PRESS EUROPEAN

Denmark

Your choice

A DANISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION survey found that more parents are giving children gender-neutral names, in some cases to allow them to choose their gender as they grow up. Approximately 6,300 new-borns received genderneutral names in 2021, an 8.6 per cent rise on 2019, Denmark’s Statistics Office revealed.

The Netherlands

Buried treasure

ELEVENTH CENTURY gold pendants and 39 12th century silver coins discovered in Hoogwoud in North Holland are now on display at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. They were found in 2021 by Lorenzo Ruijter, 27, who has been a metal detectorist since he was 10.

Belgium

New status

A DRAFT law now officially recognises Buddhism in Belgium, paving the way for federal funding, official delegates and school lessons, following a 2006 application from the Belgian Buddhist Union. Austria is at present the only other European Union country where Buddhism is a formally accepted religion.

Germany

Too slow

EVA HOGL, Germany’s parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, said that slow defence procurement was hampering the Bundeswehr’s much-needed upgrade. In a 170-page report to parliament Hogl predicted that it would take 50 years to complete if it continued “at its current sluggish pace.”

France

Foul play

POLICE called to the French Canicross championships, where dogs run in tandem with athletes, were confronted with three dead dogs and another that was seriously ill. All had eaten meatballs later found to contain poison, according to a statement issued by the Nimes public prosecutor.

Norway

Gas-fired

GOVERNMENT-OWNED Petoro, the company that represents Norwegian interests in oil and gas contracts, made a net profit of Kr 539 billion (€46.6 billion) last year, more than double 2021’s amount. Higher production in several fields and the Snohvit gas field’s return to production bolstered the results.