News: Prosperity Party organizational department Head of #Haruka Woreda, #Afar region, shot dead en route from #Adama

Omer Lemma, Harka Woreda, Afar Regional State Organizational Department Head of the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) was shot dead by “terrorists” en route from Adama city, in oromia region, to Awash, the party’s Afar branch said.

The statement from the party did not elaborate on the killing, but according to a report by Deutsche Welle Amharic, he was shot along with his brother Mohammed Lemma in #Welenchiti area, located in east Shewa zone of #Oromia regional state, at a local place called #Aribona.

This is the third killing of the ruling Prosperity Party official in as many weeks.

https://addisstandard.com/news-prosperity-party-organizational-department-head-of-haruka-woreda-afar-region-shot-dead-en-route-from-adama/

Innovation: Nine Uni students represent #Ethiopia in 7th Huawei ICT competition Global Final in #China

Following the completion of various national and regional contests, nine talented university students from Ethiopia have the opportunity to represent their country in the 7th Huawei ICT Competition 2022–2023 Global Final in China.

The students were selected based on their outstanding performance in various national and regional contests, and they got the chance to showcase their skills and knowledge on a global stage.

University of #Gonder, #Wachemo, #AddisAbeba Science and Technology, #Adama Science and Technology, and Addis Abeba Universities are represented by nine students. Two teams of three will participate in the practical track (which encompasses datacom, security, WLAN, big data, storage, AI, OpenEuler, and OpenGauss) and one team in the innovation track. In the innovation track, students compete with their own invention ideas, with the title “#Geez Character Classifier” as the title of their innovation.

https://addisstandard.com/innovation-nine-uni-students-represent-ethiopia-in-7th-huawei-ict-competition-global-final-in-china/

#Ethiopia: Enterprise unveils fare revisions for toll roads

The Ethiopian Toll Roads Enterprise has announced the revision of toll fares on the #Addis_Abeba-Adama, #Dire_Dawa-Dawale, and #Mojo-Batu toll roads, effective 12 December, 2023.

The fares for the Addis-#Adama and Mojo-#Batu Expressways have increased by 31%, while the fees for the Dire Dawa-#Dawale toll road have seen a 42% hike.

In the past nine years, the enterprise has undergone tariff revisions only twice, according to the Ethiopian Press Agency. The initial revision of the service charge tariff took place in March 2019 on the Addis-Adama toll road. Officials from the enterprise cite the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and national security concerns as reasons for not revising the service fee tariff for the past four years.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1734847751106494644

#Ethiopia: Five #Wonji Sugar Factory workers found dead after two-week hostage ordeal

Tragic news from Wonji Sugar Factory as five workers, held hostage for two weeks, are found dead. The bodies of Bekele Tirunehi, Teshome Heramo, Yalew Temesgen, Girma Belachew, and Kamil Abdurhaman were discovered outside the factory premises in Khacha.

Three were from Wonji, with funerals held yesterday, while the others hailed from #Adama city and #Dessie town.

The victims, including tractor operators and an electrician, were abducted by an armed group in #Dodota district.

https://addisstandard.com/five-wonji-sugar-factory-workers-found-dead-after-two-week-hostage-ordeal

#Ethiopia: Ministry of Tourism reveals star ratings for 31 hotels; no five-star ratings awarded

The Ministry of Tourism has disclosed the star classification results for 31 hotels, out of the total 64 that have satisfied the mandatory criteria established by the World Tourism Organization (#WTO). None of the 31 hotels attained a five-star rating. These hotels are situated in #Addis_Abeba, #Adama, and #Bishoftu cities.

From the total of 64 hotels evaluated within the past two years, seven were granted a 4-star rating, while nine received a 3-star designation. Furthermore, five hotels were categorized as 2-star accommodations, and eight were identified as 1-star establishments. Two hotels were determined to fall below the prescribed rating standards.

During the ceremony conducted yesterday to unveil the hotel rankings, Tourism Minister Ambassador Nassise Chali disclosed that the hotel ratings will persist in aligning with the 12 international criteria stipulated by the WTO.

#Ethiopia: #OFC central committee member held in police custody for more than a week without court hearing: family member

Shamen Begna, a prominent figure in the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), has been detained by authorities for over a week without facing a court, according to his wife. His arrest on 17 April, 2024, while socializing at a cafe, was allegedly due to an image of an Oromo Liberation Front (#OLF) flag on his phone.

His wife, Medina Bashir, questions the validity of this reason for his prolonged detention without legal review. Shamen, a lecturer and PhD student, is held at a police station in #Adama City, according to Medina. OFC spokesperson Sultan Kasim confirmed Shamen's detainment along with that of other party leaders, expressing concerns over the lack of justification for their arrests.

The OFC has sought intervention from the National Election Board of Ethiopia (#NEBE) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (#EHRC), yet Sultan said no response has been received.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=43632

#Ethiopian meteorologists warn of heavy rainfall impact on health, agriculture

The Ethiopian Meteorology Institute (#EMI) forecasts above-normal rainfall this Kiremt season (June to September), particularly in central and south #Tigray, Afar, East #Amhara, northern #Somali, and eastern regions. Authorities are urged to stay vigilant against potential flooding and disruptions in agriculture, healthcare, water supply, and livestock.

During the National Climate Outlook Forum in #Adama, EMI experts highlighted record rainfall over the past decade. They predict heavy rains in western Tigray, west Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, west #Oromia, #Gambella, and southwestern regions.

Desalegn Tarekegn from EMI warned that heavy rainfall will heighten malaria transmission risk, especially in southern Afar and southwest Ethiopia. Cholera and dengue fever outbreaks are also potential threats due to extreme weather. Health challenges related to heat are expected in #Afar, Southern Somali, and South Ethiopia. Heavy rains may cause floods, soil erosion, and landslides, impacting farming operations and infrastructure.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/ethiopian-meteorologists-warn-of-heavy-rainfall-impact-on-health-agriculture-96252

#Ethiopia: Empty Desks, Empty Bellies: Budget woes cripple education from primary to higher level

The educational system in #Wolaita_Sodo, part of the new South Ethiopia Regional State, is grappling with a severe financial crisis due to delayed civil servant salaries. This has led to a decline in morale among educators and disrupted school operations. A high school principal, speaking anonymously, highlighted that financial stress is preventing teachers from focusing on their educational duties, resulting in a diminished quality of education.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported similar issues in the #Hadiya Zone, where teachers and other civil servants have faced salary delays since 2019, exacerbated by recent austerity measures. Local administrators have admitted to budget mismanagement, further deepening the crisis.

Public universities are also suffering. Rising food costs and stagnant funding have led to reduced meal allocations for students, forcing some to leave campuses prematurely. University officials, like those at #Ambo and #Adama universities, highlight the inadequacy of current budgets to meet inflation-driven costs. The Ministry of Finance has urged universities to revise their budgets, but concerns remain about sustaining student welfare.

Experts suggest comprehensive reforms, including expanding the tax base and implementing economic measures, to address these financial challenges. Without such reforms, the educational and public service sectors in these regions will continue to face significant hardships.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=44817