Palestine Action activists charged over UK base break-in
Two aircraft in southern England were sprayed with red paint last week, causing an estimated £7 million ($9.55 million) in damages and prompting the government to seek lawmakers' approval for a ban.
The group has condemned the move as an 'unhinged reaction' and is challenging its planned proscription, as the British government said it could be banned by the end of the week.
Counter-terror police on Wednesday charged the four suspects with 'conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom, and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.'
Prosecutors will argue the offences were terror-linked.
Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 35, Jony Cink, 24, and Lewie Chiaramello, 22, were remanded in custody to appear at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
A 41-year-old woman who was arrested 'on suspicion of assisting an offender' has been released on bail.
The proposed ban on Palestine Action would make it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Announcing the clamp-down, interior minister Yvette Cooper listed other attacks by Palestine Action at the Thales defence factory in Glasgow in 2022, and two last year against Instro Precision in Kent, southeast England, and Israel-based Elbit Systems in Bristol, in the country's southwest.
An urgent hearing to challenge the proscription will be held at the High Court in London on Friday.
The challenge was backed by Amnesty International and other rights groups.
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Daily Express
23 minutes ago
- Daily Express
‘History determines politics': Ex-AG says good time to revisit M'sia's formation
Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 By: David Thien Text Size: TOMMY said the concerns expressed by Sabahans and Sarawakians of domination by the Centre made its naked appearance within three years of Malaysia's formation. 'Stephen Kalong Ningkan's removal as Sarawak Chief Minister and his replacement by a pliable Penghulu Tawi Sli, made predictions of Kuala Lumpur's domination come true very quickly. 'The outbreak of the May 1969 riots in Kuala Lumpur without any manifestation in East Malaysia, the National Emergency that followed and the introduction of the National Economic Policy in 1971, proved critics right that race-based politics would be exported to East Malaysia.' Tommy said the politics that developed over the 60 years since 1963 is best understood against the historical background of the Federation. 'History determines politics. Without a past, how to understand the present or hope for the future? Hence, it is critical to consider the genesis of Malaysia's formation, which takes us back to the British Empire and World War II. As we complete the first quarter of the 21st century, this is as good a time as any to revisit our foundation. 'The major actors in this decolonisation exercise of the British Empire were Britain, Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei. Also playing a starring role were neighbouring Indonesia and Philippines, each hostile to any federation.' 'The United States looked at every development in international affairs from Cold War lenses.' 'Finally, the United Nations was directly involved in the final months of its creation. Prime Ministers Harold MacMillan and Tunku Abdul Rahman were pivotal, with Lee Kuan Yew having a significant presence. Leading the Opposition were the charismatic leaders of the Third World, President Sukarno and President Macapagal of the Philippines.' 'As one would expect, each of the nations and its leaders had differing interests in supporting or opposing the establishment of Malaysia.' 'None of their national interests were identical. Accordingly, it is proposed to consider how each of them acted in the run-up to 1963.' 'The primary source of information on the decision-making is found in the collection of documents compiled by one of Malaya's foremost historians, Professor Anthony Stockwell in the 'British Documents on the End of Empire' in the dedicated volume on Malaysia. 'Upon the reduction to 30 years of official documents for public release by the Wilson Government in 1965, nearly all the files and records became available for publication.' 'The Malaysia volume was published in 2004. Obviously, these documents tell the story of the making of Malaysia from the perspective of British policy-makers, but with that caveat, it is a treasure trove.' Tommy said the post-war separation of Singapore and Malaya was deeply regretted, not only by the Left but also by many British policy-makers not least on economic grounds, but the prospect of merger was always kept alive. 