The Chinese government officially enforced a ban on all cryptocurrency activities, including trading, mining, and related services.

This regulatory move comes in response to a combination of financial stability risks, concerns regarding capital flight, and the environmental impacts associated with cryptocurrency mining.

The People's Republic of China has long expressed trepidation over the volatility of cryptocurrencies and their potential to facilitate illicit activities and financial speculation.

In recent years, officials have been increasingly vocal about the need to safeguard the nation's economic stability and prevent capital outflow that could destabilize the yuan.

Moreover, the energy-intensive nature of cryptocurrency mining has raised alarm due to growing commitments towards carbon neutrality and energy conservation.

China's crackdown on cryptocurrencies has led to a significant decline in mining operations within its borders, with many miners relocating to more favorable regulatory environments overseas, particularly in regions known for lower energy costs.

The government's stance reflects a broader global trend, where various countries are grappling with how to regulate the burgeoning field of digital currencies and the associated technologies.

This ban positions China among other nations that have either restricted or outlawed cryptocurrency activities.

As a result of these developments, the global cryptocurrency market experienced fluctuations as investors and businesses reassess the increased regulatory scrutiny in significant markets like China.

Majorca, one of Spain's prime tourist destinations, has reported a significant decline in visitor numbers this summer.

This downturn has been attributed to a series of anti-tourism protests that have spanned several months across the nation, leading to concerns among local businesses and tourism officials.

Officials have acknowledged that the protests have created an atmosphere that "scares away visitors.” Miguel Perez-Marsa, head of the island's nightlife association, indicated that potential tourists are feeling unwelcomed, prompting them to explore other holiday destinations.

The sentiment was echoed by Juanmi Ferrer, president of the Restaurant Association, who warned that the ongoing protests are indeed deterring visitors.

Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, reported a marked decline in excursion participation, noting a decrease in bookings by 20 percent during this tourist season, particularly affecting British, German, and Italian travelers.

Reflecting this trend, Biel Moragues from a Majorca taxi association remarked that British tourists are reportedly the most affected and are opting for different travel locations.

Long-term residents of Majorca have also observed the noticeable decrease in tourist activity.

Lesley Johnson, a British expat residing on the island for over three decades, described how popular areas that were once bustling with tourists have now turned quiet.

She noted a stark contrast in the vibrancy of the local social scene, which used to include numerous British bars and social events.

The protests have included various demonstrations with locals vocalizing their frustrations, sometimes aggressively urging tourists to "go home".

Some protestors utilized water pistols in demonstrations, intensifying the discord between residents and holidaymakers.

Witness accounts have described situations where tourists were accosted and instructed to leave the area amidst shouts from protesters.

Despite the visible impacts of the demonstrations, not all local business leaders concur that the protests are the primary cause of the reduced tourist numbers.

Jordi Mora, president of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Majorca (Pinem), refuted claims of a downturn, suggesting that tourism is experiencing growth compared to previous years, citing a report indicating a 5 percent increase relative to a growth of 12 percent recorded the year before.

While final statistics for June and July are pending, preliminary indications noted a 1.6 percent decrease in visitor numbers for May, signaling potential economic challenges for the region.

A 38-year-old British tourist has died after undergoing a hair transplant procedure at a private clinic in Istanbul, Turkey.

The incident has prompted local police to initiate an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, categorizing the case as a possible 'reckless homicide'.

The man had traveled to Istanbul for a five-hour hair transplant operation at the Dr Cinik clinic located in the Besiktas district.

According to reports from local media, the patient experienced severe health complications shortly after the surgery and was subsequently admitted to a hospital for emergency treatment.

His body was later transferred to the Forensic Science Institute of Turkey before arrangements for repatriation were made.

Officials from the British Foreign Office have stated that they are providing support to the family of the deceased and have maintained communication with local authorities regarding the investigation.

Staff at the Dr Cinik clinic, including the surgeon who performed the operation, the anaesthesiologist, and nursing personnel, have reportedly been questioned by law enforcement as part of the inquiry.

