Ethiopia

A stark difference between Ethiopia (my country) and a place like the U.S. is the value given to historical figures. Let me confess and say, i know more about President Nixon than i do about, let’s say, Emperor of Ethiopia Tewodros. It must have been in one of the elementary calsses, probably the 5th or 6th [...]

Political corruption, social instability, inflation, illiteracy, and continuous danger of war. Those are some of the things that comes to my mind when i think about my nation. Ethiopia for all its resources (both human and material), has failed miserably. We are at a critical juncture. We are at a moment and time where a small mistake [...]

Discrimination in it s every form can be found within any society. But Ethnic discrimination is the worst of them all. And Ethiopians are not immune from this disease. Ethnic discrimination in Ethiopia has existed since the beginning of time. For a country who is made up of at least 70 ethnic groups, Ethiopia has been the [...]

By Peter Heinlein Heinlein report - Download (MP3) or Listen Addis Ababa (VOA News, April 30 2008) - Ethiopian officials are re-evaluating the need for emergency food aid in light of evidence that drought conditions and food shortages in parts of the country may be worse than estimated. VOA's Peter Heinlein recently visited areas of southern and eastern Ethiopia where the drought threatens to cause widespread famine.Much of southern Ethiopia has turned a putrid yellowish brown. As far as the eye can see, the grass is dead, long ago eaten down to the nubs by famished animals. The slightest wind raises clouds of dust.The last two rains have failed, and while there have been some showers lately, the forecast for the next few months is grim.Borana zone, near Ethiopia's border with Kenya, is

DOHA (AFP, Apr 23) — Qatar said on Wednesday it was surprised by Ethiopia's decision to cut diplomatic ties with the Gulf state, and rejected as unfounded the accusation that it sought to destabilise the Horn of Africa.The official QNA news agency cited a foreign ministry spokesman as saying Doha was "surprised" by Addis Ababa's "unfounded and untruthful allegations," and saw them as "a deliberate attempt to justify its own erroneous policies."On Monday, Ethiopia announced it was severing ties with Qatar, accusing the Doha government of supporting armed opposition groups across the Horn of Africa and citing Qatar's "strong ties" with Ethiopia's arch foe Eritrea.QNA quoted the spokesman as calling on Ethiopia "to refrain from implicating Qatar in regional differences," and adding that "th

By Elizabeth Blunt BBC, Addis Ababa (Apr 23) - Ethiopia's most popular pop singer, Teddy Afro, has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of a young man in a hit and run incident 18 months ago. Thousands of young people mounted an impromptu protest after the High Court hearing, running through the streets, shouting, "Teddy is innocent".Unauthorised demonstrations are almost unheard of in Ethiopia and there was a heavy paramilitary police presence.At a previous hearing, the noise of his fans almost drowned out proceedings.This time the case was moved to a building at the back of the court area, well away from the crowd.The singer appeared under close police guard, dressed in a pink t-shirt and looking subdued.He spoke only to plead not guilty to negligent driving, driving without a licen

By Andrew Cawthorne Reuters, NAIROBI (Apr 23 2008) - Amnesty International accused Ethiopian soldiers on Wednesday of killing 21 people, including an imam and several Islamic scholars, at a Mogadishu mosque and said seven of the victims had their throats slit.The rights group said the soldiers had also captured dozens of children during the raid on the Al Hidaaya mosque in the north of the Somali capital earlier this week during operations against Islamist insurgents.Ethiopia has thousands of soldiers in neighbouring Somalia to bolster a Western-backed government against rebels fighting an Iraq-style insurgency in the Horn of Africa nation.The Ethiopian and Somali governments have not responded publicly to accusations of atrocities at the mosque. But they have frequently denied abusing hum

Thousands protest as top Ethiopian pop singer Teddy Afro pleads not guilty to causing a hit and run death. A news by AsianLoveStories.com. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fasianlovestories.com%2Fprotests-over-ethiopia-pop-singer'; addthis_title = 'Protests+over+Ethiopia+pop+singer'; addthis_pub = 'asianlove';

By Prof. Mammo Muchie Business Daily (April 22 2008): On February 2, 2006 BBC reporter Peter Greste wrote from Mekele, northern Ethiopia: “Like a patient addicted to pain killers, Ethiopia seems hooked on aid. “ He added: “For most of the past three decades, it has survived on millions of tonnes of donated food and millions of dollars in cash. It has received more emergency support than any other African nation in that time.”At present a reported nine million people in Ethiopia need food aid under conditions when food prices have been pushed up by inflation and food supply difficulties preoccupy the managers of the world economy.The cost of living has been rising and the hardship ordinary people are facing is beyond forbearance in Ethiopia. It is hard times now in Ethiopia for the

Addis Fortune, by Endale Assefa Addis Ababa (Apr 22 2008) - Following the signing of a bilateral relation agreement between Ethiopia and Iceland on January 2008 to explore geothermal power potential in the rift valley region, a team of experts from Reykjavik are to engage in a bilateral geothermal survey.It would be too early to talk about the project cost, said Sendeku Araya, public relations division Head at the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporations (EEPCo)."Ethiopia has an estimated potential of 1000mw of power from geothermal energy located in the rift region," ambassador Svavar Gestsson, especial envoy to the ministry of foreign affairs, told Fortune. He said the exact potential would be known after the actual study is conducted.The preliminary agreement between Ethiopia and Icela

Ethiopia severs ties with Qatar ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — Ethiopia announced Monday it was severing ties with Qatar, accusing the Gulf Arab state of supporting armed opposition groups across the Horn of Africa region.It cited Qatar's "strong ties" with Ethiopia's arch-foe Eritrea, and alleged Qatari support to armed opposition groups within Ethiopia as well as to Islamist insurgents in Somalia, where Addis Ababa sent troops in 2006 to prop up a weak government."The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has decided to break diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar," said a government statement received by AFP."Ethiopia has displayed considerable patience towards Qatar's attempts to destabilise our sub-region and, in particular, its hostile behaviour towards Ethiopia," t

By Kirubel Tadesse, Capital (Addis Ababa) - After collecting signatures needed to form the national party, the former Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party majority who is forming a new party, Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ), is to call a general assembly to endorse the party program and regulations.According to Birtukan Medeksa, Vice Chair of the former CUDP, the general assembly, expected to take place in one month’s time, will elect party leaders as per the new party structures. The new party structure is fundamentally the same according to Mohammed Ali (MP), who is coordinating the committee setup to prepare the party’s program, regulations and other documents. Both Justice Birtukan and MP Mohammed admit that the party election would be the last official breakup of the form

