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The sea of blood: Water turns red as Faroe Islands carry out annual dolphin slaughter while children watch
The sea of blood: Water turns red as Faroe Islands carry out annual dolphin slaughter while children watch

Daily Mail​

time13-06-2025

  • General
  • Daily Mail​

The sea of blood: Water turns red as Faroe Islands carry out annual dolphin slaughter while children watch

A Faroe Islands cove is today awash with the blood of dolphins and pilot whales after the first animals of the summer were butchered in a gruesome Viking tradition. The grindadrap, or 'grind' for short, is a 1,000-year-old Faroese custom which sees hunters encircle the animals with their fishing boats in order to drive them into a shallow bay. The terrified animals are then beached, allowing fishermen to brutally slaughter them with knives on the shore, with locals then feasting on their meat and blubber. Every summer, shocking images of the bloody hunt show the macabre ritual, which is strongly condemned by outraged animal rights defenders who consider the practice barbaric. Today's practice at Leynar, Streymoy, is believed to have seen around 200 pilot whales killed. Volunteers from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK say some were left struggling on rocks with women helping to bring in the kill due to a lack of men for the sheer number of animals beached. They described it as a 'disturbing scene in a high income nation' with almost as many children as adults present. The call to the slaughter went out just as school ended, with parents apparently bringing their offspring to watch after lessons. Rob Read of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation said: 'When children are taught to watch instead of protect, the cycle of violence continues unchecked. 'This isn't tradition - it's desensitisation. We must break the chain.' At the same time as the massacre, King Frederik X, Queen Mary, and Princess Josephine of Denmark are on an official visit to the Faroe Islands, arriving with the royal yacht Dannebrog and engaging in traditional ceremonies in Tórshavn and Koltur. 'The juxtaposition is stark: a royal historic tour, national costumes, public speeches - and on the same day, a violent medieval maritime practice using powerboats and modern tools,' a spokesperson for the foundation added. Each year, an average of around 700 long-finned pilot whales are caught, alongside varying numbers of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Female long finned pilot whales can live up to 60 years, whilst males can live up to 45 years. Like all cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises - long-finned pilot whales play a vital role in ocean ecosystems, helping to keep the oceans alive and thriving. This is a major reason volunteers have been lobbying to end the grind - which kills hundreds of whales every year. Since 1948, the hunt has been regulated by the Faroese authorities, required its participants to be trained, involved modern boats and communications, and been supervised by police. The practice dates back to the ninth century, and many Faroe Islanders consider eating whales to be an important part of their history. The Faroese also state that the hunt provides free food for their community. But campaign groups have labelled the hunt 'barbarous' and say it is no longer just about feeding the islanders, with excess meat and blubber sold off. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago forming part of the Kingdom of Denmark in the North Atlantic between Norway and Iceland.

Liberia: President Boakai Extols Denmark on 176th Constitution Day
Liberia: President Boakai Extols Denmark on 176th Constitution Day

Zawya

time05-06-2025

  • Business
  • Zawya

Liberia: President Boakai Extols Denmark on 176th Constitution Day

The President of the Republic of Liberia His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has sent a message of congratulations to His Majesty King Frederik X, King of the Kingdom of Denmark on the occasion of the 176th Anniversary of the signing of the Danish Constitution on June 5. In His Message to His Majesty King Frederik X, President Boakai extended warm congratulations to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Denmark on the occasion commemorating Denmark's Constitution Day on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in his own name. According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Boakai stressed that his Government deeply value the longstanding relationship with Demark, dating back to 1861. He stated that Denmark support both directly and through the European Union has played a pivotal role in the national development. The Liberian leader added that he look forward to strengthening cooperation in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, rule of law education and tourism. He then extended best wishes for His Majesty continued wellbeing, and for the people of Denmark, lasting peace and prosperity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

Queen Mary of Denmark dons daring ensemble to visit the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen
Queen Mary of Denmark dons daring ensemble to visit the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen

Daily Mail​

time04-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Daily Mail​

Queen Mary of Denmark dons daring ensemble to visit the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen

