The British government’s new definition of extremism has been met with warnings from MPs that it will negatively affect free speech.
There are also concerns that people or groups labelled extremist under the guidelines will not have a clear right to appeal.
Some academics have welcomed the new description as “great improvement”, however, with extremism now clearly defined as “an attempt to destroy fundamental rights and freedoms”.
Freedom and rights
The move has been driven by Communities Secretary Michael Gove after concerns over the tensions and language witnessed in pro-Palestinian marches since the Israel-Gaza war started.
Groups or individuals deemed extremist will now have any government funding and support withdrawn.
Mr Gove named a number of far-right and Islamist extremist groups that might be considered too radical under the new definition.
But in his statement to the UK Parliament he was keen to emphasise the definition was not “seeking to ban or restrict the operation of these organisations in a free society”.
Instead the government wanted to make clear it was wrong “to use taxpayers’ money or public endorsement to engage with these organisations”.
“It's important to stress that we in no way intend to restrict freedom of expression, religion or belief,” he said.
Protest outside UK Parliament calls for Gaza ceasefire - in pictures
Contrarian views
His statement did not receive outright approval across Conservative and opposition benches. Mr Gove struggled to respond to a question on how an organisation might appeal against its exclusions beyond suggesting a “judicial appeal”.
Former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick questioned whether there was enough protection for people who “simply hold contrarian views, who might find this definition used against them”.
Mr Gove responded that the new classification was much more likely to be misused than the previous one, which he said was “looser and baggy and capable of many more interpretations”.
The government now considers extremism to be “the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance” that aims to “negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others” or the UK’s democracy.
Great improvement
Dr Daniel Allington, an extremism expert from Kings College London, told The National that following the post-October 7 protests, which had “got out of hand”, the clarification “may help to restore confidence that we are not succumbing to mob rule”.
He argued it was a “great improvement” on the previous definition that was “too vague” and “chauvinistic” and which stated extremism was “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values”.
“The new definition very clearly says that extremism is the attempt to destroy fundamental rights and freedoms,” he said.
“People still have the right to express views that we find objectionable, that is part of liberal democracy and this does not change that.”
It was instead “very clearly focused” on targeting those who were “actively working to destroy other people's rights”.
There was potential for the UK to learn from the UAE’s Hedaya counter-extremism centre after it was announced Britain would set up a new centre of excellence.
This would help avoid the “huge failures in due diligence”, Dr Allington said, in which one part of government might label an organisation extremist while another may unwittingly employ the group’s advice.
Hundreds protest outside the UK parliament demanding a ceasefire - video
Named groups
In the coming weeks, the centre, staffed by academics and civil servants, will publish a list of names it deemed extremist.
Mr Gove hinted at which groups these might be by referring to them in the Commons under parliamentary privilege.
He named the British National Socialist Movement and Patriotic Alternative, which “promote neo-Nazi ideology” and “argue for forced repatriation” of non-whites.
The Muslim Association of Britain (Mab), the British affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mend (Muslim Engagement and Development) and Cage, a group which in 2015 was connected to Mohammed Emwazi, who appeared in ISIS beheading videos, were identified as they “give rise to concern for their Islamist [extremist] orientation and views”.
Mab and Cage have condemned the definition change, saying it was an assault on civil liberties that targeted Muslim groups.
Criminalising speech
While she agreed with the new definition, Angela Rayner, the shadow communities secretary, said the government needed to take “much stronger action to tackle the corrosive forms of hatred that devastate lives and corrode communities”.
Miriam Cates, a Conservative MP, warned that the ruling risked “criminalising the speech of people who have perfectly legitimate, harmless views”.
Mr Gove said the centre of excellence “will show our workings” behind the decisions to list an organisation as extremist.
The new definition also made clear that extremism was conduct that falls short of criminality but was deemed “unacceptable”.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The years Ramadan fell in May
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Honeymoonish
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
heading
Iran has sent five planeloads of food to Qatar, which is suffering shortages amid a regional blockade.
A number of nations, including Iran's major rival Saudi Arabia, last week cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of funding terrorism, charges it denies.
The land border with Saudi Arabia, through which 40% of Qatar's food comes, has been closed.
Meanwhile, mediators Kuwait said that Qatar was ready to listen to the "qualms" of its neighbours.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
Sly%20Cooper%20and%20the%20Thievius%20Raccoonus
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sucker%20Punch%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%202%20to%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The%20specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
How%20champions%20are%20made
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
