Latest news with #BennyAndersson
Time of India
5 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
In which country are all egg-laying chickens cage-free?
Animal welfare has become a global concern, and efforts in this aspect provide powerful reminders of how consumers, NGOs, and corporations can work together to bring about meaningful change. While many countries are dependent on legal mandates to regulate farming conditions, a country recently did something exceptional voluntarily. Without a government-imposed ban, it has fully eliminated the use of cages in egg production and set all birds free. Sweden has now become the first country in the world where no egg‑laying hens are kept in cages, and it achieved this milestone without any legal ban, according to animal welfare group Project 1882. The campaign began in early 200s In 1988, the Swedish Parliament initially voted to ban cage systems, but the promise was not followed through, and 'enriched' cages continued to be used, formally allowed under amended legislation. When Project 1882 began its campaign in the early 2000s, cages still confined about 40% of laying hens in Sweden. Since then, more than 85 companies, from retailers to foodservice chains, have committed to phasing out cage eggs from their supply lines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo According to Project 1882 by 2024, cage-based systems had dropped to under 1%, saving over 90,000 hens in a single year, and by 2025, all cages were confirmed empty, freeing over 17 million hens from confinement since 2008. Particularly notable is that Sweden made this change through corporate and consumer action, not legislation. Project 1882's CEO, Benny Andersson, said to the Human Progress that 'this milestone is a victory that comes on the heels of grassroots activism and public pressure from consumers, not government legislation'. Sweden created a broad-based movement to phase out cages across the poultry sector. Sweden has also imposed strict number for chickens Compared to European Union rules, Sweden also enforces stricter stocking density limits. While EU legislation permits up to approximately. 46 hens per 10 ft², Swedish standards cap density at about 39 hens per 10 ft². Additionally, Sweden's Animal Welfare Act mandates that farm animals be provided care 'appropriate to their physiological and ethological needs'—further strengthening protections. However, animal welfare advocates caution that without binding legislation, the progress could be reversed. Project 1882 is now calling for a legal ban on cage‑housing to prevent future backsliding and to set a model for the rest of Europe. Sweden's story offers a powerful example that sustained consumer pressure and corporate responsibility can deliver systemic reform. As other European nations move toward phasing out cages, Sweden presents a compelling template for voluntary transformation.
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
ABBA's Album Is So Huge, Fans Need Several Versions At The Same Time
Two versions of ABBA's Gold reenter the U.K. charts, with the original hitting four tallies and the ... More anniversary edition returning to the Official Album Downloads list. ABBA pose for a group portrait in Stockholm, April 1976. (L-R) Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad. (Photo by) ABBA's Gold is one of the most valuable albums in pop history, as it's packed with dozens of popular singles — many of which rank among the most famous and catchiest tunes of all time. The group has expertly capitalized on the success of these songs by releasing multiple compilations over the years but none have performed as consistently well as Gold. The album is so popular in the United Kingdom that there's room for more than one version of the title to appear on the charts at the same time on occasion – and this week is one such occasion. Two Versions of Gold Return to the Rankings Two different editions of Gold not only land on U.K. charts this week, but return to a tally apiece. The anniversary edition of the compilation reappears on the Official Album Downloads chart at No. 88. In the past, the anniversary edition — which is counted separately from the standard Gold — has peaked at No. 8 on the downloads list. It has now spent 237 weeks on that particular ranking. The Original Gold is Also Back The standard Gold, officially titled Gold: Greatest Hits, also manages to break back onto one chart, though not the downloads tally. Instead, it reenters the Official Albums Sales chart at No. 93. That original take previously reached the top 10, peaking at No. 5. It has already spent twice as many weeks on the downloads list as the anniversary edition has, as it recently pushed past 500 frames. Gold Appears on Four Charts This Week The first Gold compilation can currently be found on four U.K.-based rankings. As it returns to the sales tally, it climbs to No. 42 on the Official Album Downloads chart, sitting more than 40 spaces ahead of the anniversary edition of the same title. Coincidentally, Gold also lands at No. 19 on both the Official Albums and Official Albums Streaming charts.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Talks Reportedly ‘Failed' in Efforts to Bring ABBA Voyage to Australia
Plans to bring ABBA Voyage – the virtual concert experience from the eponymous Swedish pop group – to Australia have reportedly failed. First launched in May 2022, ABBA Voyage saw the quartet – which comprises Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog – taking to the first stage for the first time in 40 years, albeit as digital avatars (or 'ABBA-tars'). More from Billboard Jeremy Zucker Announces 2025 Australian Tour Black Sabbath Members Pay Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne: 'Goodbye Dear Friend' The Damned Cancel North American Concert Dates Following 'Catastrophic Event' While the group themselves have resisted lucrative offers to re-form since their 1982 split, the virtual, live concert experience provided a way for fans to relive the band's live concerts in the modern age. First launched in London in 2022, the immersive spectacle features 1979 versions of the band playing their biggest hits, backed by a 10-piece live band and a lofty light show. Currently, the experience is scheduled through Feb. 1, 2026, with questions having been raised as to where it may be held next (or if it will be extended). While reports of a Las Vegas debut have surfaced recently, discussions in regard to an Australian edition of ABBA Voyage have been in the works since 2023. Initially, both the cities of Sydney and Melbourne were in competition to host the production, with the latter reportedly winning out as the Victorian state government entered into what were labelled 'advanced conversations.' However, reports in May 2024 of an imminent announcement of a production at Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse were later replaced by reports of stalled negotiations, with an unnamed government official claiming that ABBA Voyage organizers – which includes Melbourne's Craig Hartenstine as CEO – 'got greedy.' Now, a new report from the Herald Sun has stated the event is 'not going ahead' in Melbourne after talks had 'failed,' with money and value for taxpayers being the sticking point. Reportedly, the ABBA Voyage production would require a purpose-built 3,000 seat venue to host the event and would cost $100 million AUD to be staged. Paul Dainty – who serves as the president and chief executive of promoter TEG Dainty, and was responsible for bringing the group to Australia in 1977 – called the news 'disappointing.' 'It's been a long journey, but [ABBA Voyage] is a super expensive project,' he added. 'Maybe we can revisit it in the future.' Though it's unclear what sort of value ABBA Voyage had been predicted to generate for the Australian economy, a December 2024 economic and social impact report noted that in the two years since its opening in May 2022, ABBA Voyage had generated £1.40 billion for the U.K. economy. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This '70s pop band has won over Gen Z (again) with 1 billion Spotify streams.
