News: #Iran War Overshadows Trump’s #China Visit as Peace Talks Stall
U.S. President #Donald_Trump met #Chinese President #Xi_Jinping in #Beijing on Thursday as the ongoing Iran conflict and stalled peace negotiations dominated discussions between the two global powers.
The high-stakes summit comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East, with fresh attacks reported near the #Strait_of_Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route. According to #US officials, both leaders agreed that the strategic waterway must remain open and that Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons.
The war involving the #United_States, #Israel, and Iran has now entered its third month, significantly disrupting global energy markets and increasing fears of wider regional instability. Although a temporary ceasefire was reached in April, peace talks between #Washington and #Tehran have largely stalled.
https://web.facebook.com/share/p/1DX2eS9WqK/
U.S. President #Donald_Trump met #Chinese President #Xi_Jinping in #Beijing on Thursday as the ongoing Iran conflict and stalled peace negotiations dominated discussions between the two global powers.
The high-stakes summit comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East, with fresh attacks reported near the #Strait_of_Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route. According to #US officials, both leaders agreed that the strategic waterway must remain open and that Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons.
The war involving the #United_States, #Israel, and Iran has now entered its third month, significantly disrupting global energy markets and increasing fears of wider regional instability. Although a temporary ceasefire was reached in April, peace talks between #Washington and #Tehran have largely stalled.
https://web.facebook.com/share/p/1DX2eS9WqK/
News: Young TikToker detained in #Jigjiga after arrest in #Addis_Abeba amid allegations of abuse, due process violations
A young #Somali-language TikToker identified as #Mawliid_Omar_Siyad, widely known as #Bisle_Omar, has remained in detention in Jigjiga for more than two weeks after he was arrested in Addis Abeba by what family members and sources described as a joint operation involving federal police and regional security forces.
According to accounts provided by relatives and individuals familiar with the case, Bisle Omar was arrested on 25 April near the area around #Skylight_Hotel and was transported overnight by vehicle to Jigjiga, the capital of #Ethiopia’s #Somali Regional State.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56997
A young #Somali-language TikToker identified as #Mawliid_Omar_Siyad, widely known as #Bisle_Omar, has remained in detention in Jigjiga for more than two weeks after he was arrested in Addis Abeba by what family members and sources described as a joint operation involving federal police and regional security forces.
According to accounts provided by relatives and individuals familiar with the case, Bisle Omar was arrested on 25 April near the area around #Skylight_Hotel and was transported overnight by vehicle to Jigjiga, the capital of #Ethiopia’s #Somali Regional State.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=56997
News: #Italian construction firm #Webuild receives Samoter Innovation Award for #GERD project
Italian construction company Webuild has received the #Samoter_Innovation_Award 2026 for its work on the Grand #Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the company announced.
The award was presented during the Samoter International Construction Machinery Exhibition organized by Veronafiere in #Italy.
https://web.facebook.com/share/p/18cQzztvcQ/
Italian construction company Webuild has received the #Samoter_Innovation_Award 2026 for its work on the Grand #Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the company announced.
The award was presented during the Samoter International Construction Machinery Exhibition organized by Veronafiere in #Italy.
https://web.facebook.com/share/p/18cQzztvcQ/
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News: Two elders in #Marsabit County, #Kenya, detained over alleged #OLA links; residents protest by blocking #Nairobi-Moyale highway
Protests have persisted for several days in #Moyale, #Sololo, #Saku, and Marsabit following the detention of two #Borana #Oromo elders in Kenya’s Marsabit County over alleged links to the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA).
The two elders, who were reportedly "abducted" and taken by Kenyan government security forces, appeared before a Nairobi court on Monday, 09 May 2026, according to their lawyer, Kana Gollicha, who spoke to Addis Standard. Gollicha stated that the elders were charged with "having links to the Oromo Liberation Army and inciting border conflicts between #Marsabit and #Wajir counties."
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57004
Protests have persisted for several days in #Moyale, #Sololo, #Saku, and Marsabit following the detention of two #Borana #Oromo elders in Kenya’s Marsabit County over alleged links to the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA).
The two elders, who were reportedly "abducted" and taken by Kenyan government security forces, appeared before a Nairobi court on Monday, 09 May 2026, according to their lawyer, Kana Gollicha, who spoke to Addis Standard. Gollicha stated that the elders were charged with "having links to the Oromo Liberation Army and inciting border conflicts between #Marsabit and #Wajir counties."
