Islamabad : Pakistan Works Department (PWD), Ministry of Housing and Works has upgraded and renovated as many as 2,385 houses and flats in various sectors of Islamabad during the last five and half years. “The PWD has carried out EM works of as many as 1,365 flats and houses while around 1,012 civil work is executed of different categories,” an official in the ministry told APP. Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) representatives are seen in a meeting to review the progress of development projects. — Facebook/DhoIslamabadThe official said the ministry has owned as many as 5,253 houses and flats of categories-I to categories-V located in various sectors in the federal capital. He said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was responsible for the maintenance and renovation of Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, therefore, no fund has been spent on ministry’s renovation.

ALKHOBAR: With the lingering scent of freshly fried fish and the enticing aroma of brewed coffee, Alkhobar welcomed its first Seafood Festival recently, just a short walk from the corniche. A wide range of seafood is available to buy from local eateries, from fish tacos and poke bowls to traditional rice dishes and soups. The festival, which features about 30 booths, is not just about food, but also offers educational and recreational activities. “This festival represents a valuable opportunity to explore various flavors from around the world, with the participation of a selection of seafood restaurants. We have participated at another local festival before, but this is the first Seafood Festival outside in the fresh air, and honestly, I’m shocked at the crowd and how popular it is.

KARACHI - Caretaker Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Madad Ali Sindhi graced the Ethiopian Pavilion with his presence at the Karachi Festival on Saturday. On arrival, the minister was welcomed by Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker Abdula. The minister, on the occasion, witnessed mesmerizing cultural performances at the pavilion and savoured Ethiopian coffee which had become the centre of attraction at the Karachi Feast. Madad Ali Sindhi commended Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula for the commendable initiative of introducing Ethiopian tourism and culture to Pakistan. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula extended gratitude to the minister for gracing the Ethiopian tourism pavilion with his presence.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Madad Ali Sindhi graced the Ethiopian Pavilion with his presence at the Karachi Festival on Saturday. On arrival, the minister was welcomed by Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker Abdula. The minister, on the occasion, witnessed mesmerizing cultural performances at the pavilion and savoured Ethiopian coffee which had become the centre of attraction at the Karachi Feast. Madad Ali Sindhi commended Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula for the commendable initiative of introducing Ethiopian tourism and culture to Pakistan. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula extended gratitude to the minister for gracing the Ethiopian tourism pavilion with his presence.

That sets up a fast and furious special election on February 13 that could preview the parties’ standing among suburbanites — the nation’s most impactful voting group — ahead of the November 2024 election, when every House seat will be up for grabs. While Pilip, a mother of seven, is actually registered as a Democrat, she has twice won races for the county legislature on the Republican Party line. Based on early comments, a leading strategy in this special election will be to cast the opponent as an extremist. Thus, aside from the Israel-Hamas war, she has taken few publicized positions on hot button national issues that energize voters. Can Suozzi taint Pilip by reminding voters that, before repudiating him, Mazi had campaigned alongside Santos and said that he was an “amazing” friend?

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 16,899 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. According to an official report, a total of 11,033 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,493 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,373 for labor-related issues. The report showed that among the 769 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 39 percent were Yemeni, 58 percent Ethiopian, and 3 percent were of other nationalities. A further 80 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 11 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators. Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.

Earlier this week, an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 ran off the runway at Oslo Gardermoen prior to it’s departure. Incident: Ethiopian 787 Runs off Runway in Oslo Gardermoen Airport…Data provided by RadarBox.com. Ethiopian Airlines flight ET715 is a routine scheduled flight between Oslo Gardermoen Airport and Stockholm Arlanda, with the affected rotation being operated by ET-ATH. 📸VG pic.twitter.com/jZws9VLZCp — FL360aero (@fl360aero) December 21, 2023Ethiopian Airlines flight ET715 pushed back from a very snowy Oslo Gardermoen Airport on December 21 and taxied out to the active runway. It is understood that all occupants are safe, but air traffic in Oslo Gardermoen was disrupted as a result of this incident.

In a move which aims to bolster its operational efficiency, Virgin Australia has taken the decision to insource its Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne international ramp (baggage handling) operations, effective early 2024. Domestic Ramp OperationsVirgin Australia has been at the forefront of insourced domestic ramp operations across major airports, a testament to its commitment to quality service and operational control. Photo Credit: Virgin AustraliaFleet Expansion and OpportunitiesThe decision to insource international ramp operations is not just a response to the present but a strategic anticipation of the future. Virgin Australia is set to receive a new fleet of fuel-efficient aircraft, opening doors to growth and development. The Road Ahead: Seizing OpportunitiesAs Virgin Australia takes charge of its international ramp operations, the aviation industry sees a strategic shift that goes beyond immediate gains.

