tech shares like Nvidia, whose semiconductors power advanced AI models, and businesses like Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet that are integrating AI into their existing operations. Many investors worry that these AI shares now command sky-high valuations. They fear this leaves them at risk of price corrections if the stocks' momentum slows. But investors don't need to buy these pricey US stocks to target large returns from the AI boom. Here are two UK shares to consider for the new tech revolution. Riding the data centre boom Sophisticated AI models require thousands of chips working in tandem, meaning small server rooms just don't cut it anymore. This is driving demand for industrial-sized data centres with sophisticated cooling systems and robust power infrastructure. This provides an enormous opportunity for warehouse operators like Tritax Big Box (LSE:BBOX). Accordingly, the FTSE 250 real estate investment trust (or REIT) — which chiefly rents it large-scale spaces out to delivery companies, retailers, and fast-moving consumer goods (FCMG) companies — is pushing aggressively into data centres. The company acquired its first data hub site in January, which it predicts will be 'one of the largest data centres in the UK'. And it followed this with a second shortly afterwards. The sites — which have a combined potential capacity of 272 MW — are in well-connected locations in London and have scope for long-term expansion. With a pipeline of another 1 GW, Tritax is positioning itself as a major player in the digital infrastructure boom. The UK currently has 477 data centres in operation. And construction firm Barbor ABI believes almost another 100 new sites will be needed between now and 2030 to meet demand. This provides a wonderful growth opportunity for the likes of Tritax. Be mindful, though, that data centre development carries risks. Like its logistics and storage hubs, returns are at the mercy of rising build costs and interest rates. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Another top AI-related stock Cable maker Volex (LSE:VLX) is another great data centre play to consider. The high-speed cables it manufactures are essential tools in ensuring a reliable and fast-moving data connection. More specifically, the company is a pioneer in the direct attach cables (DACs) segment. These are especially critical for AI applications, as they facilitate high bandwidth with minimal latency. And they are helping to drive business with both new and existing customers. Volex sells its cables across the world, leaving it exposed to trade tariff-related pressures. But these troubles haven't yet derailed its ability to deliver strong revenues growth — organic sales leapt 10.4% at constant currencies between April and June. The business said its latest sales numbers reflect 'continued momentum in the Electric Vehicles and Complex Industrial Technology end-markets, notably among Data Centre customers'. As well as data centres, Volex has exposure to multiple other growth areas like electric cars, renewable energy, healthcare, and automation. This provides added profit-making opportunities, while simultaneously broadening its sales base and reducing reliance on any single market to drive earnings. I think it's a great all-rounder to consider for the booming digital economy. The post 2 top AI-related stocks for investors to consider buying! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tritax Big Box REIT Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio


CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
Fewer young people are meeting these 5 milestones typically associated with adulthood
Fewer young adults are achieving economic and family milestones typically associated with adulthood, according to a recent working paper from the U.S. Census Bureau. The paper looked at nationally representative data from 2005 and 2023 to examine changes in young adults' experiences reaching major life events, such as moving out of their parents' house, getting married, and having a child. Researchers found a dramatic shift in the attainment of these milestones in recent decades. The reason for this, according to the paper, is that more young adults between the ages of 25 and 34 are facing economic barriers compared with previous generations. Changing societal attitudes around family formation are also contributing to the sharp decline in the share of young people reaching what the U.S. Census Bureau considers to be "key milestones." According to the working paper, "Changes in Milestones of Adulthood," almost half of all young adults in 1975 had reached four milestones associated with adulthood: moving out of one's parents' home, getting a job, getting married and having a child. Five decades on, that progression has changed dramatically. The share of young adults that have followed the traditional pathway to adulthood has dropped to less than a quarter, according to the paper. "...Living arrangements, economic opportunities and attitudes toward family formation have not been experienced in the same fashion across generations of young adults," the working paper reads. "Increases in job turbulence and economic downturns, for example, have resulted in some young adults navigating more volatile and uncertain economic environments." Economic conditions, combined with changing cultural norms, "have implications for how young people develop their identity as adults," the paper states. This redefinition of young adulthood comes as the cost of everyday essentials, including housing, food, gas and daycare rises. As a result, more Americans are choosing to forego having a family, in some cases because they deem such choices unaffordable, the study finds. Researchers measured changes in the achievement of individual milestones, too. While one-quarter of young adults achieved all four milestones, 28% met two economic milestones — moving out of their parents' homes and finding jobs. In the 1970s, getting married, having a child, and living independently, were the second-most common group of milestones young people achieved, next to the completion of all four. Women's gains in the workforce, along with changing cultural attitudes, however, have led this combination of milestones to become less popular, the report notes. The completion of education, another marker of adulthood, has overshadowed other milestones over the years as an increasing number of young adults enroll in college, according to the paper. "These higher levels of educational attainment result in contemporary cohorts spending a longer portion of their young adult lives enrolled in higher education, potentially delaying other markers of adulthood such as entering the labor force or marriage," the working paper states. When it comes to perceptions of adulthood, having a job takes precedence over marriage, as young adults see economic achievements as more directly tied to adulthood than they do committing to a spouse. "Marriage is increasingly viewed as a capstone of adulthood, something to pursue after achieving economic stability through completing formal education, establishing an independent household and becoming employed," the working paper states.