Dog and cat owners over the age of 50 show a slower decline in cognitive function compared to those who do not have pets. This is according to the results of a large-scale European study published in the journal Scientific Reports (Nature).
Scientists have found that dog owners retain their memory longer, while cat owners lose their speech activity more slowly. Researchers attribute this to several factors. Interacting with animals requires constant engagement and serves as a kind of “mental training.” For example, contact with a dog activates the prefrontal cortex of the brain, enhancing attention and emotional response. Cats, thanks to their unpredictability, stimulate areas associated with speech and thinking.
Ownership of birds or fish, as the study showed, had no statistically significant association with slowing cognitive decline.
The analysis was based on data from eight waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) between 2004 and 2022. The sample included people aged 50 and older. Cognitive functions were assessed in two main areas: episodic memory (the ability to remember and reproduce both immediate and delayed events) and executive functions (e.g., verbal fluency—the ability to quickly select words from a specific category).
According to the authors, the results obtained may be useful in developing policies in the field of “healthy aging.” In particular, this refers to supporting programs that facilitate the conditions for elderly people to keep pets, as well as including this topic in government and social initiatives for care and psychological support.
Kazakhstan has issued its first 10-year residence permit under the Digital Nomad Residency program. The recipient is Pavel Filatov, a senior analyst and BI (business intelligence) specialist with international experience. The Astana Times
The program has been in effect since January by decree of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and is aimed at attracting leading specialists in digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
Applications are submitted online through the Astana Hub international innovation cluster. The cluster’s specialists accompany candidates through all stages, from submitting documents to obtaining a residence permit in accordance with Kazakhstani law. To date, more than 270 applications have been received from about 20 countries (the US, Canada, France, Turkey, CIS countries, etc.). Most applicants are professionals in programming, cybersecurity, UI/UX design, and DevOps.
Kazakhstan also offers two types of visas for remote workers:
The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Ukraine organized a diplomatic reception to mark the 34th anniversary of the country’s independence.
The celebrations were attended by heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Ukraine, representatives of state authorities, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleksandr Mishchenko, representatives of the Moldovan diaspora, cultural and educational figures.
The guests observed a minute of silence in memory of all those who died in the Russian-Ukrainian war, after which the national anthems of Moldova and Ukraine were played.
Opening the event, Valeriu Cîver, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Moldova to Ukraine, thanked the participants for their attention to this important event for his country and congratulated Romanian speakers on the recent holiday—Romanian Language Day, which was celebrated for the first time in Ukraine this year.
“Since the beginning of this year, the President of the Republic of Moldova has visited Ukraine twice, and our leaders have met many more times during international summits. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has made three visits, the last of which took place in August for talks with colleagues from Ukraine and Romania. After that, we agreed that this trilateral cooperation would be officially named the “Odessa format,” symbolizing our common desire for dialogue and partnership,” Kiver said.
According to him, bilateral relations between Moldova and Ukraine have made significant progress in the fields of energy, infrastructure, education, and culture. Among the achievements are joint projects in the field of energy security, cross-border initiatives for the development of trade and transport, the signing of an agreement on the mutual recognition of higher education diplomas, and the holding of joint cultural events.
“Moldova remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity against the unjust war waged by the Russian Federation,” the ambassador emphasized.
He added that this evening was a symbol of the strong friendship between the Moldovan and Ukrainian peoples and a reminder of the need for joint efforts for peace and prosperity in the region.
On behalf of the Ukrainian government, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleksandr Mishchenko delivered a congratulatory message on Moldova’s Independence Day.
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine were established on March 10, 1992. The Moldovan Embassy in Kyiv began operating in 1993, and the Ukrainian Embassy in Chisinau in 1999. The current Moldovan Ambassador to Ukraine, Valeriu Civer, presented his credentials and officially took office in June 2022.
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Bitcoin ended the week with moderate growth, consolidating above the $58,000 mark. Investors are showing cautious optimism after the publication of macroeconomic data in the US and a decline in volatility in the stock market.
Ethereum traded in the $2,300–2,450 range, supported by an influx of funds into staking and activity in the DeFi sector. Amid discussions of a network upgrade, interest in ETH remains stable.
Among altcoins, the following stood out:
Solana (+9% for the week) — thanks to increased activity in NFT and the launch of new projects,
XRP (+6%) — amid positive news about lawsuits,
Dogecoin (+4%) — remains volatile, but demand is supported by the community.
The crypto market capitalization at the end of the week was about $2.2 trillion, with the BTC dominance index remaining at 48%.
It should be noted that interest in stablecoins has declined somewhat, indicating a growing willingness among market participants to return to risky assets.
The key risk factor remains the uncertainty of the Fed’s monetary policy and the volatility of the dollar. Fixygen analysts note that the coming weeks may bring a surge in volatility, especially against the backdrop of interest rate decisions and the publication of inflation data in the US.
Source: https://www.fixygen.ua/news/20250914/pidsumki-tizhnya-na-kriptorinku-vid-fixygen.html
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine intends to reach an agreement with Azerbaijan on the construction of a cultural center, a children’s and youth sports school, and an arts center in Irpin, Kyiv region.
According to Order No. 973 of September 10, the government has formed a delegation to participate in negotiations with the delegation of the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the preparation of the text of a draft agreement on the construction of a cultural center, a children’s and youth sports school, an arts center, and a residential building in Irpin.
Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development Marina Denisyuk has been appointed head of the delegation.
Experts Club, in collaboration with Relocation.com.ua, analyzed the current price situation in the Egyptian housing market for foreigners. Foreign citizens have the right to purchase up to two residential properties (with an area of no more than 4,000 m² each) provided that they are registered and paid for in foreign currency received from abroad. Transactions are possible in Cairo, on the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, excluding border areas and cultural heritage sites. From 2024, investors will have easier access to purchasing land for projects, and for investments over $300,000, a residence permit program will be available.
There are no official statistics for the top 10 countries, but industry reports and real estate agencies highlight the leading buyers:
1) Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar) — the largest buyers in Cairo, on the north coast, and in new areas.
2) Russia, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic — traditionally strong in Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh).
3) Ukraine is a notable buyer segment on the Red Sea, especially in Hurghada. Ukrainians began actively purchasing apartments back in the 2010s, and after 2022, demand increased: some families consider Egypt as an alternative for long-term residence and education for their children, as well as a “second base” close to Ukraine. Local developers note that the share of Ukrainian clients has remained stable in the top five European buyers on the Red Sea.
Thus, according to aggregate estimates, the top buyers of housing in Egypt today are groups of Persian Gulf countries + Russians, Germans, British, Ukrainians, and Italians.
Prices vary significantly across regions this year, with Experts Club highlighting the following features:
In 2025, prices rose by an average of 20–30% year-on-year in nominal terms due to the devaluation of the pound and the increase in the cost of building materials, but the real dynamics depend on the currency of settlement. Overall, prices in euros or dollars have risen by about 9% over the past 12 months.
Features for Ukrainian buyers
The Egyptian housing market for foreigners is divided into two key areas: Cairo and new cities (interest from GCC investors) and the Red Sea (Europeans, including a significant proportion of Ukrainians). For Ukraine, this market has become particularly important in recent years as an alternative location for long-term residence and as a tool for preserving capital in hard currency.
As of September 14, 2025, the exchange rate of the Egyptian pound (EGP) to the US dollar is approximately 48.15 EGP per 1 USD.
The full version of the Egyptian residential real estate market research is available to Experts Club clients.
Дослідження ринку житлової нерухомості Єгипту для іноземців у 2025 році
