Monthly Archives: June 2009

US looks to expand development aid to Ethiopia’s dictatorship

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thank you very very much, Obama!

By Peter Heinlein | VOA

The Obama administration is signaling its intention to keep Ethiopia as a key strategic partner, despite concerns about the country’s slide toward authoritarianism. The United States is …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Former defense minister Siye Abraha to join UDJ

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Former defense minister of Ethiopia’s tribal junta, Ato Siye Abrha, has reportedly disclosed his intention to join the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ), according to Ethiopian Review sources in Addis Ababa.

According to …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: The fake patriarch backs off on the Ark

(WorldNetDaily) –The [fake patriarch] leader of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on Friday backed off on a much-anticipated announcement about the Ark of the Covenant — the ancient container holding the Ten Commandment — which he claims to have …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Welcome to a dying lake!

By Wondirad Seifu | The Reporter

Lake Abijata is dying, although the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is boasting that it is the country’s sanctuary for a colony of exciting birds. Oddly enough, the Environmental Protection Authority has indexed the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Indian EXIM bank to open office in Ethiopia's capital

ADDIS ABABA — The Export and Import (EXIM) Bank of India is in negotiations with Ethiopian officials about the opening of an East African office in Addis Ababa.

Board directors of the bank have already decided to open their East …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Water shortage affecting humans, livestock in Somali Region

By Melaku Demissie | The Reporter

This week’s humanitarian situation update by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that standard nutrition surveys are needed in the affected areas in different regions to assess the scope of …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Hero vs Zero

By Alemayehu G. Mariam

Doublethink, Doublespeak

George Orwell may have understated the situation in the Big Brother totalitarian state of Nineteen Eighty Four: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” He would be amused to learn that in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The way forward for Ethiopia and Eritrea

By Dawit WoldeGiorgis

I read Neamin Zeleke’s recent article, The Imperative of Ethiopians Dealing with Eritrea, about his reflection and opinions on the future of Ethiopian and Eritrean relationship. I would like to compliment his very wise observation on …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Former Ethiopian Navy Association annual conference

The annual conference of Former Ethiopian Navy Association will be held in Chicago, Thursday, July 2, 2009.

Place:The Westin O’Hare Hotel, Madison Room
Address: 6100 North River Road · Rosemont, Illinois
Date/Time: Thursday, July 2, at 2:00 PM…

Posted in Ethiopia News

Free Birtukan Taskforce formed

The Free Birtukan and all Political Prisoners taskforce announces a major milestone in its effort to free Ms. Birtukan Mideksa and all political prisoners. The taskforce will officially launch its operations on Sunday, June 28, 2009 in a major public …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Repercussions of power cuts in Ethiopia

By Hayal Alemayehu | The Reporter

When the Ethiopian Electric and Power Corporation (EEPCo) instituted nationwide power shedding in March and consequently ordered high-power consuming plants not to use power a month later, Mugher Cement Enterprise did not consider the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The Ark is not going to be revealed, says Gebremedhin

Yesterday, millions were waiting to watch eagerly the Ark of the Covenant revealed. A day passed but it was not made public. “No, the ark is not going to be revealed. Nobody could touch it. If you do so, God …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The sad but funny aspects of Ethiopia's parliament

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (EthioPolitics.com) — Reporter – Most of the time, MPs or journalists attending parliamentary sessions are accustomed to witnessing MPs belonging to the ruling party EPRDF raising their hands, almost without exception, in favour of passing …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Somali navy chief: World's worst job?

By Will Ross | BBC

If you think you face an uphill challenge at work today, spare a thought for Farah Ahmed Omar, the man in charge of Somalia’s navy.

He has neither boats nor equipment and admits he has …

Posted in Ethiopia News

New Ethiopia bill violates international human rights treaties

By Kirubel Tadesse | Ethiopolitics.com

Capital – A new anti-terrorism bill endorsed by cabinet recently will allow hearsay evidence on terrorism suspects’ trials, if accepted by parliament, the Government announced last Monday.

Law scholars say the move would violate international …

Posted in Ethiopia News

First English FM Radio On Air in Ethiopia's capital

(Addis Fortune) — Ehiopia’s first FM radio station broadcasting in the English language began pre-test broadcasting approximately a week ago.

