Some 20.1 million people across Ethiopia are in need of humanitarian food due to drought, conflict and a collapsing economy. According to the national ombudsman, nearly 400 people have died of starvation in Ethiopia's Tigray and Amhara regions in recent months. Aid agencies are also struggling with a lack of funds. According to a third aid worker, the food aid pause and the slow resumption meant some people in Tigray have not received food aid for over a year. Some 20.1 million people across Ethiopia are in need of humanitarian food due to drought, conflict and a collapsing economy.

At least 372 people have died in two northern Ethiopian regions from drought-induced hunger in the last six months, a senior government official said on Wednesday, adding to the regions' challenges arising from conflict. Endale said the findings were from a 10-day assessment in the two regions, and it was possible there were more deaths. Legesse Tulu, government spokesperson, Mengasha Fentaw, spokesperson of Amhara region and Redaei Halefom, spokesperson of Tigray, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the deaths. In late December, Getachew Reda, the president of Tigray region's interim administration, said 91% of the region's population was at risk of starvation and death and the situation was beyond the administration's capacity to handle. Last May, the WFP suspended food aid to Tigray following reports of widespread theft of donations.

In December, rules went into effect that require early childhood educators to meet certain education requirements. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) oversees the District’s early childhood sector and we congratulate it for its rigorous education requirements and supporting early childhood educators to meet them. ADVERTISEMENTCandidates for the CDA must successfully pass the national CDA exam that tests their knowledge of early childhood best practices based on the National CDA Competency Standards. The Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, a first-in-the-nation initiative administered by OSSE, is increasing compensation for early childhood educators based on the position where they work and the credentials they hold. In Washington, we have many things to honor during Black History Month, including our exceptional early childhood educators and those who’ve helped create a system that allows them to build thriving careers and lives.

A former Target employee was sentenced to 100 years for killing a colleague he said stole his lunch. The next day, Berhe reportedly purchased a hammer and a pair of knives from the Target where he and the victim worked. But according to the Washington Post, the Ethiopian defendant promised the court he’d behave in prison. Berhe claimed he was having immigration issues before his lunch was stolen and that had him upset. “I want the family to know, I did everything in my power to kill him in less than a minute,” Berhe said.

The newly built Media complex of Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) is expected to strengthen national understanding, unity and build country's image in a new phase, so stated officials. ENA inaugurated the modern media complex yesterday. At the event, House of Federation Speaker Agegnehu Teshager said that the newly media complex will create national consensus and strengthen unity. Established 82 years ago, ENA has been playing a crucial role in building national unity and common heritage in Ethiopia. "It is a competitive institution with foreign news services and is working in coordination with foreign media in addition to local media," he added.

Wayo Roba, general director of ESIG, affirmed that there is an interest in cooperating with AZCUBA in sugarcane biotechnology, development of several products, management of operation and maintenance of machines, supply of accessories, and infrastructure capacity, Fana Broadcasting Corporate informed. Roba affirmed that Cuba’s experience will be crucial in harnessing Ethiopia’s potential in sugarcane development, making the sector effective, and overseeing ongoing reforms. Commenting on the national government’s work to privatize eight sugar factories, the Ethiopian authority said Havana could also contribute due to its work in other countries. The talks with the Cuban delegation in Addis Ababa follow a meeting between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés in November 2023, in which they explored increased cooperation in medical sectors, tourism services, education, and the sugar industry. jrr8iff/oda/nmr

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is set to host Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) 2024 next month. As global demand for energy continues to grow, the innovations of Black entrepreneurs has become key for advancing access to electricity in a sustainable manner. During this year’s Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS), Atong Amos, Founder and CEO of Triple A Services & Petroleum, will share insight into Black excellence within the field of energy. As the CEO of Triple A Petroleum and Services, Amos is playing a key role in advancing the energy sector in South Sudan. During GBIS 2024, Amos will share her wealth of experiences, providing profound insights into leadership, community development, and the power of Black Excellence.

