President Isaac Herzog will depart Tuesday for a two-day official visit to Ethiopia. Herzog will meet with Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie, Ethiopian Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Abiy Ahmed Ali, as well as with leaders of the local Jewish community. "The visit reflects the historic ties of friendship between the peoples and constitutes a significant milestone in deepening cooperation between the two countries and the entire continent," the President's Residence stated, noting that the visit "was scheduled and coordinated many weeks ago."

President Isaac Herzog will make an official visit to Ethiopia on February 24-25, 2026. During the visit, President Herzog will meet with the President of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Abiy Ahmed Ali, and the leadership of the local Jewish community. Herzog's office notes that the visit reflects the historic bonds of friendship between the two peoples and marks a "significant milestone in deepening cooperation between Israel and Ethiopia, as well as broader cooperation with the nations of Africa. Ethiopia is a pivotal nation in Africa and recently hosted the leaders of African nations at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa." "Israel and Ethiopia share a long history of diplomatic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.

But more than that, it introduced many patrons to Ethiopian Jews for the first time. Ethiopian Jews lived for centuries in Ethiopia, maintaining ancient Jewish traditions and largely isolated from the broader Jewish world. “Ethiopian Jews are very loyal to Jerusalem and to the people of Israel,” said Dr. Ephraim Isaac, an Ethiopian Jewish scholar based in New Jersey. “The Ethiopian Jews in Harlem aren’t going anywhere,” she said. Barhany plans to host interfaith gatherings and travel the country to share the flavors and stories of Ethiopian Jewish culture.

Young people in Tigray are fleeing the region, driven by fear of forced recruitment and deep uncertainty amid rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Fears are intensifying over renewed tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the latter of which has been allied with the Tigray region this time. However, many people contacted by the Addis Ababa–based outlet Ethiopia Insider say that large numbers of young people are arriving in Addis Ababa. A ticket that once cost around 3,000 birr has reportedly risen to 15,000—and in some cases even 30,000 birr, according to Ethiopia Insider. After arriving in Addis Ababa, some of them are attempting to leave the country for Europe or Gulf countries, it was reported.

A genetically modified (GM) variety of maize is set to be commercially grown in Ethiopia for the first time this year. They also say GM crops can enter the food chain inadvertently if they are naturally cross-pollinated with non-GM varieties. Ethiopian agricultural authorities say the first shipment of TELA maize seeds will be used this year for on-farm demonstrations across six maize-growing zones. South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya have already approved the commercial release of four TELA maize varieties. However, in October 2024, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the commercial approval of a GM maize, MON87460, developed by Bayer.

MPs vote to extend deadline to October 2026Before lawmakers extended the National Dialogue Commission’s (NDC) mandate by eight months this week, its officials described the challenges hampering their mission to Parliament. Lawmakers voted on the extension this week after convening to discuss the Commission’s performance and decide the next steps for the national dialogue initiative. Last year, representatives of the Commission held discussions with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on how to initiate dialogue in Tigray. TPLF officials underscored that the national dialogue initiative is not a priority in Tigray. Still, observers argue the national dialogue remains far from its goals.

A draft Children’s Rights Protection Proclamation proposes sweeping, enforceable reforms including mandatory nationwide reporting of child abuse, specialized child police units, and legally required budget allocations. A draft amendment presented by experts at the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs on Thursday promises a decisive shift from largely declarative child rights toward an operational protection system. The draft’s most immediate impact would come from strengthened protection and reporting provisions that establish a comprehensive abuse response chain. The draft proclamation also goes further by mandating rehabilitation and psychosocial support for affected children, transforming protection from a purely legal matter into a service obligation. The draft law strengthened legal identity provisions by tightening mandatory birth registration requirements and links identity documentation more explicitly to service access.

TK's Surf & Turf Kitchen wants to provide a "sense of home away from home" In this week’s Your Local Dish, CBS Colorado First at 4 Anchor Mekialaya White and restaurant promoter Larry Herz visit TK's Surf & Turf Kitchen in southeast Denver.

