Copenhagen

Greenpeace protests against coal transport

Greenpeace LogoCopenhagen - Activists from environmental group Greenpeace Tuesday tried to board a ship loaded with coal between the main Danish islands of Zealand and Fyn.

The protest, staged in two dinghies, was timed to coincide with the UN climate change conference that opened Monday in Poznan, Poland.

The 300-metre long vessel was loaded with coal from South Africa and was headed for Aabenraa where Danish energy group Dong Energy operates a coal-fired plant.

Greenpeace said it was "shameful" that Denmark each year imports some 8.3 million tons of coal, generating 19 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Danish navy vessel leads operation against Somali pirates

SomaliaCopenhagen - The Danish navy was involved over the weekend in an operation against pirates of the coast of Somalia, a Royal Danish Navy spokesman said Monday.

Spokesman Jesper Lynge told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that the Danish Task Group onboard the Danish navy vessel Absalon "led an operation" after reports that a civilian vessel was being threatened by pirates.

The Danish Task Group currently leads the Task Force 150.

Absalon, with a 100-strong crew and a 50-strong task force, has since early September been deployed in the waters off Somalia, Lynge said.

CSC team hits a bump as incoming sponsor is bankrupt

Team CSC LogoCopenhagen - The new sponsor for the CSC team of Danish ex-cyclist Bjarne Riis is bankrupt, reports said Monday.

Asger Jensby, chairman and co-owner of IT Factory, told Danish news agency Ritzau that the company is to file for bankruptcy.

A warrant has been filed for the group's chief executive who is suspected of fraud, the report said.

As of 2009, IT Factory was to have become co-sponsor of the racing team along with online investment bank Saxo.

US-based IT company CSC has been the team's main sponsor for the past eight years but in March said it was pulling out of professional cycling.

Danish foreign minister leaves Thailand, a day late

Per Stig MollerCopenhagen  - Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller was able to leave Thailand a day late Thursday on a flight departing from a military airport, Danish media reported.

Thousands of protesters have since Tuesday night controlled the international airport Suvarnabhumi, one of South-East Asia's main aviation hubs.

Moller accompanied Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary on an official visit to Thailand marking the 150-year anniversary of a friendship and trade agreement between the two nations.

Referendum set to give Greenland more autonomy

Greenland MapCopenhagen/Nuuk, Greenland - Voters in Greenland went to the polls Tuesday to vote in a referendum on gaining more autonomy within Denmark.

A clear majority of the approximately 39,000 voters was expected to approve the plan, by voting "aap" or "yes" to the plan.

The Arctic island has had home rule since 1979. If the referendum is approved, Greenland aims to secure partial control over its natural resources and take greater charge of justice and legal affairs.

Danish Supreme Court to try terror T-shirt convictions

Denmark FlagCopenhagen - The Danish Supreme Court was set to try the convictions of six people sentenced for supporting terrorist groups by selling T-shirts, an appeals board said Tuesday.

The Eastern High Court in September sentenced two persons to six- month jail terms. The others received suspended prison sentences ranging from 60 days to four months.

A seventh suspect was freed of the charges under anti-terrorism laws of using proceeds from the T-shirt sales to fund the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

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