The Bangladesh Army and Ethiopian Airlines on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at facilitating cost-effective international travel for army personnel on training and official duties. The Bangladesh Army and Ethiopian Airlines on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at facilitating cost-effective international travel for army personnel on training and official duties. The MoU was signed at the Army Headquarters as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between Bangladesh and Ethiopia, says a press release. Lt Col Mozzammel of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Country Manager of Ethiopian Airlines Desalegn Molla inked the deal on behalf of their respective side. Sohag Hossain, managing director of Rhythm Group, the general sales agent of Ethiopian Airlines in Bangladesh, was present at the event.

January 07, 2026 22:09 UTC

Orthodox and Coptic Christians don’t believe Jesus was born on a different day; they just use a different calendar. Christmas Day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem. The reason some Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 is not because they believe Jesus was born on a different day, but because they are using a different calendar. The remaining 250-300 million Christians, primarily Orthodox and Coptic denominations, celebrate Christmas on January 7, which is also known as Old Christmas Day. These names were preserved when the Roman calendar evolved into the Julian calendar and later the Gregorian calendar, which is used today.

January 07, 2026 21:54 UTC

(Reuters/Ammar Awad)Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas with a procession in Jerusalem. Millions of Christians worldwide have celebrated Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7, nearly two weeks after much of the globe observed the holy day celebrating the birth of Jesus. Orthodox Christians in countries stretching from Ethiopia to Russia celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7--rather than Dec. 25, according to The Associated Press. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church and some other Oriental Orthodox churches – distinct from Eastern Orthodox but sharing many traditions – also marked Christmas on that day. Orthodox Christians are the overwhelming majority of Egypt's Christians, who account for about 10 percent of the country's 108 million population.

January 07, 2026 21:50 UTC

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January 07, 2026 19:01 UTC

ETAI-assisted summary Numerous Ethiopian athletes were denied U.S. visas, preventing them from competing in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Florida. A spokesperson from Visit Tallahassee, who partnered with World Athletics to bring the Cross Country Championships to Tallahassee, said that visa issues are not exclusive to Ethiopian athletes. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe had acknowledged during a media call in December that visa issues were a concern. The USOPC is being very helpful, as they were in Eugene a couple of years ago when we had the World Championships there. All I can tell you is we are aware of the situation and it’s obviously very important that if you have a World Cross Country Championships, you have Ethiopia there.

January 07, 2026 17:24 UTC





Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. ShareMANILA, Philippines (AP) — A series of mild eruptions at the most active volcano in the Philippines has prompted the evacuation of nearly 3,000 villagers from a danger zone on its foothills, officials said Wednesday. Follow onAnother 600 villagers living outside the permanent danger zone have evacuated voluntarily to government-run emergency shelters to be safely away from the volcano, Claudio Yucot, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, said. Entry to the permanent danger zone in the volcano’s foothills is prohibited, but thousands of villagers have flouted the restrictions and made it their home or maintained farms on and off for generations. The 2,462-meter (8,007-foot) volcano is one of the Philippines’ top tourism draws because of its near-perfect cone shape.

January 07, 2026 14:26 UTC

The Ethiopian squad at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday (Jan 10) has been hit by multiple visa rejections. Even African nation Eritrea, usually a strong contender at the World Cross, is absent from Tallahassee, perhaps after struggling with similar visa issues to their neighbour Ethiopia. These include Brits such as Abbie Donnelly, who finished an excellent 20th at the last World Cross in Belgrade in 2024, plus Scott Beattie, who was a fine fourth in last month's Euro Cross. The last World Cross in Belgrade less than two years ago was similar, with most of Europe quietly boycotting the championships. In the 1990s, for instance, Birhan Dagne ran for Ethiopia at the World Cross in Durham but then fled to London to apply for asylum.

