The winners of Business Traveller’s Cellars in the Sky Awards 2023 have been announced, supported by Chateau d’Esclans. This year saw Qantas win Gold medals in a total of nine categories, for Best Business Class White, Best Business Class Red, Best Business Class Cellar, Best First Class Sparkling, Best First Class White, Best First Class Red, Best First Class Fortified / Dessert Wine, Best First Class Cellar and Best Overall Cellar. Meanwhile Singapore Airlines took Gold medals for Best Business Class Sparkling and Best-presented First Class Wine List, and oneworld won Gold in the Best Alliance category. Now in its 38th year, Cellars in the Sky has been running since 1985, and celebrates the best business and first class wines served by airlines on their flights. They can compete in as many categories as they like but to be eligible for the Best Overall Cellar award, they must enter at least one red, white and sparkling.

Lubin was born with sickle cell disease, a genetic illness that causes abnormal ‘C’-shaped red blood cells that clog blood flow, causing severe pain episodes and organ damage. The CRISPR-based gene therapy Lubin received is made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and developed in partnership with CRISPR Therapeutics. Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that affects approximately 100,000 Americans – primarily Black Americans with African ancestry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Given the high cost of treating repeat pain crisis over the lifetime of a person with sickle cell disease, some insurance providers have opted to cover the new treatments. And the Biden Administration has created a new access model for Medicaid patients, designed to lower the medication cost and improve access to gene therapy.

Taste Of The Town: Awash Ethiopian Restaurant in Miami GardensTaste Of The Town: Awash Ethiopian Restaurant in Miami GardensTaste Of The Town: Awash Ethiopian Restaurant in Miami GardensMIAMI - Awash Ethiopian Restaurant encompasses a traditional Ethiopian 'Gojo bait', known as a country-style home environment. Inside, it's a welcoming atmosphere featuring a shop with rare Ethiopian spices, coffee, and tea alongside a decorative bar featuring imported Ethiopian beer and wine, Ethiopian art, traditional music, and a coffee ceremony on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The name Awash comes from a river found in Ethiopia. The river is significant to the country because it travels throughout Ethiopia, never leaving its borders and remaining a source to the Ethiopian people. Awash Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 19934 NW 2nd Avenue in Miami Gardens.

The Ethiopian government, through its investment arm, Ethiopian Investment Holdings, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Data Center Service, a subsidiary branch of the Hong Kong-based West Data Group. This partnership, valued at $250 million, aims to pioneer sophisticated data mining and artificial intelligence (AI) training facilities within Ethiopia. Wu Blockchain @WuBlockchain State-owned Ethiopian Investment Holdings has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Data Center Service, a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s West Data Group. West Data Group, known for its blockchain-fueled fintech solutions and data centers globally, brings to the table its expertise in Bitcoin mining, digital currency investment, and trading. Established in 2017 with its first data center in Kentucky, the company has expanded its footprint to Texas, Kazakhstan, Angola, and Kenya, signaling a robust commitment to digital currency endeavors.

Thousands of microchips, terminals, nails, letter keys, and lengths of wire transform into spectacular, monumental sculptures by acclaimed Ethiopian artist Elias Sime. In his exhibition Eregata እርጋታ at Arnolfini in Bristol, he highlights assemblages made from everyday materials, especially discarded technological detritus like computer keys, circuit boards, wires, and other electronic objects. The title, Eregata እርጋታ, is derived from the artist’s language, Amharic, the meaning of which Sime translates as tranquility, calmness, or serenity. Though his undulating, patterned pieces may on one hand appear meditational, he plumbs the tension between our reliance on technology and our sense of well-being or ability to be present. Eregata እርጋታ continues through February 18.

News: Inquiry Board says it will investigate extrajudicial killings of civilians in Amhara regionNejat Girma, deputy chairperson of the State of Emergency Inquiry Board (Photo: Walta)Addis Abeba – The State of Emergency Implementation Inquiry Board has announced that it will investigate the reported extrajudicial killing of civilians by government security forces in Merawi, a town in the East Gojam Zone of Ethiopia’s Amhara region. Nejat Girma, Deputy Chairperson of the Inquiry Board, told the BBC that following a preliminary report released by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) earlier this week confirming at least 45 civilians were recently killed, the Board has decided to launch an independent investigation. The preliminary report said that civilians were subject to “extrajudicial executions” by security forces. However, several reports of the killings drew sharp criticisms both locally and from international human rights groups. The EU expressed serious concern and called for an independent investigation, while the US government demanded “unfettered access” for human rights monitors and accountability for perpetrators.

In the heart of Ethiopia, a quiet revolution unfolds on the golden wheat fields, telling a story of resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of food and nutrition security. In Ethiopia, a study encompassing wheat farmers paints a promising picture: 70.85% of households are reaching the threshold of food security. Furthermore, the distribution of fruit trees under the Presidential Horticulture Recovery Plan illustrates a holistic approach to agriculture, intertwining crop diversity with food security. In the face of adversity, Ethiopian wheat farmers and the broader agricultural community demonstrate unwavering determination and adaptability. The story of Ethiopian wheat farmers is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and collective action in overcoming the hurdles to food and nutrition security.

press releaseIn Ethiopia, the humanitarian needs in areas affected by armed conflict and violence remained sadly enormous in 2023. During 2023, we sustained our efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance and protection to affected people in Tigray region after the end of the two-year conflict in November 2022. In Amhara region, we provided emergency medical and other aid to people who were affected by the conflict that started in August 2023. 2,563missing people were found and reconnected with their families3,978,040Individuals benefitted from ICRC support to water supply145,992Persons provided with multi-purpose cash assistance. 1,576Army and Police Officers trained on basics of IHL and IHRLEthiopia Bulletin, January - December 2023

In a ceremony presided over by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of five military bases for Somalia’s National Army. According to a statement from Somalia’s National News Agency, SONNA, the bases will be for the Danab Brigade, the U.S.-trained elite unit of the army. “Our shared goal is to have the [Somali National Army] exercise full control over base operations when the facilities are completed, and the MoU just provides the blueprint to do that,” she said. investments in the SNA/Danab have borne fruit, fueling a formidable strike force that leads the offensives of the forces of Somali security against al-Shabab,” Mohamud said. In January, after news broke of the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt said, “Egypt will not allow any threat to Somalia.”

The Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the African Union was held in Addis Ababa from Wednesday (Feb. 14) to Thursday (Feb. 15). The Council of ministers coordinates and takes decisions on policies in areas of common interest to Member States. Blocs in turmoil include the east African community in which Burundi and Rwanda are once again in a standoff. The Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) called for greater impact of Africa. The work by the council of ministers of Foreign Affairs includes preparing the ordinary session of the assembly of the heads of state and government of the African Union.

Hambericho Durame pulled off a surprise result when they held Ethiopia Coffee to a goalless draw. Adama City and Ethiopian Insurance played out a 2-2 draw in the first fixture of the day. It was Adama City who drew first blood as early as the sixth minute through Biniam Ayiten to go 1-0 up. Ayiten completed his brace in the 68th minute as Adama went 2-0 up and looked to be routing Ethiopian Insurance. Adama are in sixth place with 23 points, level with Fasil Kenema in fifth position.

The painter Tesfaye Urgessa will represent Ethiopia for the country’s first-ever national pavilion at this year’s 60th Venice Biennale, which runs from April 20 until November 24, 2024. His exhibition “Prejudice and Belonging” will take place at Palazzo Bolani and is curated by the writer Lemn Sissay. Urgessa’s work stands out for its focus on classicized human figures, often distorted or entwined with each other in domestic settings. “This is not only a personal milestone, but also a proud moment for Ethiopian art and culture,” said Urgessa in a press statement. Other nation’s presenting their first pavilions at Venice this year include Benin and Morocco.

(Richmond magazine)Family TiesThere’s a special energy that runs through a family business, a place with a personal touch. County officials have revealed initial details about the inaugural Chesterfield Restaurant Week (March 29-April 7), with more info coming soon. (Richmond magazine)In our 2024 “Dining Deck,” we highlight some of the key culinary players on the local restaurant scene. This week, Richmond City Council approved changes that would allow tax payments to be applied to the month they are made versus to delinquent balances, as currently required by a state law. (Axios Richmond, Richmond BizSense)Known for her gorgeous blooms, medicinal herbs and other plants, Ash Hobson Carr of Mechanicsville’s Hazel Witch Farm announced that this spring will be her last season.

The Ethiopian government is set to begin mining Bitcoin through a new partnership with Data Center Service — a subsidiary of West Data Group, according to Ethiopia-based Hashlabs Mining CEO Kal Kassa. Changing regulatory landscapeThe venture is not without its challenges and controversies, particularly concerning the energy-intensive nature of Bitcoin mining. Despite these concerns, the Ethiopian government’s move towards regulating “cryptographic products,” including mining, reflects a cautious yet optimistic approach to embracing the potential economic benefits of Bitcoin mining. The trend is part of a larger movement that has seen Chinese Bitcoin mining operations relocate in response to regulatory pressures at home and the search for cost-effective, regulatory-friendly environments abroad. The arrival of Chinese miners is underpinned by broader geopolitical and economic considerations.

Director-general of the Ethiopia National Project, Roni Akale, will enlighten the Central Florida community about the Ethiopian-Israeli community and its progress in assimilating into Israeli culture. ENP works to ensure the full integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Israeli society, in a unique and special partnership with global supporters, the Goverment of Israel and the Ethiopian-Israeli community itself. At informative meeting, Akale will discuss ENP’s endeavors in Ethiopian-Israelis education, empowerment and impact, and wartime response. The event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. at Decision Tactical, 430 Town Center Cir., Sanford. From 2008 to 2010 Roni served as chairman of the Representatives of Ethiopian Jewish Organizations in Israel.