World News
North Korea: an American B-1B bomber joins the joint air exercises in South Korea!
Sylvie Claire / November 5, 2022
The B-1B is a supersonic bomber with low radar detection and very low altitude capability. It was originally designed to carry nuclear weapons
A U.S. B-1B supersonic heavy bomber was scheduled to participate Saturday in the massive air exercises underway in South Korea jointly conducted by Seoul and Washington, extended after a record series of missile launches by North Korea.
The B-1B is a supersonic bomber that is not very detectable by radar and can fly at very low altitude. Although it was originally designed to carry nuclear weapons, it has been used by the United States for exclusively conventional combat missions since the mid-1990s, according to its manufacturer, Boeing, on its website. It has been used in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
The “Vigilant Storm” air exercises, which began on October 31, are the largest ever jointly organized by South Korea and the United States. Initially scheduled to last until Friday, they were extended to Saturday after North Korea increased its missile launches in recent days, including an apparent failed launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Sea of Japan.
On Friday evening, the South Korean military announced that it had deployed some 80 F-35A stealth aircraft after detecting 180 fighter jets flying in North Korean airspace, a new episode in the dramatic rise in tensions on the Korean peninsula in recent weeks.
After attacking Russia and China, Washington, Paris, London and other non-permanent members of the Security Council issued a joint statement calling for “unity” in the face of the “threat posed by North Korea to international peace.
China and Russia, whose relations with the West are at a low ebb with the war in Ukraine, shunned the joint statement. Their ambassadors criticized the military exercises between the United States and South Korea and accused Washington of wanting to “force Pyongyang into unilateral disarmament through sanctions and pressure.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged, through his spokesman, that “North Korea should immediately refrain from any act of provocation.
North Korea has always viewed U.S.-South Korean military maneuvers as dress rehearsals for an invasion of its territory or the overthrow of its leadership. The “Vigilant Storm” exercise is “an aggressive and provocative military maneuver aimed at the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” the North Korean regime denounced Wednesday, threatening Seoul and Washington with “the most horrible price in history.
Analysts attribute Pyongyang’s particularly angry reaction to the use of advanced F-35A and F-35B stealth aircraft during “Vigilante Storm,” which were seen as an ideal tool for conducting lightning “decapitation strikes” against North Korean leaders.
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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