The station, run by Paconet Media Plc, incorporated in January 2008 with an initial capital of about 3 …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Africa alone could feed the world

DOOM-MONGERS have got it wrong – there is enough space in the world to produce the extra food needed to feed a growing population. And contrary to expectation, most of it can be grown in Africa, say two international reports …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Power rationing forces shutting down of Ethiopian businesses

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Ethiopolitics.com) — Many businesses in Ethiopia have been forced to close temporarily because of power rationing which began in April.

Cement, metal and other big factories suspended their activities last month due to the power …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Features of a fully blown tyranny before its demise

By Kiflu Hussain

“There are no good dictators. But some are better than others. The best dictators permit freedom of expression, rule of law and economic growth, creating a democratic minded middle class that eventually pushes them aside. The worst

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Looted cross of St Yared returned to Ethiopia after 2 decades

By Hailu T. | Reporter

The Cross of Saint Yared, the famed father of Ethiopian church music, was returned to Ethiopia after it was looted from the church of Tana Tcherkos at gun point in the early 1990s.

The cross …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Study criticises laptops for children scheme

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ( Reporter ) — The “One Laptop per Child” (OLPC) scheme, which has sent over a million US$100 laptops to children in the developing world, has been criticised by researchers who found that, unless they are introduced …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: British Council opened new building in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Addis Fortune) — British Council Ethiopia’s new two story building on Comoros Street around the British Embassy has been officially opened in the presence of over 300 invited guests and members, on June 4, 2009.…

Posted in Ethiopia News

Global economic crisis exacerbating human rights abuses

(BBC) — The global economic crisis is exacerbating human rights abuses, Amnesty International has warned.

In its annual report, the group said the downturn had distracted attention from abuses and created new problems.

Rising prices meant millions were struggling to …

Posted in Ethiopia News

US sent 40 tons of munitions to aid Somali's puppet regime

By Mary Beth Sheridan | Washington Post

The U.S. government has provided about 40 tons of weapons and ammunition to shore up the besieged government of Somalia in the past six weeks and has sent funding to train Somali soldiers, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

An Analysis of the Draft Ethiopian Anti-Terrorism Law

By Human Rights Watch

This paper analyses Ethiopia’s draft Anti-Terrorism Proclamation (the draft Proclamation) and assesses to what extent the proposed law on its face conforms to international human rights standards. The draft law has been submitted to Parliament by …

Posted in Ethiopia News

World reacts to Michael Jackson death

BBC — With the death of pop star Michael Jackson at the age of 50, BBC correspondents report on the reaction around the world.

By MAGGIE SHIELS, LOS ANGELES

Throughout the day camera crews and media from around the world …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. Congressional Hearing examines situation in Somalia

By Dan Robinson | VOA News

The violent and unstable situation in Somalia was the subject of a U.S. congressional hearing on Thursday. Testimony by officials from Somalia, the United Nations and the African Union, and experts came as the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia artists, fans mourn Michael Jackson's death

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia EthioPolitics.com — Ethiopian artists and music fans on Friday mourned the death of Michael Jackson which occurred late on Thursday with heart related health problems.

The news was received here with surprise and shock for the majority …

Posted in Ethiopia News

HIV/AIDS causes lower population growth in Amhara region

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Lower birth rate and high death rate especially from HIV/AIDS are the factors causing lower population increase rate in the Amhara regional state, a controversial study by the Population Census Commission revealed this week.

The head …

Posted in Ethiopia News

A tribute to Commander Zeleke Bogale

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia's tribal junta arrests suspected OLF rebels

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) — Ethiopia’s [tribal junta] (the Woyanne regime) said on Friday it arrested three Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebels who beat up Chinese technicians in a raid on a dam construction site in the west.

State TV said …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ark of the Covenant Being Unveiled? – update

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following update was posted today by New Wineskins blog:

It should have happened an hour ago. Not clear yet what’s going on, but I’ll update this post as often as I can throughout the day. Nothing scheduled

Posted in Ethiopia News

Best of Michael Jackson – videos

Rest in Peace

Billie Jean

Beat It

Thriller

You Rock My World

The way you make me feel

Bad

Smooth Criminal

Black or White

Jam

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

In the Closet

Posted in Ethiopia News

After Minneapolis, FBI Eyes Atlanta's Somalis

By Maggie Lee

CLARKSON, GA — In this small town on the edge of Atlanta, the FBI and local law enforcement are looking out for an alarming kind of crime: radical Islamist terrorists potentially trying to recruit the town’s young …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Physicians worked an hour to resuscitate Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson [Photo: National Photo Group Washington (DPA) – Physicians at the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles worked for more than an hour to resuscitate pop icon Michael Jackson, according to his brother Jermaine Jackson in broadcast remarks Thursday.

