Inside Scandinavia's First Women-only Mosque

Scandinavian Islamist Junes Kock Calls on Syrian Mujahideen to Unite against International Coalition

Europe's Populists Build on Hostility to Brussels, Immigration and Islam
DEUTSCHE WELLE: Right-wing populist parties are on the rise across large swathes of Europe, as demonstrated in Finland this week. Bolstered by resentments over the EU, immigration and Islam, their leaders have seized the moment.

The success of the anti-immigration, euroskeptic True Finns in Sunday's elections may have proved a shock to Finland's political elite, but the signs were already there.

Populist right-wing parties across Europe have benefited from a growing resentment towards the European Union, Islam and immigration, meaning Timo Soini's True Finns are far from being alone.

Soini, whose party gained 39 seats in the 200-seat Finnish legislature, wants to reduce immigration and to oppose Finnish backing for EU bailout funds.

Across the Baltic, the like-minded Swedish Democrats garnered 5.7 percent of the vote in last September's vote, surpassing the 4 percent barrier and gaining parliamentary representation for the first time.

The party's success under young leader Jimmie Akesson meant the country's center-right and liberal coalition was forced to preside as a minority government. Despite having far-right roots, the Swedish Democrats have managed to adopt a more accessible, moderate image and have capitalized on growing resentment of immigration.

Over the border in Norway, the anti-immigrant Progress Party enjoyed its best-ever results in 2009, winning 23 percent of the vote. The party is seeking to widen its appeal by distancing itself from the more extremist views on immigration and focusing on more traditional left-right politics such as criticism of the welfare state.

Rounding out the Scandinavian countries, the Danish People's Party is building on what is now an established position within the country's parliament. It has been the third biggest party since 2001 and has garnered much support with its appeals against a perceived, creeping "Islamification" of Denmark. » | Author: Richard Connor (AFP, Reuters) | Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Scandinavian Bourse Targeted for Take-Over by Owner of Dubai’s Stock Exchange
THE SUNDAY TIMES: THE owner of the Dubai stock exchange is to seek approval from the board of the leading Scandinavian bourse to make a full £2 billion takeover offer for the exchange this week.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which owns the emirate’s fledgling stock exchange, has lined up meetings with key shareholders of Swedish-based OMX and the company management, ahead of a planned full bid pitched at 230 kronor (£16.70) per share.

Representatives of the Dubai exchange are also to meet members of the Swedish government and local regulators this week in an effort to win support for its approach to OMX.

Dubai’s move could have profound repercussions for the London Stock Exchange, with the OMX deal heralding a new wave of global consolidation of bourses. Dubai is thought to have visions of creating a pan-European exchange to include the LSE – which has just bought Borsa Italiana – and OMX. The new combine would rival NYSE/Euronext, created by the joining of the New York exchange and the Paris-based European exchange last year.

Insiders said that the idea of including Nasdaq, the aggressive American market, has also been considered, but Dubai is nervous of a political backlash if it buys in America. Dubai poised to bid £2bn for Nordic bourse (more) By Louise Armitstead

Mark Alexander