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57004
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#Ethiopia: Survivors recount deadly ambush on civilian buses, gov’t pickup truck in #Benishangul_Gumuz as over 30 killed, dozens injured
Testimonies obtained by #Addis_Standard from survivors and relatives of victims provide further details of what appears to have been a coordinated assault targeting civilian transport vehicles traveling from Assosa, the capital city of the region, to Gilgel Beles town, a distance of more than 700 km with a stopover in Mankush town.
A surviving passenger who lost three relatives in the attack said their bus unknowingly entered an active ambush scene after departing Mankush and before reaching Gilgle Beles.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57015
Testimonies obtained by #Addis_Standard from survivors and relatives of victims provide further details of what appears to have been a coordinated assault targeting civilian transport vehicles traveling from Assosa, the capital city of the region, to Gilgel Beles town, a distance of more than 700 km with a stopover in Mankush town.
A surviving passenger who lost three relatives in the attack said their bus unknowingly entered an active ambush scene after departing Mankush and before reaching Gilgle Beles.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57015
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News Analysis: #Sudanese Drone strike in #Ethiopia’s #Kurmuk town kills civilians, injures aid workers amid spillover from Sudan war
Residents said the attack targeted civilians in an area where people had gathered at local coffee shops and trading spots.
“Sudan has struck civilians with drones,” one resident told #Addis_Standard. “At least 13 or more lives have been lost.” The resident alleged that the Sudanese military believed RSF fighters had entered the border area, leading to the strike.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57011
Residents said the attack targeted civilians in an area where people had gathered at local coffee shops and trading spots.
“Sudan has struck civilians with drones,” one resident told #Addis_Standard. “At least 13 or more lives have been lost.” The resident alleged that the Sudanese military believed RSF fighters had entered the border area, leading to the strike.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57011
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News: Tensions flare at #BRICS meeting as #Iran accuses #UAE of role in ‘aggression’ against Tehran
A diplomatic dispute erupted between Iran and the #United_Arab_Emirates during a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in #New_Delhi, after Tehran accused the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against Iran amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister #Abbas_Araghchi made the remarks during Thursday’s BRICS meeting, according to Iranian state media cited by #Reuters. The comments came a day after the UAE denied claims by #Israeli Prime Minister #Benjamin_Netanyahu that he had visited the Gulf state during the ongoing Iran war.
https://web.facebook.com/share/p/14bjoLZi3Mt/
A diplomatic dispute erupted between Iran and the #United_Arab_Emirates during a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in #New_Delhi, after Tehran accused the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against Iran amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister #Abbas_Araghchi made the remarks during Thursday’s BRICS meeting, according to Iranian state media cited by #Reuters. The comments came a day after the UAE denied claims by #Israeli Prime Minister #Benjamin_Netanyahu that he had visited the Gulf state during the ongoing Iran war.
https://web.facebook.com/share/p/14bjoLZi3Mt/
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#French companies expand presence in #Ethiopia, despite security concerns
#Lesaffre is just one of a growing number of French firms turning to Ethiopia.
France is the third-largest European investor in the country after the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with an estimated foreign direct investment (FDI) stock of €485 million, according to the French foreign office.
While still limited in scale, the French economic presence is multi-sectoral – notably seen in energy, infrastructure, agri-food, logistics and the digital sector.
In recent years, Ethiopia has been opening up parts of its economy, particularly in those areas, to attract foreign investors.
“Countries such as Ethiopia have launched reforms to open up markets, liberalise various sectors and encourage investors to put money into their economies," says Getachew Teklemariam Alemu, an economist with the African Union.
https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260512-french-companies-expand-presence-in-ethiopia-despite-security-concerns
#Lesaffre is just one of a growing number of French firms turning to Ethiopia.
France is the third-largest European investor in the country after the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with an estimated foreign direct investment (FDI) stock of €485 million, according to the French foreign office.
While still limited in scale, the French economic presence is multi-sectoral – notably seen in energy, infrastructure, agri-food, logistics and the digital sector.
In recent years, Ethiopia has been opening up parts of its economy, particularly in those areas, to attract foreign investors.
