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France Tightens Food Import Controls Amid Farmer Protests Over Mercosur Deal

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France has announced stricter checks on a range of food imports in response to protests by farmers who argue they face unfair competition from countries with weaker agricultural regulations. The move comes as opposition grows in France to a proposed European Union trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, as well as concerns over livestock disease controls.

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said the new measures aim to ensure imported food meets EU standards, particularly regarding the use of banned pesticides and fungicides. France will soon issue a decree suspending imports of products found to contain prohibited substances, including mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim. Fruits and vegetables such as melons, apples, cherries, strawberries, grapes and potatoes will only be sold if they show no traces of these chemicals.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said any imported product failing to meet these standards would be barred from entering France. While Germany and Spain support the Mercosur deal, critics in France fear it would lead to cheaper imports, especially beef, that do not comply with EU environmental and food safety rules. The government said protecting farmers, public health and fair competition is non-negotiable and urged the European Commission to extend similar rules across the EU.

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Denmark and Greenland Push Back Against Trump’s Greenland Takeover Remarks

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Denmark and Greenland have urged US President Donald Trump to stop making statements about taking over Greenland after he reiterated his interest in the Arctic island in a recent media interview. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said such remarks were unacceptable, stressing that the United States has no right to annex Greenland or any part of the Danish kingdom.

Trump said the US “needs Greenland” for defence purposes, comments that came shortly after he claimed Washington would run Venezuela following the capture of its president. The remarks sparked concern in Denmark that Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, could face similar rhetoric or pressure. Frederiksen said the threats were inappropriate toward a close ally and ignored the clear stance of Greenland’s people that the territory is not for sale.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also criticised Trump’s comments as disrespectful, particularly references linking Greenland to military intervention. Greenland’s strategic location and mineral resources have long drawn US interest, and Trump recently appointed a special envoy to the island. While Greenland has the right to seek independence, it remains economically reliant on Denmark, which has been working to strengthen ties with the island while increasing Arctic defence cooperation with the US.

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Tesla Sales Slide Across Europe but Surge to Record in Norway

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Tesla’s vehicle registrations fell sharply in several major European markets in December, underscoring a difficult year for the U.S. electric carmaker across much of the region. Sales dropped 66% in France and 71% in Sweden during the month, while declines were also recorded in Portugal and Spain. The weak performance reflects intensifying competition, an aging model lineup and reputational headwinds linked to Elon Musk’s political statements.

Despite the rollout of cheaper versions of the Model Y and Model 3, Tesla’s European business has yet to recover. For 2025 as a whole, registrations fell 37% in France, 70% in Sweden, 22% in Portugal and 4% in Spain. By November, Tesla’s market share across Europe, Britain and the European Free Trade Association slipped to 1.7% from 2.4% a year earlier, even as overall electric vehicle adoption continued to rise.

In contrast, Tesla enjoyed a standout performance in Norway, where registrations jumped 89% in December to 5,679 vehicles, helping the brand set a new annual sales record in 2025. Tesla captured more than 19% of the market in the country, where nearly all new car sales are electric. The company is due to report its global fourth-quarter delivery figures later on Friday.

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Europe’s Factories Sink Deeper into Contraction as Asia Ends 2025 on Stronger Note

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Manufacturing activity in the euro zone weakened further in December, ending 2025 in deeper contraction as demand faltered and new orders declined, private surveys showed. The HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI fell to 48.8 from 49.6 in November, its lowest level in nine months and below the 50 mark separating growth from contraction for a second consecutive month. Germany recorded the weakest performance among major economies, while Italy and Spain also slipped back into contraction, highlighting broad-based weakness across the region.

France offered a rare bright spot, with its manufacturing PMI rising to a 42-month high, while Britain saw factory activity expand at its fastest pace in 15 months, supported by a recovery in demand. Economists warned, however, that euro zone manufacturers remain cautious heading into 2026, as slowing demand and subdued confidence continue to weigh on output and investment.

In contrast, Asia’s factory powerhouses closed the year on a stronger footing, supported by a rebound in exports and rising demand for artificial intelligence-related products. Manufacturing activity in Taiwan and South Korea returned to expansion territory in December after months of decline, driven by a surge in new orders. Most Southeast Asian economies maintained solid growth, while China also showed signs of an unexpected turnaround, reinforcing optimism that Asia’s export-driven manufacturing sector may start the new year with renewed momentum.

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US Scales Back Tariffs on Italian Pasta After Review

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The US government has sharply reduced proposed tariffs on Italian pasta, easing pressure on producers that had faced the prospect of levies as high as 92%. Following a review by the US Department of Commerce, the duties have been cut to a range of between 2% and 14%, offering relief to major brands such as Barilla, La Molisana and Pastificio Lucio Garofalo, which were accused of selling pasta at unfairly low prices.

The revised tariffs will apply in addition to a separate 15% duty imposed on most EU goods imported into the US, although a final decision on the pasta levies has not yet been made. The Department of Commerce said its preliminary analysis showed Italian producers had addressed many of its concerns, with final results and definitive tariff levels due to be announced on March 12.

Italy exports an estimated $770 million worth of pasta to the US each year, with the 13 targeted companies accounting for around 16% of those shipments. Italy’s government and industry groups welcomed the move, warning earlier that steep tariffs would severely damage the sector, while the European Commission said it stood ready to intervene if needed.

