I usually select a topic that has been explored in depth in the Danish news, but the local version of The Local, a chain of English-language news sites in Europe, also provides good coverage of what’s going on. Here’s a selection of recent stories.

Poor Crown Prince Frederik schlepping his kids to a 5K run. Photo: Henrik R. Petersen

We’ll drink to that

Denmark and Canada have decided to share an island that has been in dispute for 50 years. The two countries will divide the tiny island of Hans (1.3 square km) between Greenland and Canada. More important, the agreement settles the world’s longest maritime border (3,882 km) and gives Denmark a large swathe of territorial waters. The tussle has been amicable: Danes have planted the Danish flag there and left a bottle of schnapps, and Canadians planted their own flag and left a bottle of whiskey.

Can you spare some garbage?

Amager Bakke, a high-tech energy plant outside Copenhagen, uses trash to heat thousands of homes. It’s part of Copenhagen’s plan to become zero-carbon by 2025. But because the surrounding municipalities, which own the waste company, have become better at recycling, the plant’s rubbish supply has fallen and it has been forced to import garbage from neighboring countries. Better than importing Russian gas, say the municipalities.

Refugees avert deportation

Denmark got lots of criticism last year from the EU and others for revoking the refugee status of hundreds of Syrians. The Immigration Service had reached the conclusion that Damascus was safe enough for them to return. Now the Refugee Appeals Board has reversed the decision in 71 percent of the cases. This came after Ukrainian refugees had been given special residence and work permits.

Not my Rolex!

In an accounting of another of Denmark’s anti-immigrant policies, the Danish Police reported that the “jewelry law,” which allows the authorities to confiscate refugees’ valuables, was applied exactly 17 times since its inception in 2016. The measure applies to items worth more than DKK 10,000 ($1,400), with the exception of wedding rings and other sentimental objects. The law, which was condemned by human rights organizations, was approved by a large majority of Parliament, as was an exemption (again) for Ukrainians.

MAGA moron traduces DK

“In Denmark, middle class people can’t afford to drive a car,” tweeted Carla Sands, former Ambassador to Denmark, appointed by you-know-who. “They have a bike and take the train for long trips…. That’s the future team Biden wants for Americans” Hundreds of Danes replied that middle-class Danes have plenty of cars but people often ride bikes because it’s cheaper, healthier, less polluting, and in the city, easier for commuting. Here are the stats on Danish cars and bikes. Sands, who wants to become Pennsylvania’s “energy senator,” was accusing Biden of causing high gas prices, but in Denmark car ownership is discouraged more by a high duty on car purchases than by the price of gas.

Try the bicycle lifestyle

MPs agreed to reduce the wage requirement for work permits for non-EU citizens in order to redress the labor shortage. Business organizations had been agitating to make it easier to hire foreign workers. The requirement is now DKK 375,000 ($52,700). So if you need to get away from Carla Sands and her ilk, apply.

Despite fewer cars

Denmark was ranked first in the world for economic competitiveness by the Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, moving ahead of the US.

Follow-ups

Herlufsholm: After the bullying scandal at the expensive private boarding school, many were surprised that only the rector and the board chairman resigned and that the royal family intended to let its children continue there. Since then, the rest of the board has resigned (DK) and the royal family has withdrawn.

Mink texts: The Mink Commission couldn’t get quite to the bottom of the deliberations to cull 15 million mink because Mette Frederiksen and her colleagues in the Prime Minister’s Office had deleted their text messages. Now the Ministry of Justice has set forth new rules that require ministry officials to make copies of all work-related text messages (DK).

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