Academics Discuss Ethiopia’s Need for East African SeaportsIn a landmark forum held at Semera University, Ethiopian scholars convened to dissect the nation’s pressing need for access to seaports in the East African region. This assembly comes on the heels of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government underscoring the significance of Red Sea access for Ethiopia. He also emphasized that academic and research-based deliberations are integral in outlining Ethiopia’s genuine intention for a win-win approach to sea access. Empowering Ethiopia’s Red Sea AccessThe scholars discussed Ethiopia’s legal and economic rights to a seagate, along with the internal and external factors propelling the nation towards this goal. Samara University, being geographically close to the Red Sea, has a heightened responsibility to conduct scientific research to foster mutual understanding, development, and prosperity in Ethiopia’s quest for sea access.

The left page of the little book — on view at the Walters Art museum for the next three months — contains a drawing of a man who comes perilously close to dying for his art while painting a religious icon from atop a scaffold. After the Walters, the exhibition will travel to two other museums: the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, and Ohio’s Toledo Museum of Art. “The story of Ethiopian art is one of community,” museum director Julia Marciari-Alexander wrote in the catalog accompanying the exhibits. “Early Ethiopian images of the crucifixion don’t show Christ,” Sciacca said. “Ethiopia at the Crossroads” runs through March 3 at the Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St.

Recently, regional authorities announced plans to facilitate the return of over 1,725 individuals who were displaced from their homes in the Oromia region and are currently seeking refuge in the Farta district of the South Gondar Zone in the Amhara region. IDPs sheltered in the Farta district, who shared their concerns in a recent discussion, emphasized that they fled the Oromia region, forsaking their assets and homes to avoid the strife. Belay highlighted that ongoing conflict in the Amhara region has complicated the distribution of food aid to IDPs in the South Gondar Zone. The dire situation extends beyond the South Gondar Zone. In January 2023, the Disaster Prevention and Food Security Commission of the region reported a staggering influx of evacuees, with the number of people displaced from four zones in the Oromia region and seeking refuge in the Amhara region surpassing one million.

These principles are enshrined here and therein the present constitution of Ethiopia as well as the country’s foreign and national security policies and strategies. When it comes to practice, however, geo-political realities and the ideological camp to which it belonged have driven the nation’s foreign policy. Successive Ethiopian governments thus have not always acted in the letter or spirit of the tenets articulated in official foreign and national security policy documents. Ethiopia’s foreign relations were relatively independent for decades after the emergence of a multi-polar, poly-centric global order in the wake of the end of the Cold War era. By threading the needle carefully as it seeks to weave strong relationships with the West and China, Ethiopia can more effectively advocate for its priorities and negotiate optimal terms for cooperation.

Revised 2024 anti-doping rules enforced from January deadlineThe World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has issued a pressing reminder to athletes, their entourage, and all stakeholders regarding significant modifications to the use of tramadol. Effective January 1, 2024, the updated 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List) and the 2024 Monitoring Program will come into force, leaving no room for leniency. The complete 2024 List was unveiled on September 28, 2023, granting athletes, their entourage, and other stakeholders ample time of over three months to acquaint themselves with the modifications. It is of utmost importance for athletes to understand that they bear sole responsibility for any prohibited substances detected in their bodies or the use of prohibited methods. Accountability extends beyond athletes themselves; even their entourages can be held liable for anti-doping rule violations if found to be complicit.

General News of Saturday, 23 December 2023Source: www.ghanaweb.comTamirat Getachew a resident of Asosa has left his fellow Ethoiapians astonished with his unique ability of befriending honey bees. In a display that defies common caution, Tamirat fearlessly allows swarms of bees to envelop his bare chest and head, all without wearing any protective gear. "I have a special ability to put bees on myself without covering my lips and ears," he adds. Over time, it has become clear that he shares a special bond with honey bees, a connection that sets him apart in a neighborhood where bee farmers typically harvest honey at night to avoid stings. This practice is particularly common in rural parts of Ethiopia, where bee stings have been shown to be potentially lethal.

KARACHI: Governor of Sindh Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori and Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan Jemal Beker Abdula opened the Ethiopian Tourism Desk on Friday. The pavilion, giving a captivating display of Ethiopia’s multifaceted culture, rich heritage, and unparalleled tourism offerings, was a testament to the enduring bond between Ethiopia and Pakistan. Governor Tessori, addressing the media, emphasised the longstanding relations between the two nations, rooted in shared history, values, culture, and religion. Moreover, the Governor expressed gratitude to the Government of Ethiopia for launching Ethiopian Airlines in Karachi which played a critical role in connecting Pakistan with the whole African continent. Ambassador Abdula, in his address, highlighted how the Ethiopian Embassy had effectively brought Africa closer to Pakistan through the commencement of Ethiopian Airlines operations in Karachi.