Ethiopia’s government breaks off relations with Qatar - angered by Al-Jazeera’s coverage and financial support for Eritrea. A news by AsianLoveStories.com. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fasianlovestories.com%2Fethiopia-severs-ties-with-qatar'; addthis_title = 'Ethiopia+severs+ties+with+Qatar'; addthis_pub = 'asianlove';

WASHINGTON, PRNewswire (April 18 2008) - As part of its ongoing commitment to support Ethiopia's educational system, and an example of the extraordinary collaboration between educators in the United States and Ethiopia, the American people donated over one and half million English language textbooks to Ethiopia. The donation is part of President George W. Bush's Africa Education Initiative, which increases access to quality, basic educational opportunities in Africa. The English language textbooks were developed specifically for Ethiopia and are for use in primary schools for grade 5, 6, 7 and 8.Speaking at the handover ceremony held at Sefere Selam Primary School in Addis Ababa, Dr. Sarah Moten, President Bush's Coordinator for the Africa Education Initiative said, "Education is the ke

By Jason McLure Bloomberg (April 18 2008) - Ethiopia's annual inflation rate increased to 29.6 percent in March, the highest in over a decade, as rising food costs continued to push up consumer prices. Inflation expanded from 22.9 percent in February, the Addis Ababa-based Central Statistical Agency said in a report today. Food prices climbed 39.4 percent on an annual basis, from 30.2 percent in February, according to the report. To contact the reporter on this story: Jason McLure in Addis Ababa via the Johannesburg bureau at abolleurs@bloomberg.net.

VOA News Addis Ababa (April 16 2008) Peter Heinlein report - Download or Listen (MP3) Ethiopia's electoral commission and several opposition parties are trading accusations of illegal actions as the country prepares for the second phase of municipal council and parliamentary by-elections. VOA's Peter Heinlein in Addis Ababa reports that as opposition groups battle election officials, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's party is poised for a landslide.Three members of Ethiopia's National Election Board held an unusual news conference Wednesday amid increasing doubts about the credibility of the local elections being held nationwide.National Election Board Chairman Merga Bekana Wednesday accused the leader one of the country's largest regional parties of illegally ordering an election boycott, and

The former Coalition for Unity and Democracy majority supreme council members, who are forming a new party, Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ), have managed to collect over six thousand signatures, four times than the 1500 signatures needed to form a new national party.According to Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw, who is heading signature collecting committee, an overwhelming degree of support was observed from people in all parts of Ethiopia collectors were dispatched to. Gizachew told Capital that during signature collection, very few ‘minor problems’ occurred especially in Butajira, Gurage Zone when two signature collectors were jailed. “I don’t regard the problem as a serious one, we have seen similar problems nearby and we notified the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE)

AFP: Addis Ababa Ethiopia (April 16 2008) - Three million babies born in Ethiopia each year go through life without an official identity because their births are not registered, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.“These children are deprived of their basic rights, and with no documentary evidence to prove how old they are or even who they are,” said Bjorn Ljungqvist, UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia.He called for the establishment of a national vital events registration system this year as part of the celebration of the new Ethiopian Millennium, which is still being celebrated with various activities since September 2007.He was speaking at a two-day national forum discussing the problem of registration of births, death, marriage and divorce, which was organi

Addis Fortune, Addis Ababa (April 16 2008) - Ethiopia’s sensational stage performer, Tewodros Kassahun – popularly known as Teddy-Afro - is sent today, April 16, 2008, to the Addis Abeba Central Prison Centre after the Federal High Court eighth criminal bench, adjourned to rule over his appeal for right of bail on charges of murder.He was under custody inside the Federal High Court, Lideta area, for couple of hours before a white minibus from the Prison Administration took him to Kaliti early this afternoon, together with other inmates. Fans, family members and his agent, Addis Gessese, have gathered inside the court before the minibus drove out.Yet to be confirmed, he is believed to have been taken to Kaliti Prison Centre, located in the outskirts of the city. Dressed with red T-shirt

Al Jazeera (April 15 2008) - Ethnic Somali separatists have been fighting government forces in the east of Ethiopia for more than 13 years now, but the long-running conflict has been largely invisible as Addis Ababa has restricted access to the region.There have been numerous clashes between the Ogaden National Liberation Army (ONLF) and the military in recent months, with both sides claiming successes.But with few journalists in the vast and sparsely populated region that borders Somalia, it is difficult to get an accurate picture of how frequently the fighting occurs and its toll on human life.However, Al Jazeera gained exclusive access to the region and found that youths, angry at the treatment of the local ethnic Somali population the government, were flocking to join the separatists."

By Barry Malone Reuters ADDIS ABABA, (April 15 2008) - Ethiopia blamed rebels backed by arch-foe Eritrea on Tuesday after two bombs killed three people and wounded more than a dozen in the capital.The attacks in Addis Ababa late on Monday came a day after the nation held the first round of local, regional and federal elections that have prompted opposition claims of harassment."This is the work of the enemy, trying to disrupt Ethiopia's ongoing democratic elections," Information Minister Berhan Hailu told Reuters. No arrests have been made yet, police said.Ethiopian state media said the explosions tore through two petrol stations in the city at the same time, killing and wounding residents who were queuing to buy fuel. Bloodstains and charred clothing lay at the scene of one of the blasts.

By Peter Heinlein VOA News, Addis Ababa (April 14, 2008) - The biggest opposition party that participated in Ethiopia's nationwide elections Sunday is planning to boycott the second part of the voting, charging the first half was rigged. Another, larger opposition group had pulled out even before the first vote. VOA's Peter Heinlein in Addis Ababa reports the withdrawal of the two largest opposition factions would clear the way for Ethiopia's ruling party to take control of local councils nationwide, and to increase its majority in parliament.The leadership of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement voted Monday to join a boycott when Ethiopia votes in critical municipal elections next Sunday.The OFDM had been the largest opposition party participating last Sunday, as Ethiopians voted fo

Mogadishu (HAN) April 15, 2008- Somali Islamist leader charged Ethiopian Secret agents inside Somalia were behind the deaths of the British female teacher and the Kenyan, who were killed in Beledweyne," Mukhtar Robbow, a spokesman for the Islamist rebels told HAN and reported to GeesskaAfrika Magazine. The killing was a blow to the Baladweyne District administration and the Somalis in the region. The Ethiopian Military Base in Mogadishu on Monday denied involvement in the assassination of three foreigners have been killed in Beledweyne, rejecting allegations from the Islamist guerrilla group that Ethiopian was behind the killing."Ethiopia is looking into the reports from Somali TFG or from Baladweyne Regional Adminitartion regarding the deaths of the three foreigners, and is learning for