The sudden death of the rock …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Obama appoints Mehret Mandefro as a White House Fellow

PRESIDENT OBAMA APPOINTS 2009-2010 CLASS OF WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS

WASHINGTON, DC – The White House announced today the appointment of 15 outstanding men and women to serve as White House Fellows. The 2009-2010 class of White House Fellows represents a …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Michael Jackson pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center

By Andrew Blankstein, Phil Willon and Harriet Ryan | Los Angeles Times

Michael Jackson is rushed into hospital in Los Angeles
Michael Jackson is rushed into hospital in Los Angeles [Photo: x17online.com]

Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead today after paramedics found him in a coma at his …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Pop star Michael Jackson dies at age 50 – CBS/AP

Michael Jackson is rushed into hospital in Los Angeles
Michael Jackson is rushed into hospital in Los Angeles [Photo: x17online.com]

(CBS) – Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Michael Jackson is dead in Los Angeles

Michael Jackson (The New York Times)

Update | 6:37 p.m. The Associated Press is reporting that Mr. Jackson is dead.

Reaction | 6:37 p.m. Television news images showed large crowds gathering outside the UCLA Medical Center. “People are already showing up in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Michael Jackson "Near Death" After Suffering Cardiac Arrest

By Christine Kellett | Brisbane Times

Michael Jackson is rushed into hospital in Los Angeles
Michael Jackson is rushed into hospital in Los Angeles [Photo: x17online.com]

Media reports have said the star, 50, was taken to hospital in Los Angeles, California, after he was found not breathing following a …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Election-stealing is a risky gamble

By MINXIN PEI and ALI WYNE | The New York Times

If, as Iran’s opposition has alleged, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has rigged the country’s presidential election, he will join a long roster of autocrats who have tried to preserve their …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Aba Diabilos to desecrate the Ark of the Covenant

By Hillel Fendel | IsraelNN.com

Ethiopian Orthodox Church leader says Friday, June 26, marks the right time to unveil the Biblical Ark of the Covenant, which he says has been hidden in his church for centuries.

Abuna Pauolos Aba Gebremedhin …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The Ethiopian-Israeli experience captured by two plays

By Rick Kardonne | Jewish Tribune

TEL AVIV — Winnipeg-born-and-raised theatre producer-director Howard Rypp’s Nephesh Theatre, which began in Toronto, has, for Tel Aviv’s 100th anniversary, presented two original plays about the Ethiopian-Jewish immigration to Israel, which have already been …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Teff, a gluten free grain

Teff, a gluten free grain, is now available from Tobia-Teff and is ideal for those looking to reduce their wheat intake or those suffering from coeliac disease. Teff is an ancient grain from Ethiopia. The company is owned by Sophie …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: Meselech Melkamu's stunning momentum continues

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (The Reporter) — While the sold out Mestsky stadium crowd packed every nook and cranny of the facility to catch a fleeting glimpse of the world’s fastest man, the 20,000-plus were treated by several solid …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Book Review: Bikila – Ethiopia's Barefoot Olympian

By Erkki Vettenniemi 

Considering the well-known achievements of the Ethiopian distance runners over the past fifty years or so, one is perhaps entitled to lament the lack of interest in the history of Ethiopian athletics.

While scholars have tackled innumerable …

Posted in Ethiopia News

New York: Ethiopians win Shelter Island 10K

By Brett Mauser | Hamptons.com

NEW YORK, Shelter Island — Although the forecast threatened to rain on the annual celebration of Shelter Island – the Shelter Island 10K and 5K Run/Walk – devoted participants ferried in for the early evening …

Posted in Ethiopia News

ANALYSIS: Will Meles Zenawi step down?

By Barry Malone | Reuters

When Ethiopia’s rebel-turned-leader Meles Zenawi emerged from the bush to take power in 1991, he sat for a long-distance learning degree to feel more qualified to run Africa’s second most populous nation.

Despite studying while …

Posted in Ethiopia News

48 hours in Addis Ababa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Canada.com) — Got 48 hours to spare in Addis Ababa — Africa’s diplomatic hub and one of the highest capital cities in the world? Reuters correspondents with local knowledge give tips on how to make …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Maryland judge dismisses lawsuit against Ethiopian church

By Danny Jacobs | The Daily Record

A Baltimore County judge has dismissed a $4.3 million lawsuit filed by more than 100 former members of an Ethiopian church against its board of trustees after the plaintiffs failed to respond to …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Washington-based nonprofit supports Ethiopian adventure

optical amplifier(Examiner.com) — Washington-based Girls Gotta Run is already supporting Ethiopian girls training to be professional runners.

