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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#Saudi_Arabia launches #Red_Sea cargo route linking #Djibouti and #Oman as Kingdom expands regional logistics network

Addis Abeba- Saudi Arabia has launched a new regional container shipping service dubbed the “Red Sea Express,” linking major ports across the Red Sea and Gulf region, including Djibouti and Oman’s Salalah Port, as part of the Kingdom’s push to strengthen maritime trade connectivity and advance its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.

The service, launched through the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), connects King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu with Egypt’s Ain Sokhna Port and Jordan’s Aqaba Port, while an additional route links Jeddah Islamic Port with Salalah Port in Oman and the Port of Djibouti, according to Gulf News and Arab News reports.

Saudi authorities say the new shipping network is intended to improve logistics efficiency, https://www.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02dZRtBmeaoyH3HbBFev2DsYr2nWPod6xjUKzHkBjEwaagcoqbEGmK33GT2xhqmoAxl
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#Kenya to lower diesel prices following deadly protests over rising fuel costs

Addis Abeba – Kenya’s President William Ruto announced that the government will reduce diesel prices in the upcoming June–July pricing cycle following deadly protests and a nationwide transport strike triggered by soaring fuel costs and worsening living conditions.

According to Reuters, Ruto said in a televised address on Friday that diesel prices would be cut by 10 Kenyan shillings (about $0.077) per liter as part of measures aimed at easing pressure on consumers and stabilizing pump prices.

The announcement comes days after public transport operators staged a two-day strike across Kenya protesting sharp increases in fuel prices. The demonstrations reportedly left at least four people dead and around 30 others injured, reflecting mounting public frustration...

https://www.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid02LcRtznvGPuzkt5WoDw7fz225RKEabEpjP5yxa6He1C6UKbxZ1RefD9YxWAutMsS5l
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News: Family raises concerns over safety, due process after re-arrest of TikToker #Bisle_Omer; #Somali Region says case tied to clan incitement

#Mawliid_Omar Siyad, widely known as Bisle Omar, a Somali-language TikToker whose detention in #Jigjiga recently drew public attention, has reportedly been re-arrested only days after his release, according to family members and sources familiar with the case.

Somali Regional State authorities have defended the detention of the TikToker saying he was arrested for allegedly inciting clan divisions through social media posts and rejecting repeated warnings to stop.

Family members told #Addis_Standard that he was unexpectedly released shortly after Addis Standard coverage of his detention gained wider attention last week.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=57150
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News: #Trump says he will speak to Taiwan's president in break from protocol

#US President #Donald_Trump says he will talk to #Taiwanese leader #Lai_Ching-te about a possible arms sale, in what would be a sharp departure from diplomatic tradition.

US and Taiwanese leaders have not spoken directly since 1979 - when Washington severed formal ties with #Taiwan to recognise the Chinese government in #Beijing.

#China claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force. The US has long supported the self-ruled island and is bound by law to provide it with a means of self-defence, but has balanced this with maintaining diplomatic relations with China.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78qv3w4xzqo
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#Ethiopia moves to expand #Fayda enrollment with $54M 'Super Agent' procurement

Ethiopia’s Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project is in urgent need of “Super Agents” to facilitate large-scale registration & help the project reach people who are currently underserved. The push reflects broader efforts by Ethiopia to scale Fayda from a foundational identity system into national digital public infrastructure supporting service delivery, inclusion & authentication across sectors.

This is one of the recommendations of a report after an evaluation mission conducted by #World_Bank in March.

Despite the progress, the evaluation mission said procurement, operational & implementation bottlenecks still threaten enrollment targets.

One of the urgent actions is to speed up registration, especially in hard-to-reach communities, notably as the project has a target of reaching 60m enrollments by June,
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202605/ethiopia-moves-to-expand-fayda-enrollment-with-54m-super-agent-procurement
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News: #Sudan denies reports #Burhan agreed to talks with #UAE amid Bahrain mediation efforts

Addis Abeba- Sudan’s Sovereign Council has denied reports that its chairman, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, made remarks regarding possible negotiations with the United Arab Emirates amid reported mediation efforts led by #Bahrain.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Sovereign Council’s media office said Burhan “has not made any statements to any local or international media outlet recently,” rejecting comments attributed to him in a report published by #Middle_East_Eye.

