Addis Standard
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An independent Ethiopia based online media focusing on current affairs. Original content+daily gist of media monitoring
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News: #US gains market access to export live cattle, poultry products to #Ethiopia

The United States has secured market access to export live cattle, day-old chicks, and hatching eggs to Ethiopia, the Kenyan newspaper The EastAfrican reported.

The paper cited the US Department of Agriculture (#USDA) as saying Ethiopia’s Agricultural Authority approved the market access requests on 16 December 2025, following the conclusion of new veterinary health certificates authorising the exports. The agreement also opens the Ethiopian market to US bovine semen and bovine embryos.

The development comes about three months after Washington offered support for Ethiopia’s planned US$10 billion #Bishoftu International Airport near Addis Abeba, marking what The EastAfrican described as the Trump administration’s first major business engagement in the Horn of Africa.

The United States currently imports...

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How the climate crisis is changing an ancient way of life in #Ethiopia

Driving through the desert-like landscapes of the #Afar, northern Ethiopia, traditional Afari tukuls – oval-shaped, flexible shelters made out of twigs and covered with mats or animal skins – are regularly seen scattered along the roadside.

These tent-like structures are specifically designed for their mobility, and they speak to how the livestock-raising community of Afar has traditionally trekked across the region, looking for pasture for their herds of camels and sheep, transporting the materials they need for their homes as they go.

Afar is considered the cradle of humanity, given that it is where the “mother of humanity”, known as “#Lucy”, was discovered in 1974, and some of the oldest known stone tools have been discovered in the region.

When Lucy walked the valleys of Afar three million years ago, the landscapes were lush green ...

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/ethiopia-climate-crisis-drought-flood-b2851749.html
News: #Africa faces $95 Billion debt bill in 2026 despite robust growth prospects

African economies are projected to post strong growth in 2026, even as the continent prepares to service nearly $95 billion in debt repayments, according to an analysis by africanews.com, citing data from the International Monetary Fund (#IMF).

IMF forecasts indicate that Africa will host more high-growth economies—defined as expanding by at least six percent—than any other region in 2026. #South_Sudan and #Guinea are expected to record double-digit growth, driven largely by oil production and mining activity.

In East Africa, reform efforts are showing results, with #Uganda, #Rwanda, and #Ethiopia projected to average around seven percent growth, underscoring the region’s relative resilience.

However, africanews reports that the upbeat outlook is tempered by mounting vulnerabilities. Chief among them ...

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Donald Trump launches attack on #Venezuela

Key points

- Donald Trump said the US had launched an attack on Venezuela.

- Caracas has been hit by multiple explosions.

- Residents of the Venezuelan capital reported dozens of aircraft flying low

- Videos appeared to show strikes on a military installation and an air base.

- Trump claimed to have captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

- The strikes come after weeks of escalating pressure from Washington.

Reactions

#Iran condemned the US attacks as a “blatant violation” of Venezuela’s “territorial integrity” and called on international organisations such as the UN to intervene.

#Russia accuses US of ‘act of armed aggression’
Russia’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks on Venezuela in a statement on Saturday and called for dialogue.

#Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez condemned as “criminal” the US’s military action against its leftwing ally Venezuela.

For live updates: https://www.ft.com/content/48be0c3d-0a37-4aac-be47-f15f7f1761b8
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Trump says #US will 'run' #Venezuela until 'safe transition can take place'

Key takeaways:

President Trump says the US is going to "run" Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition".

US oil companies will fix Venezuela's "broken infrastructure" and "start making money for the country", he adds.

He says no US servicemen were killed in the operation and the US is "ready" to stage a second "and much larger" attack on the country if needed
Trump, a sharp critic of the US invasion of Iraq, now seems to be in the business of nation-building.

Trump earlier shared a photo he said was of Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima. The image shows him blindfolded and wearing ear defenders.

Maduro has been indicted in New York on drugs and weapons charges.

Maduro has previously denied being the leader of drug cartel.

Venezuela has declared a national emergency, denouncing "extremely serious military aggression"

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c5yqygxe41pt
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Isaias Afwerki discusses #Red_Sea stability with #Sudanese ministers

#Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held talks with Sudanese Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim and Information Minister Khalid Aleisir on Sunday to discuss coordination on Red Sea stability and regional security.

The meeting, held in the rural Adi Halo region, focused on the importance of continued political coordination to serve the interests of both nations and bolster stability in the Horn of Africa, the state-run Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported.

The discussions covered bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors, alongside consultations on regional and international developments.

Afwerki has been seeking to strengthen ties with Red Sea coastal states, including recent visits to #Saudi_Arabia and #Egypt, as neighbouring #Ethiopia continues to seek maritime access.

The Eritrean leader said his country is committed to its historical ties with Sudan and supports...

https://sudantribune.com/article/309001
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#Somaliland voices support for U.S. action on #Venezuela

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Somaliland said it supports the #United_States position in favor of what it described as calibrated international action aimed at restoring constitutional order, democratic legitimacy, and the rule of law in Venezuela.

In a press statement issued on 04 January 2026, the ministry said Somaliland aligns itself with U.S.-led efforts that are conducted in coordination with regional and multilateral partners, arguing that such engagement could help address Venezuela’s protracted political and humanitarian crisis.

According to the statement, the Somaliland government believes coordinated international action could contribute to alleviating humanitarian suffering, countering transnational criminal networks, and supporting a peaceful, Venezuelan-led....

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#Türkiye 'closely' following developments in Yemen, Somalia, President Erdogan tells #Saudi crown prince

Türkiye is "closely" following developments in #Yemen and #Somalia, said President Recep Tayyip #Erdogan on Sunday in a phone call with the Saudi crown prince, stressing the importance of stability of protecting both countries' territorial integrity.