AfricaNews, Addis Ababa (April 15) - As many travelers began using electronic ticketing, Lufthansa German Airlines has stopped the seven percent commission it used to pay to Ethiopian travel agencies that sell its tickets. The commissions stop as of May 1, travel agencies have announced."Even if such trend is becoming more common in other countries, it was better if Lufthansa didn't stop it in this season," said Worku Yitayew, President of Tour and travel Agencies Association (TTAA).As compared to other seasons, during this season there is high number of travelers that Worku fears to lose. Some members of TTAA on their part indicated that Lufthansa still gives a two percent commission to travel agencies in Egypt. They say that the Egyptians got their commission because the agencies have a

Reuters (Apr 12 2008) - Doctors in Ethiopia are joining forces diagnosing patients using the internet.Doctors at a hospital in Addis Ababa are working together with some of India's top doctors to provide quality and affordable healthcare to Ethiopians. They're doing this by diagnosing cases and discussing treatment together online.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (WRAL, April 11)— In a room that resembles a high school chemistry lab, the keepers of the world's oldest coffee culture are learning a new way to understand the rich aroma of a cup of java.Is that a waft of honey? Of shoe leather? Maybe walnuts?That last one is particularly hard here in Ethiopia, where most people have never seen, much less smelled, a walnut. And in a gourmet coffee market dominated by Western corporations and Western terms, that's a handicap.Until now, those companies had a near monopoly on the expertise to capitalize on Ethiopia's best beans.But that may be changing. Ethiopians know that coffee - which originated in this impoverished East African nation - can be their ticket to the first world. And the biggest profits are in the most gourmet blen

ADDIS ABABA (AFP, April 12) — Ethiopia on Sunday holds elections for the first time since deadly 2005 poll violence, but accusations of fresh repression against the opposition make the results a foregone conclusion.About 3.7 million candidates are competing for almost as many local and federal council seats and the opposition was only able to field a few thousand contestants. About 30 million people are eligible to vote.On Thursday, one of the main opposition movements in the Horn of Africa nation, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), announced it was pulling out of the race."We have decided to call off our participation from the elections as the situation is out of hand and dangerous," party chairman Beyene Petros told AFP."We attempted to field candidates in several constitue

UNITED NATIONS (AFP, April 11) — UN chief Ban Ki-moon has laid out options to deal with the continuing impasse in the Eritrea-Ethiopia border dispute, including the full withdrawal of the UN mission from the area, according to a report released Friday. The UN mission monitoring the bitter dispute between the two Horn of Africa rivals (UNMEE) has temporarily relocated its military personnel and equipment from Eritrea after Asmara cut off diesel fuel supplies to the mission, crippling its monitoring activities.In view of Eritrea's fuel and other restrictions, the UN secretary general proposes in his report that UNMEE be terminated, "leaving no United Nations peacekeeping presence in the area."Another less drastic option involves deploying a "small observer mission" in the border area, whic

ASMARA (Reuters, Apr 12, 2008) - Eritrea warned arch-foe Ethiopia on Saturday that Asmara would defeat any attempt to renew hostilities after Addis Ababa urged the United Nations to take strong measures against the Red Sea state. Eritrea and Ethiopia routinely trade accusations over their border dispute, which led to a 1998-2000 war between the Horn of Africa neighbours in which some 70,000 people were killed.The two countries have been deadlocked over their 1,000 km (620-mile) frontier since a 2002 border ruling. Analysts fear even a small incident could trigger renewed hostilities."If war against Eritrea was difficult yesterday, it is impossible today," Eritrea said in a statement in the English-language Eritrea Profile newspaper.But Ethiopia said on Friday the United Nations should pun

In The U.S. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. Presidential Libraries preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. So why don’t we have Presidential Libraries in Ethiopia? And if we had them what would the public learn from them? Pretty [...]

Opposition Candidates, Voters Silenced Ahead of Local Polls Human Rights Watch (New York, April 11 2008) - The Ethiopian government’s repression of registered opposition parties and ordinary voters has largely prevented political competition ahead of local elections that begin on April 13, Human Rights Watch said today. These widespread acts of violence, arbitrary detention and intimidation mirror long-term patterns of abuse designed to suppress political dissent in Ethiopia. “It is too late to salvage these elections, which will simply be a rubber stamp on the EPRDF’s near-monopoly on power at the local level,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Still, officials must at least allow the voters to decide how and whether to cast their ballots without int

Presidency equals power. And power is something every African politician desperately needs and gets addicted to. That’s why so-called democratic elections in Africa are at the least Un-Democratic. Therefore Ethiopia is not immune from such type of un-democratic elections. The fact is, Ethiopia will once again find itself in a historical election in 2010. Only this [...]

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters, April 10) - If U.N. peacekeepers abandon the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, a new war could break out between the two Horn of Africa neighbors, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report.The U.N. border mission, or UNMEE, has already withdrawn nearly 1,700 troops and military observers who for the past seven years had been trying to prevent Eritrea and Ethiopia from resuming a border war they fought from 1998-2000.The peacekeepers had been stationed in a 15.5-mile (25-km) buffer zone inside Eritrea. But Asmara turned against UNMEE because of U.N. inability to enforce rulings by an independent commission awarding chunks of Ethiopian-held territory, including the town of Badme, to Eritrea.Most UNMEE troops have been sent home temporarily and only 164 p

Interview with Leonard Vincent CAPE TOWN(IPS, April 10) - Journalism in Ethiopia has become an increasingly hazardous trade over recent years. A clampdown on the media in the wake of disputed elections in 2005 continues to resonate in the country, while certain members of the press have even found themselves facing capital punishment.In July 2007, journalists Andualem Ayele Legesse, Mesfin Tesfaye Gobena, Wonakseged Zeleke Tessema and Dawit Fasil Woldeselassie were sentenced to death on charges that included treason -- this in connection with the unrest that followed the 2005 polls.While the four were later amnestied, their sentences are viewed as having had a somewhat chilling effect on press freedom in Ethiopia. To find out more, IPS correspondent Miriam Mannak spoke to Leonard Vincent,

