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Carrefour to halt Pepsi sales over price rises

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French supermarket giant Carrefour has announced its decision to cease selling Pepsi products in its stores due to what it deems “unacceptable price increases.” The move, affecting items like Pepsi soda, Doritos, and Quaker cereals, was communicated to customers through signs displayed in stores. Pepsi has expressed its commitment to continuing negotiations in “good faith” despite the disagreement.

The disagreement arises amid France’s struggle with rapidly increasing food prices, as indicated by a recent report showing a 7.1% rise in food prices in December compared to the previous year. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has been urging major food companies to lower prices and has even threatened special taxes on what he considers “undue” profits. The government has accelerated the deadline for price negotiations between food companies and supermarkets in an attempt to address the issue.

Pepsi, citing rising costs, has implemented price increases in recent years, with expectations of further hikes in 2024. The company has also faced criticism for “shrinkflation,” reducing product sizes without corresponding price decreases. Carrefour, as the second-largest grocer in France, has been notably resistant to this practice and, in September, displayed signs highlighting “shrinkflation” on certain products, including Lipton Ice Tea, a Pepsi brand.

Carrefour’s decision to no longer sell Pepsi products is accompanied by notices explaining the move as a response to “unacceptable price increases.” Despite this decision, existing Pepsi products on the shelves will still be available for purchase by French consumers. Pepsi has stated that discussions with Carrefour have been ongoing for months, and they remain committed to finding a resolution to ensure their products’ availability.

While public disputes over pricing are unusual, they are not unprecedented. In 2022, Tesco clashed with Kraft Heinz over price hikes for staples like baked beans and ketchup. Similarly, German grocers Edeka and Rewe halted sales of certain Mars products, citing price increases. Edeka also faced a dispute with Pepsi in the previous year, and a standoff between Mondelez, the maker of Milka chocolate, and Belgian supermarket Colruyt resulted in a supply gap last year.

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French booze-free January falls flat with Macron government

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France’s President Emmanuel Macron is under scrutiny for not endorsing the alcohol-free “Dry January” initiative, with accusations that he succumbed to pressure from the wine lobby. A group of 50 addiction specialists expressed their disappointment in an open letter, claiming that the government’s indifference compromises its commitment to a coherent policy against alcoholism. Despite Dry January gaining popularity since its introduction from the UK in 2020, government officials, including Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau, have distanced themselves, citing a decline in overall alcohol consumption and expressing a preference for moderation over complete abstinence.

Critics argue that the government’s reluctance to support Dry January is indicative of prioritizing the interests of the powerful wine lobby over public health. Macron, known for his public endorsement of alcohol, faced allegations that he personally discouraged backing for the initiative. His previous statements, such as being elected Personality of the Year by a wine magazine and publicly consuming alcohol, have contributed to perceptions that he may be influencing the government’s stance against initiatives promoting alcohol abstinence.

Despite France being Europe’s fourth-largest alcohol consumer, government officials argue that the decline in overall alcohol consumption and individual choice make campaigns like Dry January irrelevant and intrusive. Former Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau, before his resignation, expressed suspicion about the government dictating lifestyle choices to the public. Critics maintain that these reactions reflect the government’s alignment with President Macron, who they believe prioritizes not upsetting the wine lobby over championing public health.

Proponents of Dry January highlight France’s status as the fourth-largest consumer of alcohol in Europe and emphasize that alcohol is responsible for over 40,000 deaths annually in the country. They argue that a government-backed campaign would have a more significant impact, reaching beyond the 16,000 participants in 2023. The accusation that Macron personally discouraged support for Dry January is underscored by his past public endorsements of alcohol, including statements about drinking wine daily and engaging in public acts of alcohol consumption. Despite the economic importance of the wine industry, critics contend that Macron’s public drinking is not only rational for supporting French winemakers but also serves as a populist gesture to counter perceptions of being “out-of-touch.”

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Swedish snow chaos leaves 1,000 vehicles trapped on main E22 road

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Over 1,000 individuals who found themselves trapped in heavy snow for more than 24 hours on the main E22 road in southern Sweden have been successfully evacuated, as announced by Swedish authorities. The rescue operation involved a coordinated effort of snow ploughs and emergency teams working through the night to free people stranded in their vehicles.

