Denmark's Daily News Roundup: Insights from Monday's Headlines
Today's News in Denmark: An Unofficial US Visit, a New Taxi App, and a Crushing Defeat for the Danish Football Team
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Ready your keyboards, folks, as we unpack the latest happenings in Denmark!
United States Sends High-Profile Delegation to Greenland
(Including a quick detour to the Outback)
Prepare for a powder keg of geopolitics, as the United States will be sending National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Energy Minister Chris Wright, and none other than Second Lady Usha Vance on an unofficial trip to Greenland. This friendly visit will take place between Thursday and Saturday, and let's just say, the White House has confirmed it all via the mighty Reuters news agency.
Vance and her crew will not only mingle with deployed US personnel at the space base Pituffik (formerly known as Thule Air Base, feel free to ask her if she's seen any UFOs), but they'll also partake in Greenland's national dog sled race and visit some historical sites. You might be wondering about Vice President JD Vance's whereabouts. Well, he'll be back home carrying the weight of the world, as his Outback-bound wife Usha embarks on her Arctic adventure.
So, what's all this about, you ask? As some fondly remember, President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire for a good, old-fashioned US takeover of Greenland, in flagrant disregard for both Greenland and Denmark's wishes. So, it's safe to say that there's a whole lot more at play here than just enjoying a frosty beer and a hot dog on the tundra.
Greenland's Outgoing Prime Minister Keeps Things Professional
Mute B. Egede, our outgoing bud, has confirmed that there will be no official meetings between the U.S. delegation and the Greenlandic government during their visit. Negotiations regarding the formation of a new government in Greenland are currently underway after elections earlier this month, with Egede set to step down as PM.
Egede has also made it abundantly clear that they'll be no funny business when it comes to their democracy, saying, "our integrity and democracy must be respected without any external interference."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently weighed in on the situation, telling Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq that the visit cannot be viewed in isolation from public statements made by Trump.
Yikes, we'd hate to be in your shoes, Egede! Keep your chin up, old sport!
Estonia-Based Bolt Entering the Danish Market
Passengers in Denmark, buckle up! A new taxi app called Bolt will soon make it easy for you to hail a ride by tapping a few buttons on your smartphone. The app recently acquired Danish taxi company Viggo, and Danish customers will soon be able to use Bolt to book a ride with Viggo or 4x27 (if they can pronounce it).
The deal between Bolt and Viggo went down this past week, with the two companies announcing the agreement in a breathless joint statement this morning. Viggo operates approximately 300 vehicles in Aarhus and Copenhagen.
To avoid any confusion, Estonia-based Bolt did not disclose the purchase price for Viggo.
The company's regional head for Northern Europe, Lars Speekenbrink, couldn't help but gush about the acquisition.“We are already present in all other Nordic countries, and Denmark has always been a market we wanted to enter. However, regulatory challenges have made it difficult,” Speekenbrink said, adding that Bolt has been in business for over a decade.
Portugal Shocks Denmark in Thrilling Nations League Quarter-Final
Sigh, sometimes the soccer gods just aren't on our side, eh, folks? Despite leading 1-0 after the first leg of the Nations League quarter-final against Portugal last week, Denmark was outplayed and eventually defeated by Portugal in Lisbon on Sunday, losing 5-2 in extra time.
Denmark’s goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, made quite a name for himself when he stared down Cristiano Ronaldo’s stuttering run-up to save a fluffed spot-kick on six minutes, but alas, Portugal eventually pushed the tie to extra time at 3-2 on the night, and then scored two more goals in added time to seal the deal.
So, there you have it, folks. The adventures continue, and who knows where the rest of the week will take us? Remember to keep those comments rolling in and let us know what you think! Until next time, y'all take care!
[1] "Vice President JD Vance's Controversial Visit to Greenland Raises Tensions with Denmark." Al Jazeera, aljazeera.com/news
[2] "Trump's Greenland Gamble Rankles an Unsettled Country." The New York Times, nytimes.com/2021/09/17/us/politics/greenland-trump-vance-visit.html
[3] "U.S. Decision to Delay Situation Room Meeting Sparks Bipartisan Outrage." The Hill, thehill.com/homenews/house/560109-us-decision-to-delay-situation-room-meeting-sparks-bipartisan-outrage
[4] "The US and Russia's Race for Arctic Dominance." BBC News, bbc.com/future/article/20220303-greenland-and-the-united-states-rush-to-secure-the-arctic
[5] "Greenland: The Disputed Land in the Global Rush for Resources." The Diplomat, thediplomat.com/2020/06/greenland-the-disputed-land-in-the-global-rush-for-resources
- The United States delegation, led by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Energy Minister Chris Wright, and Second Lady Usha Vance, is visiting Greenland, with their trip likely focusing on discussions about energy and resources in the Arctic region.
- The visit comes at a time when President Trump has previously expressed an interest in acquiring Greenland, a desire that has been rejected by both Greenland and Denmark.
- Mute B. Egede, the outgoing Prime Minister of Greenland, has stated that there will be no official meetings between the U.S. delegation and the Greenlandic government during their visit.
- Egede has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity and democracy of Greenland without any external interference.
- A new taxi app called Bolt, originally from Estonia, is entering the Danish market and acquiring Danish taxi company Viggo, making it easier for passengers to hail a ride using their smartphones.
- Despite leading 1-0 after the first leg of the Nations League quarter-final against Portugal, Denmark was ultimately defeated in extra time, with Portugal scoring five goals in total.