LACK OF PUBLIC SECURITY: Kjetil Tronvoll calls attention to several serious flaws in regard to the Ethiopian trial against the war criminals of the brutal Derg Regime. Photo: Ola SætherThe Ethiopian legal system has accused several thousands of brutal war crimes. Now the war crimes tribunal has itself violated fundamental human rights. Tekst: Yngve Vogt, Translated by Kathrine Torday Gulden (Published April 08 2008) Ethiopia's trial against the criminals of war from the harsh Derg regime (1974-1991) undermines human rights, says Associate Professor Kjetil Tronvoll at the Norwegian Center for Human Rights at the University of Oslo. He has studied the political development in Ethiopia since 1990 and has attended the elections as a researcher and election monitor both in Ethiopia and Eritrea

By Jason McLure April 9 (Bloomberg) -- Ethiopia's annual inflation rate increased to 22.9 percent in February led by rising food costs, the Central Statistical Agency said.Inflation expanded from 19.4 percent in January, the Addis Ababa-based agency said in a report today. Food prices climbed 30.2 percent on an annual basis, from 28 percent in January, according to the report.To contact the reporter on this story: Jason McLure in Addis Ababa via the Johannesburg bureau at abolleurs@bloomberg.net.

Honorary military ranks ← Previous revision Revision as of 18:40, 8 April 2008 Line 52: Line 52: Amha Selassie died after long illnesses in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Virginia]] at age 80 on February 17, 1997. He had never completely recovered from the massive stroke he experienced in 1973. His body was flown back to Ethiopia and buried in the Imperial family vaults at Holy Trinity Cathedral in [[Addis Ababa]] in a huge ceremonial funeral presided over by Patriarch [[Abune Paulos]]. Amha Selassie died after long illnesses in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Virginia]] at age 80 on February 17, 1997. He had never completely recovered from the massive stroke he experienced in 1973. His body was flown back to Ethiopia and buried in the Imperia

Addis Ababa (April 6, 2008) - Last Year Ethiopia had an ambitious multibillion-dollar plan to provide all its citizens with electricity within eight years (2015), as well as to supply some power to three neighboring countries, Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan a top manager of the state-owned electricity company said.Because he said, Ethiopia can do because it has a lot of potential to generate hydroelectric power, said Mihret Debebe, general manager of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation. The country is the source of a branch of the Nile River called the Blue Nile, which is believed to have huge power-generating potential. The Blue Nile merges with the White Nile in Sudan to flow into Egypt as the Nile River.But, today The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) on Thursday announced

Individuals who masterminded the recent gold fraud at the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) have left the country before police started to arrest suspects. Reliable sources told The [Ethiopian] Reporter that the individual who first started to supply gold plated steel to the NBE was Asmare Ayalew. In 2005 Asmare’s close friend called Samson went to NBE with a forged gold export license named Kefeyalew Umeta Export. Samson, who used the fake identity, Ketyalew Umeta, as his name previously served in the Addis Ababa police commission with the rank of sergeant.Samson (Kefyalew Umeta) gave a power of attorney to Asmare, which enabled Asmare to supply gold to NBE on behalf of Kefyalew Umeta and to receive payments. According to information obtained from NBE in 2006, Kefyalew Umeta supplied 239.

Biruk Girma Addis Ababa - Ethiopia earned a sum of 854.5 million US dollars from Export trade in the past eight months registering a 32% jump compare with that obtained during the same period last year, Minister of Trade and Industry Girma Biru said on Tuesday.The gain exceeded a 20 -25% annual sure projected under the five-year plan, the minister Girma said in his eight-month report to the Parliament.He said Coffee took the lions share for the total amount made with a 251.1 million dollars export trade which included oil products, grain and spices.Ethiopia exported some 85442 tones of coffee to the international market fetching 29.4% of the total export trade income, Girma said.According to the minister, oil products, grain and spices scored a 217.8 million dollar income for the country n

ADDIS ABABA (Apr 3 2008) - THE alliance between the United States and Ethiopia was born of pragmatism. In another time, they might have been enemies. Ethiopians do not like American soldiers tramping on their soil. Americans dislike Ethiopia's bad human-rights record. Local elections due this month are a case in point. Ethiopia's opposition, emasculated by the long imprisonment of its leaders (most of whom were pardoned last year) and weakened by its own divisions, will almost certainly be crushed in an unfair contest. “It's going to be a stitch-up,” says a Western diplomat. “Control is what this government is all about.”America jealously guards information about its more discreet military activities in Ethiopia, while advertising its soldiers' do-gooding: digging wells, vaccinatin

How do two people who call themselves cousins disagree on so much and so often? I have for the longest believed Eritrea has one of the worst leaders in the world. Not that i am saying Premier Meles of Ethiopia is an angel, but the Eritrean leader on a different level of dictatorship on his [...]

You read the headline right? What did you think of it? Well when i first read the headline and before i read the article, i didnt know what to make out of it. But once i read the article, i had mixed feelings about the author. I thought he raised great questions and makes some valid [...]

Generation X - is what i call the next generation. Most are educated and are willing to accept the responsibility and burden that comes with sacrificing one self for ones nation. Generation X is very hungry for change. A change that has been long overdue. Interestingly, these smart bunch are usually closely watched by their usually [...]

Ridwan Hassan Sahid awoke under a pile of corpses to a pricking sensation on her face. Ants were biting her eyelids and the inside of her mouth. The pain, however, brought relief to the 17-year-old. "I thought, 'I'm alive,' " she thought as blood oozing from rope burns around her neck. Fearing that the Ethiopian soldiers who had left her for dead in a roadside ditch would return, she brushed away the ants and shut her eyes, then slipped back into unconsciousness.The brutal assault and her escape mark a chilling story to emerge from an unfolding but hidden tragedy in eastern Ethiopia.Ever since exiting colonialists arbitrarily stuck a triangle-shaped wedge of land with 4 million ethnic Somalis inside Ethiopia's border, violence and suffering have plagued the region. Now, many of them have b

China will invest 5-billion Yuan to build Ethiopia's first industrial park, part of a plan to help the Horn of Africa nation mimic the Asian giant's rapid economic growth, an Ethiopian minister said. Up to 80 Chinese companies involved in textiles, leather and manufacturing construction equipment are expected to invest in the industrial zone being built at Dukem, 37 km (23 miles) east of the capital Addis Ababa."The construction of the industrial zone will help Ethiopia emulate China's 20 years of accelerated development," Trade and Industry Minister Tadesse Haile told Reuters on Friday.Due to be built on a 5 sq km (2 sq mile) plot over the next five years, the China-Africa Development Fund is financing the project.China is investing heavily in Africa and has won favour among many governme

