World News
Pele is eternal: Brazil says a final goodbye to the soccer legend
Eva Deschamps / January 3, 2023
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be one of the last to pay tribute to Pele on Tuesday as the whole of Brazil prepares to say a final farewell to the soccer legend who will be buried later today.
Lula, who took office on Sunday, is expected in the city of Santos, in the southeast of the country, to “pay tribute to Pele and in solidarity with his family” at 09:00 local time (12:00 GMT), one hour before the end of the funeral vigil started 24 hours earlier.
Pele and in solidarity with his family” at 09H00 local, one hour before the end of the funeral vigil begun 24 hours earlier.
Then the funeral procession will cross Santos and will pass in particular in front of the house of the mother of Pelé, Celeste Arantes. She is 100 years old but has cognitive problems and is not aware of her son’s death.
Pele’s remains will then be taken to his final resting place, a specially erected mausoleum in a cemetery, for a Catholic rite ceremony in strict family privacy.
On Monday, thousands of fans and soccer dignitaries, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, gathered in front of Pele’s black coffin set up in the center of the FC Santos stadium, the club where he played from 1956 to 1974.
“Pele is eternal. He is a global soccer icon,” Infantino said Monday, noting that soccer’s governing body would ask all member countries to name a stadium after Pele.
Antonio Carlos Pereira da Silva, a 36-year-old artist, said he arrived at midnight to be among the first to walk past the open casket covered with a tulle veil where the man many consider the greatest footballer in history, the only one to have won the World Cup three times in 1958, 1962 and 1970, lies.
“If I said I didn’t cry when he died, I would be lying,” he told AFP. “Pele taught us so many things. Not only in Brazil, but in the whole world.
Tributes have poured in from around the world since his death, with the biggest names in soccer, both current and former, hailing his genius for the “beautiful game.”
Inside the stadium, fans of Pele advanced all day Monday slowly and quietly to the large white canopy where the coffin is displayed.
Arriving early, Pele’s third wife, Marcia Cibela Aoki, dressed in black and in tears, placed her hand on the head of the footballer she married in 2016. Three of Pele’s six surviving children were present.
She also placed a rosary in his coffin draped with the flags of FC Santos and Brazil.
Relatives paid an emotional tribute to her, holding hands around her coffin in prayer.
Dozens of wreaths, sent by soccer personalities like Paris SG star Neymar or foreign clubs like Real Madrid, were placed around the coffin.
He “inspired all generations, he was always a reference”, said the father of Neymar, the current number 10 of the Seleçao retained in Paris, who equaled the number of goals of Pele in the national team (77) during the recent World Cup in Qatar.
In the 16,000-seat Vila Belmiro stadium, three giant banners placed in the stands show Pele’s back with his famous number 10 shirt, and two others with the inscription “Long live the king” and “Pele 82 years ».
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele, spent a month in Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo until his death on Thursday at 82 years old from kidney and heart failure, bronchopneumonia and adenocarcinoma of the colon, according to the death certificate published by local media.
Until the end he remained active on social networks, encouraging Brazil from his hospital bed during the World Cup in Qatar, consoling the seleçao after its defeat in the quarterfinals, three weeks before his death.
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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
