News: Rhode Island-based #US defense team begins peacekeeping and human rights training in #Ethiopia
A U.S. defense team from #Rhode_Island has begun providing military training at Ethiopia’s Defense Peacekeeping Center, focusing on human rights protection and compliance with international military law during military missions.
According to the Ethiopian National Defense Force (#ENDF), the training began on 17 August as part of a bilateral military cooperation agreement between Ethiopia and the United States.
The ENDF said similar training cooperation with various countries reflects Ethiopia’s role in regional peace and security. It added that the United States has been providing training under bilateral arrangements aimed at mutual benefit.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58918
A U.S. defense team from #Rhode_Island has begun providing military training at Ethiopia’s Defense Peacekeeping Center, focusing on human rights protection and compliance with international military law during military missions.
According to the Ethiopian National Defense Force (#ENDF), the training began on 17 August as part of a bilateral military cooperation agreement between Ethiopia and the United States.
The ENDF said similar training cooperation with various countries reflects Ethiopia’s role in regional peace and security. It added that the United States has been providing training under bilateral arrangements aimed at mutual benefit.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58918
👎2
#Op_ed: Western #Tigray’s Crisis: How federal backing of extra-constitutional committees undermines #Pretoria accord
Nearly six years after the outbreak of the war in Tigray, the dispute over #Western_Tigray remains a significant test of Ethiopia’s constitutional order, writes Merih Welay Welesilassie.
He argues that the continued presence of a federally supported administration and militia in the area undermines the Pretoria Agreement and raises concerns about constitutional neutrality.
The author emphasises that "political legitimacy cannot be built through force or exclusion" and calls for a lawful process grounded in the participation of all affected communities.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58915
Nearly six years after the outbreak of the war in Tigray, the dispute over #Western_Tigray remains a significant test of Ethiopia’s constitutional order, writes Merih Welay Welesilassie.
He argues that the continued presence of a federally supported administration and militia in the area undermines the Pretoria Agreement and raises concerns about constitutional neutrality.
The author emphasises that "political legitimacy cannot be built through force or exclusion" and calls for a lawful process grounded in the participation of all affected communities.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58915
❤4👍1
News: #NASA study finds black carbon pollution in #Addis_Abeba far higher than in 3 U.S. cities
A NASA-funded study has found that average black carbon concentrations in Addis Abeba were approximately 4 to 9 times higher than levels recorded in 3 U.S. metropolitan areas monitored by the same mission — #Los_Angeles, #Atlanta and #Boston.
The findings, published in Environmental Science & Technology: Air, are based on data collected between 2022 and 2025 from 10 air-quality monitoring sites across Addis Abeba under NASA’s Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (#MAIA) project.
The NASA findings add to previous warnings about deteriorating air quality in Addis Abeba. In August 2025, #Swiss air-quality technology company IQAir reported that the #Ethiopian capital ranked among the world’s most polluted major cities, placing fourth globally on 6 August.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58921
A NASA-funded study has found that average black carbon concentrations in Addis Abeba were approximately 4 to 9 times higher than levels recorded in 3 U.S. metropolitan areas monitored by the same mission — #Los_Angeles, #Atlanta and #Boston.
The findings, published in Environmental Science & Technology: Air, are based on data collected between 2022 and 2025 from 10 air-quality monitoring sites across Addis Abeba under NASA’s Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (#MAIA) project.