NAIROBI, Reuters (Mar 28 2008) - Two Ethiopian activists jailed for inciting post-election violence in 2005 in a case that triggered condemnation from rights groups were freed from prison on Friday.Daniel Bekele was employed by ActionAid, while Netsanet Demissie worked closely with the global anti-poverty campaigner through his Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia.They were the last two defendants after a high profile trial that originally charged 131 journalists, politicians and civil society leaders with offences ranging from genocide to treason."It is indeed a wonderful moment for civil society in Ethiopia," said Irfan Mufti of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), which both men also worked for.Demonstrators took to the streets to protest at polls in May 2005 that th

CHENNAI (Mar 28 2008) - The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) will soon set up its centre in Ethiopia to focus on climate change and jointly work with African countries on the issue."The problems faced by Earth are multi inter-disciplinary in character. Climate change is one of the greatest threats. The (new) centre will focus on climate change in Ethiopia and look to work with various governments in Africa in this regard," Dr R K Pachauri, Director General of the Institute said here today.Pachauri, who is also the Chairman of the Nobel prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), was inaugurating a Centre for Climate Change at the Anna University.There was a shift taking place in the US' stance with regard to climate change and efforts were now being made on a subst

Addis Abeba (March 28 2008)- Ethiopian Professor Dereje Agonafer last Sunday received the Thermomechanical Challenges in Electronic Packaging-The Significant Contributor "THERMI" Award in electronic packaging, the awarding institution said on Wednesday.Professor Dereje is director of Electronics, MEMS & Nanoelectronics Systems Packaging Center in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of Texas at Arlington. He is currently visiting Professor at MIT.According to his resume posted on the Semi Conductor Thermal Measurement and Management Symposium website, Professor Agonafer received his PhD from Howard University and joined IBM. After 15 years at IBM, according to his resume published by the institute.He joined the University of Texas at Arlington in 1999 as Professo

March 28 2008 - Microsoft has introduced three software products into the Ethiopian market, as part of a worldwide event.The company says Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 “mark a turning point in the way that large companies use and manage their widespread computer networks”.“Under the theme of 'Heroes Happen Here', we are bringing these solutions to Ethiopia to help people secure their information, manage their networks more efficiently and ensure their users deliver better results," says David Ndunga, Microsoft's marketing manager for east and southern Africa.Ndunga believes the products will make local IT professionals and developers more efficient, enabling them to save time.According to him, Microsoft will partner with local business companies to ensur

March 28, 2008 - Two human rights activists who received a two-and-a-half year jail sentence are expected to walk out of prison proud and victorious in May 2008.Their defense lawyer, Mengistu Haile Mariam, had confirmed, yesterday that they would be freed quickly.“The two activists will be released from prison in three days’ time because they have already served two-thirds of their sentences,” he told reporters at the court.Daniel Bekele worked for ActionAid, while Netsanet Demissie worked closely with the global anti-poverty campaigner through his Organization for Social Justice in Ethiopia.Rights groups have condemned their trial.The two were the last defendants out of 131 originally charged after demonstrators took to the street to protest polls they said were rigged. A parliament

IsraelNN (Mar 27 2008) - A conference at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem Wednesday was dedicated to a call for bringing 8,000 members of the Falash Mura group from Ethiopia to Israel.The Falash Mura are Ethiopian Christians of Jewish descent. Thousands are awaiting the chance to immigrate to Israel in the Gondar transit camp.Rabbi Menachem Waldman, an expert on the Ethiopian community who heads the Shvut Am organization, told Arutz-7 that the Falash Mura are "Jews by any definition."Responding to claims that the Falash Mura were simply regular Christians seeking a better life, Rabbi Waldman said, “I am embarrassed to even respond to such a foolish statement like that. They were checked mother after mother. There was a phenomenon of conversion to Christianity there, but now they have returne

Addis Ababa, (March 26, 2008) - The Education for All Program of the World Bank has decided to provide 70 million USD to support Ethiopia's education sector.The results obtained in enrolling school age children to schools and directions set to improve education quality are believed to remarkably improve the education sector in Ethiopia.Accordingly, the Program would provide a financial assistance amounting 70 million USD for the execution of plans set in the education sector over the coming three years, Joy Phumaphi, Vice President of Human Development at the World Bank said.Ethiopia, which along with Ghana represents Africa at the executive committee of the World Bank's Education for All Program is actively playing role in soliciting support of the rich countries for the quality and expan

By Elizabeth BluntBBC News, Addis Ababa(Mar 26 2008) - Twenty-six people are under arrest over the discovery of 90kg (14 stone) of fake gold in the vaults of Ethiopia's central bank, a senior official says.The fraud was discovered after some of the supposed gold was sent to South Africa, where it was found to be gold-plated steel.Those held are expected to be charged in the next couple of weeks.Rumours have been flying around the capital Addis Ababa about what happened to the real gold and who was to blame.Those being held include officials of the national bank, said Berhanu Assefa, a spokesman for Ethiopia's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.The commission has been investigating the case for three months along with Ethiopian police and intelligence officials."Around 26 are under arres

UDJ ReporterUnity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) has launched its signature collection activities by dispatching its members to regions in eight groups as of March 25, 2008. Out 0f the 31members dispatched, 26 are parliamentarians. KNASSO PR will have detail information and public relation projects in the coming daySouthern EthiopiaGroup I South Shewa – Awassa GroupMuluneh EyoelKibret Henle(P)Group II Wolayta – Arbaminch – Jinka GroupAlemayehu YenenehKifle Haile Mariam (P)Northern EthiopiaGroup III Wolo–Woldia GroupAhmed Abegaz (P)Tamrat TarekegneSeyed Mohammed (P)Mekin Seyed (P)Gashu Getahun (P)Alebachew Ayelew (P)Group IV Gojam – Gonder GroupAlemero Awoke (PYitayew Shiferaw (P)Tilahun Abebe (P)Bazezew Bezie (P)Libay Abebe (P)Andualem Ayalew (P)-Syum Mamo (P)Agbaw Setegn (P)Bay

NAIROBI (AFP) — The United Nations Children's Fund is seeking 650 million dollars for sanitation in Ethiopia, where 35 million people are deprived of adequate hygiene, a UNICEF statement said Tuesday.The African Development Bank, the World Bank and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) have pledged more than 50 million dollars for the project, but UNICEF added that it was "still a far cry, however, from the estimated 650 million dollars required for universal coverage in Ethiopia.""UNICEF calls on all donors to invest in achieving sustainable access to improved sanitation which is essential for the realization of human rights, health and dignity," said Bjorn Ljungqvist, UNICEF representative to Ethiopia.Though more than 1.2 billion people worldwide have gained access to