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Swiss Struggle to Identify Victims After Deadly New Year Bar Fire

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Swiss authorities have begun the difficult process of identifying victims of a devastating fire that tore through a packed bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the luxury ski resort of Crans-Montana. The blaze at the Le Constellation bar killed around 40 people, with Italy putting the death toll at 47, and left more than 100 injured. Officials said the severity of burns suffered by many victims means identification could take several days.

Families of missing young people have issued desperate appeals for information, while foreign embassies work to determine whether their nationals were among those affected. Officials in the canton of Valais said experts are relying on dental records and DNA samples to ensure accurate identification before informing families. Several countries, including Italy, France and Australia, have confirmed missing or injured nationals, with Italy reporting six citizens still unaccounted for.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though authorities believe it was an accident rather than a deliberate act. Survivor accounts and social media footage suggest decorations or sparking candles may have ignited the bar’s ceiling, allowing flames to spread rapidly. The tragedy has left the resort community in shock, with vigils held near the site and Switzerland ordering flags flown at half-mast nationwide as a mark of mourning.

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Ukraine Condemns Russian New Year Drone Strikes on Power Infrastructure

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Ukraine has strongly condemned a wave of Russian drone attacks that damaged power infrastructure across multiple regions during the New Year night. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia launched more than 200 attack drones, deliberately targeting energy facilities in at least seven regions. He described the strikes as a clear message that Moscow was bringing war into the holiday period.

At the same time, Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a deadly drone strike in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, claiming at least 24 people, including a child, were killed when a hotel and café were hit during New Year celebrations. Ukraine’s military did not immediately comment on the accusation, while Kyiv has repeatedly accused Russia of killing thousands of civilians in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Zelenskiy said the latest attacks highlighted the urgent need for faster delivery of air defence systems from Western allies. He added that Ukraine was expecting defence equipment agreed with the United States in late December to arrive on time. Ukrainian officials said power outages affected a significant number of households in the Volyn, Odesa and Chernihiv regions, with more than 103,000 homes losing electricity in Volyn alone, a region far from the front line and bordering Poland.

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Bulgaria Enters Euro Zone, Bids Farewell to the Lev

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Bulgaria officially joined the euro zone on Thursday, marking a historic shift as the euro replaced the lev as the country’s currency from midnight. Celebrations took place across the capital Sofia, with euro coin projections lighting up the central bank’s facade and fireworks welcoming the milestone. Bulgaria becomes the 21st member of the euro area, increasing the number of Europeans using the common currency to over 350 million.

The move grants Bulgaria a seat on the European Central Bank’s Governing Council, allowing it to participate directly in euro zone monetary policy decisions. Successive governments have pursued euro adoption since Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. While public opinion remains divided, businesses have largely backed the transition, citing easier trade, travel and financial stability within the EU.

Many citizens expressed cautious optimism, saying the currency change would simplify travel and everyday transactions. However, concerns remain among some Bulgarians about potential price rises and broader political instability, following the government’s recent resignation amid protests over proposed tax hikes. Despite these worries, officials say euro adoption represents a major step toward deeper European integration.

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Unprecedented New Year Violence Rocks the Netherlands

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Police across the Netherlands faced what they described as an unprecedented level of violence during New Year’s Eve celebrations, with officers and emergency workers coming under attack from fireworks and explosives. In several cities, police reported being pelted with fireworks, petrol bombs and other dangerous objects, creating chaotic and hazardous conditions as authorities struggled to maintain order.

The violence coincided with a series of tragic incidents linked to fireworks. A 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man were killed in separate fireworks-related accidents, while hospitals reported numerous injuries, including severe eye damage. In Rotterdam alone, an eye hospital treated 14 patients, many of them minors, with two requiring surgery. Clashes between groups were also reported in areas such as The Hague’s Transvaal district.

Amid the unrest, a major fire broke out at Amsterdam’s historic Vondelkerk church, engulfing the 19th-century neo-Gothic basilica and causing the collapse of its 50-metre tower. While the cause of the fire remains unclear, authorities said the main structure is expected to remain standing despite heavy roof damage. The incidents have intensified debate around fireworks, with a nationwide ban on unofficial fireworks scheduled to take effect in 2026 after record spending this year.

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Shock and Mourning Grip Swiss Ski Resort After New Year’s Day Bar Fire

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Disbelief and shock have spread across the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana after a devastating fire engulfed a popular bar on New Year’s Day. Locals and tourists alike struggled to comprehend how such a tragedy could occur in a high-end, family-friendly Alpine destination known for strong safety standards and modern infrastructure. The fire at Le Constellation, a well-known bar in the heart of the resort, has left the community reeling.

Le Constellation, located near the cinema and frequented by both residents and visitors, was a gathering spot especially popular among young people. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as people escaped through windows and others suffered serious burns. Some tourists initially mistook the sound of ambulances for routine holiday excesses, only to later realise the severity of the incident. Many are now anxiously trying to trace friends and acquaintances who may have been inside the bar.

By morning, the usually lively centre of Crans-Montana was cordoned off, creating an eerie silence in what is normally the resort’s beating heart. As skiers and visitors awoke, crowds gathered near the police barriers seeking information, while flowers were laid outside the damaged bar. The scale of the cordon, road closures and emergency response underscored the magnitude of the disaster, leaving residents and visitors united in grief and disbelief.

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