The NASA findings add to previous warnings about deteriorating air quality in Addis Abeba. In August 2025, #Swiss air-quality technology company IQAir reported that the #Ethiopian capital ranked among the world’s most polluted major cities, placing fourth globally on 6 August.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58921
❤5🥴1
Rhode Island-based #US defense team begins peacekeeping and human rights training in #Ethiopia
Watch
Watch
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
👎1
News: #Tigray rolls out new curriculum after 16 years, but funding and textbook shortages threaten implementation
#Kiros_Guesh (PhD), head of the Tigray Education Bureau, said the new framework seeks to combine indigenous knowledge and content with modern teaching approaches and respond to changes in education and society, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
Kiros said the previous curriculum framework had remained in place for 16 years and had failed to produce results commensurate with Tigray's educational aspirations. He attributed the need for a fundamental revision in part to the disruption caused by the war in Tigray, which he described as a #genocidal_war against the region's population.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58932
#Kiros_Guesh (PhD), head of the Tigray Education Bureau, said the new framework seeks to combine indigenous knowledge and content with modern teaching approaches and respond to changes in education and society, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
Kiros said the previous curriculum framework had remained in place for 16 years and had failed to produce results commensurate with Tigray's educational aspirations. He attributed the need for a fundamental revision in part to the disruption caused by the war in Tigray, which he described as a #genocidal_war against the region's population.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58932
❤3🥴1
News Analysis: #Fano leader says armed groups have formed coalition to work toward ‘fall of Abiy Ahmed’
Zemene Kassie, chairman of the Amhara Fano National Movement (#AFNM), says Fano has established a unified command structure and reached agreements with armed groups representing several #Ethiopian communities to coordinate against Prime Minister #Abiy_Ahmed’s government.
In a rare interview with #Swiss French-language daily Le Temps, Zemene said Fano factions from #Shewa, #Wollo and #Gonder, as well as groups operating in the #Wollega area of #Oromia, had been brought under what he described as a “single national movement” and “single command.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58927
Zemene Kassie, chairman of the Amhara Fano National Movement (#AFNM), says Fano has established a unified command structure and reached agreements with armed groups representing several #Ethiopian communities to coordinate against Prime Minister #Abiy_Ahmed’s government.
In a rare interview with #Swiss French-language daily Le Temps, Zemene said Fano factions from #Shewa, #Wollo and #Gonder, as well as groups operating in the #Wollega area of #Oromia, had been brought under what he described as a “single national movement” and “single command.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58927
❤8🥴1
#Tigray rolls out new curriculum after 16 years, but funding and textbook shortages threaten implementation
Watch
Watch
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
❤2
“No amount of dams built in Ethiopia will hurt Egypt or Sudan”: Meles Zenawi
Today marks 14 years since the passing of #Ethiopia’s late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. His words on the Nile are worth replaying as #Egypt renews its warnings alleging Ethiopia “plans to control the flows of the Nile River to downstream countries” by building more dams.
Meles was the leader who envisioned and mobilized Ethiopia’s signature, self-financed national project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD), initially advanced under the name “Project X” before its official launch.
Speaking to Egyptian media shortly before his death, Meles argued that additional dams in Ethiopia would not threaten downstream countries.
“On the contrary, if dams are built in Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan will benefit.”
#Ethiopia #Egypt #Sudan #Nile #GERD #MelesZenawi #NileBasin #GreatEthiopianRenaissanceDam #EthiopiaEgyptRelations
Today marks 14 years since the passing of #Ethiopia’s late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. His words on the Nile are worth replaying as #Egypt renews its warnings alleging Ethiopia “plans to control the flows of the Nile River to downstream countries” by building more dams.
Meles was the leader who envisioned and mobilized Ethiopia’s signature, self-financed national project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD), initially advanced under the name “Project X” before its official launch.
Speaking to Egyptian media shortly before his death, Meles argued that additional dams in Ethiopia would not threaten downstream countries.
“On the contrary, if dams are built in Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan will benefit.”
#Ethiopia #Egypt #Sudan #Nile #GERD #MelesZenawi #NileBasin #GreatEthiopianRenaissanceDam #EthiopiaEgyptRelations
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
❤13👍1
Ebola cases in #Congo exceed 5,000, government data shows
The number of confirmed #Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo now exceeds 5,000, government data showed late on Tuesday, as health officials warn that response efforts are failing to contain the deadly disease.
Congo's 17th Ebola epidemic turned into the biggest in the country's history in terms of number of cases in late July and over the weekend the death toll hit 2,378, the public health institute said, surpassing the previous worst outbreak in 2018-2020.
The institute has so far logged 5,021 cases, according to its latest situation report, making it the second-worst outbreak globally, behind only the 2014 to 2016 epidemic in #West_Africa in both infections & deaths.