January 07, 2026 13:19 UTC

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent. Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

January 07, 2026 12:17 UTC

This is due to the nation's adherence to the Geʽez calendar, which follows older calculations for Christ's birth, placing it several years later than the Gregorian calendar. The Ethiopian calendar features 13 months, with its New Year commencing in September. It’s simply because Ethiopia follows a different calendar altogether.Instead of the globally popular Gregorian calendar, Ethiopia officially uses the Geʽez (or Ethiopian) calendar, a traditional solar calendar that works on its own calculations and rhythm. The Geʽez calendar isn’t an informal tradition; it is used in courts, banks, offices, schools and everyday paperwork.For Ethiopians, this calendar is the official timeline of life.So where does the seven-to-eight-year gap come from? It wraps up with Pagume, the short 13th month, falling in early September.So yes, Ethiopia isn’t “stuck in time”.

January 07, 2026 12:13 UTC

Water MattersEurope's water is under increasing pressure. Pollution, droughts, floods are taking their toll on our drinking water, lakes, rivers and coastlines. Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters, how our wastewater can be better managed, and to discover some of the best water solutions. Video reports, an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters, from Euronews.

January 07, 2026 12:07 UTC

For Africa’s tourism industry, the new Lyon route represents a significant opportunity. Commenting on the new service, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to Africa’s global connectivity. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates one of the youngest fleets in Africa, deploying ultra-modern aircraft on its international routes. Through its Pan-African approach and multiple hubs across the continent, Ethiopian Airlines continues to strengthen Africa’s voice in global aviation and tourism. With the introduction of services to Lyon, Ethiopian Airlines further reinforces its leadership role in connecting Africa to key global markets and advancing the continent’s travel and tourism ambitions.

January 07, 2026 11:08 UTC

The fossil is considered one of the best-preserved specimens from this period ever found in Africa, with teeth still intact. Researchers believe the skull belonged to Homo erectus, an extinct human species regarded as a direct ancestor of modern humans. "The discovery confirms that Homo erectus, the direct predecessor of modern humans, originated in Africa," emphasised scientist Sileshi Semaw. According to the researcher, the facial features of the fossil closely resemble those of ancient human populations that later migrated from Africa to Europe and Asia around 1.8 million years ago. "The evidence refutes the idea that ancient humans migrated back into Africa," Semaw added, supporting the view that Homo erectus evolved on the African continent.

January 07, 2026 10:10 UTC

Ethiopians gather for Orthodox Christmas Eve candlelight ceremonyEthiopia marked Orthodox Christmas Eve on Tuesday with a large candlelight ceremony in Addis Ababa, where thousands gathered in Meskel Square for prayers, hymns and a midnight Mass. Worshippers, many dressed in white traditional clothing, stood shoulder to shoulder as priests led the service. The ceremony was followed by an all-night vigil, ending a 43-day fasting period observed by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Despite this, the gathering in Addis Ababa reflected a strong desire for normality and spiritual continuity. Ethiopia is largely Orthodox because Christianity was adopted there in the fourth century and became a lasting part of the country’s identity.

January 07, 2026 09:38 UTC

Thousands of Orthodox Christians dressed in white celebrated Christmas Eve in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square on Tuesday. The candlelight ceremony in Ethiopia’s capital was followed by an all-night church service, marking the end of 43 days of fasting. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar, which runs 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar used by Catholics and Protestants. Everyone is spiritually joyous," said Estifanos Girma, deacon of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, in the square. But Addis Ababa is thriving after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali spent billions of dollars on a face lift that includes bike lanes, a conference center, parks and museums.

January 07, 2026 08:52 UTC

At a meeting of the Knesset’s Special Committee for Oversight of Barrier Removal Processes held on Tuesday, lawmakers discussed concerns over excessive policing of Israelis of Ethiopian descent. You are breaking us.”Police cite progress, deny claimsPolice spokesperson Aryeh Doron, who participated in the discussion, responded, “We work day and night for the Ethiopian community, and we will do everything possible to improve relations. There have been significant changes, and more are coming.”He noted that Israel Police had established a unit dedicated to building ties with the Ethiopian community. “Both the minister and the police commissioner supported the law to expunge criminal records for Israelis of Ethiopian descent. I asked for a meeting with Danny Levy here in the Knesset, and it did not happen.

January 07, 2026 06:04 UTC