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War in Ukraine: the Russian truce is over, the hostilities have not stopped

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Sylvie Claire / January 8, 2023

Ukrainians celebrated Orthodox Christmas on Saturday in the middle of the war, sometimes even in underground shelters, and the 36-hour truce announced unconvincingly by Vladimir Putin ended without the hostilities really having ceased.
 
The world has seen once again today how untrue are all the words spoken up to the highest level in Moscow,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video message published in the evening. “They talked about a so-called ceasefire … but the reality is that Russian shells continued to hit Bakhmut (east, ed.) and other Ukrainian positions,” he added, hammering that the only solution was “the expulsion of Russian occupiers from Ukrainian lands. »
 
The ceasefire, decreed by Moscow from Friday midday, ended at midnight Saturday, Ukraine accusing the Russian army of not having respected it, and Russia accusing in return the Ukrainians of having prevented its application by forcing it to retaliate. Kiev had rejected the Kremlin’s announcement from the outset, still described as “fake” on Saturday by the Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaïlo Podoliak, claiming that it was a ruse to gain time. Washington, Paris, London, Berlin and the EU have also denounced Moscow’s “hypocrisy ».
 
Journalists in Chassiv Iar, in eastern Ukraine, have in fact seen sustained shelling throughout the morning. In Bakhmut, the epicenter of the fighting located further north, AFP had already heard Friday artillery fire from both sides of the front, in the hours following the establishment of the unilateral ceasefire by Russia.
 
The shooting was at most of lower intensity than in previous days. According to the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office, two people were killed and 13 wounded in Bakhmut during the course of Friday, in a town largely destroyed by fighting and where both sides are facing heavy losses. According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian troops also shelled the southern region of Kherson on Friday, killing one rescue worker and wounding seven others.
 
In the region of Zaporijjia (south-east), according to the local administration, a UN mission distributing humanitarian aid in Orikhiv was “caught under fire” by the enemy. The two countries, at war since February 2022, were celebrating on Saturday the Orthodox Christmas, the majority religion in Russia as in Ukraine.
 
The 7th of January of the civil calendar (Gregorian) corresponds to the 25th of December of the old Julian calendar that the Orthodox Church continues to follow, out of step with the Catholics since the 16th century. On the Russian side, Vladimir Putin attended alone a religious service in a church in the Kremlin on Friday at midnight, deviating from his habit of attending the liturgy in public, in the provinces or on the outskirts of Moscow. In a message broadcast on Saturday by the Kremlin, he addressed his congratulations to Orthodox Christians.
 
Church organizations “support our soldiers” fighting in Ukraine, the Russian president said. On the Ukrainian side, hundreds of faithful attended a historic liturgy on Saturday in the famous monastery of the Caves of Kiev, formerly under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate but passed in December into the fold of the independent Ukrainian Church. 

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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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