During the call, Erdogan and Mohammed bin Salman discussed bilateral relations and regional and global issues, according to the Turkish Communications Directorate.

Erdogan expressed Türkiye's readiness to contribute to efforts to bring together the parties that are at odds in Yemen.

He also said Ankara aims to enhance cooperation between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia by taking additional steps in the days to come.

Warning that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is getting worse with the onset of winter, Erdogan added that Türkiye continues to work for a lasting ceasefire and reconstruction in the war-battered enclave.
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4.5 Magnitude earthquake hit #Mekelle, #Adigrat, #Aksum and parts of #Afar

Mekelle - An earthquake was felt across several towns in #Tigray and neighboring parts of the Afar region on Sunday at around 11:05 p.m., residents reported.

According our reporter on the ground, residents in Mekelle felt tremors in the city at approximately 5:05 p.m. Similar reports were received from other towns across Tigray, including Adigrat, Aksum, #Shire, #Maychew, #Wukro, #Adi_Gudem, #Edagahamus, and #Adwa.

Volcano Discovery reported that the earthquake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale. The website said the quake originated 60km northeast of Mekelle.

The tremors were felt strongly in several areas of both Tigray and Afar.

This is not the first time northern Ethiopia has experienced significant seismic activity in recent months. In October last year, a series of strong earthquakes struck parts of ....

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#Op_ed: No Peace Without Truth: How denial corrodes #Ethiopia’s path to transitional justice

In the aftermath of the war in #Tigray, which formally ended in late 2022, Ethiopia faces a pivotal choice: “whether it will confront atrocity with truth or bury it beneath denial,” writes Batseba Seifu. She notes, “Denial is a continuation of harm—a deliberate obstruction of truth, justice, and reparations, and an extension of violence against survivors whose suffering is rendered invisible.”

The author explains that independent investigations have confirmed that Ethiopian and #Eritrean forces and allied militias committed crimes against humanity and war crimes. Yet authorities continue to dismiss these findings, “shielding perpetrators” and “undermining accountability.”

Batseba contends, “Transitional justice cannot coexist with negationism,” and calls for official acknowledgment, independent investigations, and survivor protection.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=54426
News: #Trump cites high welfare use among #Somali- and #Ethiopian-Born households in U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, 04 January 2026, shared figures claiming that 71.9 percent of Somali-born households and 47.6 percent of Ethiopian-born households in the #United_States receive public assistance.

The data were presented in a chart titled “Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin,” which Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. The chart lists approximately 120 countries and territories and measures the proportion of households receiving government assistance based on the immigrant’s country of birth.

According to the chart, Somalia ranked third among the listed countries, with a reported welfare recipient rate of 71.9 percent, following #Bhutan at 81.4 percent and #Yemen at 75.2 percent. #Afghanistan & the #Dominican Republic were each listed at 68.1 percent...

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#Ethiopia: Relative calm returns to #Gambella City, but refugee camps remain cut off as displaced residents shelter in schools

Relative calm has returned to Gambella city, with residents resuming limited movement and shops reopening after days of violence. However, refugee camps in surrounding districts remain cut off from food and water, while displaced residents continue to shelter in schools, regional authorities told Addis Standard.

A source familiar with developments in the region said Ogula Ujulu, commissioner of the Gambella Regional Police Commission, has been arrested. When contacted for confirmation, the Gambella Regional Communication Office declined to verify the claim, stating that the information is “classified due to an ongoing operation.” A communication official said no further details could be shared at this stage, citing security concerns.

The regional communication office confirmed that government offices have resumed regular operations ...

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54435
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#Saudi_Arabia’s dispute with the #UAE exposes a deeper regional power struggle

Saudi Arabia has publicly accused the United Arab Emirates – a fellow Gulf Arab state and former partner in the #Yemen war – of undermining its national security, an unusually blunt charge that exposes a rift long kept behind closed doors.

The language is among the sharpest Riyadh has used against its ally and reflects growing Saudi unease with the UAE’s increasingly independent foreign policy, tensions that last week culminated in Saudi strikes on a UAE-linked shipment in Yemen.

CNN has learned that Riyadh is particularly concerned about the UAE’s role in Yemen, which shares a long border with Saudi Arabia, & in #Sudan, which lies across the #Red_Sea from the kingdom’s west coast. Saudi officials worry that instability or state collapse in either country could have grave consequences for its own national ...

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#Ethiopia: TPLF accuses federal government of concealing suffering in #Tigray, obstructing Pretoria agreement

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (#TPLF) has accused the Ethiopian federal government of attempting to conceal what it described as widespread death and humanitarian suffering in Tigray, while alleging continued obstruction of the #Pretoria peace agreement.

In its weekly press statement, the party said large numbers of people displaced by what it described as “invasions” remain confined to refugee and displacement camps, where it claims deaths from hunger and disease are ongoing.

The TPLF accused the federal government of “intensifying genocide against the Tigrayan people by strangling the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement,” alleging that civilian and military officials are working to downplay the scale of the humanitarian crisis. It said such efforts amount to an attempt to obscure civilian suffering.

“It is a crime try to cover up the ...

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54438
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#Ethiopia: Election board launches digital voter and candidate registration system

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (#NEBE) has launched a digital system for #voter and #candidate registration, marking a significant shift from paper-based electoral processes to digital operations.

Speaking at the launch event, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu said the development and rollout of the system took more than one year and six months. She said the digital platform is expected to improve operational efficiency, enhance data accuracy and inclusivity, reduce costs, and strengthen the Board’s institutional capacity.

President of the Federal Supreme Court, Tewodros Mihret, described the system as a major milestone in the modernization of Ethiopia’s electoral administration.

He underscored the importance of the independence of electoral institutions in building a democratic system, adding that the new digital registration platform would contribute to the ...

Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54440
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