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When we stressed up Westerners try and imagine Heaven on Earth, our thoughts often wander to parts of the World like Provence and Tuscany. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone ought to experience these parts of the planet once in their lifetime. But there is more to life than stone pines and slurring locals who refuse to speak proper Italian. If you have the money and don't mind travelling back in time, you might enjoy this part of southern Sweden that isn't especially Swedish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTty2EF12c4 Österlen is a part of Scandinavia that few people know of. Even over here in the...

Welcome to Eurabia! "Unrest continues near vacated Malmö mosque," from The Local, December 18 (thanks to Patrick Poole): Fresh disturbances erupted on Wednesday evening near the basement location which had previously served as a mosque in Malmö's Rosengård district. Fireworks were aimed at police and several fires were lit when police arrived to blockade the basement office with containers. Tensions in the area were still high as of 12.30am Thursday morning, according to police in Skåne. One man was arrested during the evening on suspicions of preparing to commit assault. Three other men and boys were also detained. The youngest,...

- In Sweden that is. All the same, if various experts are right, the Nordic countries are not only the richest part of the world, but also global leaders in the domain of QUALITY of life. Therefore, living in this part of Stockholm is probably as good as life gets, or? The article: "The Stockholm suburb of Danderyd is the best municipality in which to live, according to a new ranking by the magazine Fokus. Lund and nearby Lomma in southern Sweden follow closely behind. Ljusnarsberg municipality in the Bergslagen region of central Sweden ended up in last place. The...

Ancient stone circle found in Skåne Published: 9 Dec 07 10:57 CET Ancient remains including a 3,000 year-old stone circle and presumed place of sacrifice have been discovered near Vitemölla on Österlen in the far south of Sweden. The site extends over two hectares and is older and bigger than the region's celebrated Ale's Stones. The site, presumed to date from the bronze age, is reported to be probably the largest stone circle in the whole of northern Europe. The find was made by Bob G Lind, a private researcher and archeoastronomer, reports Kvällsposten. Lind has named the stone circle...

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Birgit Nilsson, whose prodigious voice, unrivaled stamina and thrilling high notes made her the greatest Wagnerian soprano of the post-World War II era, has died. She was 87. A funeral was held Wednesday at a church in her native town of Vastra Karup in southern Sweden with only her closest relatives attending, said Fredrik Westerlund, the church's vicar. He did not know when Nilsson died or the cause of death. Born on a farm in Vastra Karup, Nilsson reigned supreme at opera houses around the world during her long career, which began with her debut in 1946...