Jijiga, Eastern Ethiopia - The road from Harar runs for more than 600 miles east towards the border with Somalia, penetrating deep into the desiccated badlands of the Ogaden desert, the dusty heart of Ethiopia's war-torn Somali regional state.Sparse scrub and thorn bush, brown termite mounds, and flocks of bony sheep edge up against the burning asphalt strip. Wandering camels are a hazard to traffic; but vehicles are few. Like the occasional herdsman, standing outside transportable mudul huts, they stare in mild surprise as white UN Land Cruisers race by.The road's destination is Gode, via the regional capital of Jijiga, and the towns of Kebri Beyah, Degehabur and Kebri Dehar. But the part-finished two-lane road also blazes a figurative path, unwelcome to some, into the isolated and disput

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters, Mar 21 2008) - Ethiopia's federal court denied bail on Friday for 27 suspects in a $17 million fake gold scandal at the country's central bank.The National Bank of Ethiopia was ordered to check all its gold deposits last week after a consignment of bars shipped to South Africa was found to include gold-plated steel."The charge is too complex and involves a number of people in a criminal case that requires more time to investigate," the court in Addis Ababa said in its ruling."We have decided the suspects should remain in custody for a further 15 days. The case is adjourned until April 7."The accused, who include 11 bank employees, were brought to the courtroom by armed police.The other suspects are workers from the Geological Survey of Ethiopia, which was meant to tes

ADDIS ABABA(IRIN, March 20 2008) - The Ethiopian government’s decision to remove some taxes on grains is unlikely to have an immediate impact on rising food prices in rural areas, where most of the consumers are actually producers, an economist said.It may, however, ease the burden on the urban poor in several months’ time, if the government follows through on implementation."The fact that 85 percent of Ethiopians are living in rural areas means a reduction of value added tax and turnover tax will not have an impact on their lives," the Ethiopian economist, who declined to be named, said."The reduction will probably help the urban poor; [but] the change will not be that significant," he told IRIN in the capital, Addis Ababa. "It will take at least six months to see some changes in the

By Hadaro Arele*Throughout the 1990s, the international donor community supported Ethiopia as a country that embarked on a democratic path almost after 2 decades of socialist military rule. The country’s achievement, so it was said, was both economic and political. Economically the ‘new government’ has taken some steps towards liberal and market oriented system. Politically, Zenawi fooled the world with his rhetoric and thus naively labeled progressive leader.International community invested in the regime’s constitution-making process that led to its adoption in 1995. The constitution theoretically set up a number of democratic rights for its citizens. Defiant of the absence of separation of power between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary, and omission of the duratio

Are We in the Gray Area?By Afura Burtukana*Despotic governments all over the world almost always face resistance. The forms of resistance range from civil disobedience to armed struggle. Philosophers and activists have argued for and against both kind of resistance. Their bases for the argument are the severity of casualties, the length of time elapse, and requirement of resources among others. The objective is the effectiveness of the resistance which by itself is a base for the argument.Civil disobedience is a type of passive resistance (some thinkers do not accept the passiveness of civil disobedience) which uses non-violent technique of refusal to obey civil laws or follow a policy believed to be unjust in an effort to induce change in governmental policy or legislation. Practitioners

Addis Ababa (March 17) - Police in Ethiopia have seized a staggering two million dollars in hard currency with an illegal money changer and 13 million birr in cash with another trader in an unexpected police raid, where several alleged illegal traders were arrested.The individual with 13 million birr in cash was caught on Thursday March 13, around American Gibi in a place called Beteseb Supermarket. The hard currency was also taken as evidence. Some said that the amount seized during the raid could be over six million dollars including the amount apprehended in Ethiopian birr.Furthermore, Addis Ababa Police has taken into custody over 35 illegal traders in connection with foreign currency exchanges that police claims has contributed to the current destabilization of prices in the country.O

Ethiopia must be the only country, or one of the very few countries in the world, that has so many Liberation Fronts, that are only good for creating chaos and anarchy throughout the country. Almost every ethnicity has its own Liberation Front. And at last count Ethiopia had more than 70 ethnic groups. It is hard to [...]

Angel investors, here in the U.S., are investment groups that take it upon themselves to find good investment ideas and opportunities, and fund those business ideas they believe would give them back a good return on their investments. In other words, they find good brains who lack the dough, and fund their ideas with deep pockets. [...]

I was just on a site called www.africanpath.com and i was baffled to learn how they came about with this list of “beautiful women”. In my opinion, the writer of this article must be personally infatuated with these girls. I am not sure how either of these three can be on the “Top 3 Most Beautiful [...]

I remember studying hard, with friends, for the 12th grade Ethiopia national exam of ESLCE. This was a decade ago. Where putting in an all-nighter was a daily thing. A couple of my study friends and i had studied and had prepared ourselves pretty well for this notoriously tough exam. After studying for 6 long months [...]

Early years © UNICEF/Ethiopia/Chamois Early year children at the enhanced outreach strategy for child survival intervention sites. The project is piloted in 14 weredas in Sidama and Woliata zones of Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Regions funded by CIDA. Children’s fundamental rights remain a major challenge in Ethiopia. Poverty deprives children in their early years of life [...]

The phrase one-child policy is commonly used in English to refer to the birth control policy (or Planned Birth policy) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Chinese government introduced the policy in 1979 to alleviate the overpopulation, social and environmental problems of China. Out of curiosity, just for this blog purposes, how would the one-child [...]

Does Ethiopia has an Obama? Yes, but they will never be an Obama. That is simply due to our political structure and system. You can’t just shine as a politician in Ethiopia or any African country for that matter without risking death or a near death experience. I hear people talk about how politics is a “dirty-business”, but [...]

  I have read this fascinating article on Reuters, and i couldn’t help but think 0f all the poor mothers in Ethiopia that lack the information that was so easily available to me over the internet. I think you you would find this article as fascinating. I wonder how many of these cases can be pointed out [...]

(TIA) - This is Africa. War left and right. We’re good at one thing - and only one thing - killing our own kind. And killing them in great numbers. Africa - a continent of continuous bloodshed. Where generations are wiped out over night. If you have been paying attention to the news lately, you can [...]

