Day: April 16, 2024

Denmark’s historic old stock exchange building in the centre of Copenhagen has been engulfed by fire, the BBC reports.

The 17th Century Børsen is one of the city’s oldest buildings and onlookers gasped as its iconic spire collapsed in the flames.

Everyone inside the building was able to leave and people rushed to rescue some of its historic paintings.

Culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said 400 years of Danish cultural heritage had gone up in flames.

The building, dating back to 1625, is a stone’s throw from Denmark’s parliament, the Folketing, and the royal palace, Christiansborg. Danish media said the nearby square was being evacuated.

The old stock exchange was being renovated and had been shrouded in scaffolding and protective plastic covering. It currently houses the Danish chamber of commerce, which described the scenes on Tuesday morning as a terrible sight.

Local craftsman Henrik Grage told Danish TV that it was a tragic day. “This is our Notre-Dame,” he said, comparing it with the fire that engulfed the roof and spire of the cathedral in the center of Paris in 2019.

Armenia asks World Court to pursue ethnic cleansing case against Azerbaijan – Public Radio of Armenia  Public Radio of Armenia – Official Web site

Baku ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ Complete, Armenia Tells Top UN Court  Barron’s

Israel-Azerbaijan Relationship Relies on Unholy Trinity of Oil, Arms & Intelligence  Horizon Weekly

Armenia asks World Court to pursue ethnic cleansing case against Azerbaijan  MSN

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On April 15, a mass rally was held near the Parliament building against the Russian-style Foreign Agents Law while the legislature’s Legal Issues Committee discussed the bill.

The protests began at 10 a.m. behind the Parliament building, and thousands joined in the evening from 7 p.m. The peaceful demonstrations continued until late midnight.

Riot police were out in full force, and water and gas cannons were mobilized near the Parliament. Public warnings were issued, urging peaceful demonstrators to disperse and “not to overstep the limits of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly” According to Georgian MIA, 14 people were detained during the protests. In spite of the rally the Legal Issues Committee endorsed the bill late at night. Speaker Shalva Papuashvili announced that the bill will be discussed in its first reading at a parliamentary plenary session on April 16.

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

The banner reads: “Forward to Europe! This way has no alternative!” Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Bikers join rally against Foreign Agents Law; Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

The banner reads: “We are not Грузия [Gruzia], we are Georgia [Sakartvelo]” Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

The banner quotes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as saying that the EU has no such regulation; Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

The banner reads: No to Russian Law (2:0); Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

Demonstrator with the flag of the First Republic of Georgia at a rally against the Foreign Agents Law; Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. The banners read: “Yes to Europe, No to Russian Law.” Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

The Georgian banner reads: “Are you paid in lari or rubles?” Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

The banner reads: No to Soviet Communist “Dream,” No to Russian Law; Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

The banner reads: “This” to your Russian Law” Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

The banner reads: “This law is a big Russian wall between us and the European Union” Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024; Flag of the First Republic of Georgia; Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

The banner reads: “You are Russians even from the Imedi TV drone.” Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

Demonstrators rally against Foreign Agents bill on April 15, 2024. Photo: Guram Muradovi/Civil.ge

The eurozone’s trade surplus in February this year amounted to 23.6 billion euros, after a surplus of 11.4 billion euros in January

A fire raged through one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings on April 16, causing the collapse of the iconic spire from the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange as passersby rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables