Latest news

Political situation in France
Mayor wants to stop demonstration for murdered right-wing extremist

A demonstration will be held in Lyon on Saturday in memory of the murdered right-wing extremist Quentin Deranques. Many fear unrest and the mayor of Lyon has requested that the demonstration be banned. However, this is not something that France's interior minister intends to do, reports Le Monde.

Before President Emmanuel Macron traveled to India, he urged extremist parties on both the left and right to clean up their ranks among activists who justify violence.

The leader of the far-right National Rally party, Jordan Bardella, has urged elected representatives not to participate in the demonstration.

Trump's USA  Climate policy
Trump allows coal-fired power plants to emit more mercury

The US environmental agency EPA has decided under Donald Trump to weaken regulations on emissions of mercury and other toxins from coal-fired power plants, American media reports.

The decision is just the latest in a series of Trump's attempts to dismantle environmental legislation in favor of the fossil fuel industry.

The law that is now being dismantled was enacted in 2012 under Barack Obama and has reduced mercury emissions by almost 90 percent. Environmental organizations criticize the decision and say that it risks public health for those who live near coal-fired power plants.

Global challenges
Using drones to stop illegal dumping

To tackle illegal waste dumping in England, a force of 33 drones will be deployed to monitor vulnerable areas, reports The Guardian.

It is estimated that illegal dumping has cost society one billion pounds, equivalent to around twelve billion kronor. The decision on drones also comes after a leader of an illegal waste gang was sentenced to four months in prison and nearly 14 million kronor in fines for organizing illegal dumping.

The drones can be equipped with laser radar, also known as LiDAR, to create detailed maps of illegal waste sites. Phil Davies, who leads efforts to combat illegal dumping at the British Environment Agency, says the agency’s methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated and advanced as the gangs develop. 

Anonymous gift to Osaka – a 21-kilogram gold bar

The city of Osaka in Japan has been shocked by an anonymous gift in the form of a 21-kilogram gold bar worth nearly 36 million kronor, reports the AP. The anonymous donor has only one wish, to upgrade the city’s aging water system.

“It’s a staggering amount and I was speechless. Fixing aging water pipes requires enormous investment and I can’t thank you enough for the donation,” the city’s mayor, Hideyuki Yokoyama, told reporters on Thursday.

Yokoyama also said the city will respect the donor’s wishes and use the money for water supply projects. 

Police move to catch thief – dressed up as lion dancers

Thai police had to resort to special methods to catch an elusive serial thief this week. The choice fell on going undercover dressed up as lion dancers, reports AP.

In a video from Wednesday that Bangkok police have published, the costumed officers are seen dancing against the thief during the celebration of the Chinese New Year. As they approach, the police officer at the front of the suit throws himself at the man and arrests him.

The arrested man is accused of breaking into a Bangkok police chief's office on three occasions this month and stealing items worth almost 650,000 kronor. Police have tried to arrest him on several occasions but without success.