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Before dawn in Kyiv’s Podil district, bakeries and cafés struggle to work as power cuts hit again and again. According to AP, Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid have forced businesses to rely on generators.

For small businesses, generators are costly and exhausting to run. Fuel expenses are high and schedules are unpredictable. Owners say it is now impossible to operate without backup power, especially during the harsh winter, AP reported.

According to the report, restaurants and cafés are among the hardest hit. Some have been forced to close temporarily due to lack of electricity, water, or heating. Many operate at a loss as customer numbers fall and costs rise. Despite the pressure, some businesses continue as community lifelines.

New mobile apps helping shoppers avoid American goods have seen a sharp rise in downloads in Denmark, reports AP. The surge followed renewed tensions over US President Donald Trump’s comments on Greenland. Interest has also spread to other European countries.

According to AP, The “Made O’Meter” app recorded about 30,000 downloads in just three days in late January. Its creator said users wanted a practical way to identify US-owned products. The app uses artificial intelligence to scan items and suggest European alternatives.

Another app, “NonUSA,” also crossed 100,000 downloads in early February. Users said the apps gave them a sense of control amid political tensions

A group of around 100 protesters threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottles at police after breaking away from the main body of a demonstration in the Olympic host city of Milan on Saturday (Feb 7), Reuters reported. 

Police in riot gear and with shields responded with water cannon to try to disperse the group, some of whom wore hoods and scarves to cover their faces. Order was restored after a few minutes.

Six people were detained during the skirmishes, police sources said, according to Reuters. 

An estimated 10,000 people had taken to the streets of Milan in a protest over housing costs and environmental concerns on the first full day of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of facilitating a suicide bombing that killed more than 30 people on Friday, Pakistan's interior minister has said, BBC reported. 

Mohsin Naqvi said an Afghan national who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the attack was among those detained. One counter-terrorism officer was killed and three more were wounded in the raids to arrest the suspects, he added.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the bombing that targeted Friday prayers at the Shia mosque in the Tarlai area, when it was packed with worshippers, according to BBC.