Word Association (2024)
-
Recently Browsing 0 members
- No registered users viewing this page.
Announcements
-
Topics
-
Latest posts...
-
0
Safe Secure Parking Space Wanted To Rent
Hi, I'm looking for a space to rent in a Condo. Pattaya, Pratumnak or Jomtiem. For a Classic Type Car. Preferably with barrier/card entry for added security if possible Please let me know! -
15
Realistic price range for hotel with good WIFI?
Go to you smartphone's setting and find Hotspot Tethering or something similar and turn that on. Then from your laptop, enable your wifi, and find your phone hotspot and connect to it. -
7
-
-
7
Danish Prisoner in Thailand Warns Against Drug Crimes
The person who took the photo is waiting to lay down -
17
-
0
Alarming Surge in Youth Radicalization Through Online Platforms, Report Warns
Children are increasingly being drawn into terrorism at unprecedented rates, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok acting as a "conveyor belt" guiding them toward extremist content, according to a groundbreaking report. This phenomenon has sparked urgent calls for a collective response to address the growing global threat posed by the radicalization of minors. The "Five Eyes" counter-terrorism alliance, comprising the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has issued its first public report on the alarming trend. Established during World War II, the alliance has traditionally focused on intelligence-sharing to combat global security threats. However, this report marks a shift, emphasizing the need for societal intervention to counter the radicalization of children online. The report, titled *"Young People and Violent Extremism: A Call for Collective Action,"* highlights the staggering increase in children being targeted and recruited by extremist groups. It warns that radicalized minors are just as capable of carrying out deadly terrorist attacks as adults. "This is not a phenomenon unique to the UK. We are seeing the influence of the same extremist networks reach across all of the Five Eyes countries," the report notes, stressing the global nature of the issue. Online platforms, particularly social media and gaming sites, play a significant role in facilitating radicalization. Apps such as Discord, Instagram, Roblox, and TikTok are identified as avenues where extremists make initial contact with minors. The report cautions that extremist content is often seamlessly integrated into these platforms, making it more accessible and difficult to detect. Britain’s counter-terrorism chief, Matt Jukes, underscored the need for a multi-faceted approach to break the cycle. “Many threads have to come together if we are to stop this conveyor belt leading children towards extremism,” he said. Jukes called on technology companies to prioritize platform safety and urged parents to take a more proactive role in monitoring their children’s online activities. Recent figures from the UK’s Prevent programme, which focuses on de-radicalization, reveal that children aged 11 to 15 now represent the largest proportion of referrals. This data underscores the urgency of the problem and the need for immediate action. The report emphasizes that law enforcement and security agencies alone cannot tackle this issue. It calls for international cooperation and a "whole society response" to safeguard young people from the pervasive threat of online radicalization. As the report concludes, “Radicalized minors can pose the same credible terrorist threat as adults.” In light of this stark warning, parents, educators, policymakers, and tech companies are urged to work collectively to stem the tide of youth radicalization and ensure a safer digital environment for future generations. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-12-07 -
0
Starmer Dilutes Pledges Amid Economic Challenges
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled his new “Plan for Change” on Thursday, diluting two key election pledges as the UK economy grapples with challenges following his tax-raising Budget. Among the revised commitments, Starmer reduced the ambition for achieving a fully low-carbon energy supply by 2030, now aiming for 95 per cent instead of the originally promised 100 per cent. Additionally, a pledge to secure the highest economic growth in the G7 has been downgraded to an “aim,” with no commitment to achieving it before the next election. The announcement coincided with troubling economic signals. A Bank of England survey revealed that over half of businesses anticipated price increases and job cuts due to October’s National Insurance rise. The Confederation of British Industry also downgraded growth forecasts for 2024 and 2025, attributing the downturn to reduced investment and consumer confidence caused by the Budget. Starmer presented the blueprint at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, insisting it was not a “reset” despite declining poll ratings. The plan outlined broad goals, such as reducing NHS waiting times to 18 weeks, increasing household incomes, ensuring school readiness for more five-year-olds, building 1.5 million homes, and hiring 13,000 new police officers. However, it lacked specific pledges to address critical issues, including reducing net migration and tackling the rising number of welfare recipients signed off sick – a growing post-pandemic trend Starmer acknowledged but did not directly address. Labour’s ambitious housebuilding plans, intended to boost economic growth, drew concerns from the National Federation of Builders, which warned that significantly more migrant workers would be needed to meet the targets. Similarly, while the Plan reiterated the goal of increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP from its current 2.3 per cent, it failed to specify a timeline for achieving it. The Plan for Change introduced six “milestones” supplementing five pre-election “missions,” alongside three “foundations” and seven “pillars for growth.” Critics quickly pounced on the complexity of the framework. Even Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, acknowledged that the structure risked being “overcomplicated.” Starmer’s dilution of two flagship pledges attracted particular scrutiny. Earlier, Labour had committed to achieving “100 per cent clean and cheap power” by 2030, but industry experts had widely questioned the feasibility of the zero-carbon electricity target. Currently, the UK’s clean energy figure stands at just over 60 per cent. The revised 95 per cent target is seen as more achievable but falls short of the party’s earlier vision. In another shift, Starmer introduced a new promise to increase GDP per person and real household disposable income before the next general election. Critics were quick to dismiss this as uninspiring, noting that every government since World War II has met this standard. Tom Waters from the Institute for Fiscal Studies called the target “very unambitious,” while the Resolution Foundation described it as “the absolute bare minimum.” The Conservatives seized on the perceived lack of ambition and coherence in Labour’s plan. Alex Burghart, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, derided the announcement as evidence of a government in disarray. “The latest Labour reset – after only five months – is another sign that the wheels are off and are bouncing down the street,” he remarked. Starmer’s new blueprint underscores the challenges his government faces in managing economic recovery while maintaining credibility with the electorate. Whether the Plan for Change will restore confidence or further erode support remains to be seen. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-07
-
-
Popular in The Pub
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now