'In a despatch dated 25th October 1960 from Lord Selkirk, the UK High Commissioner in Singapore, to Iain MacLeod, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, British policy was succinctly stated as follows:- 'Our first recommendation is that Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom should accept as the ultimate aim of their policy the development of a political association between Malaya, Singapore and the Borneo territories such as would enable them to take their place within the Commonwealth as a single entity strong enough to resist encroachment from their neighbours or from Communist China. 'Though the exact form of union, federation or confederation that might emerge cannot be foreseen at this stage, we consider that some such broad association provides the only satisfactory evolution which will safeguard in the longer term not only the security, economic development and welfare of the territories themselves, but also, on a basis of consent, the United Kingdom's own essential defence interests consisting of the base in Singapore and the necessary deployment areas outside it.' However, this was met by this response from Sir William Goode, Governor of then North Borneo:- 'North Borneo is a strikingly beautiful country of happy, friendly people, busy building and planting for the future and still content with colonial rule.' He narrated that as the 1960's began, British foreign policy was to reduce or eliminate her colonial and defence commitments globally. MacMillan's famous 'Wind of Change' theme was announced in Ghana in January 1960, and repeated in Cape Town in February 1960. British policy in South-East Asia must, therefore, be viewed against the background of its overall imperial policy amid the setting of the British Sun all over the world. 'With regard to her remaining colonies in South-East Asia, a high-level Committee reported to Prime Minister MacMillan in October 1960. The aims of the British Government were stated by that Committee as follows:- (a) to contain Communism; (b) to maintain Western influence; The United Kingdom also has certain special obligations in the area:- (a) as the centre of the Commonwealth and the Sterling area; (b) to her dependent territories, notably responsibility for Hong Kong and prevention of Communist control over Singapore.' Tommy noted that constraints on UK's defence policy were highlighted, viz, that British resources and facilities could not continue for another decade (that is, into the 1970s) on 'present scales and in present terms'. More decisive was the high-cost factor in the light of her economic situation. A review of her defence role in South-East Asia was, therefore, urgently needed. At the same time, the total withdrawal of British forces could not be contemplated because that would mean abandoning her colonial responsibilities and her defence treaty with Malaya. 'The making of Malaysia, at least from the British perspective, also had an economic dimension. The British economy faced balance of payments problems and galloping defence costs associated with the Cold War. Stockwell writes:- 'Strategies of decolonisation could help Britain address these problems if, by moving from formal to informal empire, it found a new role in the world. With respect to South-East Asia, the 'Grand Design' for a 'Greater Malaysia' might perpetuate Britain's influence in the post-colonial period. Those in British governing circles who welcomed Malaysia did so on account of its expected benefits for Britain.' Tommy: 'Hence, the condemnation of Malaysia from the Left as 'neo-colonialism', had ample justification, that is, the pursuit of imperialism by indirect means through favourite proxies or cronies.' What were British economic interests in real terms? British private capital investment in Malaya was estimated at about £400 million (compared with £335 million in India and £108 in Pakistan). British exports were valued at £60 million annually, while 22 per cent of Malaysia's imports were from the mother country. 'In early 1963, Sir Geofroy Tory, the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, observed that Britain had 'a very big financial stake in Malaya and a considerable vested interest in the maintenance of a stable and prosperous Malayan economy'. Nonetheless, the impact of economic factors should not be exaggerated, for ultimately the security of the region and the cost of maintaining it was the overriding consideration. Stockwell summarised British policy this way:- 'The prospects for the 'Grand Design' were, therefore, assessed from the strategic perspective not the economic. Bases not markets, security not commerce, international influence not investment opportunities dominated the thinking of British ministers and officers'. In summary, the compelling attraction of Greater Malaysia for the United Kingdom was the prospect of retaining influence while reducing expenditure. Hence, the United Kingdom's objective to continue to play a dominant role in world affairs generally, and as a major former colonial power in South-East Asia at reduced cost, would be accomplished in the new Federation.
