Denmark has announced the cessation of state-approved oil exploration in the North Sea, with a complete phase-out of extraction by 2050. This decision, aimed at supporting the EU's carbon-neutrality goal, has been met with mixed reactions from environmental groups and activists. While Greenpeace hailed it as a significant step, others, including Greta Thunberg, criticized the timeline for not being ambitious enough. Denmark's move is expected to result in a financial loss but is seen as a necessary step to reduce CO2 emissions. The country has been a major oil producer in the EU, and this decision marks a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, with expectations of job transitions in the industry. The Danish government remains confident that this will not jeopardize the nation's wealth, as investments in renewable energy, particularly wind power, are anticipated to create new jobs.

The article discusses the reinstatement of border controls by Germany and other EU countries, signaling a potential end to free movement within the Schengen Area due to the COVID-19 pandemic. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's call for a unified approach contrasts with the actions taken by the German government to limit movement. The situation in Denmark is highlighted, where the government has imposed severe restrictions and passed emergency laws that have raised concerns about the violation of democratic freedoms. Spain's political turmoil amidst the crisis is also covered, with the government's delayed response and the call for a national unity government. The article concludes with France's approach to the pandemic, including the closure of establishments and the continuation of municipal elections, despite the health crisis.

European countries, including Germany, Denmark, and Spain, have reinstated border controls and implemented severe restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, challenging the free movement within the Schengen Area. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's call for a unified approach was contradicted by the need to disrupt infection chains, leading to partial border closures. Denmark has enacted the most severe restrictions since WWII, including the right to expropriate private property and enforce medical treatment. Spain's government, after internal disputes, declared a state of alert, centralizing control to manage the crisis. France, while closing non-essential public spaces, proceeded with municipal elections and has been criticized for insufficient testing. These measures reflect the tension between managing public health and maintaining democratic freedoms and economic stability.

The article discusses the reinstatement of border controls by Germany and other EU countries, which could signal the end of free movement within the Schengen Area. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's call for a unified approach contrasts with the actions taken by German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer to limit movement. The article also covers the situation in Denmark, where the government has implemented severe restrictions and emergency laws in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19. It highlights the political implications of these measures and the potential erosion of democratic freedoms. The situation in Spain is also examined, where the government's delayed response to the pandemic has led to a state of alert and political turmoil. The article concludes with observations on France's approach to the crisis, including the decision to proceed with municipal elections and the lack of widespread testing.

In Brazil's tobacco capital, Santa Cruz Do Sul, Danish Philip Morris political chief Alexander Nepper promotes the company's shift away from cigarette sales. However, the tobacco cultivation process involves high pesticide use, some banned in the EU, causing health issues for farmers. Danwatch and Repórter Brasil's investigation in southern Brazil reveals extensive pesticide use, poor working conditions, and child labor. Despite Philip Morris' claims of providing education and safety equipment, many farmers do not use protective gear. The article also discusses the health risks of nicotine exposure and the challenges of enforcing safety standards. Philip Morris and British American Tobacco acknowledge the issues but emphasize their efforts to improve practices.

The article discusses the plight of two Syrian friends, Ayham and Khalil, who remained on the Greek island of Lesbos after the infamous migrant camp was destroyed by fire in 2020. Avoiding police, they live in dire conditions, scavenging for scrap metal to sell at low prices in order to afford food. The story highlights their enduring friendship and shared memories of Aleppo, as they cope with their current situation and the bureaucratic delays that keep them in limbo. The piece sheds light on the human aspect of the refugee crisis, focusing on the resilience and dreams of individuals affected by the Syrian Civil War.

Marvel's upcoming film 'Captain America: New World Order' has sparked criticism for featuring an Israeli Mossad agent named Sabra, played by Israeli actress Shira Haas. Palestinian voices, including Palestinian-Canadian lawyer Diana Buttu, argue that the character dehumanizes Palestinians and romanticizes Israeli military violence. The character Sabra, which predates the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre, is seen as controversial due to its association with Israeli symbolism and the historical displacement of Palestinians. The film's announcement coincides with increased Israeli military operations in the West Bank and reports of Palestinian casualties, further fueling the controversy.

Danish political parties Alternativet and Enhedslisten are calling for legislative changes following Danwatch's revelations that the Danish Frogman Corps trained military units in Africa known for committing serious human rights abuses, including murder, torture, rape, and village burnings. The training missions in question took place between 2016 and 2020 in Mali and Cameroon. Despite knowledge of these abuses, the Danish Defense Ministry allowed the training to continue. There is currently no Danish law prohibiting the training of military units that violate human rights, contrasting with U.S. laws established in 1997. Enhedslisten is drafting a proposal to prevent such training, and Alternativet supports greater involvement of human rights organizations in training missions. The issue has gained relevance as Denmark can now participate in EU military training missions in Africa after a majority voted to abolish the defense opt-out.

Danwatch has revealed that the Danish Frogman Corps trained 24 soldiers in Cameroon who were later deployed against their own population in Mamfé, despite the Danish Defence being aware of potential civilian casualties. Denmark continued its training mission in March 2018, three months after the battles around Mamfé, where Danish-trained special forces participated and the civilian population was subjected to torture and arbitrary executions by the Cameroonian army, according to Amnesty International. Human Rights Watch and experts have expressed concern over Denmark's training of civil war troops, and a Cameroonian human rights advocate believes Denmark is complicit in crimes committed during the conflict. The Danish Defence states it cannot control other nations' forces and did not witness human rights violations during training. However, the Danish Defence was informed of the deployment of COPALCO soldiers in Mamfé and a leader's indifference to civilian casualties. Despite this, Denmark's training of other Cameroonian special forces continued in 2018, shifting focus from Boko Haram in the north to English-speaking separatists in the west. The Cameroonian army's operations in Mamfé have been marked by civilian executions and extensive torture, with the first mass displacement of civilians in the conflict occurring there. The Danish Frogman Corps trained COPALCO in surface swimming and the use of AK-47 and AK-74 rifles, with limited instruction on human rights. The Danish Defence increased its focus on human rights in training after concerning statements from COPALCO leaders. Human Rights Watch, experts, and Cameroonian human rights advocates criticize Denmark's training of soldiers for the civil war, with Denmark being called complicit in the army's crimes. The civil war in Cameroon continues into its fifth year, with recent government soldier killings in Missong and the burning of Mamfé's central hospital, allegedly by separatists.

Danish Frogman Corps trained soldiers from the Cameroonian special forces unit Bataillon d’Intervention Rapide (BIR), which is notorious for human rights abuses such as killings, rapes, and torture. The training, which began in March 2016 and continued until at least 2017, has been criticized by Human Rights Watch and other experts. Despite public reports of BIR's violations, Denmark's Defense chose to train the unit multiple times. The training was part of efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and Boko Haram in northern Cameroon. However, the BIR operates under direct orders from Cameroon's authoritarian president, Paul Biya, and has been implicated in ongoing human rights violations, including in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon.