At least five people, including Somali military officials and a United Arab Emirates soldier, were killed Saturday after a soldier opened fire at a military base in the capital of Mogadishu, an army officer and hospital staff told Reuters. The gunman, a newly trained Somali soldier, was also shot dead at the Gordon military base managed by the UAE, said the army officer, who gave his name only as Ahmed. "The soldier opened fire on the UAE trainers and Somali military officials when they started praying. "We understand the soldier had defected from al Shabab before he was recruited as a soldier by Somalia and UAE," he said. In addition, about 10 injured Somali soldiers had been brought to the hospital, they said.

Chinese Bitcoin miners have set their sights on Ethiopia in a strategic move driven by the pursuit of cheap energy and favorable climates. Luxor Technology estimates Ethiopia has become one of the top destinations for Bitcoin mining equipment shipments, with Chinese miners comprising a significant portion. Once dominant in Bitcoin mining, Chinese firms face stiff competition in traditional hubs like Texas. As Chinese Bitcoin miners flock to Ethiopia, geopolitical dynamics come into play, with China’s investments in the country strengthening bilateral ties. Amidst uncertainties about regulatory oversight and long-term implications, Chinese Bitcoin miners still perceive Ethiopia as a promising frontier in their search for inexpensive energy and favorable operating conditions.

Oromia’s “Multi-ethnic brotherhood and sisterhood for lasting peace and prosperity ” in Adama (Nazret) – Photo : FBCborkenaMany observers have been saying that Ethiopia is in a very dangerous time. Abiy Ahmed’s government effort to tackle the problem has been mostly a sort of window dressing rather than real effort. Today, Ethiopian News Agency, state media, reported that government officials were holding meetings in 20 towns across the Oromia region of Ethiopia. The ruling party was holding the meetings under the motto ” Multi-ethnic brotherhood and sisterhood for lasting peace and prosperity.”Noticeably, the response from the public is indifference. The Oromia region is not free from conflict although not as intense as the Amhara region.

Add the infamy of the former congressman, and you’d expect the race to replace him would attract more attention than most off-season contests. But Pilip forced Suozzi on the defensive by devoting substantial airtime to blaming him and other Democrats for the border crisis. The few published polls from credible organizations show that the race has remained within the margin of error since the start. Another name that hasn’t surfaced much after initial efforts by the Democrats to gain traction with it is Santos himself. Republicans are hoping, once and for all, that victory will remove the stain of their complicity with his candidacy, however inadvertent.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party founder Julius Malema addressed a packed 56,000-capacity Moses Mabhida Stadium in the coastal city of Durban as he launched the party's election manifesto to the delight of supporters. EFF party supporters Saturday, clad in red party regalia, including T-shirts with Malema's likeness, went into a frenzy as he entered the stadium, singing struggle songs and liberation slogans. A former ANC youth leader who was expelled from the party, Malema is now among the ruling party's staunchest critics. He's an outspoken lawmaker who has become a thorn in the side of the ANC and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The EFF garnered 10% of the national vote in the country's 2019 elections to become the third largest opposition party.

With investments exceeding SR64 million ($17 million) in the Saudi market, its farms in Sarawat Mountain cultivate a remarkable 550 million roses annually. Scattered across Taif are over 910 Taif rose farms, complemented by approximately 70 factories and laboratories dedicated to extracting and producing over 80 sought-after derivatives that enjoy widespread popularity in the markets. Khaled Al-Kamal, an agricultural expert and Taif rose connoisseur, is a seventh-generation enthusiast as he comes from a family with a long-lasting interest in the Taif rose. This produces three distinct products: non-concentrated rose water, concentrated rose water known as “bridal water,” and the world’s most expensive rose attar. Al-Kamal added that the Taif rose flowers for a period ranging from 40 to 50 days.

February 10, (THEWILL) – Tottenham Hotspur pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from substitute Brennan Johnson. The late goal lifts Spurs into the top four after their thrilling English Premier League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. With Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi absent due to dental surgery, assistant Andrea Maldera took charge of the visitors. Inspired substitutions from Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou turned the match on its head after the interval. The dramatic victory lifts Tottenham above Aston Villa into fourth position in the EPL table.

But it holds special appeal for Chinese companies, which once dominated Bitcoin mining but have struggled to compete with local rivals in Texas, the current hub. China’s reign as the epicenter of Bitcoin mining came to an abrupt end in 2021, when the government banned it. In the written reply, he used terms like “high-performance computing” and “data mining” instead of Bitcoin mining. Encouraged by China’s rising stature in Africa, Chinese Bitcoin miners are also starting to look at countries like Angola and Nigeria, said Xu. “The Chinese miners don’t have any problems building sites in Africa,” he said.

