World News
Farewell 2022: the world prepares to move to 2023
Steph Deschamps / December 31, 2022
Farewell 2022: the eight billion people of the world are preparing to leave behind them a turbulent year, between the war in Ukraine, inflation and the world title of Lionel Messi, before entering fully into 2023.
For many, New Year’s Day will be an opportunity to chase away the memories of Covid, as the virus leaves the minds, without disappearing for all that.
It will also be an opportunity to untie the purse and put aside months of sobriety forced by the pandemic and record inflation around the globe.
In Australia, Sydney will be one of the first major cities to ring in 2023, reclaiming its title as the “New Year’s Eve capital of the world” after two years of closure and festivities stifled by the Omicron variant.
Australia’s borders have since reopened and more than a million people are expected to gather on Sydney Harbour to watch the launch of more than 100,000 fireworks. City officials estimate that nearly half a billion people will watch the show online or on television.
By mid-day, hundreds of people were already occupying the best spots to watch the show. “It’s been a pretty good year for us, getting rid of the Covid is great,” commented David Hugh-Paterson, 52, who was sitting outside the Sydney Opera House amidst the growing crowds protecting themselves from summer showers under umbrellas.
“If we can get everyone to join in the celebration and look forward to the coming year with renewed optimism and joy, then we’ll have succeeded,” said the fireworks organizer, Fortunato Foti.
This is in contrast to the feeling left by 2022, which saw the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Pele, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jiang Zemin and Shinzo Abe.
This year also rhymed with the “Great Resignation”, a phenomenon of mass departure of employees from their jobs after the pandemic, with a slap in the face at the Oscars ceremony and the ruin of billionaires, swept away by the crash of cryptocurrencies.
But above all, it will forever be associated with the return of war in Europe with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on a continent already battered by two world wars.
In more than 300 days, nearly 7,000 civilians have been killed and 10,000 wounded, according to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Sixteen million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes. For those who remain, daily life is punctuated by power cuts, Russian bombings and a curfew from 11pm to 5am.
Each person goes through this conflict in his or her own way: a silent prayer, a celebration, in a common spirit of resistance.
Further east, Vladimir Putin’s Russia is not in the mood for fun. Moscow cancelled its traditional fireworks shows after the city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, asked residents how they would like to mark the passage to the new year.
“A peaceful sky over our heads” is the only wish of Muscovites like Irina Shapovalova, 51, a nursery worker.
The national broadcaster VGTRK promised “a New Year’s atmosphere, despite the changes in the country and the world”.
But this year, the show will be without the usual artists or the presenter-star Maxim Galkin, who left in exile after denouncing the war in Ukraine and is now considered an “agent of foreigners ».
Also in the east, at the far end of the continent, Covid has made a dramatic comeback in China, while vaccination is allowing the rest of the world to return to some semblance of normal life.
Beijing abruptly abandoned its “zero Covid” policy earlier this month, a reversal immediately followed by an explosion in the number of infections. Hospitals and crematoria alike may be overwhelmed, but rallies are planned everywhere for the transition to 2023.
However, Shanghai authorities have announced that no activities will take place on the city’s famous waterfront.
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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
