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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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Françoise Bettencourt Meyer: L’Oréal heiress first woman to amass $100bn fortune

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Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, heiress to the L’Oréal fortune, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to accumulate a wealth exceeding $100 billion, as reported by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The French beauty company, founded by her grandfather, has witnessed a remarkable surge in its stock market performance, reaching record highs in Paris. L’Oréal’s sales rebounded after the pandemic, contributing to this success. At 70, Bettencourt Meyers is now the world’s 12th richest person, though she trails behind Bernard Arnault, the founder of LVMH, who holds the second spot with a net worth of $179 billion.

As the vice-chairperson of L’Oréal’s board, Bettencourt Meyers, along with her family, owns the largest share of the company, approximately 35%. She inherited the role of L’Oréal’s heiress following her mother Liliane Bettencourt’s death in 2017. Liliane, a prominent figure as France’s richest person, faced a public dispute with Françoise, accusing a photographer and socialite of taking advantage of her. The family conflict resulted in a French court granting Françoise control over Liliane’s wealth due to her mother’s diagnosed dementia in 2011.

Known for prioritizing privacy over social events, Bettencourt Meyers engages in playing the piano for several hours daily and has authored two books—a comprehensive study of the Bible in five volumes and a genealogy of the Greek gods. Described as living within the confines of her family, she maintains a low profile compared to other wealthy individuals.

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Russian poets get jail sentences for anti-war poetry reading

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In Moscow, two Russian poets, Artyom Kamardin and Yegor Shtovba, have been handed lengthy prison sentences for their involvement in a poetry reading featuring anti-war poems. Kamardin received a seven-year sentence, while Shtovba was given five and a half years. Both poets faced charges of “inciting hatred” against Russian troops and making “appeals against state security,” despite pleading not guilty. This harsh punishment is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, where individuals expressing opposition to the government’s actions face severe consequences.

The sentencing of Kamardin and Shtovba is emblematic of a disturbing trend in Russia, where the government has intensified its efforts to stifle dissent and criticism. The poets participated in the Mayakovsky Readings, an event that took place on September 25, 2022, in Moscow, shortly after President Vladimir Putin announced a “partial mobilization” campaign for the war in Ukraine. The charges against them are part of an alarming pattern of using state security as a pretext to suppress voices critical of the government’s actions, reflecting a broader erosion of free expression and civil liberties in the country.

The Mayakovsky Readings, a historical poetry event that has taken place since the 1950s, has become a symbol of resistance to oppressive regimes. However, in the current climate of heightened political tensions and military actions, such gatherings are increasingly deemed unsafe. The group had previously faced persecution during the Soviet era, with participants accused of anti-Soviet propaganda and sentenced to gulags. The recent suspension of the Mayakovsky Readings in October 2022 underscores the growing challenges faced by those who seek to express dissent in an increasingly restrictive environment.

The crackdown on dissent in Russia has reached alarming levels, with activists, poets, and opposition figures facing imprisonment for expressing criticism of the government’s actions, particularly in the context of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The sentences handed to Kamardin and Shtovba are part of a broader pattern of silencing voices that challenge the official narrative, raising concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Russia.

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Russian passenger plane lands on frozen river by mistake

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A Soviet-era Antonov An-24 belonging to Polar Airlines mistakenly landed on a frozen river in Russia’s Far East with 34 people on board. Fortunately, the incident, attributed to pilot error according to initial inquiries, occurred without any injuries. The aircraft, en route from Yakutsk to Zyryanka with subsequent stops, veered off the Zyryanka airport runway during its landing.

The flight, designated PI217, commenced its journey early Thursday from Yakutsk, the capital of the Sakha republic. Intending to reach Zyryanka, the plane was scheduled to proceed to Srednekolymsk before returning to Yakutsk. The mishap took place not far from the airport, where the frozen River Kolyma served as an unplanned landing site.

Video footage captured by a passenger revealed the aircraft positioned nearly at the center of the frozen river in eastern Siberia, where temperatures in Zyryanka can drop to approximately -40°C during this season. Prosecutors reported that the plane touched down on a sandbank in the river, and the duration of its slide on the snow was evident from the trail left behind.

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Czech mass shooting: Gunman confessed to shooting baby in woods

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In Prague, the assailant behind the tragic shooting at a university, resulting in the loss of 14 lives, admitted to an earlier double murder in a suicide note discovered by Czech police. This revelation came as investigators found the note in the home of 24-year-old David Kozak, shedding light on his involvement in the killing of a man and his infant daughter in a wooded area near Prague on December 15. Prior to the university attack on December 21, Kozak, who was already a suspect in the double murder case, also took the life of his father, raising the total number of victims to a devastating 17.

The university attack itself, occurring on December 21, stands as the deadliest mass shooting in Czech history. Kozak, a graduate student specializing in history at the university, chose to end his own life as he was surrounded by armed police. The confession within the suicide note verified his culpability for the earlier murders, a case that was already under investigation.

While the motive behind the university attack remains undisclosed, law enforcement authorities are actively continuing their investigation into the matter. In response to this tragic event, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan has called on mayors to cancel New Year’s fireworks displays as a gesture of respect for the victims. He urged the nation to observe the occasion peacefully, considering the profound impact of the killings on those affected.