The ongoing outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.
It has gained momentum since it was declared on May 15, as weak health infrastructure, community resistance, instability & protests(Reuters)
The number of confirmed #Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo now exceeds 5,000, government data showed late on Tuesday, as health officials warn that response efforts are failing to contain the deadly disease.
Congo's 17th Ebola epidemic turned into the biggest in the country's history in terms of number of cases in late July and over the weekend the death toll hit 2,378, the public health institute said, surpassing the previous worst outbreak in 2018-2020.
The institute has so far logged 5,021 cases, according to its latest situation report, making it the second-worst outbreak globally, behind only the 2014 to 2016 epidemic in #West_Africa in both infections & deaths.
The ongoing outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.
It has gained momentum since it was declared on May 15, as weak health infrastructure, community resistance, instability & protests(Reuters)
❤3
#Trump says no talks planned with #Iran, Tehran says Strait of Hormuz still shut
#US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday no talks were taking place with Iran and insisted the Strait of #Hormuz was open, contradicting Iran's assertion that the critical waterway remained shut to shipping.
The receding prospects of a deal to end the nearly six-month conflict drove up oil prices again on Tuesday, while stock markets sagged and borrowing costs for major economies including the U.S. hit multi-decade highs, amid concerns about the long-term inflationary and fiscal impact of the crisis.
A temporary ceasefire agreement expired on Monday and a senior Iranian official told Reuters that his country was moving to a "fully offensive" military posture due to the diplomatic stalemate, though there were no reports of fresh strikes by either side on Tuesday.
"There are no talks or conversations.....
https://www.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0CP86hS5DKExp7h713JBkRFr86CPMgP6XxuT7QCf9zC2V5npxQmaziPcKbG3kCc2Al
#US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday no talks were taking place with Iran and insisted the Strait of #Hormuz was open, contradicting Iran's assertion that the critical waterway remained shut to shipping.
The receding prospects of a deal to end the nearly six-month conflict drove up oil prices again on Tuesday, while stock markets sagged and borrowing costs for major economies including the U.S. hit multi-decade highs, amid concerns about the long-term inflationary and fiscal impact of the crisis.
A temporary ceasefire agreement expired on Monday and a senior Iranian official told Reuters that his country was moving to a "fully offensive" military posture due to the diplomatic stalemate, though there were no reports of fresh strikes by either side on Tuesday.
"There are no talks or conversations.....
https://www.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0CP86hS5DKExp7h713JBkRFr86CPMgP6XxuT7QCf9zC2V5npxQmaziPcKbG3kCc2Al
❤2
News: Judge allows #Trump administration to end TPS protection for #Ethiopians
A US federal judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump can terminate Temporary Protected Status (#TPS) for more than 5,000 Ethiopians, clearing the way for their potential deportation despite concerns over security and humanitarian conditions in Ethiopia.
According to Al Jazeera, US District Judge Brian Murphy on Tuesday lifted a judicial block that had prevented the Trump administration from ending TPS protections for Ethiopians. The decision removes the final court-ordered obstacle to terminating the protections.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58950
A US federal judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump can terminate Temporary Protected Status (#TPS) for more than 5,000 Ethiopians, clearing the way for their potential deportation despite concerns over security and humanitarian conditions in Ethiopia.
According to Al Jazeera, US District Judge Brian Murphy on Tuesday lifted a judicial block that had prevented the Trump administration from ending TPS protections for Ethiopians. The decision removes the final court-ordered obstacle to terminating the protections.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58950
❤6😡2
#Saudi_Arabia tightens scrutiny of financial transfers to #UAE amid Gulf rift
Saudi Arabia has subjected financial transfers to the UAE to enhanced regulatory scrutiny normally applied to jurisdictions deemed higher-risk for money laundering and terrorism financing, in a move that signals growing tensions between the two Gulf allies, Reuters reported on 18 August.
The measure, ordered by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) earlier this year, has reportedly caused delays and returned payments for some companies transferring funds between the two countries.
