He also expressed appreciation for PSI’s involvement and ECA’s assistance in developing the Ethiopia National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. The Minister highlighted that the forum, with its wide-ranging stakeholder representation, is a crucial step towards establishing a successful National AfCFTA implementation Strategy. Beyene Petros, the Director General of PSI, emphasized the importance of full commitment and ownership from all stakeholders in the development and implementation of the strategy. The forum was a pivotal platform for driving meaningful discussions and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders to advance the development of Ethiopia’s AfCFTA Implementation strategy. It marked a significant milestone for Ethiopia’s endeavors toward regional integration.

NEW ULM — Like a breath of fresh air, an African Arab provided nearly an hour of comic relief, hitting many subjects to an appreciative audience Saturday at the New Ulm Public Library. Sultan told a gripping story about nearly being mugged at 2 a.m. one night. Sultan said he’s learned that he intimidates certain groups of people at night, especially older, white people. When not doing stand up comedy, Ali makes short videos. His short Zoom Legend won the Best Short Mockumentary Film Award at the 2021 Reno Film Comedy Fest.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest network operating carrier, celebrated the inauguration of a new four-times-weekly service to Warsaw, Poland, yesterday evening. The launch event was attended by senior government officials from Ethiopia, top executives from Ethiopian Airlines, Przemysław Bobak, Polish Ambassador to Ethiopia, and other esteemed guests. The new route marks a significant milestone in Ethiopian Airlines' global expansion strategy, as highlighted by the airline's Group CEO during the ceremony. Beyond its commercial significance, the new service is expected to foster closer ties between Ethiopia and Poland. The Polish Ambassador, Przemysław Bobak, echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence that the new flight route will significantly benefit both nations, bolstering trade relations and promoting cultural exchange.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump debated each other Thursday, June 27, with CNN journalists Dana Bash and Jake Tapper moderating. After the debate, the talk on TV and online was about Biden’s poor performance. His people said he had a cold, and it is well known he has a lifelong speech impediment. Do you think Biden should step aside for a new Democratic candidate?

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey says it has mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease diplomatic tensions between the east African neighbors. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry says that the Ethiopian and Somalian foreign ministers were “able to separately have a candid, cordial and forward-looking exchange” on Monday concerning their differences. A second round of discussions is planned in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Sept. 2. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, which Somalia denounced as infringing upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The memorandum was to allow Ethiopia’s access to the sea through Somaliland and in return Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country.

Some of the lawyers involved in the case, however, say a plea deal is better than nothing. Can the judge block a plea deal? If the judge rejects a plea deal, Boeing and the Justice Department could negotiate a new agreement or go to trial. Lawyers for the families say that if Boeing accepts the plea deal, they will ask O'Connor to reject it. What are other potential implications of a Boeing plea?

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey says it has mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease diplomatic tensions between the east African neighbors. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry says that the Ethiopian and Somalian foreign ministers were “able to separately have a candid, cordial and forward-looking exchange” on Monday concerning their differences. A second round of discussions is planned in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Sept. 2. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, which Somalia denounced as infringing upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The memorandum was to allow Ethiopia’s access to the sea through Somaliland and in return Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country.

By Giulia Paravicini and Tuvan Gumrukcu Turkey mediating Somalia-Ethiopia talks on port deal-Turkey has begun mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia over a port deal Addis Ababa signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland earlier this year, Ankara and four officials familiar with the matter said. "The Ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia reiterated their commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences," it added. Spokespeople for the Somali government and Ethiopia's foreign ministry, government and intelligence service did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "I don't see a way forward, and I don't expect much will come from these talks." Turkey has built schools, hospitals and infrastructure and provided scholarships for Somalis to study in Turkey, and in return secured a foothold in Africa and on a key global shipping route.

Paul Cassell, a former federal judge who is representing some of the victims' families, called it "a sweetheart deal" for Boeing. Some of the lawyers involved in the case, however, say a plea deal is better than nothing. If the judge rejects a plea deal, Boeing and the Justice Department could negotiate a new agreement or go to trial. Lawyers for the families say that if Boeing accepts the plea deal, they will ask O'Connor to reject it. What are other potential implications of a Boeing plea?