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Wolfgang Schäuble: Merkel’s no-nonsense finance minister dies aged 81

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Former German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, a key figure in post-war German politics, has passed away at 81. With a political career spanning 51 years, Schäuble played a crucial role in negotiating German reunification and surviving an assassination attempt in 1990.

Schäuble, a member of the conservative CDU party, served as Germany’s interior minister and later as finance minister under Chancellor Angela Merkel. His leadership resulted in Germany achieving a budget surplus in 2014, earning him recognition as a driving force behind the austerity policies adopted by the eurozone during the 2008 debt crisis.

While praised for his contributions to German reunification, Schäuble faced criticism, particularly from Greece, for his role in implementing unpopular austerity measures during the eurozone debt crisis. Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis condemned Schäuble, predicting a harsh judgment from history.

Despite never becoming chancellor, Schäuble remained one of Germany’s most influential politicians. He withdrew from frontline politics in 2022, having served as the president of the Bundestag, where he was the longest-serving MP, winning 14 constituency elections. His departure marked the end of a remarkable political career that significantly shaped Germany’s post-war history.

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France murders: Man held after mother and children killed in Meaux

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A 33-year-old man has been apprehended by French police on suspicion of murdering his wife and four children in Meaux, a suburb 40km northeast of Paris. The victims, a woman, and her children aged between nine months and 10 years, were found dead in their apartment. Prosecutor Jean-Baptiste Bladier described the crime scene as marked by “extreme violence” with pools of blood present. The flat showed no signs of forced entry, and the father was absent.

The investigation began when a concerned neighbor, unable to reach the family and noticing closed shutters, discovered blood on the door handle and in front of the door. The police, following CCTV footage, traced and arrested the suspect at his father’s residence in Sevran. The suspect was known to the police due to a previous domestic violence incident in 2019, a month before the birth of their third child, where he attacked his partner with a knife.

The Versailles judicial police service is conducting the investigation, revealing that the mother and her two eldest daughters had numerous stab wounds, while the two youngest were likely strangled or drowned. Post-mortem examinations for the younger children are scheduled for Wednesday. The suspect, described as previously undergoing treatment, had documents suggesting potential psychiatric hospital admission in 2017 and a prescription for tranquilizers.

Neighbors mentioned that the mother was friendly, while the father, who had faced job loss, exhibited signs of depression. The 2019 domestic violence case was dropped due to the partner’s mental health. This incident adds to a series of recent infanticides in the Paris region, including a man confessing to killing his three daughters in November and a policeman committing filicide before suicide in October.

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Russia confirms damage to warship in Black Sea

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A Ukrainian airstrike targeted a Russian warship, the Novocherkassk, at the Black Sea port of Feodosiya in Russian-occupied Crimea, causing damage and casualties. The attack occurred early on a Tuesday morning, with the Ukrainian Air Force claiming responsibility and stating that their warplanes had successfully destroyed the ship using guided missiles. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the large landing ship was hit, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. Six buildings were damaged, and some people had to be relocated to temporary accommodation centers. The port’s transport operations were reportedly functioning normally after the area was cordoned off, and the fire caused by the attack was contained.

Footage depicting a substantial explosion at the port was shared by Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk, though independent verification of the images is lacking. Satellite imagery from December 24 showed a ship at the port matching the length of the Novocherkassk. This landing ship is designed for transporting troops, weapons, and cargo to shore.

There have been previous instances of Ukrainian forces targeting the Novocherkassk. In March 2022, the ship was reportedly damaged in an attack on the occupied Ukrainian port of Berdyansk, where another amphibious assault ship, the Saratov, was sunk. Lt Gen Oleshchuk mentioned on Telegram that the Novocherkassk had met a fate similar to the Moskva, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet flagship, which sank in the Black Sea the previous year.

Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian Air Force, joking about the “impressive replenishment” of the Russian Black Sea fleet. He emphasized that occupiers would find no peaceful place in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict stems from Russia’s seizure and annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, with Russian forces based in Crimea playing a significant role in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted Russian forces in Crimea, destroying and damaging multiple navy ships in the Black Sea. Last September, a missile strike on the Black Sea fleet’s headquarters in Sevastopol led to the relocation of much of the Russian Black Sea fleet to Novorossiysk.

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Pope: Free Israeli hostages and end the Gaza war

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Pope Francis delivered a Christmas Day message at St Peter’s Basilica, calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Expressing sorrow for the victims of the October 7 attack, he urgently appealed for the liberation of those still held hostage and pleaded for an end to military operations that result in innocent civilian casualties.

The Pope also emphasized the need for increased humanitarian aid to address the desperate situation in Gaza. He highlighted the appalling impact of the conflict and urged for a solution to the humanitarian crisis through the provision of necessary aid.

In addition to addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict, Pope Francis touched on other global conflicts. He called for peace in Ukraine, where the war with Russia has persisted for nearly two years. The Pope also expressed his prayers for political and social stability in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen—countries marked by prolonged periods of war and unrest.

Beyond specific regions, Pope Francis advocated for peaceful solutions to conflicts in various parts of the world, including Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as in different areas of Africa and on the Korean Peninsula. His message resonated with a plea for harmony and resolution in troubled spots across the globe.

In his address, Pope Francis extended his concerns to millions of migrants worldwide, highlighting their plight as “the little Jesuses of today.” He emphasized the challenges faced by migrants on perilous journeys undertaken in desperation and in search of hope, calling for compassion and understanding in addressing their struggles.

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