Uncertain future for Ethiopia’s orphans

soschildrensvillages, Apr 18, 2011
Ethiopia is one of the world’s most popular destinations for western couples hoping to adopt orphaned children. Last year adoptions from Ethiopia peaked at about 2500.

INTERVIEW-Ethiopia keeping Egypt in dark on Nile dam

By Barry Malone

* Ethiopian minister says dam could also benefit Egypt

* Dismisses war fears, says not a national security issue

ADDIS ABABA, April 18 (Reuters) - Ethiopia did not inform Egypt it planned to build a huge dam on the Nile and the two countries have not discussed the issue despite fears a dispute over the river could spark war, Ethiopia's water minister said.

Work on the 5,250 megawatt (MW) Renaissance Dam - which will be one of the world's ten biggest -- began this month with Italy's Salini Costruttori overseeing a project with a $4.78 billion cost Ethiopia plans to fund itself.

"No. They found out from the media," Alemayehu Tegenu told Reuters in an interview on Monday when asked if Ethiopia had officially informed Egypt it was building its first dam on the Nile -- something Egypt has always opposed.

The nine countries through which the Nile flows have for more than 10 years been locked in bitter talks to renegotiate colonial-era treaties that gave Egypt the lion's share of the river's waters and veto power over upstream dam projects.

Tensions rose last month when Burundi joined five other countries -- Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania -- and signed a new deal stripping Egypt of its veto and agreeing to renegotiate how much water each country is entitled to.
Egypt has said it will not recognise the new agreement.
In November, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told Reuters that Egypt was backing rebel groups in his country because of the Nile dispute and that if it went to war with upstream countries over the river it would lose.

But Alemayehu dismissed analyst fears that war could erupt.

"It is not (a national security issue) and it will not be," he said. "What we plan in this country does not impact on Egypt in a negative way."

He said Egypt had yet to officially discuss the dam with Ethiopia. "I have not received any official objection from the Egyptian side," Alemayehu said.

"If Egypt continues with the old mentality, they may not support this dam. If they change their mind and follow a win-win approach, I think they will."

REQUEST TO VISIT
Alemayehu said the Ethiopian government had commissioned an independent survey that proved the new dam would benefit Egypt and Sudan by decreasing siltation in their irrigation projects and by reducing water wastage.  More reading on Reuters

Markus Lupfer to mentor Ethiopia's emerging fashion talent

(Apr 18 2011, Harpers Bazaar)--This weekend, Bazaar favourite Markus Lupfer touched down in Addis Ababa where, over the course of the next ten days, he’ll be mentoring five super talented emerging Ethiopian fashion designers for The Goethe Institute’s Fashion Renaissance initiative.

Ethiopia, China sign 203 mln Birr loan, grant accord

Addis Ababa, April 18, 2011 (Addis Ababa, ENA) - The governments of Ethiopia and China signed Monday loan and grant agreements amounting to 203 million Birr for the execution of five projects.

Countries recognizing Ethiopia’s coffee specialties: EIPO

(April 17, 2011 (Addis Abab,ENA)--The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) said four Ethiopia’s coffee specialties have been registered in 36 countries as trade mark.

Ethiopia’s Friendship Association established in Paris

Addis Ababa, April 18, 2011 (Addis Ababa, ENA) - Ethiopians, Ethiopians in origin and French have established Ethiopia's Friendship Association in Paris, France, the ministry of foreign affairs told ENA in a statement on Monday.

Speaker stresses need for prioritizing security, democracy, dev’t issues in E. Africa

Addis Ababa, April 18, 2011 (Addis Ababa,ENA) - House of Federation Speaker, Kassa Teklebirhan stressed the need to prioritize peace, security, democracy and development in East Africa, the House of Federation told ENA in a press release on Monday.

PM Meles says China’s support for GTP realization vital

Addis Ababa, April 18, 2011 (Addis Ababa, ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia needs China’s support for the realization of Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP).

ETHIOPIA,ITALY : Salini to build 5250MW Millennium project in Ethiopia

(Hydro-World, Tendersinfo news, April 18, 2011)--A contract has been secured by Italy s Salini Costruttori to construct the 5250MW Millennium hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, Africa s largest hydropower complex.

Millennium Dam project draws huge public support

By Pawlos Belete, April 18, 2011

The Great Millennium Dam, the largest dam on the continent, continues to receive tremendous public support since the plan was made public two weeks ago.

Jolting POWER PRICE SURGE Up to 200% rise

CapitalEthipia, By Groum Abate, April 18, 2011
The Ethiopian Electric Agency’s (EEA) proposal to increase electricity tariffs by 200 percent was suspended by the Prime Minister’s office and is now under revision by the agency.

Tiny Kebede is Big Man at London Marathon

universalsports, By David Monti, Race Results Weekly

LONDON (15-Apr) -- He only stands 158cm (5'-2") tall and weighs just 50kg (110 lbs), but Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede is the Big Man at Sunday's Virgin London Marathon.

Egyptian delegation to visit Ethiopia over Nile water

bikyamasr, by Heba Hesham, April 17, 2011
CAIRO: Mustafa El Gendi, assistant chief of the al-Wafd Party, received a phone call last week from Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni who told him that he had contacted the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi and agreed on a date to meet with the Egyptian public diplomacy delegation to visit Ethiopia on the issue of Nile water.