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Today in Denmark: A round-up of the latest news on Thursday

Find out what's going on in Denmark today with The Local's short round-up of the news in less than five minutes.

Today in Denmark: A round-up of the latest news on Thursday
File photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix

Government considering huge road infrastructure project near Aarhus 

The E45 motorway, which runs from north-south in Jutland and connects Denmark with countries to the south, could be set for an upgrade around Aarhus, where the government is considering expanding the highway from four to six lanes. Another stretch south of the city near Skanderborg could also be widened.

The project could cost around 6.5 billion kroner. The government is scheduled to present the plan as part of a broader infrastructure proposal today.

‘Fake’ corona passports can result in prison sentences

The use of corona passports is now a reality in Denmark, with proof of immunity or a negative Covid-19 test required to access services such as hair salons.

After an IT expert told broadcaster DR that the digital passports were easy to fake, the Justice Ministry has confirmed that anyone caught breaking the rules in this way could face up to four years in prison.

That is because the normal sentence of around two years in prison for fraudulent use of documents can be double under a special, recently-introduced clause in the law providing for double sentences for crimes committed in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Corona passport: What you need to know about Danish Covid-19 vaccine and test documentation

Man given prison sentence for actions during anti-lockdown demonstration

The clause mentioned above was applied yesterday in a trial involving a man convicted of setting off fireworks at police during a demonstration against coronavirus restrictions in January, one of a number of protests organised recently by the ‘Men in Black’ movement.

READ ALSO: Eight arrested at anti-lockdown protest in Danish capital

Six fireworks were fired at police by the man, hitting one officer.

The 31-year-old, who was also been convicted of causing gross public disturbance, was given a six-month unconditional prison sentence. He is considering whether to appeal.

“I am just a normal dad with a family who wants to go to work and provide for my family,” he said according to DR’s report.

Bright start to Thursday will turn grey

Most of the country will enjoy a sunny morning, according to weather forecasts, with a light westerly wind and temperatures of 4-7 degrees Celsius. Clouds will gather during the afternoon and rain is likely this evening and tonight.

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TODAY IN DENMARK

Today in Denmark: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Danish parties agree to raise abortion term limit, Novo Nordic, Maersk and Vestas post results, colder weather to return, and other news from Denmark on Friday.

Today in Denmark: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Danish parties agree to raise abortion limit to 18 weeks 

Denmark’s government has struck a deal with four other parties to raise the maximum gestation period at which a foetus can be aborted from 12 weeks to 18 weeks, in the first change to Danish abortion law in 50 years. 

The government struck the deal with the Socialist Left Party, the Red Green Alliance, the Social Liberal Party and the Alternativet party. 

“In terms of health, there is no evidence for the current week limit, nor is there anything to suggest that there will be significantly more or later abortions by moving the week limit,” Sophie Løhde, Denmark’s Minister of the Interior and Health, said announving the deal. 

Danish vocabulary: abortgrænsen – abortion limit 

Colder weather to return on weekend 

Friday will be the last day in the current spell of 20C temperatures, with colder, rainier weather returning on the weekend.  According to the Denmark’s state forecaster DMI, a cold front will arrive in Denmark on Friday evening, bringing rain, colder temperatures of 7C-12C overnight and local thunderstorms. 

On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, temperatures will be between 13C and 18C, with rain in some places, with sunnier weather expected from Tuesday.  

Danish voabulary: en byge – a shower

Vestas, Maersk and Novo Nordisk report results

Novo Nordisk reported soaring profits, Maersk falling ones, and Vestas, the world’s number one wind turbine maker, posted a loss, as Denmark’s biggest companies posted results for the first three months of the year. 

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk reported more soaring profits Thursday on the back of its anti-diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. Its net profit reached 25.4 billion kroner ($3.6 billion) in the first quarter, a 28 percent jump from the same period last year, the company said in a statement.

Vestas said on Thursday it had swung to a 75-million-euro ($80-million) loss in the first quarter and warned “geopolitical volatility” would continue to cause uncertainty. Revenue fell 5.2 percent to 2.68 billion euros in the first three months of the year, compared to the same period a year earlier. Its net loss followed a net profit of 16 million euros in the first quarter of 2023. The value of its order backlog reached a record high €61 billion.

Maersk profits plummeted as Yemeni attacks closed off its vital Red Sea route, with the company reporting a net profit of $177 million in the first three months of the year, a 13-fold drop from the same period last year. 

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