Now, the Chevy Chase volunteer-run nonprofit is supporting the work of an Occidental College student named Kayla Nolan who is spending the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Majority of Somali parliament members flee abroad

By Abdiaziz Hassan

NAIROBI (Reuters) – Scores of Somali legislators have fled violence at home to the safety of other countries in Africa, Europe and the United States, leaving the nation’s parliament without a quorum to meet.

Violence from an …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Hot air from Arat Kilo

By Yilma Bekele

Our new name is the Ethiopians in the Diaspora. ‘The term Diaspora (in Greek διασπορά – “a scattering [of seeds]”) refers to the movement of any population sharing common ethnic identity who were either forced to leave …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Top 10 recent protest symbols

Time Magazine

iran woman killed protest Neda

A Shot Heard Round the World
Most media coverage of the protests that greeted Iran’s widely disparaged presidential election results were already being captured and transmitted by cameraphone and text message, so it’s perhaps only fitting that the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Women’s power in Iran: An overlooked force

By Anne Applebaum | Washington Post

Women in sunglasses and headscarves, speaking through megaphones, brandishing cameras, carrying signs: When they first appeared, the photographs of the 2005 Tehran University women’s rights protests were a powerful reminder of the true potential …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: Anatomy of Sebhat Nega’s big lies

By Fekade Shewakena

Ato Sebhat Nega’s interview on the Voice of America, Amharic Service, recently sounds like a play out of Orwell’s, Animal Farm, but it also speaks volumes about the mindset inside TPLF, and the groupthink the regime officials …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Swarms of locusts swoop down on Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — Crops in large swathes of Ethiopia risk being destroyed by swarms of locusts coming from northern Somalia, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Tuesday.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) “reports …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Kenya rejects call for military help in Somalia

(CNN) — Somalia’s transitional government has the right to request military help from its neighbors against armed militants, the African Union said Monday, but Kenya was quick to reject the idea of sending troops and suggested the AU …

Posted in Ethiopia News

EPPF Texas chapter launched

The Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF) supporters in Texas have come together and formed a support chapter on Sunday, June 21, 2009, after holding a series of meetings.

The newly formed chapter has released a press statement, which is posted …

Posted in Ethiopia News

50 great softwares that are available for free

The following is a list of 50 great software applications that you can download and install for free. The list is originally compiled by TechVivo and edited by Elias Kifle.

1. Audacity – Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Washington DC train smashes into another, killing 6

By BRETT ZONGKER and MICHAEL J. SNIFFEN | Associated Press

WASHINGTON – One Metro transit train smashed into the rear of another at the height of the capital city’s Monday evening rush hour, killing at least six people and injuring …

Posted in Ethiopia News

“Zero chance Birtukan Mideksa will be released” – Meles

By Jason McLure | Bloomberg

[Ethiopia’s dictator] Meles Zenawi said on Friday that there is “zero” chance that opposition leader Birtukan Mideksa will be released from prison in time to compete in the elections scheduled for next May. He also …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Woyanne blames World Bank for power blackouts

By Jason McLure | Bloomberg

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Ethiopian Prime Minister warlord Meles Zenawi said the World Bank and international donors share the blame for nationwide power cuts that led the government to trim its economic growth forecast.

The …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia's regime rejects Kenya's proposal to monitor Omo River dam construction

By Benjamin Muindi | (Nation)

Ethiopia’s regime has rejected Kenya’s proposal to monitor the construction of a hydro-power dam on River Omo that could lead to the death of Lake Turkana.

A row between the two countries now …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Meles Zenawi said he would re-invade Somalia

By Hamsa Omar and Jason McLure | Bloomberg

Somalia declared a state of emergency amid increasing violence in the war-torn country as the leader of neighboring Ethiopia’s [tribal junta] threatened to invade if its security is threatened by Islamists seeking …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Torture Inc. (Ethiopia)

Alemayehu G. Mariam

Inside the Torture Chambers of the Dictatorship in Ethiopia

Last week, Barry Malone of the Reuters news agency reported that families of the suspects allegedly involved in a “terror network” against the dictatorship in Ethiopia told him …

Posted in Ethiopia News

On the Passing of a Great Ethiopian Patriot

Commander Zeleke Bogale

It is with a sad and broken heart that we announce the passing away of Commander Zeleke Bogale who had served his country both as a distinguished naval officer and civilian Administrator par-excellence.

