News

Denmark’s King Frederik X Takes The Throne After Abdication Of Queen

Published

11 months ago

2024-01-14

Kiara Grace

Denmark’s King Frederik X has ascended to the throne following his mother, Queen Margrethe II’s resignation, appearing emotional as he waved to the thousands who came to the capital, Copenhagen, to witness the beginning of a new era.

Many Danes had only known his mother Margrethe as a monarch. However, her surprising abdication after more than five decades on the throne cleared the way for her son, former Crown Prince Frederik, to succeed her.

Margrethe signed a statement of her abdication, officially handing the throne to Frederik, during a cabinet meeting at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, the Danish capital.

Denmark’s King Frederik X Takes The Throne After Abdication Of Queen

Despite the cold weather, large crowds gathered in Copenhagen’s streets, with the occasional burst of song reverberating across the crowds as they waited for the historical moment.

Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, then officially proclaimed the King’s accession from the palace balcony, a ritual that dates back to the 1849 constitution.

After the proclamation, Frederik delivered a brief address before being joined by his Australian-born wife, Queen Mary and their four children, including Crown Prince Christian, the new heir to the throne.

“Today, the throne is passed on. “My ambition is to become the unifying king of tomorrow,” Frederik stated. His mother, he declared, “will be remembered forever as an extraordinary regent.”

Prime Minister Frederiksen extended “a deepfelt and devoted thanks” to Queen Margrethe on behalf of the nation.

“Being queen and King is a link in a more than thousand-year-old chain. When one steps aside, the next is ready. And the crown prince who has now become our monarch is a king that we know, like, and trust,” she stated.

Kasper Wiigh Larsen, 45, was among the thousands of people lined the capital’s streets. “It brought tears in a joyful way to see him do so well up on the balcony, both with his speech and when Mary came out and held his hands and finished with a kiss,” a source told Reuters.

Britain’s King Charles III, crowned last summer, welcomed the new King and queen.

“I look forward to working with you on ensuring that the enduring bond between our countries, and our families, remains strong, and to working together with you on issues which matter so much for our countries and the wider world,” he wrote in his letter.

Margrethe, aged 83, was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch and the world’s last reigning queen. In a breathtaking live address on New Year’s Eve, she announced the end of her historic 52-year career.

She stated that after a recent back surgery, she had considered “whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation” and had decided “that now is the right time.”

The queen appeared distraught, saying, “God save the King,” as she signed the Council of State, gave up the throne, and fled the room.

Denmark’s King Frederik X Takes The Throne After Abdication Of Queen

According to the Danish Royal House, Margrethe will continue to be titled as Her Majesty and can be appointed acting regent. This implies she can execute her duties as head of state when neither King Frederik nor Crown Prince Christian is available, such as if they are away. Other Danish royals who can serve as acting regents if necessary include Mary, Frederik’s brother Prince Joachim, and his aunt, Princess Benedikte.

While the Danish monarchy is one of Europe’s oldest, dating back over a thousand years, there is no traditional crowning ceremony. As a result, foreign leaders and high-profile dignitaries did not attend, with the Danish transition being a far less dramatic event than King Charles III’s coronation in May.

Nonetheless, the streets were packed with fans enjoying the spectacle.

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy; the royals serve as significant but symbolic ambassadors and sign new legislation. The elected parliament and its government are situated at Christiansborg Palace in the middle of Copenhagen, the capital.

On Sunday, King Frederik X paid his final visit as crown prince and left Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands as their governing King.

Birgitte Borup, culture editor at Danish newspaper Berlingske, told CNN that the transfer between monarchs will be “very different” from 1972 “simply because the queen is still alive.”

“For the first time in 900 years, a Danish king or queen has abdicated.” It will be a more celebratory affair than the last time a young Margrethe took over,” she stated. “The queen’s decision to abdicate was shocking, but most Danes seem to understand that she wants to pass on the torch due to declining health.”

In Denmark, monarchs seldom abdicate. The last Danish King to do so was King Eric III, who gave up the crown in 1146 to join a monastery. However, the tradition is more frequent in other European royal houses.

Borup stated that Denmark was “entering a new modern era” and that, while Frederik had broad support from Danes throughout his tenure as crown prince, he would have work to do as monarch.

Denmark’s King Frederik X Takes The Throne After Abdication Of Queen

“He might continue to make the monarchy more accessible to the public. His greatest job will be to keep the monarchy popular and relevant in the coming years.

Back in Denmark, the royal couple gained followers and tried to modernize the monarchy, raising their four children – 18-year-old Christian, 16-year-old Isabella, and 13-year-old twins Vincent and Josephine – in as normal a manner as possible and sending them to public schools.

The Danish royal family is less formal than its British counterparts. They have been commended for their down-to-earth demeanour and are frequently seen out and about, shopping, dining, or riding bicycles in public, just like the rest of the population.

These topics covered by Frederik and Mary’s responsibilities covered climate catastrophe, sustainability, public health, and women’s and girls’ rights, which have helped them gain popular trust.

Borup stated that Mary may not have been born a royal, “but you’d think she was.”

“She carries herself with such grace and is an amazing representative for the nation of Denmark,” the Berlingske culture editor wrote. “She is known for always being well-prepared and has taken on some significant duties, such as raising awareness about domestic abuse.

“When Mary and Frederik met in Australia, the notion went that she was fortunate to run across a fairytale prince. I believe time has proven he was much lucky.”

SOURCE – (CNN)

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.

The Prime Minister dances.

This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.

Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf

— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

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News

Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

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News

Canada’s Lotto Max Jackpot Climbs to $80M

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
Numbers cannot be repeated
Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
Each play buys 3 lines
Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)