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Undercover with Youth Demand: A New Era of Radical Protest and Political Ambitions
In a dimly lit basement beneath a London community centre, applause echoed as a room full of young activists gathered to celebrate defiance. It was a Saturday afternoon in May, and Youth Demand, the newest movement embracing the disruptive tactics of Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion, was hosting an awards ceremony for its arrested members. The mood was festive but defiant. Prizes were handed out for various acts of resistance, including an award dubbed “Rizzing up the resistance” for those who led chants and energized crowds, and “Fried for Falestine” for anyone burned by a flare during protests. The ceremony, part of Youth Demand’s wider strategy launch, aimed to solidify the group’s identity and prepare its members for future direct actions. Youth Demand describes itself as a “non-violent civil resistance group” with two bold demands: a complete end to UK trade with Israel, and the redistribution of £1 trillion from fossil fuel companies by 2030. “For us, this isn’t about doing one big thing and going home,” said one of the co-founders during the event. “This is the inhale before we breathe out and expand into brand new territory, into something even bigger than we’ve tried before.” Dozens of the group’s members were arrested in April after staging over 70 roadblocks across London. Some also disrupted the London Marathon by throwing red powder near the men’s elite race at Tower Bridge. Other actions included placing child-sized body bags outside Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s home and hanging a banner with red handprints reading “Starmer stop the killing” at the Prime Minister’s residence. The Times sent an undercover reporter to three of Youth Demand’s events, including training sessions where participants were taught techniques likely to result in arrest. They were also instructed on legal rights and what to do if detained. “There’s a badge of honour in getting arrested,” one organiser said as awards were distributed to the mostly twenty-something crowd, many of whom wore keffiyehs in solidarity with Palestinians. “None of this may be able to go on your CV, but this badge will last a lifetime. Or as long as you don’t put it in the wash.” Youth Demand’s signature protest, the “swarm,” involves blocking busy roads with banners and flares for ten-minute bursts before quickly dispersing—avoiding arrest, then repeating elsewhere. These actions fall under offences outlined in the Highways Act 1980, which criminalises the wilful obstruction of roads. Upcoming events include a June series of training sessions titled “Seeds for revolution,” as well as a summer camp involving swimming, campfires, and further instruction in civil disobedience. These are being organized in partnership with Just Stop Oil, described by co-founder Sam Holland as “one of the most serious resistance groups in the country.” “This is not your classic revolutionary organisation, which does an event once a year then goes back to their Lenin book clubs,” Holland told attendees. “We’re totally f***ing serious about this.” Youth Demand is also aligning itself with Assemble, a political initiative under the same umbrella coalition, aiming to create a “House of the People” through citizen lotteries. Holland envisions this as the political wing to Youth Demand’s street resistance, likening the movement to the revolutionary spirit of Egypt’s 2011 uprisings. “This is the spirit that leads to revolutions and this is the spirit we’re building with Youth Demand,” he declared. Among the crowd was Meaghan Leon, a 27-year-old activist who made headlines trying to disrupt Eurovision during Israel’s performance. Wearing a shirt that read “I do all my own stunts,” she told the group, “That was my first actual action. Somehow I have still never been in handcuffs… so you know what that means. I’ve just got to keep going.” The crowd erupted in cheers. Youth Demand, fuelled by grassroots donations and growing membership, is preparing for what it claims will be its most significant actions yet. Whether it succeeds in shifting policy or public sentiment remains uncertain—but its resolve is unmistakably clear. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-06-09 -
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Rethink in Germany: revamp shelter system in case of Russian attack
With mounting anxiety over potential Russian military aggression in the coming years, Germany is taking steps to fortify its civil defense infrastructure. Anticipating the possibility of a broader European conflict, Berlin is preparing to overhaul its decades-old shelter system to protect citizens in the event of an attack. “For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare,” said Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, in an interview reported by The Guardian. “That has changed,” he emphasized. “We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe.” The sense of urgency stems from growing fears that Russia, already three years into its war in Ukraine, could be capable of striking a NATO member state as early as 2029. Tiesler warned that Germany must develop a “functioning, comprehensive defense system” within that timeframe. But building new bunkers from scratch isn’t feasible given the short window of preparation. Instead, Tiesler’s agency is devising plans to repurpose existing structures such as tunnels, subway stations, underground garages, car parks, and public building basements