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Indonesian Parliament criminalizes sex outside marriage

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Steph Deschamps / December 6, 2022

Indonesia’s parliament has approved a law criminalizing sex outside of marriage, denounced as a setback to freedoms and a slide towards fundamentalism in the world’s most populous Muslim country.
 
This reform of the penal code, which dates back to the Dutch colonial era, was adopted by a majority of deputies. It punishes extramarital sexual relations as well as the cohabitation of unmarried couples.
 
According to the text consulted by AFP, illegal cohabitation will be punishable by six months’ imprisonment, and sexual relations outside marriage by one year’s imprisonment.
 
“We have done our best to take into account the important issues and the different opinions that have been debated,” Justice Minister Yasonna Laoly told parliament.
 
“However, it is time for us to take a historic decision on amending the penal code, and leave behind the colonial penal code that we inherited” when the country gained independence in 1949, he added. 
 
A spokesperson for the committee that drafted the bill at the Ministry of Justice, Albert Aries, said the reform will protect the institution of marriage.
 
He emphasized that premarital and extramarital sexual acts can only be reported by spouses, parents or children, which effectively limits the scope of the law.
 
But critics of the new law have denounced it as an attack on freedom of morals.
 
Human rights groups say the new amendments underscore a growing shift toward fundamentalism in a country long hailed for its religious tolerance and where secularism is enshrined in the constitution.
 
The new rules could also have a major impact on the LGBTQ community in Indonesia, where same-sex marriage is not allowed.
 
“We are going backwards…repressive laws should have been abolished. But the bill shows that the arguments of foreign academics are true, that our democracy is indisputably in decline,” Usman Hamid, director of Amnesty International Indonesia, told AFP.
 
About 100 people protesting against the bill had unfurled a yellow banner in Jakarta on Monday that read: “Reject the adoption of the revised penal code”. 
 
Some of them put flower petals on the banner as they do for funerals.  According to Abdul Ghofar, an activist with the Indonesian environmental group WALHI, these symbolic acts reflected the public’s “grief” at the impending passage of the revision.
 
Another demonstration to reject the new law was planned for Tuesday in front of the parliament building.
 
The law, which has yet to be signed by the president, will be applicable in three years.
 
Bambang Wuryanto, the head of the parliamentary committee that oversaw deliberations on the text, acknowledged that “it is a human product and therefore it will never be perfect. But he urged critics to “file a legal appeal with the constitutional court” instead of protesting.

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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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