Global News Roundup: Developments in Kinship Care, Immigration, and More

This week saw a mix of significant developments in various parts of the world, from a groundbreaking government pilot supporting kinship carers in England to a university student's detention in the US, and a Danish election called amidst a "Greenland bounce." Here's a summary of the key stories:

In England, a new government pilot scheme is set to provide financial support to kinship carers, who are relatives or family friends that take on full-time care for children. This move has been hailed as "groundbreaking" by charities, as it recognizes the crucial role kinship carers play in providing stable and loving homes for vulnerable children. The pilot, which will be rolled out in seven council areas, will provide a financial allowance to kinship carers in line with that of foster carers.

Across the Atlantic, a Columbia University student, Elmina Aghayeva, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Thursday morning. The student, who is a neuroscience major, was released after a social media campaign and intervention by the university's administration. This incident has sparked concerns about the treatment of international students in the US and the role of ICE in enforcing immigration policies.

In Denmark, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called an early election, seeking to capitalize on a "Greenland bounce" after Donald Trump's attempts to claim the Arctic territory. The move is seen as a strategic bid to boost her party's ratings ahead of the election, which is expected to take place in the coming months.

Meanwhile, in the UK, a bill to legalize assisted dying has hit a roadblock in the House of Lords, with some peers blocking its progress. Charlie Falconer, a former Labour minister, has criticized the filibustering tactics and expressed confidence that the bill will return in the next session.

In Germany, a cooling tower at a decommissioned power plant was demolished in a controlled explosion, marking a significant milestone in the country's transition away from coal. The power plant, which was shut down in line with Germany's Coal Phase-out Act, will be repurposed for various uses, including a large data center.

These stories highlight the diverse range of issues making headlines around the world, from social welfare and immigration to politics and environmental policy. As the news continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the lives of individuals and communities in the days and weeks to come.

Sources:
- Kinship carers in England to be given financial support in government pilot (The Guardian)
- Columbia says DHS detained student after agents entered university building (The Guardian)
- Danish PM calls an early election seeking ‘Greenland bounce’ (The Guardian)
- Assisted dying bill not at ‘end of the road’, peer says as time runs short (The Guardian)
- Moment cooling tower is demolished at German power plant (The Guardian)