Sweden on Tuesday announced it would tighten border checks because of threats linked to the burning of the Quran in Stockholm.
However, it has not decided whether to ban Quran-burning protests that have soured Sweden’s relations with the Muslim world.
Any changes to freedom-of-expression laws will "take time", Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said at a press conference a day after the Quran was again set on fire in Stockholm.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sweden was at increased risk after repeated stunts involving the public desecration of holy texts.
He said his homeland was being used “as a stage to spread hateful messages” because of free expression laws allowing such protests to go ahead. Denmark has also warned of a heightened threat after similar protests took place there.
A tighter Swedish border policy will be finalised on Thursday to prevent people with "weak connections to Sweden" from causing disorder. Laws coming into effect this week give police new powers to search people and cars.
“You should not come to Sweden if you want to use Sweden as a stage to cause harm,” Mr Kristersson said.
Swedish authorities have said they do not approve of burning the Quran and that permits are granted for gatherings and not what takes place during them.
But that distinction has failed to quell anger at the burning of Islam’s holy book and Sweden’s embassy in Baghdad was attacked last month.
Mr Kristersson said Sweden was looking into changes that would allow police to block protests if there is a threat to national security.
Ministers are receiving daily intelligence updates in what Mr Kristersson said was a sign of a serious situation.
However, he said no wholesale changes were planned to free expression laws and said the government “stands up for Swedish freedom of speech”.
Sweden has been in the spotlight since a far-right activist burnt a Quran outside Turkey’s embassy in January.
A police attempt to ban subsequent protests was struck down by a court on the grounds of free expression.
Using permits, activists Salwan Najem and Salwan Momika have desecrated the Quran outside Iraq’s embassy, the main mosque and the Swedish parliament building, all in the capital Stockholm, in recent weeks.
Denmark has gone further than its neighbour by saying it intends to give police a “legal tool” to block such protests.
A Danish intelligence service believes the Quran burnings have led to a heightened risk of attacks, it told broadcasters.
The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Co-operation on Monday stated its “disappointment” on Monday with Sweden and Denmark’s response to the burnings.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom had written the OIC to stress the Swedish position that a permit does not equal approval of Quran burning.
But the organisation’s secretary general Hissein Brahim Taha said it was unfortunate Sweden and Denmark “continue to provide licences” on free expression grounds.
The OIC said Mr Taha would lead a delegation to the EU to urge officials there “to take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such criminal acts”.
An EU official recently told The National the bloc condemns the burning of the Quran but banning it was a question for individual member states.
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
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The specs: 2019 Jeep Wrangler
Price, base: Dh132,000
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 285hp @ 6,400rpm
Torque: 347Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.6L to 10.3L / 100km
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
ATP RANKINGS (NOVEMBER 4)
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,585 pts ( 1)
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8,945 (-1)
3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,190
4. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5,705
5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5,025
6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,000 ( 1)
7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 2,945 (-1)
8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,670 ( 1)
9. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,540 ( 1)
10. Gaël Monfils (FRA) 2,530 ( 3)
11. David Goffin (BEL) 2,335 ( 3)
12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,290
13. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2,180 (-2)
14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,125 ( 1)
15. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2,050 ( 13)
16. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2,000
17. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1,840 (-9)
18. Alex De Minaur (AUS) 1,775
19. John Isner (USA) 1,770 (-2)
20. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1,747 ( 7)
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Blonde
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
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In numbers
- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100
- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India
- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100
- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
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On Women's Day
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Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
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Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
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Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Fixtures
Friday Leganes v Alaves, 10.15pm; Valencia v Las Palmas, 12.15am
Saturday Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad, 8.15pm; Girona v Atletico Madrid, 10.15pm; Sevilla v Espanyol, 12.15am
Sunday Athletic Bilbao v Getafe, 8.15am; Barcelona v Real Betis, 10.15pm; Deportivo v Real Madrid, 12.15am
Monday Levante v Villarreal, 10.15pm; Malaga v Eibar, midnight
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Rashmee Roshan Lall: Sound of silence in South Asia
Richard Olson: Why Afghanistan will be very wary
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
War on waste
Transgender report
Tomorrow 2021
More coverage from the Future Forum
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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Greatest of All Time
MORE FROM ED HUSAIN: The UAE-Israel accord is a win for every Muslim
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
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Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
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Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
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The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
While you're here...
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