into bomb-proof shelters. The plan, expected to be unveiled this summer, could accommodate an estimated one million people. Currently, Germany still has approximately 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers. However, fewer than 600 remain operational and even those are in dire need of renovation. These shelters could house only around 480,000 people—less than 1% of Germany’s total population. In stark contrast, Finland maintains a highly developed shelter system with 50,000 bunkers capable of housing 4.8 million people, or roughly 85% of its population, according to data from Tiesler’s office. To move forward, Tiesler is calling on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to fund the modernization plan, which includes not only upgrades to physical infrastructure but also improvements to civil warning systems such as emergency apps, road signs, and sirens. “We don’t want to unnecessarily frighten anyone, but we must nevertheless clearly warn of the danger of a military attack,” Tiesler told the news outlet Zeit Online. The war in Ukraine has deeply shaken Europe’s security assumptions, pushing many governments to reconsider their readiness. Germany is not alone in its rearmament mindset. Poland, which shares borders with both Russia and Ukraine, is taking similarly aggressive steps. According to a recent BBC report, Poland plans to allocate nearly 5% of its GDP to defense spending this year—more than any other NATO member. While there is no certainty that Russia will attack another country, the preparations underway in Germany reflect a broader European shift: one that now sees the possibility of war not as remote, but as a realistic scenario requiring urgent action. Adapted by ASEAN Now from NYP 2025-06-09 -
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Islamist Refugee at Centre of Pro-Palestinian Protest Sparks Uproar Over Two-Tier Policing
Refugee at Centre of Pro-Palestinian Protest Sparks Uproar Over Two-Tier Policing and Extremism A pro-Palestinian activist at the centre of a growing political and legal storm has been unmasked as a radical Islamist who was granted asylum in Britain. Mohammad al-Mail, a 27-year-old Kuwaiti national, avoided terror charges after making inflammatory remarks at a protest in London, including expressing admiration for the October 7 Hamas massacre and declaring, “I like an organisation that starts with H.” Despite his arrest on suspicion of terrorism offences, al-Mail was never prosecuted, raising serious concerns about inconsistent policing and the ability of UK authorities to identify threats. Exclusive: Pro-Palestinian protester in two-tier police row is Islamist propagandist granted asylum in the UK Activist claimed he was referring to Home Office when he chanted, ‘I like an organisation that starts with H’ The incident occurred during an anti-Israel rally in Swiss Cottage, northwest London, in September 2023. Footage published by The Telegraph shows al-Mail leading chants glorifying Hamas while using a megaphone. He was arrested but ultimately released after convincing investigators that the "H" in his chant referred not to Hamas, but to the Home Office. “Immediately, I answered, ‘It could be the Home Office,’ you know, the ministry of the interior,” he later said in a March Arabic-language podcast. Laughing, he added: “Truly, as the saying goes, ‘The worst calamity is the one that makes you laugh.’” Al-Mail said the case “fell apart” after his explanation and mocked counter-terrorism officers for trying to discern his true beliefs. In contrast, on the same day, a Jewish man attending a counter-protest was charged after holding a placard that mocked Hezbollah’s leader, despite the Crown Prosecution Service later finding insufficient evidence to proceed. The disparity has sparked allegations of two-tier policing, especially given al-Mail's broader history of promoting Islamist ideology since receiving asylum in 2017. His campaign group, the Upper Hand Organisation, actively disseminates extremist material online and at rallies. Al-Mail has urged followers to seize “opportunities” created by the October 7 Hamas attacks, describing the assault — the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust — as a moment to exploit. “Not every day is like October 7,” he said. “If an opportunity arises, we must fully exploit it. If you strike, make it hurt.” His website promotes jihadist manifestos and denounces terror groups like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban for being too accommodating to international systems. A pamphlet released by his group in August 2024, titled Wake Up! Protect the Honour of Islam, frames the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a religious war, glorifies jihad, and uses slogans known to incite violence against Jews. It claims the organisation is “committed to channelling resources toward strategic projects to achieve Islamic dominance.” In another appearance, al-Mail labelled peaceful Muslims “slaves and dwarves” and warned Britain: “What is coming to you is terrifying – either our annihilation or yours.” He has also pushed to de-proscribe Hamas and lobbied for taxpayer funding of sharia courts. In recent statements, he opposed banning child marriage, arguing it would discriminate against Muslim girls aged 16 and 17. According to the Metropolitan Police, they were unaware of al-Mail’s podcast admissions and public record of extremism until contacted by The Telegraph. A spokesman said the material “did not form part of the case put to the CPS” but added that officers “will carefully review it to identify any offences so the appropriate action can be taken.” The revelations have prompted outrage from politicians and extremism experts. Chris Philp, the shadow policing minister, called for an immediate re-investigation and potential re-arrest. “I am deeply worried that someone came here, was granted asylum and then abused the UK’s generosity by expressing extremist views,” he said. “This is why our human rights and asylum laws need to be changed.” Lord Walney, the Government’s former extremism tsar, said the case “raises serious questions for the Metropolitan Police.” He described the force’s initial failure to uncover widely available evidence as “an alarming lack of rigour” and stressed the need to reopen the case to protect national security. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The telegraph 2025-06-09 -
