Danske Bank too big
Reports of emergency meetings between then national bank director Nils Bernstein and leaders of Danske Bank, the nation’s largest, during the height of the financial crisis has some saying that the bank is too big and holds too much power over the country’s finances. Fears that the bank could have collapsed during the crisis without enough liquid assets on hand to cover its customers' deposits and loans have some saying that the bank, which has a balance that is nearly double Denmark’s GDP, should be broken up into smaller entities. At the height of the crisis, Danske Bank’s liquid assets amounted to less than three percent of its balance sheet. – Berlingske
Bush helped Fogh win NATO top spot
The former PM, Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Venstre), received a helping hand from former US President George W. Bush when he was appointed secretary general of NATO in 2009. Although Fogh's good buddy Bush was no longer president, he advised incoming president Barack Obama that Fogh was the best man for the job. Former Bush advisor Damon Wilson said that Rasmussen asked Bush for help at a meeting at Bush’s Texas ranch in 2008. Wilson said that Bush wanted to reward Fogh for his support of the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. – Politiken
Dane murdered in Lithuania
A 57-year-old Danish man was beaten to death with a crowbar by a 17-year-old boy he had hired to help him with the renovation of a house he had purchased in Lithuania. Relatives of the murdered man, Erland Elgaard Nielsen, say they suspect that his death was the result of an argument over money. After killing Nielsen, the 17-year-old stole, and subsequently wrecked, his car. The boy originally told police that he was watching over Nielsen’s house and vehicle because he had taken a trip back to Denmark. He has since admitted to the killing. Police speculate that the crime happened sometime in early July. – TV 2 News
More battered women seeking help
The number of battered women seeking help at shelters has increased significantly. According to the latest figures, there were 300 percent more inquiries in 2012 than there were ten years ago, and a 50 percent increase between 2011 and 2012. The majority of shelter inquiries come from the abused women themselves, but friends, neighbours and other colleagues have also been seeking help for the victims. Around-the-clock contact hours, better communication and more willingness to break taboos and report the violence were some of the reasons cited for the dramatic increase. – Information
Søvndal denounces Egyptian military
Foreign Minister Villy Søvndal (Socialistisk Folkeparti) has joined other leaders around the world in denouncing Egyptian security forces for their role in the ongoing violence in that country. “I am deeply concerned about the violent clashes in Egypt and the killing of protesters,” Søvndal said. “Authorities, including the military, have the responsibility to prevent these deaths. The freedom of expression and a right to peaceful demonstrations must be respected.” More than 70 people have died in Egypt during violent clashes between security forces and supporters of former President Mursi. Søvndal called on both sides to sit down and work toward a peaceful solution. – DR News
