World News
Earthquake in Turkey and Syria: a newborn baby pulled alive from the rubble was still connected by the umbilical cord to his dead mother
Steph Deschamps / February 8, 2023
In the rubble of a house in Jandairis, a town in Syria hit hard by Monday’s earthquake, rescuers discovered a living baby, still connected by the umbilical cord to its dead mother.
The little girl is the sole survivor of a family whose other members all died in the collapse of their four-story building. In this locality bordering Turkey, rescue workers removed the bodies of her father, Abdallah Mleihan, her mother, Aafra, her three sisters, her brother and her aunt.
We were looking for Abu Roudayna (Abdallah’s nickname) and his family, we first found his sister, then his wife, then Abu Roudayna, who were grouped together close to each other,” said Khalil Sawadi, a family member who is still in shock.
Then we heard a noise while we were digging (…) we cleared the ground and found this little one, thank God,” he added. The baby had the umbilical cord still attached to her mother. “We cut it and my cousin took the baby to the hospital,” Khalil Sawadi continued.
In a video circulating on social networks, a man can be seen holding up a naked baby, covered in dust, with the umbilical cord still dangling. As the temperature approaches zero degrees Celsius, another man throws him a blanket to cover the newborn. The baby was taken to the hospital in the nearby town of Afrin.
The rescue workers spent hours before they could free the bodies of the rest of the family, one after the other, with little means. They lined them up in the house of a relative, covered with sheets of different colors to identify them, while waiting for the funeral.
In the dimly lit room, Khalil Sawadi lists their names. “We are displaced from Deir Ezzor, Abdallah is my cousin and I am married to his sister,” he says.
The family had fled the volatile Deir Ezzor region further east, believing they would be safer in Jandairis, a locality controlled since 2018 by Turkish forces and pro-Turkish rebel groups.
About 50 houses collapsed in this town in northwestern Syria, relatively close to the epicenter of the earthquake in Turkey, whose streets are littered with debris, according to an AFP correspondent.
The earthquake has killed more than 5,000 people in Turkey and Syria. For the areas outside the control of the Syrian regime alone, where aid is sorely lacking, the death toll is currently around 800.
According to the White Helmets, rescue workers who work in these areas, more than 200 buildings have totally collapsed in the area.
The group pleaded with international aid organizations on Tuesday to come to the aid of these disaster-stricken and forgotten areas. “Time is running out. Hundreds of people are still trapped under the rubble,” it said.
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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.
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.
2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen
A New Era of Global Communication Through Outernet