The denial followed claims that Bahrain was attempting to mediate between #Khartoum and #Abu_Dhabi following months of escalating tensions linked to Sudan’s ongoing civil war. According to the report, Burhan’s recent #Gulf tour, which included visits to #Saudi_Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, was part of efforts to open communication channels between Sudan and the UAE.

https://x.com/addisstandard/status/2057800077251363086?s=20
News: Emerging #El_Niño conditions threaten crop production in #Ethiopia, wider East Africa

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network has warned that emerging El Niño conditions could disrupt rainfall patterns across East and the Horn of Africa later this year, threatening crop production in parts of Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda.

The emerging El Niño conditions could disrupt rainfall patterns across East and the Horn of Africa later this year, threatening crop production in parts of #Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=57156
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#Op_ed: #Ethiopia's Electoral Crossroads: Legitimacy, repression, and imperative of transitional governance
 
In this op-ed, Donek Zemo argues that Ethiopia is facing a serious legitimacy crisis as it approaches a national election amid conflict and systemic repression. She points to the detention of journalists, raids on cultural figures, and the silencing of political actors as evidence of a “menu of manipulation” typical of authoritarian systems.
 
Donek asks: “What is the function of an election when the political environment necessary for meaningful choice has been systematically decimated?”
 
The author emphasizes that Ethiopia is at a decisive turning point, where “the readiness of those who inherit the moment” will determine whether the country moves toward renewal or deeper instability.
 
https://addisstandard.com/?p=57159
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Op-ed: The #US-#Eritrean Rapprochement: Signs and prospects

The US approach toward Eritrea is gradually shifting from a strategy centered on isolation and sanctions toward a more cautious engagement shaped by #Red_Sea security concerns and evolving regional dynamics following recent military tensions involving #Iran.

In this op-ed, the authors argue that Washington is seeking to “leverage Eritrea’s strategic position” to address maritime security threats in the Red Sea corridor, while Asmara appears to view growing American receptiveness as an opportunity to overcome its long-standing diplomatic isolation and strengthen its position amid mounting regional pressures, including tensions linked to #Ethiopia.

Against this backdrop, the authors outline three possible trajectories that can be identified for the ongoing transformation and the future of US-Eritrean ties.

What are these trajectories? Can the relationship move beyond tactical cooperation?

https://addisstandard.com/?p=57164
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From today’s daily news 🌍

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia launches new Red Sea cargo routes linking key ports across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.

🇰🇪 Kenya announces diesel price cuts following nationwide protests over the rising cost of living.

📺 Watch the full report and more detailed updates on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPV_A0t1ZTc
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News: #Ethiopian Catholic Bishops urge #Saudi_Arabia to halt executions of #Ethiopians as Government cites talks on migrant welfare

The Ethiopian Catholic Bishops have called on the government of #Saudi Arabia to halt death sentences handed down to Ethiopian nationals, warning that hundreds of Ethiopians in the Kingdom are currently at risk of execution amid growing concerns over the safety of migrant workers abroad.

In a pastoral message released in yesterday, the Bishops appealed for the protection of the “human dignity and lives” of Ethiopian migrants across the world, highlighting the dangers faced by Ethiopians migrating through high-risk routes to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, #Yemen, #Lebanon, and #Gulf countries.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=57171
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News: #Sudanese factions convene in #Nairobi for talks on ending war, restoring stability
 
Addis Abeba- A broad coalition of Sudanese political, civil, and armed groups has launched talks in Nairobi aimed at finding a pathway to end the war in #Sudan and restore peace and stability in the country. The meeting, held under the banner of the “Sudanese Declaration of Principles Forces for Building a New Homeland,” brought together leaders of political parties, armed movements, civil society organizations, and public figures.

Among those addressing the opening session were former Sudanese Prime Minister and chairman of the Sumoud Alliance #Abdalla_Hamdok, Sudan Liberation Army leader #Abdelwahid_Mohamed al-Nur, and Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party-Original chairman #Ali_al-Rayah al-Sanhouri. According to Sudan Tribune, discussions are focused on Sudan’s current political crisis, the continuation of the war, and further development of the declaration

 https://x.com/addisstandard/status/2058059307615171029?s=20
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#Pakistan army chief visits #Iran amid renewed mediation push over #Israel-#US war

Addis Abeba- Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Iran on Friday as part of renewed mediation efforts aimed at ending the ongoing war involving Israel, United States and Iran, according to Iranian state media.

