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GCAP: Japan, UK, Italy to develop a new generation fighter

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Steph Deschamps / December 9, 2022

Japan will collaborate with the United Kingdom and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035, the three countries announced Friday.
 
Tokyo, London and Rome will launch “an ambitious effort to develop a next-generation combat aircraft” under a program called GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme), the governments said.
 
The collaboration, which will build on research already launched by the three partners in advanced air combat technologies such as unmanned aircraft, marks Japan’s first association with European partners to design a combat aircraft.
 
Details on the cost of the project have not yet been finalized, according to a Japanese defense ministry official, who said production is expected to begin around 2030 or 2031 in order to deploy a prototype by 2035.
 
When you look at other countries, the United States has the F-35 and Europe has the Eurofighter. We will of course aim to create fighter aircraft that exceed the capabilities of these models,” added the official.
 
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Britain’s BAE Systems and Italy’s Leonardo are expected to be at the center of the project, according to information from the Japanese business daily Nikkei.
 
“We are determined to defend the free, open and rules-based international order, which is more important than ever at a time when these principles are being challenged and threats and aggression are increasing,” the three countries said in a statement.
 
Since it is crucial to defend our democracy, economy and security and to  protect regional stability, we need strong defence and security partnerships, underpinned and reinforced by a credible deterrent,” they added.
 
Japan, whose defense strategy is heavily dependent on its U.S. ally, is seeking to drastically increase its defense capabilities to address the growing threats it feels on its borders, from North Korea to China to Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
 
Tokyo announced this week that it plans to increase its military spending by 56% over the period 2023-2027, compared to the previous five fiscal years, and to raise its defense budget to 2% of the national GDP by 2027, compared to a maximum of 1% until now. 
 
Such a goal is controversial in this country, which has had a pacifist constitution since 1947 and which greatly limits the means and missions of its “Self-Defence Forces” (the name of its army).
 
Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy say they have designed the GCAP program as a basis for cooperation with other countries, emphasizing in their statement its “future interoperability with the United States, Nato and our partners across Europe, the Indo-Pacific and globally.
 
“The United States supports Japan’s security and defense cooperation with like-minded allies and partners … in the development of its next fighter aircraft,” said a joint statement from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
 
The two countries are discussing “autonomous systems” that could be complementary to the Japanese fighter project and have agreed to “begin concrete cooperation in the coming year”, allowing “joint responses to future threats” in the Asia-Pacific region, the statement added.
 
The future fighter is seen as a successor to the Japanese Mitsubishi F-2, designed with the American Lockheed Martin and put into service in 2000.
 
Its development should incorporate the advances of the Tempest fighter project, led by the United Kingdom, and a pre-prototype of which is announced “within the next five years”. 
 
An agreement has also been signed in recent weeks between France’s Dassault and Europe’s Airbus to relaunch the costly and complex SCAF European fighter jet project, launched in 2017 and supposed to replace France’s Rafale and Germany’s and Spain’s Eurofighter jets by 2040.

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2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen

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