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Trump Predicts Positive Outcome as US and China Resume Trade Talks in London
Trump Predicts Positive Outcome as US and China Resume Trade Talks in London Senior officials from the White House are set to meet with a Chinese delegation in London on Monday for a new round of trade negotiations, according to an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump. The upcoming meeting follows what Trump described as a “very good” hour-and-a-half phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, signaling a potential thaw in the prolonged trade tensions between the two global superpowers. Speaking from Air Force One on Friday, Trump told reporters that the conversation with Xi had been “very positive.” He noted the complexity of the ongoing trade dispute but expressed optimism about its potential benefits for the United States. “It was a good talk,” Trump said. “It’s a complicated deal, but one that will bring us a lot of money.” The renewed momentum in the talks appears to have been spurred by the call between the two leaders. Trump, using his Truth Social platform to relay further details, said he expects the London discussions to be productive. “The meeting should go very well,” he wrote. The United States will be represented in London by three high-level officials: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. These names signal a serious effort by the U.S. to engage with China on economic issues that have created turbulence in global markets and strained diplomatic relations. At this time, it remains unclear who will represent the Chinese side during the talks. The absence of confirmed names from Beijing leaves some uncertainty about the level of engagement China will bring to the table. Still, the setting of the meeting in a neutral location like London and the tone of recent communications between Trump and Xi suggest both nations may be looking for off-ramps to ease the pressure of their long-running trade war. While neither side has signaled any major policy shifts, the dialogue marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to resolve disagreements on tariffs, intellectual property, and market access. Whether the London talks lead to substantive breakthroughs remains to be seen, but the resumed dialogue and Trump's uncharacteristically hopeful tone indicate that both Washington and Beijing may be positioning themselves for a more cooperative phase in their economic relationship. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Independent 2025-06-09 -
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US Raises Alarm Over Proposed Chinese Embassy Near London’s Financial Nerve Centre
US Raises Alarm Over Proposed Chinese Embassy Near London’s Financial Nerve Centre Tensions between the United Kingdom and the United States have deepened over the proposed construction of a massive Chinese embassy complex in central London, with senior US officials warning it could pose a serious espionage threat to financial data and infrastructure critical to both countries. The embassy, which would be China’s largest in Europe, is planned for Royal Mint Court, a sensitive location between the City of London and Canary Wharf and close to three major data centres. The site also lies above what experts describe as a hub of critical “dark cabling” that supports key communications for the financial services sector. Although the proposal was previously blocked under the former UK government following security advice from British intelligence, it has been revived in recent months after lobbying from China’s President Xi Jinping. Now, the White House has issued a rare and explicit warning to Downing Street. “The United States is deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications of one of our closest allies,” said a senior US official. That concern comes amid ongoing negotiations over the UK-US trade agreement, which must be finalised by July 9 or risk subjecting UK steel exports to steep 50 percent tariffs. While declining to directly link the embassy decision to the trade deal, the official added pointedly, “The United States expects that all decisions will be taken with our (both US and UK) national security interests in mind and after thorough mitigation as recommended and approved by counterintelligence professionals.” The issue has been raised at the highest levels. President Donald Trump is understood to have personally urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to block the embassy, and the matter has come up during bilateral trade talks. Some US diplomats have reportedly suggested that intelligence-sharing with the UK could be re-evaluated if the embassy is approved. A memo sent to the US National