Latest news with #DavidCollins
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
MPs vote to support proscribing Palestine Action as terror group
MPs have backed the government's move to ban the direct action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, despite warnings that this would have a 'chilling effect' on protest. Legislation passed in the Commons yesterday, as MPs voted 385 to 26, a majority of 359 in favour of proscribing the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. While security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs that Palestine Action as not a 'legitimate protest group', others criticised the move and described it as 'draconian overreach' and likened the group to the Suffragettes. Zarah Sultana, the independent MP for Coventry South, told the Commons: 'To equate a spray can of paint with a suicide bomb isn't just absurd, it is grotesque. It is a deliberate distortion of the law to chill dissent, criminalise solidarity and suppress the truth.' The motion is expected to be debated and voted on by the House of Lords today before it becomes law. Meanwhile, pro- Palestine demonstrators have hit out at the government, accusing it of 'hypocrisy' as it prepares to ban an activist group under anti-terror law. The decision to proscribe the group comes after two planes were vandalised at RAF Brize Norton on June 20. Speaking to The Independent while demonstrating outside parliament, David Collins, a retired veteran with no links to Palestine Action and who served with the Marines for nine years, said: 'In comparison to some of the atrocities that this government is approving – and sending arms to Israel – amongst some people that is justified action. They are warplanes that can be repaired. There was nobody hurt. I would say that is a legitimate form of protest.' Jonathan Fluxman, 69, a retired doctor who was also demonstrating on Wednesday, said a ban was 'utterly ridiculous'. 'Palestine action are a direct action group. They are avowedly non-violent and I think this is much more about them embarrassing the British government by being incredibly effective in terms of interrupting the flow of weapons from Britain to Israel to try and stop the awful, awful genocide', he said. Four people, including 'a man who blocked the gates of Downing Street with his mobility scooter', were arrested following the protest in Westminster, the Metropolitan Police has said. On Tuesday, two more arrests were made after Palestine Action claimed to have blockaded the entrance of an Israeli defence company's UK headquarters. A spokesperson for the group said activists had blocked the entrance to Elbit Systems in Bristol and covered it in red paint 'to symbolise Palestinian bloodshed'. Kat, another protester demonstrating outside parliament on Wednesday morning, accused the government of a 'complete clampdown on our right to protest'. She said: 'There are many groups that use the same tactics and have used the same tactics in the past and they've never had this extreme a response to it. I think they're shutting it down because its effective. It is making an impact on the profits of Elbit Systems who is Israel's largest weapons manufacturer.' But home secretary Yvette Cooper said 'violence and serious criminal damage has no place in legitimate protest. The right to protest and the right to free speech are the cornerstone of our democracy and there are countless campaign groups that freely exercise those rights.' The prime minister, Keir Starmer, said the action at RAF Brize Norton was 'disgraceful' and an 'act of vandalism'. While the government is rushing through parliament absurd legislation to proscribe Palestine Action, the real terrorism is being committed in Gaza Palestine Action The shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, also condemned the group, saying: 'This attack on Britain's military is totally unjustified. They are undermining the very organisation that protects us all. Palestine Action should be pursued, prosecuted and banned for what they have done. In this country we settle disagreements through debate and democracy, not through acts of vandalism and violence.' A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: 'While the government is rushing through parliament absurd legislation to proscribe Palestine Action, the real terrorism is being committed in Gaza. Palestine Action affirms that direct action is necessary in the face of Israel's ongoing crimes against humanity of genocide, apartheid and occupation, and to end British facilitation of those crimes.' Opening the debate in the Commons on Wednesday, security minister Dan Jarvis said proscription of the group would 'reaffirm the UK's zero tolerance approach to terrorism, regardless of its form or underlying ideology'. 