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), complications arising from illegal abortions are now the second leading cause of death for young women in Ethiopia. Only tuberculosis kills more young women in that poverty-stricken nation. Abortion is illegal in Ethiopia except in cases where the mother’s life is in danger, but illegal abortions are easy to [...]

“The government of Ethiopia joins the United States and other countries in fighting the scourge of human trafficking. We will do everything in our power to put an end to prostitution — one of the worst forms of slavery. While these conditions are ‘unspeakably evil,’ as President Bush put [...]

In baseball, you have the Giants vs. Dodgers, the Yankees vs. the Red Sox, the Cardinals vs. the Cubs and many other bitter rivals. In basketball, it used to be the Celtics vs. the Lakers (ah the greatness that was the 80s basketball). In football, you have the Patriots vs. every other team trying to knock off the wanna be Niners :D. In distance running, there is only one true rivalry and that is Kenya vs. Ethiopia. In this documentary I found on my friend and yours, youtube.com, here is a historic look at this great rivalry. When you list the top runners in the history of distance running, many come from these two countries and that list includes Abebe Bikila, Kip Keino, Mamo Walde, Miruts Yifter, Henry Rono, Paul Tergat, Haïlé Gebresélassié, and the most dominant current runner, Kenenisa Bekele.•Kenya vs. Ethiopia (Part 1 of 5)•Kenya vs. Ethiopia (Part 2 of 5)•Kenya vs. Ethiopia (Part 3 of 5)•Kenya vs. Ethiopia (Part 4 of 5)•Kenya vs. Ethiopia (Part 5 of 5)What oth

This video pierces through the core of my being…Shaun does a great job of telling a narrative. Anne Jackson speaks with even more passion: i am stopped dead in my tracks, my brain locks up, my heart crumples and i thank god for shaun and for reminders like these. The folks that do that kind of work have compassion that I can only talk about. If you want to hear more of the story, check out his YouTube video channel here. Wow! Thoughts? How does the video make you feel? Doesn’t he do a great job?

:: Kommentar görs med fördel på svenska :: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PRAYER ITEM 6 OCTOBER: The Berta people in Ethiopia and Sudan. 30daysfire.net praying for Muslims through 30 days of Ramadan. . . One week more to go... until 12 October Technorati tags: The Berta people Berta Ethiopia Berta Sudan Ramadan -- Andra bloggar om: Ramadan, Berta-folket Sudan, Berta-folket i Afrika ::

Day 24 for 6th October, coinciding with Ramadan 2007 / 1428 Berta is one of several names for a people group who live on both sides of the Ethiopian and Sudanese borders. Some 160,000 Berta live in Ethiopian side. On the Sudanese side of the border there are probably about the same number. Most of them live in rural areas and not in the cities and towns. Just 9.7% of the people are considered literate. Up until 30 years ago visitors to the region wrote that Islam was very superficial, basically just in name only. However, today most Berta Muslims take their religion quite seriously although it is mixed with indigenous beliefs and practices. A handful of Christians live scattered throughout the area. Bible translation began with some Old Testament passages but unfortunately that work stopped two years ago when the Muslim translators were forbidden to help more on the project. Witnessing among the Berta has proven difficult - more prayer is needed! Prayer Requests: * Christians from oth

Wanna help needy families in Ethiopia buy a goat for milk? You can when you buy a bottle of Shea Terra Organic Body Cremess, all-natural body lotions, because .50 cents from the sale of each bottle will go towards the purchase of a goat. Celebrity mom Angelina Jolie is behind this initiative and supports it all the way, as it helps third world families with much needed income and work. The body cremes are great too, as all Shea Terra cremes are natural and organic and the ingredients do not contain parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances or colors. Do your body and Mother Earth some good with Shea Terra. Source: [Parents.com] africa, All Natural, body lotions, Celebrity, earth friendly, Eco Friendly, Fashion and Beauty, goat, Green Living, home and garden, Kitchen and Bathroom, motherearth, natural body, Organic, organic body, parents, shea, Socially Responsible

Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates and Young Academics and Scientists Research Grants to run for more than 6 months Application dates for grants awarded to run for more than six months: 30 September each year. For this group of applicants a pre-seclection with personal interview is carried out at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in [...]

Ethiopia: mystical land of Rastafari roots, the origins of humans, and -- this Wednesday at midnight -- a party of epic proportions kicking off the nation's third millennium.Yes, Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations on the planet. Its borders have varied, most recently with the independence of Eritrea. But the fact remains that it's been around a long, long time.In ancient times it remained centred around Aksum, an imperial capital located in the northern part of the modern state, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) from the Red Sea coast. The present territory was consolidated during the 19th and 20th centuries as European powers encroached into Ethiopia's historical domain. Ethiopia became prominent in modern world affairs first in 1896, when it defeated colonial Italy in the Battle of Adwa, and again in 1935–36, when it was invaded and occupied by fascist Italy. Liberation during World War II by the Allied powers set the stage for Ethiopia to play a more prominent role in world a

Update on this. First these people got the death penalty, then life in prison, and now they're pardoned and set free: Thirty Ethiopian opposition leaders have been pardoned and freed from prison just days after being given life sentences over election protests. ... Ethiopia came under strong international pressure over the trial, and some donors cut aid. Here's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi: Mr Meles denied that he was following US orders to free the 30 CUD leaders and eight others convicted over the protests. Five others were convicted in absentia. "The Ethiopian government isn't willing and is unable to be run like a banana republic from Capitol Hill. Some individuals appear to be entertaining such illusions," he said. He also said that some of the international pressure on his government had been "shameful". ... The head of the European Union 2005 election observers in Ethiopia had condemned the life sentences as "farcical" and "inhumane". ... Some 193 people died after thousand

Emad Mekay - Washington, United States A deal between Starbucks and Ethiopia that ends their trademark dispute and offers more benefits to Ethiopian coffee farmers has been hailed as a potential model for other poor nations seeking to better use the modern trading system, especially the often-controversial intellectual property rights provisions. “This agreement represents a business approach in step with 21st-century standards in its concern for rights rather than charity and for greater equity in supply chains rather than short term profits,” said Raymond C Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America, the advocacy organisation that has been campaigning on behalf of Ethiopia since last October. (more…)

