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Croatia adopts the euro and joins the Schengen area

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Steph Deschamps / January 1, 2023

Croatia was counting the hours Saturday before switching to the euro and entering the Schengen area of free movement, two major steps for this small country that joined the European Union in July 2013. And it was at midnight that the country said goodbye to its currency, the kuna, to become the twentieth member of the euro zone. At the same time, Croatia becomes the 27th state to join the Schengen area, a vast zone in which more than 400 million people can travel freely without internal border controls.
 
This Sunday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will come to Croatia to mark the two events. Croatian leaders regularly emphasize the expected benefits for this Balkan country of 3.9 million people.
 
Joining the euro zone and the Schengen area are “two strategic objectives for further integration into the EU,” conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic insisted Wednesday. For experts, the changeover to the euro will help protect the Croatian economy, one of the weakest in the EU, in a world subject to galloping inflation, a serious energy crisis and geopolitical insecurity since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
 
In november, inflation reached 13.5 per cent, compared to 10 per cent in the euro zone. Eastern European countries that are members of the EU but not in the euro zone, such as Poland and Hungary, have proved even more vulnerable to rising inflation. “The euro certainly brings economic stability and security,” said Ana Sabic, a Croatian central bank official.
 
The benefits of joining the euro will be felt by all segments of society – individuals, companies and the state, she insists. In particular, experts cite the elimination of exchange rate risks and better borrowing conditions in the face of economic difficulties. The euro is already very present in Croatia. About 80 per cent of bank deposits are denominated in euros, the Mediterranean country’s main partners are in the euro zone and tourism, which accounts for 20 per cent of GDP, is driven by a large European clientele.
 
Croatia has received four times as many tourists as it has inhabitants this year. Joining the Schengen zone will also give a boost to tourism. The long lines at Croatia’s borders with its European neighbors, Slovenia and Hungary, will be a thing of the past. This Sunday, 73 border crossings will close. At airports, the change will take place on March 26, for technical reasons.
 
At the same time, the situation at the country’s borders with its non-EU neighbors – Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia – will not change much: Croatia already applies the Schengen rules there. Cracking down on illegal immigration remains a major challenge. Since the country joined the EU, it has inherited the onerous task of protecting an external land border of more than 1,350 km, most of which is with Bosnia.
 
Croatia is on the so-called Western Balkan route, which is used by migrants, but also by traffickers of arms, drugs and human beings. The border with Bosnia is the most difficult to manage, not only because of its length, but also because of its rugged terrain. After the decline in illegal crossings due to the health crisis, Croatia registered 30,000 illegal migrants in the first ten months of 2022, an increase of 150 percent over the same period last year.
 
Croatians have mixed feelings about joining the euro and the Schengen area: while they are generally happy about the end of border controls, the change of currency inspires mistrust. “We’re going to cry for our kuna, prices are going to explode,” laments Drazen Golemac, a 63-year-old pensioner in Zagreb. “Nothing changes on January 1, everything has been calculated in euros for two decades anyway,” said Neven Banic, an employee. Croatians have been counting in euros for a long time for the price of valuable goods, such as cars or apartments.
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2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen

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1 week ago

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April 17, 2024

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2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen, Magnate Daily

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Fuad Al-Qrize ( Arabic: فؤاد الكريزي ) – Yemeni Writer

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Moscow attack: Vladimir Putin promises those responsible will all be “punished”, EI says four of its fighters carried out the attack

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1 month ago

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March 23, 2024

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Moscow attack: Vladimir Putin promises those responsible will all be “punished”, EI says four of its fighters carried out the attack, Magnate Daily
Reading Time: 2 minutes

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.

 
As a reminder, the Islamic State (EI) claimed responsibility for the attack. Its Afghan branch, the Islamic State in Khorassan, known as “EI-K”, is suspected of being behind the attack. According to EI, the attack is part of a “raging war” between the organization and countries fighting Islam, its Amaq news agency said in a statement.
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Princess Kate announces cancer diagnosis

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1 month ago

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March 23, 2024

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Princess Kate announces cancer diagnosis, Magnate Daily
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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 has been diagnosed with cancer, Kensington Palace announced on Friday evening. The wife of the heir to the British throne has begun chemotherapy. “I’m fine,” assured the 42-year-old princess after her cancer diagnosis was announced. In a video, the princess explained, “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding. While I was recovering from surgery, it was an incredibly difficult two months for the whole family. But I had the benefit of a fantastic medical team who took great care of me, for which I am very grateful. In January, I underwent a major domino operation in London and, at the time, my condition was not thought to be cancerous“.
 
She continues: “The operation was successful, but tests carried out after the operation revealed the presence of cancer. My medical team therefore advised me to undergo preventive chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of this treatment. William and I have done everything in our power to manage this situation privately, in the best interests of our young family“.
 

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.

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She underwent major abdominal surgery on January 16 at the London Clinic, where she was hospitalized for ten days. For weeks, rumors had been circulating about the princess’s state of health.
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