'Proscription is rightly ideologically neutral. It judges an organisation on its actions and the actions it is willing to deploy in pursuit of its cause', he said, adding that proscription was 'one of the most powerful counter-terrorism tools available to government. Any decision to proscribe is taken with great care and following rigorous consideration.' Unveiling the intention to ban the group following the incident on June 23, Cooper said it was the latest in a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action'. The group, which intends to bring a legal challenge against the government, has staged a series of demonstrations in recent months, including spraying the London offices of Allianz Insurance with red paint over its alleged links to Elbit, and vandalising Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. Palestine Action's website says it uses disruptive tactics to target 'corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex' and seeks to make it 'impossible for these companies to profit from the oppression of Palestinians'. Some 81 organisations have been proscribed under the 2000 Act, including Islamist groups such as Hamas and al-Qaeda, far-right groups such as National Action, and the Russian private military company the Wagner Group. The draft order laid on Monday also lists neo-Nazi group Maniacs Murder Cult and far-right nationalist group Russian Imperial Movement, including its paramilitary arm, Russian Imperial Legion, to be proscribed in the UK. Belonging to or expressing support for a proscribed organisation, along with a number of other actions, are criminal offences carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Pro-Palestine demonstrators hit out as MPs prepare to debate Palestine Action ban
Pro- Palestine demonstrators have hit out at the government, accusing it of 'hypocrisy' as it prepares to ban an activist group under anti-terror law. MPs are currently debating a motion to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror organisation after two planes were vandalised at RAF Brize Norton on June 20. Five people have since been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence in relation to the incident. Speaking to The Independent while demonstrating outside of Parliament, David Collins, a retired veteran who served with the Marines for nine years, said: 'In comparison to the some of the atrocities that this government is approving - and sending arms to Israel - amongst some people that is justified action.' 'They are war planes that can be repaired. There was nobody hurt. I would say that is a legitimate form of protest', the ex-marine - who is not linked to Palestine Action - added. Jonathan Fluxman, 69, a retired doctor who was also demonstrating on Wednesday, said the ban is 'utterly ridiculous'. 'Palestine action are a direct action group - they are avowedly non-violent and I think this is much more about them embarrassing the British government by being incredibly effective in terms of interrupting the flow of weapons from Britain to Israel to try and stop the awful, awful genocide', he said. On Tuesday, two arrests were made after Palestine Action claimed to have blockaded the entrance of an Israeli defence company's UK headquarters. A spokesperson for the group said activists had blocked the entrance to Elbit Systems in Bristol and covered it in red paint 'to symbolise Palestinian bloodshed'. Kat, another protester who was demonstrating outside of Parliament on Wednesday morning, accused the government of a 'complete clampdown on our right to protest'. She said: 'There are many groups that use the same tactics and have used the same tactics in the past and they've never had this extreme a response to it. 'I think they're shutting it down because its effective. It is making an impact on the profits of Elbit Systems who is Israel's largest weapons manufacturer.' But home secretary Yvette Cooper said 'violence and serious criminal damage has no place in legitimate protest'. 'The right to protest and the right to free speech are the cornerstone of our democracy and there are countless campaign groups that freely exercise those rights', she added. Meanwhile, the prime minister said the action at RAF Brize Norton was "disgraceful," criticising the activists for carrying out an "act of vandalism." Shadow Conservative home secretary Chris Philp also condemned the group, saying: 'This attack on Britain's military is totally unjustified. They are undermining the very organisation that protects us all. 'Palestine Action should be pursued, prosecuted and banned for what they have done. In this country we settle disagreements through debate and democracy, not through acts of vandalism and violence.' But a spokesperson for the group said: 'While the government is rushing through Parliament absurd legislation to proscribe Palestine Action, the real terrorism is being committed in Gaza. 'Palestine Action affirms that direct action is necessary in the face of Israel's ongoing crimes against humanity of genocide, apartheid, and occupation, and to end British facilitation of those crimes.' Opening the debate in the Commons on Wednesday, security minister Dan Jarvis said proscription of the group would 'reaffirm the UK's zero tolerance approach to terrorism, regardless of its form, or underlying ideology'. 'Proscription is rightly ideologically neutral. It judges an organisation on its actions and the actions it is willing to deploy in pursuit of its cause', he said, adding that proscription is 'one of the most powerful counter terrorism tools available to government.' 'Any decision to prescribe is taken with great care and following rigorous consideration.' Unveiling the intention to ban the group following the incident on June 23, Ms Cooper said it was the latest in a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action'. The group - which is seeking to bring a legal challenge against the government - has staged a series of demonstrations in recent months, including spraying the London offices of Allianz Insurance with red paint over its alleged links to Israeli defence company Elbit, and vandalising Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. Its website says they use disruptive tactics to target 'corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex' and seeks to make it 'impossible for these companies to profit from the oppression of Palestinians'. Some 81 organisations have been proscribed under the 2000 Act, including Islamist terrorist groups such as Hamas and al-Qaida, far-right groups such as National Action, and Russian private military company the Wagner Group. The draft order laid on Monday also lists neo-Nazi group Maniacs Murder Cult and far-right nationalist group Russian Imperial Movement, including its paramilitary arm Russian Imperial Legion, to be proscribed in the UK. Belonging to or expressing support for a proscribed organisation, along with a number of other actions, are criminal offences carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Active Trade Management Recognised as One of Europe's Leading Independent Financial Firms
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / / June 24, 2025 / Active Trade Management Sàrl, an independent Swiss investment firm headquartered in Zurich, has been officially recognised as one of the Top 10 Independent Investment Companies in Europe, affirming its reputation as a trusted name in fixed-income investment solutions for high-net-worth individuals. Since its establishment in Zurich, Active Trade Management has developed a strong client base of over 5,000 private investors across Europe, driven by a disciplined, low-risk investment philosophy centered around fixed-income strategies. Over the past four years, the firm has helped clients protect and grow their capital by offering carefully structured investment opportunities designed to deliver consistent returns with minimal volatility. Operating out of Talacker 21, 8001 Zurich, the firm works exclusively with European investors, providing access to institutional grade fixed-income products typically reserved for private banks and professional asset managers. Active Trade Management's offerings include investment-grade corporate bonds, structured notes, and government-backed instruments, all of which are selected following comprehensive due diligence and risk assessment protocols. "We are extremely proud to be recognised among the top firms in Europe," said David Collins, Senior Investment Strategist - Fixed Income. "Our team is committed to delivering long term value and peace of mind to our clients by focusing on security, income, and capital preservation. Especially in today's uncertain financial landscape, fixed-income investments offer a much-needed level of stability that our clients deeply appreciate." David Collins, who has played a key role in shaping the company's fixed-income strategies, joined Active Trade Management four years ago after a decade-long tenure with UBS in Switzerland, where he specialised in institutional bond portfolios and wealth structuring for private banking clients. With over 20 years of experience in financial markets, Collins brings deep expertise in fixed-income products and a strong understanding of investor needs within the European high-net-worth segment. The firm attributes much of its growth to word-of-mouth referrals and a relationship-driven advisory approach, offering each client a tailored investment plan aligned with their personal financial goals, tax situation, and risk appetite. All client funds are held securely with leading European custodians and are eligible for coverage under the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS) - up to €100,000 for single accounts and €200,000 for joint accounts, per institution. "Our focus has always been on quality over quantity," Collins added. "We take the time to understand our clients, structure solutions that suit them, and build long-term relationships based on performance, transparency, and trust." With volatile equity markets, rising inflation, and low bank deposit rates driving demand for safer alternatives, Active Trade Management's offering of secure, fixed-term investment solutions has struck a chord with conservative investors looking for steady and predictable returns. As a result, the company continues to expand its presence across major European markets including Germany, Ireland, France, and Spain. Whether investors are looking to diversify away from equities, generate stable income, or preserve wealth for future generations, Active Trade Management provides an experienced, regulated, and client-focused platform to do so. For media enquiries, interviews, or further information: Press officer: Anna HoffmannEmail: info@ SOURCE: Active Trade Management View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Times
22-06-2025
- Times
A long road to finding the truth on Agnes Wanjiru
It is four years since our reporter David Collins first revealed the possible involvement of British servicemen in the death of a young mother in Kenya. This weekend he reports that detectives in Nairobi have recommended one charge of murder against a British soldier after more than 20 others came forward to give evidence. Agnes Wanjiru, a hairdresser, was last seen going to a bedroom with a British soldier at the Lions Court Inn Hotel in Nanyuki, a dustbowl town three hours north of Nairobi. Her body was found in June 2012. She had been stabbed in the chest and then stuffed into a septic tank, possibly still alive. Comrades of the suspected killer said that army officers and military police failed to act on claims that a murder had taken place during a drinking binge at the hotel. In 2019 a Kenyan judge ruled that on the balance of probabilities a British soldier was responsible for Wanjiru's death. • Agnes Wanjiru killing: soldier may be extradited as 20 troops come forward Two years later we published our first investigation into the events of March 31, 2012. Our reporting prompted an individual we have called Soldier Y to make a witness statement to military police in which he identified a former colleague, Soldier X, who he says showed him Wanjiru's body on the night of the murder. This reignited the inquiry and, although the wheels of justice have ground slowly for Wanjiru's family, Britain's defence secretary, John Healey, has commendably vowed to help resolve the case. The Kenyan director of public prosecutions is reviewing the case file to decide on a murder charge. Prosecutors would then have to apply for the suspect, who is living in Britain, to be extradited for trial. If they do, the UK should surrender him without hesitation. It is a tribute to the power of investigative journalism that the horrific story, for so long shrouded in uncertainty and cover-up, is approaching this moment of clarity. If the Kenyan authorities ask for him, the army and the Ministry of Defence should hand over their man.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Moving iMage Technologies Hosts Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Conference Call May 15, 2025 at 11am ET
Fountain Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - May 7, 2025) - Moving iMage Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: MITQ), a leading provider of cutting-edge out-of-home entertainment technology and services for cinema, Esports, stadiums and arenas, will report Q3 fiscal 2025 results before the market opens on May 15th and host an investor call at 11:00 am ET. Following prepared remarks, management will take investor questions. Conference Call Details Date/Time: Thursday May 15th at 11:00am ET Toll-Free Number: 1-877-407-4018 Toll/International Number: 1-201-689-8471 Call me™: Participants can use Guest dial-in numbers above and be answered by an operator OR click the Call me™ Link for instant telephone access to the event. Call me™ link will be made active 15 minutes prior to scheduled start time. Transcript: Posted online here 48 hours after the event Questions can be submitted in advance via Email to: mitq@ Telephone Replay Access ID: 13753795 Replay Dial-In: 1-844-512-2921 or 1-412-317-6671 Replay Expiration: Thursday May 29, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET About Moving iMage Technologies ( With a focus on innovation, service, and quality, Moving iMage Technologies ("MiT) is a trusted partner in delivering state-of-the-art out-of-home entertainment environments. Founded in 2003, MiT provides products, integrated systems design, custom engineering, proprietary products, software, and installation services for cinemas, screening rooms, postproduction facilities, high-end home theaters, Esports venues, arenas, stadiums, and other entertainment spaces. MiT manufactures a broad line of digital cinema peripherals in the U.S., including automation systems, projector pedestals/bases, projector lifts, hush boxes, direct-view LED frames, lighting fixtures and dimmers, power management devices, operations software, and Esports platforms. It also distributes and integrates cinema equipment from Barco, Sharp (NEC) Digital Cinema, Christie Digital, LEA Professional, Dolby, GDC, JBL/Crown, LG, Meyer Sound, Q-SYS, QSC, Samsung and others. MiT's Caddy Products division designs and sells cupholders, concession trays, and venue accessories that enhance concession sales and improve the guest experience. Follow us on X: @movingimagenews Follow us on LinkedIn: MiT on LinkedIn MITQ Investor Relations Contacts Chris Eddy or David Collins Catalyst IR mitq@ or 212-924-9800 To view the source version of this press release, please visit
