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S2016 E14 Deterred from Denmark
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Denmark has just enacted one of the toughest measures yet to deter refugees from entering their country. Last week the parliament passed a law to seize assets totaling over $1450 from refugees seeking asylum. Items of "sentimental value" will be exempt. In addition, they will now have to wait three years before applying for their families to join them and their financial support will be cut by 10 percent.

Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and his centre-right government have faced tough international criticism, but say the laws have been misrepresented. They add they're needed to balance the budget and support the costs of housing a refugee. Denmark has been considered a top destination for refugees because of generous benefits provided to them by the state. More than 20,000 people are expected to apply for asylum in Denmark this year. Supporters claim these moves will bring refugees in line with Danes seeking government assistance and assure a better future is paid for. One lawmaker said it's an effort to make the country look "less attractive".

Anger against the measures has been loud, widespread and polarising among Danes. The UN has said the move may violate international law and that it could fuel fear and xenophobia; they've also expressed concern that the legislation puts even more lives at risk. Critics warn the laws will keep asylum seekers from integrating and move them to the fringes. Some have also said it will have widespread implications across the Schengen Area.

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2016/02/02 S2016 E15
Understanding the Zika threat

The World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency. The mosquito-borne Zika virus has been "spreading explosively" in the Americas. Cases have been reported in 23 countries and an estimated 3-4 million infections are expected in the next year. The virus, which was first detected in the Americas last year, has been linked with brain defects in unborn children and lifelong development issues. Most of those who are infected show no symptoms which makes tracking the virus extremely challenging.



As a way to curb its spread, governments in a number of infected countries, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador and Ecuador, are advising women to avoid pregnancy. This has reignited the debate around reproductive rights in Latin America, where access to abortion or contraception is either illegal or limited for the most part.



There is currently no cure for the Zika virus. A number of institutions are scrambling to develop a vaccine, but it is unlikely to be available for wide scale use for a number of years. In the meantime, to fight the outbreak, many countries are fumigating areas with mosquito breeding grounds. Brazil, which has had nearly 1.5 million reported Zika cases in since May 2015, has promised the deployment of 220,000 troops to assist with the distribution of informational pamphlets and help find areas with dense mosquito populations.



While some are sounding the alarm over the Zika outbreak, others are urging calm. Have any comments or questions about this spreading virus? Join our conversation at 19:30 GMT.