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Today in Denmark: a roundup of the news on Friday

Ritzau/The Local
Ritzau/The Local - [email protected]
Today in Denmark: a roundup of the news on Friday
Copenhagen mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen has criticised the plan to shorten Master's degrees as "completely wrong". Photo: Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix

First Irma supermarkets to close on Sunday, Covid-19 no longer 'dangerous to public health', Queen out of hospital, and Social Democrat mayor oppose new Master's course reforms. Here's some of the news on Friday.

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The first six Irma supermarkets set to close on Sunday 

The first six of the 65 Irma supermarkets set to close or be converted to Coops, 365discount, or Brugsen supermarkets are due to close their doors in Copenhagen on Sunday. 

Sunday will be the last opening day for Irma supermarkets at Nørrebros Runddel, Østerbrogade 162, Godthåbsvej, Hellerup Station, Roskildevej 148 and Finsensvej.

The ten largest of the 65 Irma shops will become part of the new Coop chain, 28 will become 365discount  supermarkets, the ten smallest will become Brugsen, and 17 will close completely. 

Danish vocab: en kæde – a chain

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Social Democrat mayors attack own government's plan for shorter Masters' degrees 

The mayors of all four of Denmark's major cities have criticised a proposal to halve the length of many Master's degrees, with Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, mayor Copenhagen calling it "completely wrong". 

Andersen said that the proposal would be "bad for the young and bad for business", and would mean a significant weakening of the education system. 

The mayors of Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg also joined in the criticism, saying they doubted it would solve the labour shortage in municipalities. 

Danish vocab: helt forkert – completely wrong 

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Covid-19 no longer given special status in Denmark

Denmark will from next month no longer class Covid-19 as being “dangerous to public health”, meaning the government will have fewer powers to place social restrictions related to the virus.

There is no longer cause to class Covid-19 as being “dangerous to public health” or an alment farlig sygdom, the Danish Health Authority said in a statement.

Under Denmark’s Epidemic Law, the government can introduce certain public restrictions in response to illnesses considered a danger to public health. These include asking individuals to isolate or sharing personal information between different authorities.

This will no longer be valid when the classification expires from April 1st.

Danish Health Authority director Søren Brostrøm said the decision reflected that “the disease no longer presents a significant threat to society”.

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Danish queen out of hospital after back surgery

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II was discharged from hospital on Thursday after back surgery last week though a full recovery is expected to last months, the Danish Royal House announced.

The 82-year-old, Europe’s longest reigning monarch, underwent a “major” back operation last Wednesday at Rigshospitalet, the country’s largest
hospital.

“The medical team responsible for the operation and the subsequent hospitalisation is satisfied with the process and with The Queen’s condition,” the court said in a statement.

The Danish monarch is now staying at her palace in Amalienborg and will undergo “a lengthy physical rehabilitation process, which may extend over the next few months”, the court warned.

Crown Prince Frederik will “continue as regent for the time being.”

Danish vocab: udskrevet – discharged

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Denmark could offer places to thousands of additional international students

The number of places on English-language Master's degree programmes could be expanded by a Danish government proposal presented on Thursday.

A government proposal for a reform of graduate university education programmes was presented by government ministers at a briefing on Thursday.

According to the proposal, the number of places on English-language Master’s degree programmes in Denmark will be increased by 1,100 between 2024 and 2028, and by an overall 2,500 from 2029.

“Increased enrolment of international students is connected to additional expenses on SU [state student grant, ed.], but also a larger labour pool,” the proposal by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science states.

Danish vocab: kandidatuddannelser – Master's programmes

 

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