The case highlights the growing trend of medical tourism in Turkey, particularly for cosmetic procedures such as hair transplants, which are often marketed at significantly lower costs than in the UK and other Western countries.

The rise in such medical tourism has raised concerns about the standards of care and regulatory practices in certain clinics.

The investigation follows previous accounts from British individuals who have undergone similar procedures in Turkey, some of whom reported unsatisfactory outcomes.

A previous patient, Luke Horsfield, shared his experience of a failed hair transplant at another clinic, claiming the results left him with scarring and bald patches, contrary to expected outcomes.

He noted that despite following post-operative care instructions, he saw no improvement and had difficulty contacting the clinic for follow-up support, which was promised at the time of the procedure.

This incident underscores the potential risks associated with medical tourism and raises questions about the regulatory oversight of medical practices in foreign jurisdictions.

Poland’s Pomeranian Provincial Conservator of Monuments issued an official permit on July 1, 2025, for archaeological and drilling operations at a site in Dziemiany, Kościerzyna County, in the northern region of Kashubia.

The location is being surveyed for a concealed Second World War–era slit‑bunker on the grounds of a former SS training area, believed to contain hidden valuables .

The excavation is led by engineer Jan Delingowski, a former merchant‑fleet radio officer who has conducted private investigations in the area for over a decade.

His interest was initiated by the testimony of a former inmate at Barczewo prison, who stated that he encountered Erich Koch—Nazi Gauleiter of East Prussia—from whom he claimed to have learned the location of wartime assets smuggled from Königsberg yet never delivered to Berlin .

Delingowski’s research proposes that trucks loaded with art, jewellery and gold diverted off the Berlinka motorway between Czersk and Człuchów in early 1945.

He associates that convoy with a coded site labeled “BSCH”, interpreted as “Bruß Schutzraum”—a concealed slit‑type bunker said to lie on a hill near a lake at an abandoned SS barracks .

Permission documents state that initial ground‑penetrating radar scans revealed subsurface anomalies consistent with a sealed bunker.

The permit allows systematic excavation under conservator oversight, and grants full state ownership over any recovered artefacts, as required by Poland’s cultural heritage laws .

If any contents are recovered, they may include priceless artworks, precious metals or panels from the Amber Room—a richly decorated Baroque chamber looted from Tsarskoe Selo in 1941 and later transported to Königsberg.

No verified trace of the Amber Room has been found since .

Archaeologists will conduct the work under the supervision of Pomeranian heritage officials, and in coordination with licensed professionals.

A university archaeologist has urged strict peer‑review and scientific methodology, noting that many similar legends in Europe have failed to yield material evidence .

This northern search occurs separately from long-publicised attempts to locate a “Nazi gold train” in southwestern Poland, between Wrocław and Wałbrzych.

That legend also centres on looted Nazi assets, but prior official investigations, including military surveys in 2016, found no substantiating evidence.

Historians and scientists have described the gold train as a myth, despite intermittent media interest .

WhatsApp users are being warned about a growing scam involving account takeovers by cybercriminals posing as friends or family.

The scheme typically begins with a WhatsApp call or message from someone using a fake profile photo and name to impersonate a trusted contact.

Victims are told that a one-time code will be sent to them as part of a group video call registration process.

In reality, the code is the WhatsApp security verification code that allows access to the user’s account.

Once the code is shared, the scammer logs into the victim’s WhatsApp account and activates two-step verification, effectively locking out the original user.

The scammer then messages the victim’s contacts, requesting emergency financial help while posing as the victim.

Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of pounds have been transferred by users thinking they were helping relatives or friends.

To prevent such takeovers, authorities recommend enabling two-step verification within WhatsApp settings.

Users are also advised never to share verification codes and to verify unexpected requests through a phone call or voice message.

The scam has affected users on other messaging platforms as well, including Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.

WhatsApp, used by over two billion people globally, remains a primary target for fraud due to its wide reach and personal contact lists.