Morning Briefing – Monday, July 1

The Copenhagen Post’s daily digest of what the Danish press is reporting

Espionage case could scuttle free-trade agreement

The European Union is contemplating whether or not to scrap the proposed free-trade agreement with the US after it was revealed that US intelligence services allegedly spied on central EU offices in Washington and New York using hidden microphones. “Partners don’t spy on each other,” EU’s justice commissioner, Viviane Reding, said during a citizens' meeting in Luxembourg. – Politiken

Elderly to be more self-sufficient

The government wants to move focus from passive home-case assistance to a more active rehabilitation program, according to the social minister, Karen Hækkerup (Socialdemokraterne). The government will receive recommendations form the home care commission today, which they hope will offer a financially sound solution to the future doubling of the elderly population, from 400,000 in 2012 to 800,000 in 2042. – Jyllands-Posten

Danes enjoying single life

Every third adult Dane lives without a partner or significant other and is more than happy to do so, according to a new survey compiled for TNS Gallup for Berlingske newspaper. But while nine out of ten are happy with being alone, seven out of ten still want to find a partner either now or later in life. One expert argued that they were content because they had time for their friends and their hobbies. – Berlingske

Scientists locate allergy genomes

A large international research study has pinpointed the ten genomes that are mainly responsible for hereditary allergy. The Danish-led research, which is based on the genetic sequencing of 30,000 people’s DNA, showed that people with allergies often have slight changes in ten places of their genomes. The researchers called the findings a breakthrough in allergy research. – Videnskab

Parents take holiday without the kids

More and more parents in Denmark are going on holiday without their kids. According to a survey by the Danish union of childhood and youth educators, Børne- og Ungdomspædagogernes Landsforbund (BUPL), 80 percent of education leaders have experienced that parents of children aged 0-5 go on holiday without their kids. That figure is 60 percent when the kids are between 6 and 14. – Kristeligt Dagblad

Bagger at it again

Stein Bagger, who has only just recently been granted a work release from prison after pulling off the biggest swindle in Danish history, has been charged with fraud once again. The fraud squad has charged Bagger with document forgery and embezzlement and suspect Bagger of leading a company, something that he was barred from doing as part of his punishment. Bagger denies the new charges. – metroxpress

Two Danes drafted to NHL

Two right wingers, Nick Sørensen and Oliver Bjorkstrand, are set to become the ninth and tenth Danes in the NHL after being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets during the NHL draft last night. Sørensen was picked in the second round and 45th overall while 18-year-old Bjorkstrand was drafted 89th overall in the third round. – Sportenkort.dk





  • How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    Being part of a trade union is a long-established norm for Danes. But many internationals do not join unions – instead enduring workers’ rights violations. Find out how joining a union could benefit you, and how to go about it.

  • Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals are overrepresented in the lowest-paid fields of agriculture, transport, cleaning, hotels and restaurants, and construction – industries that classically lack collective agreements. A new analysis from the Workers’ Union’s Business Council suggests that internationals rarely join trade unions – but if they did, it would generate better industry standards.

  • Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    The numbers are especially striking amongst the 3,477 business and economics students polled, of whom 31 percent elected Novo Nordisk as their favorite, compared with 20 percent last year.