DF surges in latest poll
The right-wing Dansk Folkeparti (DF) is on the verge of becoming parliament’s second largest party, according to a Greens Analyseinstitut poll. The poll of 1,191 voters found that DF would add nine seats if an election were to be held today, bringing its total to 31 representatives in the 179-seat parliament. The poll results are the party’s best since 2006, during the controversy over caricatures of the prophet Mohammed. Only DF ally Venstre (V) would receive more seats, with 50. However, if the polls hold and the two parties do manage to secure a majority between them, V should expect that DF would use its power to block key V legislation, such as tax cuts, that it is opposed to, DF leader Kristian Thulesen Dahl warned. The next general election must be held by September 2015. – Børsen
Applause for Akkari
Ahmed Akkari, a former imam and one of the protagonists of the 2006 uprisings over caricatures of the prophet Mohammed, was greeted by applause during his first public appearance after announcing last month that he regretted his role in the matter. The public reaction to Akkari's turn-around has been mixed, and some, including Naser Khader, a former MP who Akkari said should be killed if he ever became minister, remain unconvinced about his motives. But last night, he was met with overwhelming sympathy by the 200 people who attended the debate in the Jutland town of Kolding.
Al-Qaeda losing interest in Denmark
The risk of an attack on Denmark carried out by members of al-Qaeda has fallen, say terrorism experts. Their evaluation is based on a decline in the number of times Denmark is named in al-Qaeda rhetoric. Terrorism watchers and law-enforcement officials warn that Denmark remains a target, but say that the civil war in Syria and other events abroad have greater priority for the organisation for the time being. – Information
Costly Metro construction delays
The decision last week forcing a halt to round-the-clock construction at selected Metro construction sites due to concerns about noise could cost Metroselskabet, the underground railway’s operator, 750 million kroner. In an interview, Henrik Ploughmann Olsen, the company’s managing director, said not being able to work at night would delay completion of the 18-station, 22 billion kroner Cityringen line by six months. – Berlingske
Marriage made at sea
Shipping lines Maersk Tankers and Torm are said to be in discussions over a possible merger that would see the creation of world’s largest shipper of petroleum products. A.P. Moller-Mærsk, Maersk Tankers’ parent company, is already one of the world’s largest shipping firms, while Torm has been seeking a way to turn itself around after the company was rescued by banks in 2011. Analysts said the deal would secure Maersk’s position in the market, while the expansion of its tanker fleet would make it easier to sell off the business unit at a later date. – Berlingske Business
New doping revelations expected
American anti-doping experts assisting Danish authorities with investigations into the conduct of Danish riders, coaches and medical professionals say the public should expect new revelations to be made in the months to come. One of the US experts, Bill Brock, the general counsel for the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and a key player in toppling Lance Armstrong, said the investigation into former riders, including confessed dopers Bjarne Riis and Michael Rasmussen, is being conducted under oath and could result in legal action. – DR News
Anti-doping hotline
Anti-Doping Denmark has announced that it will establish a hotline that will allow informants to tip off investigators to the misuse of performance-enhancing drugs. Doping hunters said the initiative was targeted at athletes at both the elite and recreational levels, as well as their suppliers. Similar hotlines in other countries, Danish authorities said, have helped nab doped athletes. – Politiken