Several businesspeople and bankers told the outlet that transactions now face additional compliance checks, with some taking weeks or failing altogether. Some firms have resorted to routing payments through third countries.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Maka4NJjP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Saudi Arabia has subjected financial transfers to the UAE to enhanced regulatory scrutiny normally applied to jurisdictions deemed higher-risk for money laundering and terrorism financing, in a move that signals growing tensions between the two Gulf allies, Reuters reported on 18 August.
The measure, ordered by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) earlier this year, has reportedly caused delays and returned payments for some companies transferring funds between the two countries.
Several businesspeople and bankers told the outlet that transactions now face additional compliance checks, with some taking weeks or failing altogether. Some firms have resorted to routing payments through third countries.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Maka4NJjP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
👏2❤1
News: #Ethiopia’s birr hits record low despite billions spent to support currency
Ethiopia’s #birr has fallen to a record low against the #US dollar despite the central bank spending about $2.2 billion this year to support the currency, Bloomberg reported, as rising import costs and strong demand for foreign currency continue to put pressure on the exchange rate.
The birr has weakened 3.2% this year to nearly 162 per dollar, making it the weakest-performing currency among 23 African currencies tracked by Bloomberg over the past year. The currency has continued to lose value since the government’s #IMF-backed exchange-rate reform in 2024.
Standard Chartered’s Baynton-Glen expects the pace of birr depreciation to slow, forecasting an exchange rate of 163 per dollar by year-end. David Cowan, chief Africa economist at Citigroup, however, told Bloomberg he expects the birr could weaken to between 185 and 195 per dollar by the end of the year….
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58952
Ethiopia’s #birr has fallen to a record low against the #US dollar despite the central bank spending about $2.2 billion this year to support the currency, Bloomberg reported, as rising import costs and strong demand for foreign currency continue to put pressure on the exchange rate.
The birr has weakened 3.2% this year to nearly 162 per dollar, making it the weakest-performing currency among 23 African currencies tracked by Bloomberg over the past year. The currency has continued to lose value since the government’s #IMF-backed exchange-rate reform in 2024.
Standard Chartered’s Baynton-Glen expects the pace of birr depreciation to slow, forecasting an exchange rate of 163 per dollar by year-end. David Cowan, chief Africa economist at Citigroup, however, told Bloomberg he expects the birr could weaken to between 185 and 195 per dollar by the end of the year….
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58952
😭3🥴1
#Op_ed: Receipts and Resistance: Modernising #Jigjiga’s tax system amid VAT compliance, data privacy challenges
In this op-ed, Adan Hussein examines the ongoing dispute between Jigjiga's city administration and the city's high-volume traders over the proposed linkage of point-of-sale (POS) systems to #VAT collection.
He explains that while the city's effort to connect POS records with VAT reporting is intended to improve transparency, traders have raised legitimate concerns about the protection of their commercial data. Adan argues that the standoff should not be understood as a simple contest between government authority and private enterprise.
As he puts it, “The issue is not whether VAT should be paid, but how it can be collected through a fair, transparent, and accountable system.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58940
In this op-ed, Adan Hussein examines the ongoing dispute between Jigjiga's city administration and the city's high-volume traders over the proposed linkage of point-of-sale (POS) systems to #VAT collection.
He explains that while the city's effort to connect POS records with VAT reporting is intended to improve transparency, traders have raised legitimate concerns about the protection of their commercial data. Adan argues that the standoff should not be understood as a simple contest between government authority and private enterprise.
As he puts it, “The issue is not whether VAT should be paid, but how it can be collected through a fair, transparent, and accountable system.”
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58940
MSF expands healthcare response in Oromia’s Wollega zones amid critical service gaps
Watch
Watch
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
News: MSF expands healthcare response in Oromia’s Wollega zones amid critical service gaps
Médecins Sans Frontières (#MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has launched a comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare support program in #Ethiopia’s East and West #Wollega zones, seeking to restore access to essential services in areas where conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks and damaged health infrastructure have left communities with significant unmet needs.