Queen Mary of Denmark donned a daring outfit as she visited the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen this morning. The Australian-born Queen, 53, put her best fashion foot forward as she arrived at the summit at DR Concert Hall. The mother-of-four stepped out in grey Bermuda shorts and a matching blazer which was cinched at the waist with an orange belt. She oozed confidence in the chic two piece which she completed with nude stiletto heels for the occasion. Upon Mary's arrival, she was greeted by Federica Marchionni, CEO of Global Fashion Agenda, and Alice Roberta Taylor, Chief of Staff. During her visit, Mary explored various stands at the fair and she was given a tour of the venue. Mary's brunette locks were styled in soft curls and her glam makeup enhanced her sophisticated look. The Global Fashion Summit, presented by Global Fashion Agenda, aims to foster industry collaboration on sustainability in fashion. Today marks the second day of the three-day event, which is taking place in and around Copenhagen - a city respected for its trendy street style and minimalist designs. As she turns her attention to the world of style, the Queen has brushed off harsh criticism levelled at herself and King Frederik X for turning their backs on one of their 'main promises'. The royal couple visited Nordre Toldbod in Copenhagen where they boarded their Royal Ship, Dannebrog, for the official launch of the 2025 sailing season. But the decision to board the mighty ship was scolded, as the vessel said to emit 60 times more CO2 than the average Dane emits in one year. The pair sail on board the yacht through Danish waters every year. This year they will set off on their first 'major' sail on August 25 for four days but the summer cruises often last as long as two weeks depending on the schedule. In 2024, their sailing tour also included trips to Sweden, Norway and Greenland. The ship's impact on climate change has been questioned by local royal and environmental experts who branded the move 'disappointing and pathetic', leaving the Royal House no choice but to respond. In a written, translated response to the Danish Broadcast Corporation, the Palace's new head of communications wrote: 'The Royal House is aware of the dilemma associated with Dannebrog being powered by conventional fuel. The mother-of-four stepped out in grey Bermuda shorts and a matching blazer which was cinched at the waist with an orange belt '[We are] currently investigating the possibility of using alternative fuels with a view to reducing emissions from the Royal Ship. 'At the same time, it is important to emphasise that Dannebrog is a historic ship with symbolic and representative significance for Denmark. It is a gathering point, no matter where in the Kingdom it is located. The royal ship is in great demand.' Royal House expert Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen told B.T. News that it was 'only a matter of time before the climate issue hit the Royal House', especially given the King's public commitment to the environment. 'As the royal couple, we are concerned with being able to contribute to passing the planet on to the next generation in good condition, which requires that we promote the green transition,' King Frederik wrote in his book 'King's Words' at the start of his reign. Before the drama hit, the royal pair were busy carrying out their jam-packed schedule while moving out of home and into their summer residence on the shore of Lake Esrum in Fredensborg with Queen Margrethe. They moved residences on Monday 5 May to Fredensborg Palace, where they will be taking up residence in the eastern wing, known as Chancellery House, for the summer. The King and Queen along with their three youngest children Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, moved into Fredensborg Palace alongside Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe, who had already taken up residence in the main palace. The expansive property on Zealand island in Denmark has plenty of room to accommodate the whole royal family. It is something of a homecoming for the royal couple, who lived full-time in the Chancellery from 2004-10 when he was still the Crown Prince and Amelienborg Palace in Copenhagen was being refurbished. But royal watchers are intrigued by the fact that former monarch Queen Margrethe is staying in the main palace, while the current King and Queen's family have moved into the secondary accommodation in Chancellery House. Royal expert and historian Lars Hovbakke Sørensen explained to Danish publication B.T. that it was 'completely unproblematic' for the current King and his family to be living in the palace's secondary residence. The expert explained that although it might seem unusual, Lars said it was an 'obvious' result of Queen Margrethe opting to abdicate the throne in 2024, rather than it passing to her son following her death. '[W]e have a completely different situation than ever before, where we have a living, former regent,' explained Lars. As the northern hemisphere summer approaches, the Danish royal family traditionally move their residence to Fredensborg Palace. For most of the year, Frederik and Mary live at Amalienborg with their four children – Crown Prince Christian, 19, Princess Isabella, 18, and 14-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. However, Prince Christian will not be joining the royal family at Chancellery House this summer as he remains stationed in the town of Slagelse as part of his compulsory military service.

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