Chennai : Defending champions and event record holders Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu and Anchialem Haymanot will headline the 19th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, scheduled on Sunday, the 21st January 2024. Speaking about returning to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Hayle Said “I won the 2023 edition of the Mumbai marathon under perfect conditions. Speaking about returning to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Anchialem Said “I ran my maiden marathon in Mumbai and was lucky to win the race. Procam International said, “The Tata Mumbai Marathon continues to attract some of the finest athletes in the world. We are sure to have some scintillating action on the course.”The Tata Mumbai Marathon is one of the designated marathon races to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

Addis Ababa, January 5/2024(ENA)- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said more than 2 billion coffee seedlings, half a billion fruit seedlings and 400 million tea plants are under preparation for the next planting season with improved focus. The premier said on X, former twitter, that over the past year, more than 2 billion coffee seedlings, more than half a billion fruit seedlings and more than 400 million tea plants are under preparation for the next planting season with improved focus. “If we are able to plant these seedlings and nurture them to production, it will have a great impact on our overall economy and efforts to address climate change,” he affirmed. Its been more than five years now since the government of Ethiopia has embarked a massive nationwide planting of seedlings through its Green Legacy Initiative introduced by the premier. The nation has so far planted more than 32.5 billion seedlings of various types including different kinds of fruits as part of the initiative.

Dubai: The 23rd edition of the Dubai Marathon 2024 is perfectly on course to set up a sizzling battle between elite runners in both the men’s and women’s sections, to be held in Dubai on Sunday. Officials and elite runners at the Dubai Marathon 2024. For Aga, it’s a third visit to the Dubai Marathon after competing in both 2017 and 2023. Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said the organisers are aiming to take the $1 million gold standard Dubai Marathon higher in international rankings. Saeed Hareb addressing the details of Dubai Marathon 2024 at a press conference on Friday.

Just a few years ago, gatherings in the desert were the pinnacle of winter entertainment in Saudi Arabia. In the first seven months of 2023, Saudi Arabia received 17 million international visitors with a view to accepting 30 million by year’s end. Saudi Arabia has also won the bid to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027 and its bid to host World Expo 2030. (File photo)Last year also saw the launch of the Rethink Summer campaign and a return visit by Saudi tourism ambassador Lionel Messi alongside his family. As travelers consider their options for a last-minute winter getaway, many will no doubt be making Saudi Arabia their first choice.

“For Ethiopia’s bond, there is a 30-day grace period, after which it would become a full contractual default if the amount is unpaid. Following this, in November 2023, Ethiopia’s government creditors, with the exception of China, agreed to a suspension of debt services. Subsequent to Ethiopia’s inability to fulfill a $33 million coupon payment, Fitch Ratings adjusted the status of Ethiopia’s sole international government bond to “default” from its previous rating of “near default” as of December 27, 2023. In early November 2023, Fitch Ratings, a prominent credit rating agency, declared a reduction in Ethiopia’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR). Additionally, in October 2023, Moody’s, another credit rating agency, lowered Ethiopia’s foreign currency rating from ‘Caa2’ to ‘Caa3’.

In 2023, Kenya Airways (KQ) achieved the highest punctuality rate among East African flag carriers, surpassing Ethiopian Airlines, which had held the top spot for years. In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, Kenya Airways (KQ) achieved the tenth position, surpassing Ethiopian Airlines (ET) in terms of punctuality for the first time. Oman Air claimed the top spot with an impressive punctuality rate of 92.53 per cent. KQ's presence among the most punctual airlines was last observed in 2019 when it claimed the tenth spot. Anthony Brooks, an aircraft appraiser, stresses the importance of an airline's punctuality in determining passenger satisfaction.

News / Nationalby Nkululeko NkomoThe Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency Abiy Ahmed Ali, and the President of Somaliland, His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi, have signed a historic memorandum of agreement and partnership. Under the terms of this agreement, Ethiopia officially recognizes Somaliland as a sovereign nation, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations.One of the key highlights of the agreement is the leasing of a portion of Somaliland's territory along the Red Sea to Ethiopia. Reports suggest that as part of the agreement, Somaliland has been offered a shareholding in Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest and most successful airline. Fencorp Global, a prominent African investment company, recognizes the significance of this agreement in the context of the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. The signing of this historic agreement serves as a significant milestone in the region's pursuit of economic prosperity and political stability.