The travel chaos unfolded against the backdrop of plummeting winter temperatures across the Nordic countries, affecting Sweden, Finland, and Norway. In Denmark, snowstorms led to drivers being stranded on a motorway near Aarhus since Wednesday. The severity of the weather was exemplified by the Kvikkjokk-Arrenjarka weather station in northern Sweden, which recorded its coldest night in 25 years with temperatures plummeting to -43.6°C.

The disruption on the main E22 began around 09:00 local time on Wednesday when heavy snow made the road impassable in both directions between Horby and Kristianstad. Hundreds of cars came to a standstill in snowdrifts, leading to what police spokesperson Evelina Olsson described as “total chaos.”

Rescue efforts persisted throughout the night, with the army mobilized to deliver food and water to those stranded. While all individuals traveling by car were successfully evacuated, by Thursday morning, only lorry drivers remained in their vehicles.

Conditions were gradually improving on Thursday morning, with many cars cleared from the road. However, authorities cautioned that the road would not be fully cleared until 08:00 on Friday at the earliest. Meanwhile, buses and trains were canceled in the Skane region, and authorities urged people to avoid non-essential travel during this period of severe winter weather.

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Turkish quake trial for hotel collapse that killed school volleyball team

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The initial trial related to the 2023 earthquake in Turkey has commenced, concentrating on the collapse of an Adiyaman hotel that resulted in 72 fatalities. The Isias Grand hotel in Adiyaman hosted a school volleyball team from Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus and a group of tourist guides during the earthquake, with 11 individuals charged for violating construction regulations. The earthquake, occurring on February 6, claimed over 50,000 lives in Turkey and Syria, causing the collapse or severe damage of 160,000 buildings and displacing 1.5 million people.

Charges have been brought against 11 people for breaching construction rules in connection with the collapse of the Isias Grand hotel in Adiyaman during last year’s earthquake. The hotel, which housed a school volleyball team from northern Cyprus and tourist guides, was one of the numerous buildings affected by the earthquake, resulting in significant casualties. The Turkish government initiated investigations, leading to the arrest of nearly 200 individuals, including construction contractors and property owners, for their roles in the disaster.

The trial began with the prosecution focusing on the Isias Grand hotel in Adiyaman, where a tragic incident unfolded during the earthquake last year. A group of 39 individuals, including students, teachers, and parents, had chosen the hotel for a volleyball tournament. The collapse of the hotel resulted in the loss of 35 lives from the group, with only four parents surviving. The trial has prompted the families of the victims to demand severe sentences for the accused individuals and the inclusion of charges against Turkish officials responsible for licensing the hotel.

The Isias Grand hotel, operational since 2001, faced allegations of construction malpractice, including the improper use of materials and unauthorized additional floors in 2016. The indictment revealed that gravel and sand from the local river were mixed with construction materials in the hotel’s columns. Families of the victims expressed outrage, accusing the Culture and Tourism Ministry of neglecting proper inspections despite granting the hotel a four-star rating, and they insisted on accountability for those responsible.

The extensive building collapses resulting from the earthquake stirred widespread criticism of the Turkish government for encouraging a construction boom without effectively enforcing building regulations. The trial has intensified calls for accountability, with grieving families emphasizing the need to charge those responsible for the Isias Hotel’s approval and urging justice for the lives lost. If found guilty, the 11 defendants could face prison terms ranging from two years and eight months to more than 22 years.

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Ukraine war: Missiles fired at Russian city Belgorod and occupied Crimea

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Russian authorities claim to have thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to attack a border city as the ongoing aerial conflict between the two nations escalates. They reported intercepting a dozen missiles targeting Belgorod, where 25 people lost their lives on Saturday. Ukraine has not provided a response.

This development follows Russia’s largest aerial bombardment on Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that Russia deployed around 300 missiles and 200 drones over five days. The renewed attacks began last week, prompting a Ukrainian counterattack on Belgorod that resulted in over 100 injuries.

Zelensky revealed in a broadcast that Russia fired nearly 100 strategically chosen missiles on Tuesday, and Ukrainian forces successfully shot down 10 hypersonic ballistic missiles on that day alone. Ukrainian officials reported over 130 casualties from Tuesday’s attacks, including major cities like Kharkiv and Kyiv.

In response, Russia’s air defense system intercepted 12 missiles targeting Belgorod overnight, causing one fatality and five injuries in the region. Explosions were also heard in Sevastopol, the largest city in Russian-occupied Crimea, where a missile was shot down over the port with no reported casualties or damage.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, expressed that Ukraine anticipated Russia’s recent bombardment but stressed the need for more weapons to effectively respond and send a clear message to Russia to halt its actions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to increase strikes in retaliation for Ukraine’s recent attacks on Belgorod.