For those who know …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Vacillation of Ethiopian Review within the opposition camp

By Wondem Tilahun

The flashy title on Ethiopian Review (ER) website reads … “Mersha Yoseph makes a fool of himself”. For those of us who are regulars and fans of ER, the title and the message is not a surprise. …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Two killed at ritual killing at Kenya-Ethiopian border

KAKUMA, Kenya (Xinhua)  — Suspected Ethiopian warriors killed two Kenyans and wounded 14 others on Wednesday night in a ritual killing barely a fortnight when deadly clashes between Merrile and Turkana tribesmen killed dozens others along the common frontier.

Survivors …

Posted in Ethiopia News

First cases of swine flu confirmed in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia has confirmed its first cases of H1N1 flu virus, Health Death Minister Tewedros Adhanhom said on Friday.

It was the second country after South Africa to report the deadly flu.

“Since swine flu was declared …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Exclusive interview with CNN heroe Alfa Demmellash

In November 2007, TsehaiNy had an opportunity to meet and share with its readers the story of Alfa Demmellash, the co-founder and CEO of Rising Tide Capital. This 29 year old Ethiopian woman is passionate about the work she is …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Commander Zeleke Bogale passed away

Commander Zeleke Bogale passed away Thursday afternoon after receiving medical treatment in the U.S for the past several weeks.

Commander Zeleke is the father of our dear friend and comrade-in-arms Neamin Zeleke.

The late Commander served his country in different …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ambassador Donald Yamamoto leaves Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (APO) — The African Union and the United States government have worked together in significant ways to improve the lives of people in Africa. This collaboration, which can be found in diverse areas such as agriculture, HIV …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Small U.S. businesses thrive with an Ethiopian woman’s help

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (CNN) — Alfa Demmellash grew up on less than a dollar a day, and against the backdrop of torture and murder. But these days she’s living the American dream and helping others do the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

UN expert puts forward measures to regulate 'land grabbing'

(UN News) — An independent United Nations human rights expert proposed a set of measures today to guide large-scale international land purchases, known as “land grabbing,” ahead of upcoming negotiations by the “Group of Eight” (G8) industrialized nations on responsible …

Posted in Ethiopia News

UN development chief continues Africa tour with stop in Ethiopia

UN News Centre — The head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was in Ethiopia today, where she met with the country’s leader and discussed ways to support efforts to tackle poverty, address climate change and ensure that progress …

Posted in Ethiopia News

From Georgia to Ethiopia: the fight against Blinding Trachoma

ATLANTA, GA (WABE) – The Atlanta-based Carter Center has been fighting neglected tropical diseases like river blindness and guinea worm all over the world. In our week-long series “From Georgia to Ethiopia”, WABE’s Odette Yousef focused on the Center’s fight …

Posted in Ethiopia News

London doctors to help an Ethiopian hospital

By Oliver Evans | This is Local London

London, UK — Buckinghamshire NHS Hospitals NHS Trust has signed a memorandum of understanding to advise staff at Menelik II Hospital, in Addis Ababa.

Five senior staff members from the hospital visited …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Should Obama speak out on Iran?

With Iran, Think Before You Speak

By Senator JOHN KERRY | The New York Times

THE grass-roots protests that have engulfed Iran since its presidential election last week have grabbed America’s attention and captured headlines — unfortunately, so has the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Obama's silence favors Iran's mullahs

By Ralph Peters | New York Post

SILENCE is complicity. Our president’s refusal to take a forthright moral stand on the side of the Iranian freedom marchers is read in Tehran as a blank check for the current regime.

The …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Somali Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden killed in explosion

By TOM MALITI

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Somalia’s national security minister and at least 24 other people were killed in a suicide attack Thursday, and an extremist Islamic group with alleged links to al-Qaida claimed responsibility.

President Sheik Sharif Sheik …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Accused Ethiopia coup plotters ask for protection

By Peter Heinlein | Voanews.com

A group charged with conspiracy to overthrow Ethiopia’s government has asked a court for special protection, alleging their human rights have been violated during detention. Our correspondent reports relatives say some defendants have been tortured.…

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian spice of life

By Denise Taylor | Boston.com

Incense perfumes Habesha Restaurant as we’re seated near the large, dark wood bar that anchors the dimly lighted dining room. The musk scented smoke is so strong that it’s dizzying, but soon another more …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia’s dictator swears by 10 percent

… facts on the ground tell a different story, as the video below shows.

