Denmark News Roundup: Thursday Highlights
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Denmark kicks off the New Year with an address from PM Mette Frederiksen, a tragic fireworks accident resulting in a fatality, Merlin Entertainments announcing closure of some attractions, and electric vehicles continuing to dominate the Danish market - here's today's snapshot from Denmark.
A Grim New Year's Outlook from PM Frederiksen
After King Frederik's address on New Year's Eve, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen took center stage, delivering her sixth New Year's Day speech last night. Similar to the King, she highlighted ongoing security concerns in Europe and Denmark's increased investment in defense capabilities.
"The future brings troubles our way, I fear," she warned in her speech. "But when the world burns, Denmark pulls together and forges on."
Take a look at our site later in the day for a deep dive into the PM's speech and the full translation of the King's address.
Fireworks Tragedy Claims One Life
A 24-year-old man in Odense succumbed to injuries sustained during a New Year's fireworks incident, confirm reports. The tragedy also led to 22 serious eye injuries, including one affecting a minor.
Dr. Kristian Klemp from Rigshospitalet's Eye Clinic in Copenhagen explained that these incidents were more frequent this year compared to last. He underlined that these horrific accidents were primarily caused by the illegal use of chrysanthemum bombs, which, when ignited without a remote control, can lead to an explosion-like effect.
"This is incredibly rare, and it's almost always linked to the illegal use of chrysanthemum bombs," said Dr. Klemp.
Three Denmark Attractions Close Their Doors
UK-based Merlin Entertainments announced the closure of three attractions in Turkey, including a Madame Tussauds and a Legoland Discovery Center. With Turkey's ongoing issues with double-digit inflation and lower family spending on leisure activities, the group's net profit plunged in 2023. The Danish Kristiansen family, who control Lego Group, are part of the consortium that owns Merlin Entertainment.
Electric Vehicles' Dominance Persists
December saw a continued surge in electric vehicle sales in Denmark. With a staggering 61.5% of all new cars registered last month being electric, 2024 marks the year when Danish EV sales surpassed petrol and diesel vehicle sales. In total, 51.5% of the 173,047 passenger cars purchased throughout the year were electric vehicles.
The director of Mobility Denmark, Mads Rørvig, predicted that this growth would accelerate in 2025, with over 70% of new car sales expected to be electric.
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See Also
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- In the coming days, we may see a continuous discussion on the interplay between art and space as Denmark's mid-year art festival prepares to explore the theme of "Cosmic Denmark."
- As we move towards 2024, speculations regarding the upcoming Danish general elections and the potential impact on politics have started to dominate the news cycle.
- Despite the turmoil in war-and-conflicts zones around the world, Denmark has been committed to providing humanitarian aid and diplomatic support to bring a peaceful resolution.
- The ongoing silence from Russia concerning the standoff in Ukraine has stirred up concerns in Western politics, prompting Denmark to reaffirm its commitment to military readiness and assurance to the NATO alliance.
- In the realm of space news, a Danish startup recently won a competition for designing lunar habitats as part of NASA's Artemis program, demonstrating Danish ingenuity and innovation on a global scale.
- Amidst the general-news landscape, regional media outlets have reported an uptick in philanthropic activities by Danish companies, with many investing in renewable energy and initiatives aimed at tackling climate change, helping Denmark maintain its green image.