The program targets host communities and internally displaced people (#IDPs), particularly those living in hard-to-reach rural areas of Oromia, while supporting selected health facilities to strengthen their capacity to provide essential and referral services.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58945
Médecins Sans Frontières (#MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has launched a comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare support program in #Ethiopia’s East and West #Wollega zones, seeking to restore access to essential services in areas where conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks and damaged health infrastructure have left communities with significant unmet needs.
The program targets host communities and internally displaced people (#IDPs), particularly those living in hard-to-reach rural areas of Oromia, while supporting selected health facilities to strengthen their capacity to provide essential and referral services.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58945
❤3
News: #US signals readiness to resume #GERD mediation as #Nile dispute persists
#Massad_Boulos, senior adviser to #Trump on #African affairs, said #Washington was prepared to facilitate the resumption of talks between #Egypt, #Ethiopia and #Sudan and provide technical support to help the three countries address outstanding issues surrounding the dam.
Boulos said the Trump administration wanted to see the parties return to negotiations and work towards a comprehensive agreement, according to Egypt Independent.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58958
#Massad_Boulos, senior adviser to #Trump on #African affairs, said #Washington was prepared to facilitate the resumption of talks between #Egypt, #Ethiopia and #Sudan and provide technical support to help the three countries address outstanding issues surrounding the dam.
Boulos said the Trump administration wanted to see the parties return to negotiations and work towards a comprehensive agreement, according to Egypt Independent.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58958
👍1
News: #Chinese firms dominate shortlist for #Ethiopia’s USD12.5 billion Bishoftu airport project
Chinese companies or joint ventures involving Chinese firms account for the majority of shortlisted bidders competing for the construction of Ethiopia’s forthcoming USD12.5 billion #Bishoftu International Airport, according to aviation intelligence provider and news portal ch-aviation.
The shortlist, released by Ethiopian Airlines, shows that Chinese companies constitute the largest single-country group by a significant margin, highlighting the prominent role of Chinese engineering and construction firms in one of Ethiopia’s largest planned infrastructure projects.
The remaining bidders that have reached the pre-qualification stage represent a broad range of countries…..
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58954
Chinese companies or joint ventures involving Chinese firms account for the majority of shortlisted bidders competing for the construction of Ethiopia’s forthcoming USD12.5 billion #Bishoftu International Airport, according to aviation intelligence provider and news portal ch-aviation.
The shortlist, released by Ethiopian Airlines, shows that Chinese companies constitute the largest single-country group by a significant margin, highlighting the prominent role of Chinese engineering and construction firms in one of Ethiopia’s largest planned infrastructure projects.
The remaining bidders that have reached the pre-qualification stage represent a broad range of countries…..
https://addisstandard.com/?p=58954
❤1👎1🥴1😡1
Inside #El_Niño: #Ethiopian farmers await much needed rainfall
A potentially record-strength #Super_El_Niño is intensifying across the Pacific and is forecast to stretch from mid-2026 into early next year.
In Ethiopia, experts warn of below-normal rainfall during the main rainy season from June through September. Reduced rainfall could affect crop yields, soil moisture and water availability across the country.
The World Meteorological Organization says the phenomenon could worsen climate extremes in many regions, increasing the risk of droughts, floods and heatwaves.
In the Greater Horn of Africa, climate forecasts indicate below-normal rainfall in several areas during the June-to-September rainy season. In Ethiopia, meteorologists are closely monitoring conditions as millions of farmers depend on seasonal rains for crop production.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-17/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDkxOTIy/index.html
A potentially record-strength #Super_El_Niño is intensifying across the Pacific and is forecast to stretch from mid-2026 into early next year.
In Ethiopia, experts warn of below-normal rainfall during the main rainy season from June through September. Reduced rainfall could affect crop yields, soil moisture and water availability across the country.
The World Meteorological Organization says the phenomenon could worsen climate extremes in many regions, increasing the risk of droughts, floods and heatwaves.
In the Greater Horn of Africa, climate forecasts indicate below-normal rainfall in several areas during the June-to-September rainy season. In Ethiopia, meteorologists are closely monitoring conditions as millions of farmers depend on seasonal rains for crop production.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-17/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDkxOTIy/index.html
❤2