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Plane crash in Nepal: first bodies returned to families

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Steph Deschamps / January 17, 2023

The bodies of the victims of the plane crash in Nepal began Tuesday to be returned to their families two days after this air disaster, the worst in the country since 1992.
 
The plane, a twin-engine ATR 72 belonging to Nepalese company Yeti Airlines, carrying 68 passengers and four crew members, crashed into a ravine on Sunday while approaching Pokhara airport (center).
 
All the occupants of the plane, including 15 foreigners and six children, are presumed dead, authorities said.
 
Rescuers have been working almost non-stop since the crash to recover human remains from the pile of charred wing parts, fuselage and seats at the bottom of the 300-meter deep ravine.
 
By Tuesday morning, 70 bodies out of 72 had been recovered, police officer AK Chhetri told AFP.
 
We recovered a body last night. But it is three pieces. We are not sure if it is three bodies or one. This will only be confirmed after a DNA test,” he explained. 
 
“The search for the other two missing bodies has resumed. We have mobilized four drones today for this purpose, and we have extended the search radius to three kilometers instead of two,” he added.
 
A dozen bodies were transported in an army truck from the hospital in Pokhara to the airport to be sent to the capital Kathmandu. Three were returned to their families in Pokhara, and several others were expected to follow on Tuesday.
 
God has taken such a nice person away from us,” lamented Raj Dhungana, the uncle of 23-year-old passenger Sangita Shahi, outside the hospital in Pokhara.
 
All the family “is in mourning” after the disappearance of this young woman “very talented”, who was studying in Kathmandu while holding a makeup studio and an online store, he told AFP.
 
The ATR 72, coming from Kathmandu, crashed shortly before 11:00 am on Sunday near the airport of Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city, a pilgrimage center and an important crossing point for foreign trekkers.
 
The cause of the accident was not yet known, but a video posted on social networks – verified by an AFP partner – showed the twin-engine plane turning sharply to the left as it approached the airport, suggesting a loud explosion.
 
Experts consulted by the AFP were not able to judge, from this video, if the accident seemed rather due to a mechanical problem or to a piloting error.
 
The black boxes of the aircraft have not yet been found. Experts of the French Bureau of Accident Investigation (BEA) were expected in Nepal on Tuesday, said the manufacturer ATR to AFP.
 
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the pilot, Anju Khatiwada, had joined the Nepalese civil aviation after the death of her husband, killed in the accident of a small passenger plane in 2006.
 
Nepalese civil aviation, essential to supply remote regions of the country and to transport trekkers and mountaineers, has experienced a real boom in recent years.
 
But the sector suffers from serious safety problems due to deficiencies in aircraft maintenance and pilot training. The European Union has banned all Nepalese carriers from entering its airspace for these reasons.
 
Nepal also has some of the most remote runways in the world, flanked by towering peaks, making the approach a challenge even for experienced pilots.
 
The deadliest air disaster in Nepal’s history occurred in September 1992. All 167 occupants of a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A300 died when the plane crashed on the approach to Kathmandu.
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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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