Government to revamp unemployment reform
Multiple sources are reporting that the government is set to release a new unemployment benefit (dagpenge) model today in the face of mounting opposition to changes that took effect in January. The government believes that the new plan will save between 20,000 and 25,000 dagpenge recipients who will lose their rights as part of the reform. The plan will last until 2016, when the original plan will kick in. More about this story on cphpost.dk as it becomes available.
Taxman accused of intimidation
The tax authorities, Skat, have been accused of using illegal intimidation in their efforts to collect money owed to them. Hanne Søgaard Hansen, the head of Skatterådet, an oversight body, accused Skat of sending taxpayers threatening letters and fining accountants as much as 100,000 kroner for minor errors. – Jyllands-Posten
Vocational schools want to keep out bad students
Vocational schools want to have the right to implement admission requirements in order to keep the worst and least motivated students away from their classrooms. At Niels Brock vocational school, 112 out of 315 applicants for next semester were so under-qualified that the administration decided to give them an admissions test. Of those that have taken the test, 41 have failed. – Berlingske
Report: sorting makes recycling cheaper
A new report from environmental protection agency Miljøstyrelsen has ended the myth that it is difficult to recycle household rubbish. Some 55 percent of household waste can be recycled if it is sorted properly, according to the report. At the same time, it will be 200 kroner cheaper per household to get rid of waste than it is today. Currently only 17 percent of household waste is recycled. – Ingeniøren
Researchers: Parkinson’s spreads quickly
Doctors at Hvidovre Hospital have published ground-breaking research about Parkinson’s disease, showing that the condition affects certain parts of the brain much earlier than previously believed. The findings could help patients avoid some of the late-stage side-effects of the illness. – Videnskab.dk
Denmark still on ice hockey A list
Denmark held on to beat Belarus 3-2 at the ice hockey world championships in Stockholm yesterday to secure another year in the A division. Denmark raced to a 3-0 lead, but two Belarusian goals late in the second period reduced the advantage. Denmark managed to hold on and is now third from bottom in their eight-team group. – Sporten.dk
Greenland gets unexpected visitor
Two wildlife rangers from Sisimiut, Greenland, were in for a surprise during a recent patrol when they spotted the first albatros seen on the island since 1963. Photos sent to the Greenland Nature Institute confirmed the sighting. Albatrosses are normally found only in the southern hemisphere. – DR Nyheder