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. State Department reverses course on Eritrea

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first positive step on the part of the U.S. Department of State after a decade of failed policy by the previous officials who had contributed to the chaos in the Horn of Africa by financing

Posted in Ethiopia News

Result of Woyanne’s 10 percent economic growth – video

After receiving over $1 billion from donors and claiming an annual growth rate of over 10 percent, Ethiopians are growing more poor by the day. The most vulnerable victims of Ethiopia’s tribal junta are the children, as you see in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

President Obama's restraint on Iran

By Jeff Jacoby | Boston Globe

TWENTY YEARS ago this month, the first President Bush refused to condemn China’s communist rulers when they unleashed a violent assault on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing.

For weeks Bush had refrained from encouraging the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian rights lawyer, VOA reporter face prison

By Peter Heinlein | VOA

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — A prominent Ethiopian attorney and a Voice of America journalist face stiff prison terms in a case linked to an exiled opposition leader accused of plotting to overthrow Prime Minister Ethiopia’s …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Mogadishu police chief killed in gun battle

By Mohamed Olad Hassan | AP

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali government forces attacked rebel strongholds in Mogadishu on Wednesday, triggering battles that killed at least 11 people, including the capital’s police chief, witnesses and officials said.

Residents cowered in their …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Sioux Falls Ethiopian-owned bar gets second chance

By Jim Nelson | ksfy.com

The bar, located on West 11th Street, faced heavy scrutiny from the city council Monday night. “I have zero tolerance for underage alcohol sales. and I am extremely disappointed, irritated, annoyed and flabbergasted,” says councilwoman …

Posted in Ethiopia News

United Nations runs out of aid for Ethiopia

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ethiopia’s dictatorship needs stop buying weapons and use the money to buy food. The current official military budget is $400 million. This doesn’t include the secret budget that is allocated to the intelligence services and the death squads.

Posted in Ethiopia News

Aboy Sebhat speaks to VOA

By Yilma Bekele

I am sure you have all heard that Ato Sebhat Nega aka Aboy Sebhat, the Prime Minster’s mentor and a very high official of the ruling TPLF party was a guest on Voice of America. I was …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia foreign currency shortage causes tax revenue decline

By Hayal Alemayehu | The Reporter

The shortage of foreign currency reserve has helped drop tax revenues following [a slower] foreign trade performance, Belachew Beyene, Director of Duties and Tax Audit with the Ethiopia Customs and Revenue Authority (ECRA), said …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Accused coup plotters in Ethiopia ask for Protection

By Peter Heinlein | VOA

A group charged with conspiracy to overthrow Ethiopia’s government has asked a court for special protection, alleging their human rights have been violated during detention. Our correspondent reports relatives say some defendants have been tortured.…

Posted in Ethiopia News

The slum behind the colorful wall

By Eden Habtamu | Ezega.com

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — I am not good at joking. I don’t even remember most of the jokes I hear, nor do I have the habit of memorizing them to tell others. But I cannot …

Posted in Ethiopia News

A telecom monopoly connecting Ethiopia to nowhere

By Hallelujah Lule | The Addis Connexion

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Forty years ago, the Ethiopian Telecommunications Board (precursor to today’s ETC) was viewed as a progressive government utility agency providing critical services. It even had a robust marketing department …

Posted in Ethiopia News

A Wisconsin high school graduates send gowns to Ethiopia

WAUSAU, Wisconsin (Wausaudailyherald.com) — A Wausau West High School teacher this summer wants to make graduation a little more special for students on the other side of the globe.

Choral director Phil Buch has asked local graduates to …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia budget shows 10 billion birr deficit

By Bruck Shewareged | The Reporter

Next fiscal year’s budget shows a deficit of 10 billion birr, Sufian Ahmed, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, told parliament Thursday. The Government was asking parliament to approve a 64.5 billion birr …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Today’s Ethiopia kangaroo courtroom drama

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — The 32 defendants who are accused by Ethiopia’s tribal junta of plotting to assassinate government officials appeared at the Lideta district court in Addis Ababa, the same kangaroo courtroom where Teddy Afro’s sham trial was conducted.…

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia power scarcity approaching complete blackout

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA (The Reporter) — Electric power outage is becoming one of the most devastating problems in contemporary Ethiopia. It appears to be routine practice living without light every two days, where the power sources are dominantly …

Posted in Ethiopia News