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Halloween party turns into drama in Seoul

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Steph Deschamps / October 30, 2022

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol promised Sunday a “rigorous” investigation into the stampede that killed at least 151 people the night before in central Seoul, where tens of thousands of mostly very young revelers were celebrating Halloween for the first time after the pandemic.
 
Deploring “a tragedy and a disaster that should not have happened”, Mr. Yoon promised that his government would investigate “rigorously” to determine the causes of the disaster, one of the most serious in the recent history of South Korea, and ensure that it “does not happen again”.
 
“I have a heavy heart and it is difficult for me to contain my grief,” added the head of state in a televised address, who went to the scene of the tragedy on Sunday morning, wearing the green jacket of the emergency services, and declared national mourning.
 
Bodies lined up on the sidewalk under blankets or other makeshift shrouds, heart massages performed in the street by passers-by at the request of overworked firefighters, people in disguises or in party clothes running in panic: the night turned into a nightmare in Itaewon, a neighborhood located near a former U.S. military base and known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, its bars and party places of all kinds in a maze of narrow streets.
 
“My friend said to me: there is something terrible happening outside,” said Jeon Ga-eul, 30, who was having a drink in a bar at the time of the tragedy. “I said, ‘What are you talking about? I went out to see, and I saw people doing CPR
 
The accident occurred on Saturday around 22:00 near the Hamilton Hotel, located on a main avenue surrounded by steep alleys. The crowd movement, which is currently unknown what triggered it, killed at least 151 people, including 19 foreigners of various nationalities, 97 women and 54 men, firefighters told AFP. They added that the disaster had injured 89 people.
 
Among the foreigners killed were people from Iran, China, Uzbekistan and Norway, according to Yonhap news agency. Two Russians are also among the dead, according to the Tass agency.
 
The authorities in Seoul have also reported 355 people missing early Sunday morning.
 
People were lying on top of each other like in a grave. Some were gradually losing consciousness, others were obviously dead,” an unidentified witness told Yonhap.
 
Lee Beom-suk, a doctor who administered first aid to the victims, described scenes of chaos and horror.
“When I first tried to perform CPR, there were two victims lying on the sidewalk. But soon after the number exploded,” he told YTN television.
 
“Many bystanders came to help us perform CPR,” he continued. “It’s hard to describe in words (…) Many of the victims had pale faces. I couldn’t take their pulse or control their breathing, and many of them had bloody noses. »
 
A video shared on Twitter by an Internet user who said she was in Itaewon at the time of the tragedy shows hundreds of people, many in cowboy, pirate and other outfits, on a street lined with bars. The scene, calm at first, suddenly turns into confusion. Passers-by are pushed and fall on top of each other between screams and panic. A woman swears in English: “Oh my God! Oh my God! »
 
About 100,000 people, according to media estimates, had come to Itaewon for this Halloween party, the first in Seoul since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
 
“The size of the crowd expected in Itaewon was not much different from previous years, so I think the personnel deployed were on a similar scale to before,” said Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, adding that a “considerable number” of police officers were at the same time in another part of the capital to oversee a large demonstration.
 
Many international leaders have expressed their dismay. “We mourn with the people of the Republic of Korea and send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who were injured,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.
 
“I am terribly shocked and deeply saddened” by this accident “which took too many precious lives, including those of young people who had the future ahead of them,” said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
 
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “an emotional thought for the people of Seoul and for all the Korean people.” “This is a sad day for South Korea,” tweeted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Chris TDL Organizations is a Multinational parent managing company or multiple marketing and brand management entities.

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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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