“Countries such as Ethiopia have launched reforms to open up markets, liberalise various sectors and encourage investors to put money into their economies," says Getachew Teklemariam Alemu, an economist with the African Union.
https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260512-french-companies-expand-presence-in-ethiopia-despite-security-concerns
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News: Risk of Famine persists as nearly 19.5 million people face acute food insecurity in #Sudan
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (#WFP) and #UNICEF warned today that nearly 19.5 million people – two out of every five people in Sudan - are currently facing crisis levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) across Sudan, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.
Although the latest IPC analysis did not identify areas currently experiencing Famine (IPC Phase 5), conditions remain extremely concerning. The analysis shows that nearly 135,000 people are facing Catastrophic food insecurity (IPC Phase 5) across 14 hotspots in #Darfur, South Darfur, and South #Kordofan are at risk of famine in the coming months.
https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/risk-of-famine-persists-as-nearly-19.5-million-people-face-acute-food-insecurity-in-sudan/en
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (#WFP) and #UNICEF warned today that nearly 19.5 million people – two out of every five people in Sudan - are currently facing crisis levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) across Sudan, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.
Although the latest IPC analysis did not identify areas currently experiencing Famine (IPC Phase 5), conditions remain extremely concerning. The analysis shows that nearly 135,000 people are facing Catastrophic food insecurity (IPC Phase 5) across 14 hotspots in #Darfur, South Darfur, and South #Kordofan are at risk of famine in the coming months.
https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/risk-of-famine-persists-as-nearly-19.5-million-people-face-acute-food-insecurity-in-sudan/en
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#Opinion: Democracy for Sale, Dissent for Burial: #Ethiopia’s political economy of repression
The liberal-democratic project in Ethiopia failed long ago, serving merely as "a mask for the perpetual motion machine of capital accumulation," writes Sidoc Haytu. While the West feigns concern over "governance deficiencies," it bankrolls a system that silenced dissent, turning Ethiopia into a "graveyard for dissent."
Sidoc argues that both the old "developmental state" and current reforms enriched elites. Urban "beautification" disguises "an autocratic (and massive) transfer of wealth," as oligarchs replace working-class homes with luxury towers. The West tolerates this for "stability for capital," pushing privatization while ignoring the "economic liquidation" of citizens.
The author emphasizes that true change won’t come from liberal reforms or NGOs but through class solidarity resisting elite and foreign capital dominance.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57008
The liberal-democratic project in Ethiopia failed long ago, serving merely as "a mask for the perpetual motion machine of capital accumulation," writes Sidoc Haytu. While the West feigns concern over "governance deficiencies," it bankrolls a system that silenced dissent, turning Ethiopia into a "graveyard for dissent."
Sidoc argues that both the old "developmental state" and current reforms enriched elites. Urban "beautification" disguises "an autocratic (and massive) transfer of wealth," as oligarchs replace working-class homes with luxury towers. The West tolerates this for "stability for capital," pushing privatization while ignoring the "economic liquidation" of citizens.
The author emphasizes that true change won’t come from liberal reforms or NGOs but through class solidarity resisting elite and foreign capital dominance.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57008
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News: Holy Synod calls for human rights, mercy, justice for Ethiopians in #South_Africa, #Saudi_Arabia
The Holy Synod of the #Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has called on relevant authorities to ensure “human rights, mercy and justice” for Ethiopian citizens living abroad, particularly in South Africa and Saudi Arabia, amid growing concerns over the conditions faced by Ethiopians in both countries.
The appeal was issued following the conclusion of the Church’s Rikbe Kahnat (General Assembly), held from May 06 to May 14, 2026, during which the Synod discussed a range of national, humanitarian and religious issues.
In its statement, the Synod urged Ethiopian authorities and the international community to work toward safeguarding the rights and dignity of Ethiopians abroad, as reports continue to emerge of executions, detentions and attacks targeting Ethiopian migrants.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57026
The Holy Synod of the #Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has called on relevant authorities to ensure “human rights, mercy and justice” for Ethiopian citizens living abroad, particularly in South Africa and Saudi Arabia, amid growing concerns over the conditions faced by Ethiopians in both countries.
The appeal was issued following the conclusion of the Church’s Rikbe Kahnat (General Assembly), held from May 06 to May 14, 2026, during which the Synod discussed a range of national, humanitarian and religious issues.