Singer Lee Hyo-lee will visit Ethiopia June 18 for ten days to provide help to needy people in the country wrought by drought and poverty.Lee will be joined by actor Cho Min-ki. Their efforts will be shown on the KBS TV1 program "Request for Love." The two will also launch a fund-raising campaign to help African children.Sources say that it was actress Shin Ae-ra who suggested that Lee go to Ethiopia to do volunteer work. Lee willingly accepted the offer from Shin, who has been helping children from poor families for years.source :KBSTags: lee hyori, lee hyolee, hyori, korean girls, korean stars, korean actress, signers, celebrities, cute

Singer Lee Hyo-lee will visit Ethiopia June 18 for ten days to provide help to needy people in the country wrought by drought and poverty.Lee will be joined by actor Cho Min-ki. Their efforts will be shown on the KBS TV1 program "Request for Love." The two will also launch a fund-raising campaign to help African children.Sources say that it was actress Shin Ae-ra who suggested that Lee go to Ethiopia to do volunteer work. Lee willingly accepted the offer from Shin, who has been helping children from poor families for years.source :KBSTags: lee hyori, lee hyolee, hyori, korean girls, korean stars, korean actress, signers, celebrities, cute

Singer Lee Hyo-lee will visit Ethiopia June 18 for ten days to provide help to needy people in the country wrought by drought and poverty.Lee will be joined by actor Cho Min-ki. Their efforts will be shown on the KBS TV1 program "Request for Love." The two will also launch a fund-raising campaign to help African children.Sources say that it was actress Shin Ae-ra who suggested that Lee go to Ethiopia to do volunteer work. Lee willingly accepted the offer from Shin, who has been helping children from poor families for years.source :KBSTags: lee hyori, lee hyolee, hyori, korean girls, korean stars, korean actress, signers, celebrities, cute

After reading my post about Brazilian coffee bean producers turning part of their crop into bio-diesel in Forbes, I received the following request. Ethiopia is looking for any way to profit from its coffee crop and is looking for interested parties to look to Africa as a source of Bio-Diesel production. "Ethiopia is the largest coffee producer in Africa. As a large (population about 75 million) but extremely poor (per capita GNP is the $100/year range) country, there might be interest in... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

After the work I have done on Starbucks (SBUX), I ended up in correspondence with people intimate with the recent Ethiopian negotiations (on the Ethiopian side). In response to a question I asked I got the following response.... "At this moment, SBUX and Ethiopia are working out the terms of a licensing agreement acknowledging Ethiopia's ownership of three coffee marks. An Ethiopian official told me today that he hopes an agreement will be concluded in the coming week or two. SBUX was... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

by Afyare Abdi ElmiTuesday, May 01, 2007THE UNITED Nations' Office for Coordinating Humanitarian Affairs in Somalia reported that the recent clashes between Ethiopian troops and Somali resistance groups killed more than 1,000 civilians and displaced more than 350,000 residents of Mogadishu. The European Union has reacted to this carnage and it is investigating whether war crimes were committed by the Ethiopian forces and Somali government militias. The EU argues that forces intentionally targeted civilian areas.The United States, however, is on a different page. When the Union of Islamic Courts defeated the US-backed warlords, the Bush administration -- using the war on terrorism as justiciation -- supported the Ethiopian occupation, arguing that the Islamists were an emerging threat to the US interests.But approaching the complex and multilayered Somali conflict in this simplistic way and linking it to the war on terror was a mistake.The United States inadvertently stepped into a loc

By Andrew Heavens ADDIS ABABA, May 1 (Reuters) - An Internet watchdog on Tuesday accused Ethiopia of blocking scores of anti-government Web sites and millions of Weblogs in one of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest cases of cyber-censorship. Web monitor, the OpenNet Initiative, said the Horn of Africa country was stopping citizens from viewing opposition-linked Web sites, and blogs hosted by Blogger, an online journal community owned by Internet search engine Google Inc. Ethiopia dismissed the report as "a baseless allegation". "We may have technical problems from time to time," Information Ministry spokesman Zemedkun Tekle. "But we have not done anything like that and we have no intention of doing anything like that." The OpenNet Initiative -- a partnership between Harvard Law School, and universities of Toronto and Cambridge and Oxford -- said it had gathered proof of interference. "We have run diagnostic tests using volunteers in Ethiopia which indicate that they are blocking IP addresse

allafrica.com  The Reporter (Addis Ababa) Addis Ababa Countries in every region of the world are making substantial progress in increasing access to HIV treatment, but the goal of achieving universal access by 2010 will remain out of reach unless the pace of growth rises rapidly, according to a joint report from three United Nations agencies published this [...]

Reuters: Rebels kill 74 in Ethiopia oil field raidExcerpt:"Eritrea denied the charge. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the attack, which he said involved more than 200 gunmen.In a statement, the ONLF said it attacked Ethiopian soldiers guarding an oil exploration field in Northern Ogaden region."The oil facility has been completely destroyed," it said, adding that government forces in the area had been "wiped out, with many surrendering to ONLF commandos"."The ONLF has stated on numerous occasions that we will not allow the mineral resources of our people to be exploited by this regime or any firm.""http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L24224766.htmAlex

There have been few studies concerning women in Ethiopia, but many observers have commented on the physical hardship that Ethiopian women experience throughout their lives. Such hardship involves carrying loads over long distances, grinding corn manually, working in the homestead, raising children, and cooking. Ethiopian women traditionally have suffered sociocultural and economic discrimination and have had fewer opportunities than men for personal growth, education, and employment. Even the civil code affirmed the woman's inferior position, and such rights as ownership of property and inheritance varied from one ethnic group to another. As in other traditional societies, a woman's worth is measured in terms of her role as a mother and wife. Over 85 percent of Ethiopian women reside in rural areas, where peasant families are engaged primarily in subsistence agriculture. Rural women are integrated into the rural economy, which is basically labor intensive and which exacts a heavy phy

Bill Roggio (via Hot Air) reports that Ethiopia has routed the Mogadishu. As Bryan says here: There should be no allowance for any cease-fire talks until the Islamists are well and truly crushed. Keep the UN and the Arab League as far from this fight as possible until it's truly finished. The Ethiopians and the transitional Somali government forces, fighting together against the Islamists in spite of a history of war between Ethiopia and Somalia, should not make the same mistake Israel and the US have made in Lebanon and Iraq and Afghanistan. They should win the fight outright and dictate terms to the surviving Islamists. Foreign fighters should either be imprisoned and tried for their crimes or, well, imprisoned and tried for their crimes. Anything less, and the Islamists will go to ground and come back with an insurgency in a few months or a year.Absolutely correct. Ethiopia needs to set an important example in the fight against Islamofascism by bringing down the Mogadishu right to