IRNA news agency said Munir was received in Tehran by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, alongside Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The visit marks Munir’s second trip to Tehran since the war erupted on February 28, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.

Islamabad previously helped broker a temporary ceasefire between the rival parties on April 8 and later hosted rare high-level talks between US and Iranian officials on 11-12 April, the most senior publicly known engagement between the two sides since 1979.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CZdAtJag1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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#Ethiopia accuses #Egypt of ‘encirclement’ strategy, ‘provocation’ since #Addis_Abeba raised sea access ambitions

Ethiopia has accused Egypt of intensifying actions that “resemble an encirclement” and pursuing a strategy of “provocation” against Ethiopia following Addis Abeba’s push for sea access.

Nebita’s remarks corroborate #Addis_Standard’s previous reporting extensively documenting the coordinated geopolitical effort involving Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia aimed at containing Ethiopia’s sea access and regional ambitions.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=57186
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News: #ENDF says diplomatic community briefed on potential response to “#Tsimdo” initiative

The #Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) says it has briefed members of the diplomatic community based in Ethiopia regarding actions it may take if there are attempts to threaten #Ethiopia’s sovereignty through an initiative referred to as “Tsimdo.”

Major General #Teshome_Gemechu, Director of Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense, warned that any effort to “implement” the initiative would face what he described as severe consequences from the Ethiopian state.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=57192
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News: #Iran's top negotiator says #Tehran will not compromise in talks with #US

Iran's top negotiator, Parliament Speaker #Mohammad_Baqer_Qalibaf, told Pakistani army chief #Asim_Munir during talks in Tehran on Saturday that the U.S. was not an honest ‌party in negotiations to end their war and Iran would not compromise on its national rights, state television reported.

A regional mediation push led by #Pakistan aims to narrow differences between Iran and the U.S. after weeks of war that have left the vital waterway of the Strait of #Hormuz ⁠closed to most shipping despite a nervous ceasefire, upending global energy markets.

Iranian state media reported that #Munir had also met President Masoud Pezeshkian in the presence of Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with whom he had two meetings, before flying out.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/irans-top-negotiator-says-tehran-will-not-compromise-talks-with-us-2026-05-23/
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Ethiopian Military Briefs Diplomats on "Tsimo" Initiative Response

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has informed the international diplomatic community in Addis Ababa of possible government actions against the "Tsimo" initiative

Watch the full report and more detailed updates on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE9VoBOF1RI

#Ethiopia #MilitaryNews #AddisAbaba #HornOfAfrica #Diplomacy #RegionalSecurity #AddisStandardSignal
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News: Oil prices plunge over 4% amid optimism over potential #US-Iran peace deal

Addis Abeba- Oil prices plunged by more than 4% on Monday, hitting two-week lows as growing optimism over a potential peace agreement between the #United_States and #Iran eased fears of prolonged disruptions to global energy supplies through the Strait of #Hormuz.

The decline followed remarks by U.S. President #Donald_Trump, who said #Washington and #Tehran had “largely negotiated” an understanding that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a critical waterway that previously carried around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the conflict escalated.

Despite the market optimism, major disagreements remain between the two sides, particularly over the U.S. naval blockade and shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

https://x.com/addisstandard/status/2058782216407126202?s=20
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#Chinese instructors enhance practical veterinary training at #Holeta Polytechnic College

Addis Abeba- Students at Holeta Polytechnic College in #Oromia region, say hands-on training introduced by Chinese instructors is helping bridge the gap between theory and practical veterinary skills. During recent laboratory sessions, students practiced surgical suturing under the guidance of Chinese instructor Ma Yujie as part of a China-supported vocational training initiative, according to Xinhua.

Lemi Abera, a 22-year-old animal science student, said the practical demonstrations have transformed the learning experience. “Unlike our initial years here, we are now participating in practical demonstrations, with our Chinese instructors linking classroom concepts to practical animal health practices,” he said, noting that equipment brought from China has helped students better understand animal health topics.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Sh2QDNNtk/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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