In its statement, the Synod urged Ethiopian authorities and the international community to work toward safeguarding the rights and dignity of Ethiopians abroad, as reports continue to emerge of executions, detentions and attacks targeting Ethiopian migrants.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57026
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Tribute: #Zegeye_Asfaw: A patriot, a man of compassion, a man of the people
"Today, as we mourn him, we do not merely mourn a former minister, political figure, or activist. We mourn a moral presence. A patriot in the truest sense. A servant of the poor. A defender of peasants. A compassionate soul in the service of humanity."
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57037
"Today, as we mourn him, we do not merely mourn a former minister, political figure, or activist. We mourn a moral presence. A patriot in the truest sense. A servant of the poor. A defender of peasants. A compassionate soul in the service of humanity."
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57037
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News: #Somali regional state rejects news of drought impact, cites improved conditions during Gu rains
The Somali Regional State Disaster Risk Management Bureau has rejected reports suggesting impacts of drought in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, arguing that current conditions are being misrepresented and do not reflect ongoing seasonal improvements during the Gu rains.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57019
The Somali Regional State Disaster Risk Management Bureau has rejected reports suggesting impacts of drought in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, arguing that current conditions are being misrepresented and do not reflect ongoing seasonal improvements during the Gu rains.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57019
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News: #Somalia gov’t-opposition talks collapse as presidential term expires amid electoral deadlock
Talks between Somalia’s federal government and opposition leaders collapsed shortly after resuming this afternoon, deepening uncertainty over the country’s constitutional future and electoral process, sources close to the matter told #Addis_Standard.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57030
Talks between Somalia’s federal government and opposition leaders collapsed shortly after resuming this afternoon, deepening uncertainty over the country’s constitutional future and electoral process, sources close to the matter told #Addis_Standard.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57030
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Media is too big
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#Coming_UP: The Standard Signal Ep.18: Ethiopia’s 2026 Election “Dead on Arrival”? | Prof. Merera on Oromia, & Power Sharing
#TsedaleLemma speaks with #MereraGudina.
What really led to the collapse of the Elilly International Hotel peace initiative? Did the ruling Prosperity Party offer OFC 30 parliamentary seats behind closed doors?
As fears of prolonged instability continue to grow, what are the four scenarios he believes could shape Ethiopia’s future?
Watch the full conversation on Addis Standard.
Premiers at: 8: 30 PM EAT tonight.
Subscribe to watch: https://www.youtube.com/@AddisStandard
#TheStandardSignal #Ethiopia #EthiopianPolitics #Oromia #NationalDialogue #Election2026 #HornOfAfrica #AddisStandard #MereraGudina #TsedaleLemma
#TsedaleLemma speaks with #MereraGudina.
What really led to the collapse of the Elilly International Hotel peace initiative? Did the ruling Prosperity Party offer OFC 30 parliamentary seats behind closed doors?
As fears of prolonged instability continue to grow, what are the four scenarios he believes could shape Ethiopia’s future?
Watch the full conversation on Addis Standard.
Premiers at: 8: 30 PM EAT tonight.
Subscribe to watch: https://www.youtube.com/@AddisStandard
#TheStandardSignal #Ethiopia #EthiopianPolitics #Oromia #NationalDialogue #Election2026 #HornOfAfrica #AddisStandard #MereraGudina #TsedaleLemma
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#Premiering_now: The Standard Signal Ep.18: Ethiopia’s 2026 Election “Dead on Arrival”? | Prof. Merera on Oromia, & Power Sharing
In this episode of The Standard Signal, Merera Gudina speaks candidly about Ethiopia’s upcoming election. Why do major opposition parties say the upcoming election lacks credibility? What really led to the collapse of the Elilly International Hotel peace initiative? Did the ruling Prosperity Party offer OFC 30 parliamentary seats behind closed doors?
Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZi0jO77yjg
In this episode of The Standard Signal, Merera Gudina speaks candidly about Ethiopia’s upcoming election. Why do major opposition parties say the upcoming election lacks credibility? What really led to the collapse of the Elilly International Hotel peace initiative? Did the ruling Prosperity Party offer OFC 30 parliamentary seats behind closed doors?
Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZi0jO77yjg
YouTube
The Standard Signal Ep.19:Ethiopia’s 2026 Election “Dead on Arrival”? | Prof. Merera on Oromia
In this episode of The Standard Signal, Prof. Merera Gudina, political scientist, veteran opposition figure, and chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), speaks candidly about Ethiopia’s upcoming election, the deepening political crisis in Oromia…
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