Today in Denmark: A round-up of the latest news on Wednesday
Find out what's going on in Denmark today with The Local's short round-up of the news in less than five minutes.
Prime minister to face questions over response to mink Covid-19 outbreak
The fall-out from the culling of all fur farm minks in Denmark is not going away any time soon for the government.
Following reports yesterday that the health minister knew about coronavirus mutations in minks and their potential threat to future vaccines in September – weeks before the government informed the public – Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is set to face renewed questions over the course of events today.
READ ALSO:
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What you need to know about minks and the coronavirus
-
Danish health minister knew of threat from mink mutation in September
-
Danish corona mink mutation 'most likely eradicated'
Frederiksen will respond to questions from leaders of opposition parties, who have made an emergency request demanding further explanation from the PM. At the core of the criticism raining down on the government is the illegal directive issued on November 4th to cull healthy minks outside of defined risk zones.
Danish citizenship test takes place today
Today is a big day for many hoping to become Danish nationals, with the country’s citizenship test taking place across the land, this year with the added challenge of complying with Covid-19 restrictions.
The test, held twice annually, consists of 40 multiple choice questions on Danish culture, history and society. The pass mark is 32.
I took the test myself two years ago (although I haven’t applied for citizenship yet). You can read how it went for me here. If you’d prefer to have a go at some of the questions yourself, try our quiz based on previous years’ tests.
Released holiday money gives jump in retail sales
At the end of September, the government announced it was releasing three weeks of ‘frozen holiday money’ (feriepenge), a monthly contribution paid by wage earners into a special fund.
Subsequently, October saw a hefty jump in retail sales, notably of consumer products including shoes and clothes, Ritzau reports.
Retail sales increased 8.2 percent between September and October, the second-biggest ever jump recorded between months. The biggest was recorded in post-lockdown month May 2020.
The holiday money can still be claimed until December 1st – find out how and whether you are eligible here.
News wire refuses to pay ransom after cyber attack
Danish news wire Ritzau was targeted in what it has described as a “comprehensive” cyber attack on Tuesday. Hackers have demanded a ransom to release data taken in the attack, but Ritzau’s CEO Lars Vesterløkke has said no money would be paid, the company reported via the temporary news service through which it is currently operating.
People who live near wind turbines to be offered increased compensation
A parliamentary majority has agreed to increased financial bonuses that are offered to people who live near wind turbines – a common sight in the Danish countryside.
The increased cash benefit is an attempt to reduce local opposition to new wind and solar power farms, DR reports.
Danish vocabulary:
-
Indfødsretsprøve: Citizenship test
-
Folketingssalen: the parliamentary chamber
-
Hackerangreb: hacker attack, cyber attack
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See Also
Prime minister to face questions over response to mink Covid-19 outbreak
The fall-out from the culling of all fur farm minks in Denmark is not going away any time soon for the government.
Following reports yesterday that the health minister knew about coronavirus mutations in minks and their potential threat to future vaccines in September – weeks before the government informed the public – Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is set to face renewed questions over the course of events today.
READ ALSO:
- What you need to know about minks and the coronavirus
- Danish health minister knew of threat from mink mutation in September
- Danish corona mink mutation 'most likely eradicated'
Frederiksen will respond to questions from leaders of opposition parties, who have made an emergency request demanding further explanation from the PM. At the core of the criticism raining down on the government is the illegal directive issued on November 4th to cull healthy minks outside of defined risk zones.
Danish citizenship test takes place today
Today is a big day for many hoping to become Danish nationals, with the country’s citizenship test taking place across the land, this year with the added challenge of complying with Covid-19 restrictions.
The test, held twice annually, consists of 40 multiple choice questions on Danish culture, history and society. The pass mark is 32.
I took the test myself two years ago (although I haven’t applied for citizenship yet). You can read how it went for me here. If you’d prefer to have a go at some of the questions yourself, try our quiz based on previous years’ tests.
Released holiday money gives jump in retail sales
At the end of September, the government announced it was releasing three weeks of ‘frozen holiday money’ (feriepenge), a monthly contribution paid by wage earners into a special fund.
Subsequently, October saw a hefty jump in retail sales, notably of consumer products including shoes and clothes, Ritzau reports.
Retail sales increased 8.2 percent between September and October, the second-biggest ever jump recorded between months. The biggest was recorded in post-lockdown month May 2020.
The holiday money can still be claimed until December 1st – find out how and whether you are eligible here.
News wire refuses to pay ransom after cyber attack
Danish news wire Ritzau was targeted in what it has described as a “comprehensive” cyber attack on Tuesday. Hackers have demanded a ransom to release data taken in the attack, but Ritzau’s CEO Lars Vesterløkke has said no money would be paid, the company reported via the temporary news service through which it is currently operating.
People who live near wind turbines to be offered increased compensation
A parliamentary majority has agreed to increased financial bonuses that are offered to people who live near wind turbines – a common sight in the Danish countryside.
The increased cash benefit is an attempt to reduce local opposition to new wind and solar power farms, DR reports.
Danish vocabulary:
- Indfødsretsprøve: Citizenship test
- Folketingssalen: the parliamentary chamber
- Hackerangreb: hacker attack, cyber attack
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