So join in, dine as the locals do, and savor the narrative in Washington D.C.’s vast culinary chronicles. Here, where the essence of old D.C. thrives, history isn’t a lesson; it’s an experience that envelops you, warms you, and invites you to be part of its ongoing story. This river, winding through Washington D.C., is more than a current; it’s a storyteller. The capital Sojourn: Reflecting on a journey well-traveledAs the curtain falls on our journey through Washington D.C.’s kaleidoscope of experiences, it’s evident this city has layers that many never peel back. Here’s to discovering the heart of Washington, D.C. – uniquely, deeply, and differently.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called for Ilhan Omar to be removed from Congress and the country over a speech which critics claim she placed protection of Somali interests above US. On Saturday night, Omar gave a Somali-language speech to a group of community leaders at a Minneapolis hotel. DeSantis has slammed her comments and demanded she is deported from the US. According to the translation, Omar also attacked the governments of Ethiopia and Kenya, alleging that they have "stolen" territory from their neighbouring nation. Her comments were also condemned by Somaliland’s deputy foreign minister, Rhoda J Elmi who accused her of "ethno-racist rhetoric."

Aligning with the strategic roadmap for the Indian market, South African Tourism is delighted to announce the 2024 edition of its annual India roadshow. The 20th annual roadshow schedule marks a vital milestone in South African Tourism’s efforts in the Indian market. India is currently one of the top three focus markets for South African Tourism across the globe and holds a position of strategic importance. Each year, Indian and South African trade partners come together during the annual trade schedule and chart the way forward for next phase of growth. In 2023, South African Tourism made a giant leap forward and inched closer to its target of surpassing pre-pandemic arrivals from India.

Somalia: Ethiopia's MoU with Somaliland is disruptive, US saysThe United States of America has yet again condemned the recent MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland, insisting that the agreement, if implemented, will severely erode gains made in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. Ethiopia is one of the major security stakeholders in Somalia, having deployed over 4,500 Ethiopia National Defence Forces (ENDF) to Somalia, who are assisting in the fight against Al-Shabaab. And we support conversations between the peoples of Somalia and Somaliland about their shared future." Al-Shabaab militants have been on the receiving end for the last 16 months after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud assumed power, with the first phase of operations leaving over 3,000 militants dead in central Somalia. In return, Ethiopia pledged to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state despite being part of Somalia.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Roman Abiy Ahmed Ali has congratulated Sheikh Hasina for being reelected as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, reports BSS. In a recent letter sent to Bangladesh Prime Minister, he said, "On behalf of the People and Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and that of my own, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to your Excellency on your reelection as prime minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. I would also like to congratulate the people of Bangladesh for conducting a successful election." "Ethiopia's relation with the People's Republic of Bangladesh is historical and longstanding. I am confident that during your leadership the existing friendly relations between our two countries will continue to be further strengthened," the Ethiopian Premier said.

Nearly 400 people have died of starvation in Ethiopia's Tigray and Amhara regions in recent months, the national ombudsman said Tuesday, a rare admission of hunger-related deaths by a federal body. Local officials have previously reported starvation deaths in their districts, but Ethiopia's federal government has insisted these reports are "completely wrong". They concluded that 351 people have died of hunger in Tigray in the past six months, with 44 more deaths in Amhara. The U.N. and the U.S. paused food aid to Tigray in mid-March last year after discovering a "large-scale" scheme to steal humanitarian grain. A third aid worker said the food aid pause and the slow resumption meant some people in Tigray have not received food aid for over a year.

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia has foiled more than 4,550 cyberattacks in the first six months of the current 2023/2024 Ethiopian fiscal year, which started on July 8, an official said Wednesday. Solomon Soka, director-general of Ethiopia's Information Network Security Administration (INSA), said his agency managed to foil over 98 percent of the 4,623 cyberattacks, the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) reported. The number of cyberattacks targeting the East African country has increased 115 percent compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year, Soka further said. "Had the cyberattacks succeeded, Ethiopia could have suffered over 10.5 billion Ethiopian Birr (about 186 million U.S. dollars) losses," the official warned. Soka attributed the big increase in cyberattacks targeting Ethiopia to a combination of reasons, including the worldwide increase in digitization, rising financial benefits for attackers and Ethiopia's rapid development of digital infrastructure.

CDC researchers last year published a study showing an estimated 7.7% of middle and high school students, or about 2 million in total, were current e-cigarette users in 2023. More than 60% of youth e-cigarette users used disposable vapes, with popular brands including Elf Bar and Esco Bar. So far, the FDA has approved only 23 e-cigarette products and devices, effectively rendering unauthorized products often found on store shelves illegal and manufacturers and retailers subject to enforcement. Globally, as many as 121 countries or territories regulate electronic nicotine delivery systems, based on a 2023 World Health Organization report. That includes 33 countries that have moved to ban their sale, and 87 that have implemented regulations such as age restrictions on sales, bans on advertising and prohibiting vaping in public indoor areas.