Security Council by members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac) warned that the Royal Mint Court site “feeds the City of London,” raising alarms about potential data interception. John Moolenaar, the Republican chair of the House China Committee, said, “If reports are accurate, placing a PRC embassy of unprecedented size over sensitive cabling that supports US and UK financial systems would pose an unacceptable risk to our institutions. The Chinese Communist Party has a clear track record of targeting critical infrastructure. This development would raise serious concerns in the United States and could be viewed as an act of strategic overreach by Beijing and a curious error in judgment by London.” Luke de Pulford, executive director of Ipac, said the issue had become a significant flashpoint in trade talks. “The Chinese mega-embassy has become a flashpoint in UK-US trade talks and it’s staggering that the White House had to publicly confirm the cabling risk just to defend its own financial system,” he said. “It’s time to send Xi Jinping a clear message: no matter the pressure or coercion, the UK and US won’t trade away national security, and this embassy isn’t happening.” Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-06-09 -
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Diane Abbott Condemns Starmer’s Immigration Rhetoric as Deeply Racist
Diane Abbott Condemns Starmer’s Immigration Rhetoric as Deeply Racist Veteran MP Diane Abbott has sharply criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling his recent immigration speech “fundamentally racist” and accusing him of aligning with right-wing populist rhetoric. Speaking at a mass anti-austerity rally in London, the UK’s first Black woman MP voiced alarm at the language used by Starmer in a speech where he described Britain as potentially becoming an “island of strangers.” Abbott, addressing the crowd gathered for the demonstration organised by The People’s Assembly, said she was “very disturbed” by Starmer’s comments. “He talked about closing the book on a squalid chapter for our politics – immigrants represent a squalid chapter,” she said. “He talked about how he thought immigration has done incalculable damage to this green and pleasant land, which, of course, is nonsense – immigrants built this land.” The Prime Minister’s remarks, delivered last month as part of a new government initiative to tighten immigration rules, have drawn criticism from many on the political left. Abbott went so far as to compare Starmer’s language to Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech of 1968, which has long been seen as a turning point in the legitimisation of xenophobic rhetoric in British politics. “He talked about closing the book on a squalid chapter for our politics – immigrants represent a squalid chapter,” Abbott repeated. “And finally, he said we risk becoming an island of strangers. I thought that was a fundamentally racist thing to say. It is contrary to Britain’s history.” She also questioned the political strategy behind the Prime Minister’s rhetoric, accusing him of mimicking far-right figures in an attempt to claw back support. “I think Keir Starmer is quite wrong to say that the way that you beat Reform is to copy Reform,” she said, referencing Nigel Farage’s Reform Party. The anti-austerity march brought together thousands of demonstrators in central London, unified in opposition to the Government’s economic programme, which includes spending cuts and welfare reforms. Alongside Abbott were representatives from several left-wing organisations, including the Green Party, the RMT union, the NEU, and the Revolutionary Communist Party. A spokesperson for The People’s Assembly condemned the government’s policies, stating: “Real tough choices would be for a Labour government to tax the rich and their hidden wealth, to fund public services, fair pay, investment in communities and the NHS.” Pressure is mounting on Starmer from within his own party, particularly from senior figures on the left. Recently, the Prime Minister reversed a controversial plan to cut the winter fuel allowance, a move that would have impacted 10 million pensioners. A major change to the two-child benefit cap is also reportedly under consideration, amid widespread concern over its contribution to child poverty. Further evidence of internal discord emerged with the revelation of a confidential memo from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The memo, disclosed by The Telegraph, advocated for increased taxation instead of spending cuts to address budgetary gaps—a clear sign of policy disagreement at the top of government. Abbott’s position within the Labour Party has been under scrutiny since 2023, when she had the whip withdrawn over a letter she wrote to the Observer in which she controversially argued that Jews could suffer prejudice but not racism. Though she apologised, the incident cast doubt on her future as a Labour candidate. In the lead-up to the most recent general election, she was reinstated, but speculation persisted that she would be barred from standing again in her long-held Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency. After growing political pressure, Starmer clarified that she was “free to stand” if she chose to. Now the longest-serving woman MP in the House of Commons, Diane Abbott remains a powerful voice on the left, continuing to challenge her party’s direction under Starmer’s leadership. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph 2025-06-09
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