It's not 1979, but ABBA is bewitching a whole new generation with its disco magic. The iconic Swedish pop group, beloved for its infectious blend of Europop and danceable grooves, has made Spotify history with its late-'70s hit "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)." The song, cowritten and coproduced by members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, entered Spotify's Billions Club on Sunday, July 20, after surpassing one billion streams on the music platform, Spotify exclusively confirmed to USA TODAY. This isn't the first time ABBA has dominated the streaming universe with its timeless tunes. The band's enduring anthem, "Dancing Queen," entered the Billions Club in July 2023. Released in October 1979 as part of the group's compilation album "Greatest Hits Vol. 2," "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" peaked at No. 1 in several territories, including Europe, Denmark, Japan and Switzerland, and cracked the top 20 in ABBA's native Sweden. The song has received a number of revivals over the years thanks to various covers and samples. '80s diva and "Queen of Pop" Madonna featured the track's opening synth line in her 2005 song "Hung Up," which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. ABBA book revelations: AC/DC connection, the unlikely inspiration for 'Mamma Mia!', more Additionally, the 2008 film "Mamma Mia!" — a musical based on ABBA's hits-heavy catalog — included a version sung by stars Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley and Rachel McDowall. More recently, "Gimme!" has enjoyed a digital resurgence with Gen Z, as seen on the social media platform TikTok. Several clips show young fans embracing the song's disco sound with lively, choreographed routines. ABBA racks up Gen Z fans by the millions on Spotify ABBA's streaming dominance is in part due to the group's sizable Gen Z audience. Globally, Gen Zers have accounted for 50% of ABBA's total streams on Spotify in 2025, according to the streaming service. Additionally, there have been over 11 million ABBA discoveries by Gen Z listeners on Spotify, which makes up half of the band's discoveries from all users worldwide. See the photos: A 'very emotional' ABBA reunites to receive Swedish royal honors The top 10 most-streamed ABBA tracks among Gen Z listeners in 2025 are as follows: Dancing Queen Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) Lay All Your Love on Me The Winner Takes It All Mamma Mia Slipping Through My Fingers Money, Money, Money Super Trouper Chiquitita Take a Chance on Me This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ABBA reaches 1 billion Spotify streams with 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
This '70s pop band has won over Gen Z (again) with 1 billion Spotify streams.
It's not 1979, but ABBA is bewitching a whole new generation with its disco magic. The iconic Swedish pop group, beloved for its infectious blend of Europop and danceable grooves, has made Spotify history with its late-'70s hit "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)." The song, cowritten and coproduced by members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, entered Spotify's Billions Club on Sunday, July 20, after surpassing one billion streams on the music platform, Spotify exclusively confirmed to USA TODAY. This isn't the first time ABBA has dominated the streaming universe with its timeless tunes. The band's enduring anthem, "Dancing Queen," entered the Billions Club in July 2023. Released in October 1979 as part of the group's compilation album "Greatest Hits Vol. 2," "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" peaked at No. 1 in several territories, including Europe, Denmark, Japan and Switzerland, and cracked the top 20 in ABBA's native Sweden. The song has received a number of revivals over the years thanks to various covers and samples. '80s diva and "Queen of Pop" Madonna featured the track's opening synth line in her 2005 song "Hung Up," which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. ABBA book revelations: AC/DC connection, the unlikely inspiration for 'Mamma Mia!', more Additionally, the 2008 film "Mamma Mia!" — a musical based on ABBA's hits-heavy catalog — included a version sung by stars Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley and Rachel McDowall. More recently, "Gimme!" has enjoyed a digital resurgence with Gen Z, as seen on the social media platform TikTok. Several clips show young fans embracing the song's disco sound with lively, choreographed routines. (dc: ??) am I too late for this trend?😆🪩 #fyp #xyzbca ABBA racks up Gen Z fans by the millions on Spotify ABBA's streaming dominance is in part due to the group's sizable Gen Z audience. Globally, Gen Zers have accounted for 50% of ABBA's total streams on Spotify in 2025, according to the streaming service. Additionally, there have been over 11 million ABBA discoveries by Gen Z listeners on Spotify, which makes up half of the band's discoveries from all users worldwide. See the photos: A 'very emotional' ABBA reunites to receive Swedish royal honors The top 10 most-streamed ABBA tracks among Gen Z listeners in 2025 are as follows:
