UK police arrest more than 50 at protest for banned Palestine Action group
Police officers detain a demonstrator during a rally organised by Defend Our Juries, challenging the British government's proscription of \"Palestine Action\" under anti-terrorism laws, in Parliament Square, in London, Britain, August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
LONDON - More than 50 people protesting against Britain's decision to ban the Palestine Action group were arrested outside parliament on Saturday, London's Metropolitan Police said.
Officers made arrests after crowds, waving placards expressing support for the group, gathered in Parliament Square, the force said on X.
In July, British lawmakers banned Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation after some of its members broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged planes in protest against Britain's support for Israel.
The ban makes it a crime to be a member of the group, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
The co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori, last week won a bid to bring a legal challenge against the ban. REUTERS

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
29 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Britain to expand foreign criminals deportations scheme
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Migrants picked up at sea attempting to cross the English Channel from France, arriving at the Marina in Dover, south-east England, on Feb 9, 2025. LONDON - The UK government announced on Aug 10 that it will expand a scheme forcing some foreign nationals to have appeals against convictions heard from abroad, to prevent them delaying deportations. The number of countries enrolled in the initiative will nearly treble to 23, with people from those nations now to be deported before they can appeal their convictions, it said. In a separate announcement, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she intends to change the law so most foreign criminals will be deported immediately when they receive a prison sentence. Foreign national offenders make up around 12 per cent of the prison population, and the move could save money, according to Ms Mahmood. The steps come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer's centre-left Labour government faces intense domestic pressure over immigration, as Mr Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK party surges in polls. Mr Farage, a longtime critic of immigration, has made the issue central to his party's messaging , alongside a focus on crime. Mr Starmer's government, which has slumped in popularity since taking power a year ago, has made a flurry of announcements on both policy areas in an apparent bid to counter Reform's appeal. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 55,000 BTO units to be launched from 2025 to 2027, will help moderate HDB resale prices: Minister Singapore First voluntary redevelopment projects for HDB flats likely to be launched in first half of 2030s Singapore Israel's plan to step up Gaza offensive dangerous and unacceptable: MFA Singapore Over 118,000 speeding violations in first half of 2025; situation shows no signs of improvement: TP Singapore Four men arrested after Bukit Timah police op believed to be linked to housebreaking syndicates Singapore 'It's so close': Crowds turn up for Red Lions, mobile column at National Day heartland celebrations Singapore 'We could feel the heat from our house': Car catches fire in Bidadari area Singapore 65-year-old ice cream man helps spread smiles with cool treats in Income giveaway The interior ministry said the expansion of the pre-appeal deportation scheme will increase 'the UK's ability to remove foreign criminals at the earliest opportunity'. It will also ease pressure on overcrowded prisons, it noted. The ministry added that almost 5,200 convicted criminals with foreign passports had been removed since July 2024, claiming that represented a 14 per cent year-on-year increase. Under the 'deport now appeal later' scheme, those convicted and whose human rights claims have been refused will have appeals heard from their home coutries using video technology. It has already been used for people from Tanzania, Finland, Estonia, Belize and four other countries but will be expanded to 15 additional countries. They include European nations Latvia and Bulgaria, African countries Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, Western allies Australia and Canada as well as India, Indonesia, Lebanon and Malaysia. The government said ministers are discussing with other countries about joining the scheme. 'For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on,' interior minister Yvette Cooper said. 'That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system,' she added. AFP

Straits Times
29 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Al Jazeera says 4 journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox DOHA - Al Jazeera said two of its correspondents and two cameramen were killed in an Israeli strike on their tent in Gaza City on Aug 10, citing the director of a local hospital. 'Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif has been killed alongside three colleagues in what appears to be a targeted Israeli attack, the director of the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City has said,' the Qatar-based broadcaster said. 'Al-Sharif, 28, was killed on Sunday after a tent for journalists outside the main gate of the hospital was hit. The well-known Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent reportedly extensively from northern Gaza.' AFP

Straits Times
29 minutes ago
- Straits Times
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Aug 11, 2025
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox An Israeli military vehicle manoeuvres inside the Gaza strip, as seen from Israel, Aug 10, 2025. Netanyahu announces plan to allow foreign reporters into Gaza Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Aug 10 a plan to allow more foreign journalists to report inside Gaza with the military, as he laid out his vision for victory in the territory during a rare press conference. Access to Gaza has been tightly controlled over the course of 22 months of war against Hamas. Israel has blocked most foreign correspondents from independently accessing the territory since it launched its campaign there following the Palestinian militant group's unprecedented Oct 7, 2023 attack, with officials often citing security as a reason. The Israeli military has taken journalists on occasional embeds that are tightly controlled by security officials. READ MORE HERE US V-P Vance says Ukraine peace deal unlikely to satisfy either side US Vice-President J.D. Vance said a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine is unlikely to satisfy either side, and any peace deal will likely leave both Moscow and Kyiv "unhappy." He said the US is aiming for a settlement both countries can accept. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 55,000 BTO units to be launched from 2025 to 2027, will help moderate HDB resale prices: Minister Singapore First voluntary redevelopment projects for HDB flats likely to be launched in first half of 2030s Singapore Israel's plan to step up Gaza offensive dangerous and unacceptable: MFA Singapore Over 118,000 speeding violations in first half of 2025; situation shows no signs of improvement: TP Singapore Four men arrested after Bukit Timah police op believed to be linked to housebreaking syndicates Singapore 'It's so close': Crowds turn up for Red Lions, mobile column at National Day heartland celebrations Singapore 'We could feel the heat from our house': Car catches fire in Bidadari area Singapore 65-year-old ice cream man helps spread smiles with cool treats in Income giveaway "It's not going to make anybody super happy. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it," he said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. READ MORE HERE One killed, dozens injured as 6.1-magnitude quake hits western Turkey PHOTO: REUTERS A 6.1-magnitude quake struck Sindirgi in western Turkey on Aug 10, the Turkish disaster management agency (Afad) said, killing at least one person and injuring dozens more. The quake was felt across several cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir. No deaths were reported. 'An 81-year-old person died soon after having been rescued from under the rubble,' Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told journalists at Sindirgi, the epicentre of the quake. READ MORE HERE Fire breaks out on Edinburgh landmark Arthur's Seat REUTERS A wildfire broke out on Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano overlooking Scotland's capital Edinburgh, on Aug 10, spreading extensively across the landmark which is popular with walkers and tourists and producing smoke visible from kilometres around. Arthur's Seat is the highest point of Holyrood Park, near Scotland's Parliament and the end of Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. About 250m above sea level, it is a popular vantage point with visitors for its views of the city. "Crews are in attendance at a fire in the open at Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh," the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said on X. READ MORE HERE Liverpool need to tighten up defensively, Slot says after Community Shield loss PHOTO: REUTERS Liverpool have conceded too many goals in pre-season and need to adapt defensively when they begin their Premier League title defence, manager Arne Slot said on Aug 10 after his side lost the Community Shield to Crystal Palace. The Reds have splashed the cash this summer, signing playmaker Florian Wirtz, plus forward Hugo Ekitike and attacking full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, though key players have also departed. After winning the league in Slot's first term with only Federico Chiesa added to the squad left by former boss Juergen Klopp, Liverpool fans' expectations for the coming season have been buoyed by the uncharacteristic transfer spree.