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Spain’s Hermoso testifies World Cup kiss was not consensual

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Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso, a World Cup winner, has testified in a Madrid court that a kiss from former football federation president Luis Rubiales was not consensual. The incident occurred after the World Cup final last year when Rubiales allegedly grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips. The judge will now decide whether Rubiales should face trial for sexual assault and coercion. Hermoso, Spain’s top scorer, emphasized that the kiss was unexpected and non-consensual during her two-and-a-half-hour testimony, reiterating her previous statements leaked to Spanish TV. The court is examining evidence, including CCTV footage, to determine if the case should go to trial.

The kiss, which took place during the medal ceremony in Sydney after Spain’s victory over England, initially seemed consensual based on a statement attributed to Hermoso shortly after the final. However, she later claimed that she was pressured by Spanish football federation officials to endorse the statement. Rubiales, who denies the allegations, is also being investigated for possible coercion related to the pressure on Hermoso. Other figures under investigation include the coach Jorge Vilda, federation executives Albert Luque and Rubén Rivera.

Hermoso stated that she did not want the kiss and felt like a victim of assault, highlighting that, under Spanish law, a kiss without consent can be considered a form of sexual assault. Despite Rubiales asserting it was a consensual peck, he resigned as president of the Spanish football federation following the incident. An investigation was initiated, and he was prohibited from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters by an investigating judge. The case has drawn attention beyond football, making Hermoso a notable figure in discussions about equality and solidarity.

On New Year’s Eve, Hermoso expressed gratitude for the positive changes in terms of equality and solidarity and congratulated her Spain teammates for the empowerment achieved. At 33, she announced a club change, leaving Pachuca in Mexico, where she played since 2022, for Tigres UANL, the country’s most successful women’s team.

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Italian outcry as MP Pozzolo’s gun wounds man at New Year’s Eve party

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A New Year’s Eve celebration turned into a political controversy when it was revealed that a man was lightly wounded by a gunshot fired from a gun owned by Italian far-right MP Emanuele Pozzolo, a member of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party. Although Pozzolo admitted bringing the gun, he denied firing the shot, which injured a 31-year-old man in the leg.

The incident occurred in the small town of Rosazza in the northern Piedmont region, leading local prosecutors to launch an investigation. Pozzolo, 38, reportedly showed his .22 caliber mini-revolver, a weapon he has a license to own, to party guests. The gun was passed between guests and accidentally went off, hitting one person in the leg.

Andrea Delmastro, a party colleague and junior justice minister, claimed he was unaware of Pozzolo having a gun and had stepped outside when the shot was fired. The wounded man happened to be the son-in-law of a member of Delmastro’s security team.

Pozzolo invoked parliamentary immunity to avoid gunpowder residue tests on his clothes. Prime Minister Meloni’s party stated that the incident had no “political relevance” and emphasized that local authorities would investigate. Meloni has not yet responded to the incident.

Critics, including the centre-left opposition leader Elly Schlein, called for action, describing the individuals involved as “incompetents” and a danger to security. Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi criticized Brothers of Italy, calling them “inadequate, incompetent, and dangerous.”

Pozzolo, previously a member of Matteo Salvini’s League before joining Brothers of Italy, has been a vocal opponent of Covid-19 vaccines, labeling them “experimental,” and has opposed Italy’s “Green Pass” system requiring proof of immunization for access to certain venues.

In a separate incident, a 55-year-old woman was shot and killed at a New Year’s Eve celebration near Naples, with a man arrested in connection to the death.

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Queen Margrethe II: Danish monarch announces abdication live on TV

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Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has surprised the nation by announcing her abdication in a New Year TV address after 52 years on the throne. The 83-year-old monarch, the world’s only reigning queen and Europe’s longest-serving current monarch, will formally step down on January 14, passing the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik.

Unlike the British royal tradition, there will be no formal crowning ceremony for Crown Prince Frederik, who is 55. Instead, his accession will be announced from Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen on the day. He will become King of Denmark, head of state in the constitutional monarchy, and also assume these roles in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. His Australian-born wife, Princess Mary, will take on the title of Denmark’s Queen Consort.

Queen Margrethe revealed that her decision to abdicate came after a period of reflection following back surgery in early 2023. She expressed gratitude to the Danish public for their support over the years. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also thanked the queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.