Among the most serious shortcomings identified is the failure to operationalize transitional justice and accountability mechanisms. Despite the Ministry of Justice endorsement of the transitional justice recommendations more than two years ago, the report finds that implementation to be virtually nonexistent. It argued that the absence of credible oversight and enforcement has significantly contributed to stalled implementation of justice and reconstruction provisions. In its recommendations, the report calls for urgent efforts to reinvigorate the Pretoria Agreement framework. The assessment emphasizes that justice and accountability must be treated as foundational pillars of sustainable peace rather than secondary political issues.

In February 1937, Addis Abeba became the site of one of the most devastating acts of colonial violence in African history: Yekatit 12. Triggered by an assassination attempt on Italian viceroy Rodolfo Graziani, the Italian response was immediate and horrific. Under Graziani, Ethiopians lived under racial segregation, fear, and brutal repression. The Yekatit 12 massacre, followed by forced displacement and internment on islands like Asinara, left scars that remain largely unacknowledged today. Yekatit 12 is not just history; it is a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring fight for justice.

Ethiopia has unveiled a new artificial intelligence innovation hub in Addis Ababa, reaffirming the country’s ambition to become a leading player in the global AI landscape. Temesgen Tiruneh announced the launch of the AI UniPod, a collaborative initiative developed by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Addis Ababa University and the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Timbuktoo Initiative. The facility is designed to serve as a center for AI innovation, research and talent development. The launch aligns with Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy and the country’s broader indigenous economic development agenda. The AI UniPod is expected to function as a creative laboratory for young people, a development hub for technology creators, and a collaborative platform for national and international partners working in emerging technologies.

The Hezbollah officials said eight militants were killed in strikes near the village of Rayak in north-east Lebanon late on Friday. Yaghi was the son of prominent Hezbollah official and one of its founders, Mohammed Yaghi, who died in 2023. Mohammed Yaghi was also a close aide to late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in September 2024. Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes on eastern Lebanon killed 10 people and wounded 24, including three children. Since then, Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rebuild and has carried out near-daily strikes in Lebanon that it says target Hezbollah militants and facilities.

In a strategic effort to stabilize the foreign exchange market, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) held a special auction on February 21, 2026, which led to a 1.21% appreciation of the birr against the US Dollar. Although the central bank offered an unprecedented $500 million in this special auction, total bids from commercial banks fell short of the available amount. The outcome has helped temper the strong demand for foreign currency and curb the recent price surges seen in the market. A total of 30 banks took part in the auction, with aggregate demand reaching $455.3 million. This means only 91.1% of the $500 million offered by the NBE was purchased, leaving $44.71 million—equivalent to 8.9% of the total—unsold.

News of Herzog’s planned trip comes in the immediate wake of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Addis Ababa. Whether that support will be granted remains to be seen, and Erdogan’s statements in Addis Ababa seemed to suggest otherwise. It was Turkiye that mediated between Ethiopia and Somalia in December 2024 following the year-long fallout the MoU caused between the two countries. If Israel moves to bring their military to Somaliland, we will fight Israel and our allies will provide us support,” said Hassan Sheikh. “If Ethiopia disregards Erdogan’s warning and proceeds to recognize Somaliland, Turkiye might reconsider these leverages.

Israeli airstrikes on eastern Lebanon have killed eight members of the militant Hezbollah group, including several local officials, two officials with the group said Saturday. The Hezbollah officials told The Associated Press that the eight militants were killed in strikes near the village of Rayak in northeast Lebanon late Friday. Damage to the village of Bednayel in eastern Lebanon, following an Israeli strike on Saturday. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Saturday that Israeli strikes on eastern Lebanon killed 10 people and wounded 24, including three children. Syrian Menisa Taha, who was wounded in an Israeli airstrike, lies in Rayak Hospital in eastern Lebanon, on Saturday.