Türkiye on Thursday expressed concern over the Memorandum of Understanding on Partnership and Cooperation signed by Ethiopia and Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland. "We reaffirm our commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He said that Türkiye wishes the settlement of disputes between Somalia and Somaliland through direct negotiations, reiterating Ankara's support for initiatives in this regard. Farhan Jimale, spokesperson and director of Communications & Public Relations for the Somali government, welcomed the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman's statement. Somalia rejected the move, calling it a threat to good neighborliness and a violation of its sovereignty.

The reigning Dubai Marathon women's champion is back in the emirate for Saturday's event looking to both retain her title and secure a spot on the three-member Ethiopian national team heading for the Paris Olympics this summer. Dida, 27, kicked for home with around two kilometres to go to win last year's race at Expo City. GettyDida arrives after running a personal best of two hours, 19 minutes and 24 seconds at the Berlin Marathon last September. “It really doesn’t matter who gets picked for the three-member marathon squad but whoever makes it, I wish them success.”Deda is running her fourth Dubai Marathon since finishing seventh on her debut. “I can take a lot of positives from my last marathon by achieving a personal best time,” she said.

Welcome back to This Week in Peace, our weekly summary of events in global peacebuilding. International focus on peace in GazaThe new year did not bring an end to the war in Gaza. However, there is hope for a long-term peaceful solution, shared by many peace activists and former international diplomats. Mali faces an uncertain futureTuareg separatist forces in Mali rejected calls to engage in peace talks with the military government. You can find past Peace News stories on Ethiopia here.

Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu & Anchialem Haymanot headline at Tata Mumbai MarathonMumbai, Jan 5 (UNI) Defending champions and event record holders Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu and Anchialem Haymanot will headline the 19th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, scheduled January 21. Speaking about returning to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Hayle said, "I won the 2023 edition of the Mumbai marathon under perfect conditions. The US $405,000 prize money event will witness some of the finest athletes take centre-stage at the Tata Mumbai Marathon. Speaking about returning to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Anchialem said, "I ran my maiden marathon in Mumbai and was lucky to win the race. We are sure to have some scintillating action on the course.”The Tata Mumbai Marathon is one of the designated marathon races to qualify for the upcomingParis Olympic Games.

"The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Partnership and Cooperation in Addis Ababa on January 1, 2024, between Republic of Ethiopia and Somaliland, without the knowledge and consent of the Somali Government, raises concerns," Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said in a statement. Affirming its commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Keceli reiterated the importance of abiding by international law in this matter, in a statement on Thursday. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi on Monday. Somalia rejected the move, calling it a threat to good neighborliness and a violation of its sovereignty. Abiy’s office hailed the pact as “historic,” saying it is “intended to serve as a framework for the multisectoral partnership between the two sides.”

What is new about the MoU is Ethiopia’s consideration of conferring formal recognition on Somaliland as an independent state. Somaliland’s push for recognition under the MoU is part of its broader effort to gain international recognition as an independent state, separate from Somalia. However, its quest for international recognition has been challenging, as most countries and international organizations continue to view it as part of Somalia. Given the heated domestic politics and geopolitical implications, what is the benefit of publicly pronouncing an MoU without finalized details? Political implications and geopolitical repercussionsFor Ethiopia, the MoU diverts attention from internal conflicts, famine, and economic woes.

By Concerned EthiopiansIn 2021, Concerned Ethiopians selected Ethiopia as the Country of the Year. For this reason, Concerned Ethiopians (CE) has selected Fano Freedom Fighters as “2023’s Ethiopians of the Year”. Concerned Ethiopians considered selecting the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church as “2023’s Ethiopia’s Institution of the Year” but chose Fano as its impact in 2023 was much more profound. It is imperative that Diaspora Fano support groups and Advocacy councils work with congressional staff to push for US support of Fano. That is exemplified by our reasoning for choosing Fano Freedom Fighters as “2023’s Ethiopians of the Year.”The following poem shared with Concerned Ethiopians succinctly captures why we chose Fano Freedom Fighters as “2023’s Ethiopians of the Year”.

MUMBAI: Defending champions and event record holders Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu and Anchialem Haymanot will headline the 19th edition of the Mumbai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, scheduled on January 7. Speaking about returning to the Mumbai Marathon, Berhanu said: "I won the 2023 edition of the Mumbai marathon under perfect conditions. The women's line-up includes two Ethiopians and one Kenyan runner to make it tough for Anchialem in the upcoming race in Mumbai. Speaking about returning to the Mumbai Marathon, Haymanot said: "I ran my maiden marathon in Mumbai and was lucky to win the race. I am eager to repeat the feat once again in 2024"The Mumbai Marathon is one of the designated marathon races to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.