Queen Margrethe, a popular figure in Denmark, was not expected to abdicate, and many Danes anticipated her remaining on the throne until her death. Affectionately known as Daisy, she attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, and both queens celebrated their respective jubilees in the same year.

Crown Prince Frederik, known for his environmental passion, is set to guide Denmark into the future. His wife, Princess Mary, an Australian lawyer, will become Denmark’s Queen Consort. The Danish royal family, facing challenges of modern society, has decided to streamline its members, resulting in a public rift last year when Prince Joachim’s children were stripped of their royal titles. The transition marks a moment of mixed celebration and sadness for Denmark as they bid farewell to Queen Margrethe and welcome the new era under Crown Prince Frederik’s reign.

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Austrian government launches repair scheme for electronic goods

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In Austria, the government has introduced the Repair Bonus voucher scheme to encourage people to repair rather than discard old electrical appliances. The program provides financial support of up to €200 for repairs on items such as washing machines, electric kettles, laptops, and mobile phones. Individuals, like Erik, appreciate the initiative as it helps them save money and make environmentally conscious choices.

Erik, who had previously used the Repair Bonus to fix an old CD player, is now getting his laptop repaired at a workshop in Vienna called Helferline. He mentions that the scheme makes it more convenient to decide whether to repair or replace items, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of repairing over buying new.

The Repair Bonus has proven beneficial for local businesses like Helferline, where revenues have doubled since the introduction of the scheme. Clemens Schmidgruber, the CEO of Helferline, describes it as a win-win situation for customers, businesses, and the environment. Customers can download a voucher from a government website, pay the repair shop upfront, and receive half of the costs back after three to four weeks.

Financed through the Covid Recovery Fund, the repair voucher system in Austria specifically covers electrical appliances. However, the City of Vienna operates a separate scheme that assists with repairs to old clothes, bicycles, and furniture. Markus Piringer, the co-ordinator of the Repair Network in Vienna, notes that the financial incentive provided by the Repair Bonus encourages people to choose repair over buying new items.

Piringer emphasizes the need for products to be designed for repairability and calls for efforts at the European Union level to address this issue. He suggests that changing policies and mindsets is crucial to promoting a culture of repair and sustainability. While the number of repairs has increased in Austria due to voucher schemes, Piringer warns of a shortage of technicians and craftspeople, calling for initiatives to promote repair as a viable job option.

At a bicycle shop in Vienna, the Repair Bonus has made a significant impact, attracting customers even during the typically slow winter season. Marc Warnaar, the shop owner, highlights the positive influence of the voucher scheme on their business, noting an increase in repairs and customer engagement.

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Russian influencer Ivleeva fined for hosting ‘almost naked’ party

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TV presenter and influencer Anastasia Ivleeva faced legal consequences after hosting a controversial “almost naked” party in a Moscow club during wartime Russia. The Lefortovo court in Moscow imposed a fine of 100,000 roubles (£870; $1,100) on her for organizing the event, which was deemed to have violated public order.

Ivleeva apologized twice on social media and pleaded for a second chance from the public. Despite promising to donate ticket sales proceeds to charities, she now faces a billion-rouble class action lawsuit for “moral damage” from 22 individuals. They demand she contribute the amount to a group supporting Russians fighting in Ukraine.

The party, held at Moscow’s Mutabor nightclub on December 20, featured well-known Russian celebrities dressed provocatively. The incident stirred public outrage amid the ongoing war and economic concerns, distracting from issues like rising egg prices.

Russian rapper Vacio, arrested for disorderly conduct due to his single-sock outfit, received a 15-day jail term. He was also fined twice as much as Ivleeva for promoting “non-traditional sexual relations.”

Pro-Kremlin figures expressed anger, questioning how celebrities could party during a wartime “special military operation.” Several guests faced consequences, such as canceled concerts, lost sponsorship contracts, and removal from televised events.

Prominent figures like veteran singer Lolita Milyavskaya, Dima Bilan, and Ksenia Sobchak apologized, while Philipp Kirkorov, considered Putin’s favorite singer, apologized profusely. Kirkorov hoped his “mistake” wouldn’t impact his career in Russia. Despite rumors of losing awards, he was removed from a New Year’s Eve TV film, and some scenes were reshooted.

The Kremlin distanced itself from the controversy, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov urging the public not to discuss the topic.

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