New Straits Times
37 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
The stench of goat dung may mask a hidden drug trade near Thai border
KOTA BARU: The scent of goat dung is proving more than just unpleasant—it's becoming a smokescreen for drug traffickers operating near the Malaysia-Thailand border. Thai authorities say Kelantan-based syndicates are now mimicking a long-used tactic by regional smugglers: burying narcotics under piles of animal waste to evade detection by sight and scent. "This method is used to avoid detection by enforcement agencies. "Authorities in the neighbouring country have been aware of this tactic for several years and have successfully foiled several attempts involving it," the source said. One such case involved a syndicate that hid methamphetamine pills known locally as 'pil kuda', under goat dung. "The drugs were first wrapped in plastic and then buried underground before being covered with animal waste to mask their presence," the sources told New Straits Times. It is understood that local syndicates in Kelantan have begun to emulate this technique, particularly those operating near the Malaysia-Thailand border. The tactic, while unconventional, provides traffickers with a strategic advantage by making the drugs harder to detect visually or through scent especially when using livestock pens as camouflage. It is learnt that authorities in Kelantan especially the police, are now on high alert, with cross-border intelligence sharing being strengthened to monitor and intercept such smuggling methods. Investigations are ongoing to identify individuals and groups who may be replicating these tactics. It was reported that police have crippled a major drug syndicate distributing methamphetamine pills with the seizure of more than 35.4kg of the drug worth RM5.04 million in six raids in Pasir Mas and Tumpat recently. Federal Narcotics Crime Investigation Department acting director Deputy Commissioner Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che said five men and a woman were arrested in the raids. He said some 20kg of pills were found in a cattle shed.
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Iran says cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog to ‘take new form' after Israeli, US strikes on nuclear sites
TEHRAN, July 13 — Iran said yesterday its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency 'will take on a new form', expressing a desire for a diplomatic solution to resolve concerns over its nuclear programme. Iran's 12-day war with Israel last month, sparked by an Israeli bombing campaign that hit military and nuclear sites as well as residential areas, rattled its already shaky relationship with the UN nuclear watchdog. The attacks began days before a planned meeting between Tehran and Washington aimed at reviving nuclear negotiations, which have since stalled. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran's cooperation with the IAEA 'has not stopped, but will take on a new form', after the Islamic republic formally ended cooperation with the UN watchdog in early July. Iran has blamed the IAEA in part for the June attacks on its nuclear facilities, which Israel says it launched to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon -- an ambition Tehran has repeatedly denied. The United States, which had been in talks with Iran since April 12, joined Israel in carrying out its own strikes on June 22, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. Araghchi said requests to monitor nuclear sites 'will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis... taking into account safety and security issues', and be managed by Iran's Supreme National Security Council. 'Assurances' In early July, a team of IAEA inspectors left Iran to return to the organisation's headquarters in Vienna after Tehran suspended cooperation. The talks were aimed at regulating Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Before agreeing to any new meeting, 'we are examining its timing, its location, its form, its ingredients, the assurances it requires', said Araghchi, who also serves as Iran's lead negotiator. He said that any talks would focus only on Iran's nuclear activities, not its military capabilities. 'If negotiations are held... the subject of the negotiations will be only nuclear and creating confidence in Iran's nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions,' he told diplomats in Tehran. 'No other issues will be subject to negotiation.' Araghchi also warned that reimposing UN sanctions could eliminate Europe's role in the process. Enrichment 'Such measures would signify the end of Europe's role in the Iranian nuclear dossier,' Araghchi said. A clause in the 2015 nuclear agreement, which US President Donald Trump withdrew from during his first term, allows for UN sanctions to be reimposed if Iran is found to be in breach of the deal. Araghchi stressed that any new nuclear deal must uphold Iran's right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. 'I would like to emphasise that in any negotiated solution, the rights of the Iranian people on the nuclear issue, including the right to enrichment, must be respected,' he said. 'We will not have any agreement in which enrichment is not included.' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the BRICS summit in Rio on Monday that Moscow would remain a committed ally of Iran and support its nuclear programme. 'Russia has technological solutions for uranium depletion and is ready to work with Iran in this field,' Lavrov said, as reported by Russian state news outlet TASS. — AFP