February 10, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has sanctioned eleven Distribution Companies (DisCos) over failure to comply with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers. Abuja Disco, for instance, overbilled its customers without meters to the tune of N17.874bn, while Eko Disco over-billed its unmetered customers by N13.137bn. Port Harcourt Disco overbilled its customers without meters by N14.187bn, as Kaduna Disco overbilled its customers by N1.145bn. Credit adjustment to customers: Discos are to issue credit adjustments to all over-billed unmetered customers for the period January to September 2023 by the March 2024 billing cycle. Regulatory sanctions: The commission shall deduct a sum of N10,505,286,072 from the annual allowed revenues of the 11 Discos during the next tariff review to deter future non-compliance with the energy caps approved by the commission.”

On February 7, 2024, it was announced that Parliament was expected to approve an executive reshuffle, including the appointment of a successor to Deputy PM Demeke. Reshuffle advocates perceive the changes as a routine and calculated maneuver on the part of the Prime Minister to reinvigorate the government amidst internal strife and diplomatic strains. He criticized the cabinet reshuffle as a purely political maneuver aimed at maintaining a power balance for the Prime Minister, with individuals coming and going without any substantial policy alterations. Rahel and Girma argue the cabinet reshuffling constitutes a significant responsibility of the Prime Minister, and the recent events align with that duty. Kibrom Berhe is the president of the Baytona Tigray Party.

An Ethiopian-Israeli immigrant who's been a harsh critic of the Biden administration's border policies is hoping to replace former GOP Rep. George Santos in a closely watched special election. The two candidates, who will go head-to-head in a special election on Tuesday, traded barbs during a debate this week when asked about a number of topics – including immigration and abortion. Pilip called out her opponent for "causing the border crisis," saying that when Suozzi was in Congress with the Democratic majority, the border was "opened" by the Biden administration. A Siena College poll conducted for Newsday from Feb. 3 to Feb. 6 showed Suozzi leading Pilip 48% to 44% among likely voters. The special election is slated to take place on Feb. 13.

ADDIS ABABA – “Tsehai”, the first-ever aircraft made in Ethiopia in the 1930s, has returned home more than eight decades after it was taken to Italy. The aircraft, named after the daughter of Emperor Haile Selassie I Tsehai, arrived at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on Friday evening. The plane carrying “Tsehai” was welcomed by Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew, Addis Ababa city mayor Adanech Abiebie, and Italy’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Agostino Palese. Its repatriation comes after the Italian government handed over the aircraft to Ethiopian authorities during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Rome last week. Following its return home decades later Friday, Ethiopians can now visit “Tsehai” at the Adwa Victory Museum which will be inaugurated on Sunday.

The Catwalk initiative is an annual celebration in honor of the declaration last year by the UN designating Feb. 10 as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard. “This announcement is significant as it marks the first time the UN has designated an international day of recognition for a mammal, big cat or subspecies. “And it is the first time that an international day established by the UN was led by Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/36RLFLxeMI — Saudi Embassy in New Delhi (@KSAembassyIND) February 10, 2024The Saudi Embassy in Switzerland also joined the event, writing on X: “It’s time for the catwalk! The Catwalk initiative received support from various government entities, including the ministries of interior; municipal, rural affairs and housing; foreign affairs; environment, water and agriculture; education; and sport.

RIYADH: A women’s representation from the Indian Armed Forces, which was part of the government’s empowerment initiatives and took part in the World Defense Show in Riyadh, has praised the transformation in the Kingdom, which includes females being admitted into the Saudi defense forces. India sent a three-member delegation of women officers, each of them a holder of a frontline role in the forces, to take part in the event. Annu Prakash (navy) represented the Indian armed forces at seminars during the WDS. (We are) glad to see women in Saudi Arabia being part of various services, joining Saudi defense forces. Her journey illustrated the crucial role women play in safeguarding India’s vast coastline and ensuring regional stability.

February 10, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian women’s national basketball team has qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, clinching back-to-back appearances at the prestigious global sporting event. The team made its debut at the 2004 Athens Games and then returned in 2020 for the Tokyo Olympics after a 16-year absence. While Nigeria came up short of winning any Olympic matches in Japan, Paris presents an opportunity to improve on past performances. In clinching consecutive Olympic berths, Nigeria joins the company of perennial women’s basketball powers, the United States, Australia and Spain. Nigeria came tantalisingly close to winning its first ever Olympic match in Tokyo, giving fans hope that a maiden victory in Paris is within reach.