BEIRUT: Several independent MPs, reformists, and opposition parties urged Lebanon’s caretaker government on Monday to declare a state of emergency in southern Lebanon and hand over control to the military. At a press conference held by the MPs, Rifi, speaking on the group’s behalf, also said the Lebanese Armed Forces should be deployed to confront any threats. The MPs urged the government to step up diplomatic moves to return to the armistice agreement signed in 1949 and to implement UN Resolution 1701 in full. Three national non-governmental organizations — Imam Sadr Foundation, NUSANED, Najee, and the International Committee of the Red Cross — also participated. Also on Monday, Israeli aircraft violated Lebanese airspace over Beirut and its suburbs as well as Mount Lebanon.

According to the horticulture industry, Ethiopian exporters and producers are in danger due to new regulations imposed by international regulatory authorities. As a result, the government and industry participants are working hard to ensure that Ethiopian agricultural products, the main source of hard currency for the nation, continue to be exported. At a ceremony held on Thursday, June 27, at the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer and Exporters Association (EHPEA) head office, the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) received several phytosanitary inspection tools. According to him, the authority’s operations at Bole International Airport heavily depend on the instruments that the growers provided through their association. The Bole inspection facility, which was formerly involved in physical examination, has been modernized to offer technology-based services that meet international standards.

Ethiopia’s diverse topography and favorable climate have ideal conditions for tea cultivation, which thrives even on acidic and sloping soils, he added. In addition to the significant employment potential, he encouraged other regions to prioritize tea production in their agricultural strategies. La topografía diversa y el clima favorable de Etiopía presentan condiciones ideales para el cultivo de té, que prospera incluso en terrenos ácidos e inclinados, agregó. Esta versatilidad ofrece una excelente oportunidad para que los agricultores diversifiquen y amplíen su producción, aseveró. Además del importante potencial de empleo, alentó a otras regiones a priorizar la producción de té en sus estrategias agrícolas.

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that the Nigerian government is no longer interested in partnering in establishing the proposed Nigeria Air project. This announcement by Ethiopian Airlines comes barely two months after the Federal Government indefinitely suspended the Nigeria Air project. Keyamo had previously criticized the deal with Ethiopian Airlines, saying that the ownership structure of the suspended airline is not beneficial to the country. The development had elicited concerns among stakeholders nationwide over the ownership arrangement which gave Ethiopian Airlines a 49 per cent equity stake. Reacting to the deal in June 2023, the House of Representatives asked the Federal Government to suspend the operations of Nigeria Air, describing it as a fraud.

During the meeting with officials of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), Ethiopian Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Molla mentioned the substantial progress in using this energy through an agreement signed with the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) to build essential infrastructure. Molla explained that this partnership aims to enable the application of nuclear energy in several sectors, ultimately supporting the country’s development goals. The minister expressed interest in cooperating with CNNC in human resources training to enhance the skills and experience of local professionals, thus ensuring their effectiveness in contributing to the growth and development of the sector in Ethiopia. The CNNC’s delegation, in turn, expressed enthusiasm to expand their cooperation beyond infrastructure development. In addition to human resource development, they proposed to create a suitable environment for Ethiopian universities with nuclear energy curricula and ensure sustainable growth with peaceful use.

The US Justice Department will criminally charge Boeing over two fatal crashes and ask the planemaker to plead guilty or face a trial, two people familiar with the matter said on Sunday. Reuters was first to report the Justice Department's decision to prosecute Boeing and seek a guilty plea. The Justice Department decided to charge Boeing after finding it violated a 2021 agreement that had shielded it from prosecution over the fatal crashes involving 737 MAX jets. The proposal would require Boeing to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud the US Federal Aviation Administration in connection with the fatal crashes, the sources said. That agreement had shielded Boeing from prosecution over the 2018 and 2019 fatal crashes.