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Peru: the president refuses to resign, 200 tourists evacuated from Machu Picchu

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Eva Deschamps / December 18, 2022

The president Dina Boluarte declared on Saturday that she would remain at the head of Peru, country shaken by deadly demonstrations since the destitution and the arrest of his predecessor on December 7th, and where 200 tourists blocked in the region of Machu Picchu could be evacuated Saturday.
 
In a new attempt to end the crisis and protests, Dina Boluarte asked the Parliament to bring forward the general elections. “What would my resignation solve? We are going to stay here, firm, until Congress decides to bring forward the elections (…) I ask that we reconsider the vote” of Friday, when the Parliament voted against bringing forward the general elections from 2026 to 2023, she pleaded.
 
Assembly Speaker Jose Williams said Friday that the vote should be reconsidered at a future session.
In a televised message to the nation, Dina Boluarte -vice-president of Peru until the removal of Pedro Castillo- deplored the demonstrations that left at least 19 dead and 569 injured, including minors.
 
Some deaths are linked to clashes with the military, authorized to intervene to maintain the internal security within the framework of the establishment of the state of emergency for a duration of thirty days. “It is only by calm and a sincere and open dialogue that we will be able to work (…) How can we fight between Peruvians, spoil our institutions, block the roads?”, she launched.
 
The president explained that if the armed forces took to the streets, “it was to protect” the citizens “because the situation was getting out of control. She denounced the presence of organized “violent groups”. “These groups did not appear overnight, they had tactically organized roadblocks,” she stressed.
The demonstrators demanded the release of the deposed president Pedro Castillo, the resignation of Mrs. Boluarte, the dissolution of the Parliament and immediate general elections.
 
The most intense protests took place in the poverty-stricken southern Andean region of Peru, where social demands have long gone unmet.
Dina Boluarte, a native of Apurimac, one of the conflict zones, delivered part of her message in Quechua, a language spoken by a large Andean part of the country.
The protests erupted after Pedro Castillo attempted to dissolve Parliament on December 7 and rule by decree.
 
A former leftist teacher from a rural and modest background, he was arrested as he tried to reach the Mexican embassy to seek asylum.
Initially incarcerated for seven days, the justice decided on Thursday that he would remain in prison for eighteen months, until June 2024, to be charged with rebellion. He faces a sentence of ten years in prison, according to the prosecutor Alcides Diaz, in charge of the case.
 
Some 200 tourists blocked in the famous region of Machu Picchu because of the demonstrations could be evacuated on Saturday, noted the AFP.
On board of a train, they arrived near the city of Piscacucho, in the region of Cuzco (south), where an enormous rock blocked the passage.
From there, the tourists -including North Americans and Europeans- walked about two kilometers to embark in buses towards the city of Cuzco, which has an international airport.
Avis Berney, an American pensioner of 77 years, arrived at Machu Picchu on December 12, was among them.
 
Because of the demonstrations, the train could not leave, there were rocks on the track. They wanted to evacuate us by helicopter but because of the weather they couldn’t,” she told AFP.
Alex Lim, a 41-year-old Canadian tourist, who was traveling with his wife, also said he was relieved.
“We were worried. I didn’t bring my blood pressure medication and we only had clothes for one day. I am happy to return to Cuzco”, he said.
On his side, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Luis Fernando Helguero was pleased with the happy ending for these tourists.
 
With the support of the police force and the armed forces we were able to repair the railroad”, accessible henceforth until Piscacucho, to 29 km of Machu Picchu, explained to the AFP the minister who supervised the work of putting back in function.
The mayor of the village close to Machu Picchu, Darwin Baca, had declared to the AFP that “5.000 tourists” were blocked in Cuzco.
At least 622 tourists among which 525 foreigners among which about fifteen French were blocked on the famous site, according to a census of the municipality. The train, which had been stopped since Tuesday, is the only modern means to go to the citadel since Cuzco, the ancient capital of the inca empire, in 110 km.
 
The army promised to send on Saturday a helicopter which will assure “four humanitarian flights for the transfer of the tourists” of Machu Picchu in Cuzco, according to the municipality which specifies that priority will be given to the families with “children and vulnerable persons”.
The airport of Cuzco, tourist capital of the country, reopened Friday in the afternoon, allowing the beginning of the evacuation of the tourists, according to images diffused by the Peruvian Ministry of the Defense.

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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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