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Japan between mourning and protest during the national funeral of Shinzo Abe

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Eva Deschamps / September 27, 2022

This Tuesday, September 27, the national funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, assassinated in the middle of a political meeting last July, takes place.
 
Thousands of Japanese people paid their last respects to their assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday morning. However, the state funeral scheduled for the day in Tokyo is very controversial in the country.
 
Many ordinary citizens lined up to lay wreaths and pay their respects briefly in front of a portrait of Abe set up in a tent near the Nippon Budokan, a major venue for martial arts competitions, concerts and official ceremonies in the heart of the Japanese capital, where the state funeral was due to start at about 2 p.m. local time.
 
“I wanted to thank (Abe, editor’s note). He did so much for Japan (…) and the way he died was so shocking,” said Koji Takamori, a 46-year-old entrepreneur who came from the island of Hokkaido (northern Japan) with his 9-year-old son.
 
But to be honest, I also came because there was so much opposition” to the state funeral, he added. The event is far from being a moment of sacred union in Japan, having provoked intense controversy and demonstrations in recent weeks.
 
Abe broke the record for the longest tenure of a sitting prime minister in Japan (more than eight and a half years in 2006-2007 and 2012-2020). He was Japan’s best-known political figure both at home and abroad, with his intense diplomatic activity and his massive fiscal and monetary stimulus policy dubbed “Abenomics.
 
His assassination by gunfire in the middle of an election rally on July 8 at the age of 67 shocked Japan and the world. But Abe was also hated by many for his ultraliberal and nationalist views, his willingness to revise Japan’s pacifist constitution and his proximity to numerous political and financial scandals.
 
The motive of his alleged assassin – Abe’s alleged links with the Unification Church, nicknamed the “Moon cult”, which is accused of exerting strong financial pressure on its members – has further tarnished the image of the former prime minister in the eyes of his detractors.
 
Since his death, revelations have been pouring in about the extent of the links between this church and Japanese parliamentarians, especially from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, right-wing government), which was once led by Abe and is now led by the current Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, whose popularity rating has plummeted since this summer.
 
Mr. Kishida’s quick and unilateral decision to hold a state funeral has outraged the opposition, which believes that it should have been debated and approved in parliament. Several opposition parties will boycott the ceremony.
 
Such tributes to politicians have been rare in post-war Japan, with the only precedent dating back to 1967. The estimated cost of the ceremony – the equivalent of 12 million euros – also irritated. After the failures of Abe’s close protection, the government did not skimp on security: 20,000 police were to be deployed, according to local media. According to the latest polls, about 60 per cent of Japanese people are opposed to the state funeral.
 
Some 4,300 people, including 700 foreign dignitaries, are expected to attend the one-and-a-half hour non-denominational ceremony. Nineteen cannon shots will be fired as the urn containing Abe’s ashes arrives at the Budokan.
 
After the national anthem and a minute of silence, several eulogies will be delivered, including by Mr. Kishida and Yoshihide Suga, Abe’s former right-hand man who succeeded him as Prime Minister (2020-2021).
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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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