World News
After only 44 days, British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigns
Steph Deschamps / October 21, 2022
British Prime Minister Liz Truss finally resigned on Thursday after just six weeks in Downing Street and the British Conservatives are looking for a new leader in a country in the midst of an economic and social crisis.
Given the situation, I cannot fulfil the mandate for which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning,” said the 47-year-old leader in front of 10 Downing Street, in a very short speech.
A ballot to find a successor within the Conservative party will take place “by next week”, added the woman who became the Prime Minister to have remained the shortest time in Downing Street in modern British history, with only 44 days in office.
Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, which is responsible for organizing the Conservative Party, said the next Prime Minister will be chosen by October 28 and the election will see a maximum of two candidates compete in a much shorter process than the election that brought Liz Truss to Downing Street this summer.
“We are very conscious of the need, in the national interest, to resolve (this crisis) quickly and clearly,” he said.
On Thursday morning, the Prime Minister appeared to be still clinging to power, with a spokesman assuring that she was “working” with her finance minister Jeremy Hunt to prepare their medium-term economic plan, the day after a catastrophic day for her.
But by late morning, Ms. Truss had met with Mr. Brady. The list of Conservative MPs calling for his departure was growing by the hour.
In the midst of the cost of living crisis, which has seen millions of Britons suffer from inflation, the Conservative party is reopening an internal election to find a new leader — the fifth in six years — after the previous one was held this summer, following the resignation of Boris Johnson, against a backdrop of scandals in Downing Street and in the majority.
Who will be the candidates, as for days several names have been circulating to succeed Liz Truss, such as Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt – the minister in charge of relations with Parliament – or even Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister she replaced in September?
It was the presentation of a mini-budget on September 23, containing aid for energy bills but also massive and unfunded tax cuts, that brought about the end of Mrs. Truss. The plan sent the pound to an all-time low and sent the markets into a panic, nearly degenerating into a financial crisis without the emergency intervention of the Bank of England.
On Thursday, the pound recovered slightly against the dollar after the announcement of Liz Truss’ resignation.
Even after sacking her finance minister and close friend Kwasi Kwarteng, and then abandoning her plan, Truss was never able to recover and restore confidence in the conservative ranks. Her already low popularity plummeted in the polls.
From then on, no matter how much Liz Truss said she wanted to stay in office, it seemed impossible for her to remain in Downing Street. And even more so since the catastrophic day of Wednesday, marked by the departure of her Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and then by a melodrama in Parliament over the vote on a text that turned into a free-for-all among Conservative MPs.
The Tories have decided to avoid an early general election at a time when the Labour opposition is leading in the polls.
After Liz Truss’ announcement, their leader Keir Starmer called for a general election “now” and not at the end of 2024 or early 2025 as planned.
This political storm in one of the world’s leading powers, in the midst of the war in Ukraine, has not failed to provoke international reaction.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he hoped the United Kingdom would “quickly” return to “stability.
Russian diplomacy mocked the announcement of Liz Truss’ resignation, saying the country had “never known such an embarrassment”.
In Godalming, a small town in Surrey south of London, Sally Sherfield, a pensioner who does not vote Conservative, welcomed her departure. “I think it’s best that she goes,” she said, although she would have preferred a general election in the hope of bringing the opposition to power.
For Carmen Harvey-Browne, a retired schoolteacher and conservative voter, the situation had become an “absolute mess” and Truss “had to go. She “wasn’t cut out for the job,” she says, saying she now has “a little more hope.”
World News
2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen
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Datareportal, a leading authority in global digital insights, has released its highly anticipated “Digital 2024: Yemen” report, showcasing remarkable advancements in digital adoption across the country amidst ongoing challenges.
Key findings from the report include:
1. Internet Penetration Growth: Internet penetration in Yemen has surged by 22% from the previous year, with an estimated 10.5 million Yemenis now having access to the internet, representing 36% of the population.
2. Mobile Connectivity: Mobile devices remain the primary means of internet access, with smartphone ownership increasing by 18%, reaching a total of 9.2 million users. This growth is attributed to expanded mobile network coverage and more affordable data plans.
3. Social Media Usage: Social media usage has seen a significant uptick, with platforms like Facebook experiencing a 30% increase in active users, now totaling 7.8 million Yemenis. WhatsApp and YouTube follow closely, each with over 6 million active users.
4. E-Commerce Expansion: E-commerce has boomed, witnessing a 45% rise in online transactions compared to the previous year. The total value of e-commerce transactions in 2024 reached USD 360 million, indicating a growing preference for digital shopping experiences.
5. Digital Payments Surge: Digital payment systems have gained widespread adoption, with mobile money users growing by 55% to reach 4.3 million users. This surge in digital payments has led to a 25% decrease in cash transactions across various sectors.
While Yemen continues to face challenges, the rapid growth in digital adoption is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people,” said [SIMON KEMP], at Datareportal. “These numbers reflect the transformative potential of digital technologies in driving economic growth and improving access to essential services.
The report also sheds light on ongoing challenges such as intermittent power outages and internet disruptions, which hinder seamless digital integration. Additionally, the cost of digital access remains relatively high for many Yemenis, highlighting the need for continued efforts to enhance affordability and accessibility.
For a detailed analysis and access to the full “Digital 2024: Yemen” report, visit [Website URL].
– About Datareportal
Datareportal is a leading provider of comprehensive digital insights, empowering businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders with data-driven decision-making tools. With a commitment to accuracy and depth, Datareportal remains at the forefront of global digital trends and transformations.
Fuad Al-Qrize ( Arabic: فؤاد الكريزي ) – Yemeni Writer
World News
Moscow attack: Vladimir Putin promises those responsible will all be “punished”, EI says four of its fighters carried out the attack
Eva Deschamps / March 23,
At least 133 people were killed on Friday evening in an armed attack followed by a huge fire at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, which was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (EI).
The four perpetrators” of the attack were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, said the Russian president on Saturday March 23.
The Russian president spoke at a time of terrible tragedy in Russia. “The four perpetrators” of the attack near Moscow were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, he said in a televised speech broadcast the day after the murderous attack. “According to initial data [from investigators], on the Ukrainian side, a passage had been prepared for them to cross the border”, he continued, notes Le Monde.
The attack, which killed at least 133 people near Moscow, was in the eyes of the Kremlin leader a “bloody and barbaric act of terrorism”. “Peaceful, innocent people […] including children, teenagers and women” were killed, he continued, adding, “I express my deepest and most sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.” A national day of mourning will be observed on March 24.
“War”. In his speech, Vladimir Putin assured that “those behind these terrorists will be punished” and that they “will have no future”. On Saturday, the Kremlin announced that eleven people had been arrested, including the four suspects who carried out the attack.
World News
Princess Kate announces cancer diagnosis
Sylvie Claire / March 23,
After weeks of silence from the British royal family, cancer-stricken Princess Kate has announced that she has begun chemotherapy.
Princess Kate explains that it has taken them some time to explain the situation to their children George, Charlotte and Louis. She concludes her message: “But for now, I need to focus on my full recovery. I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For anyone facing this disease in any form, don’t lose faith or hide. You are not alone.