Defence Minister Israel Katz said both Ali Larijani and General Gholam Reza Soleimani were “eliminated last night”. Iranian state media did not immediately confirm the reported deaths, but said a message from Larijani’s office would be released shortly. The announcement followed the Israeli military’s earlier statement that it had carried out a “wide scale wave of strikes” across Tehran and intensified attacks on Iran backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israel also reported two incoming missile salvos from Iran before dawn targeting Tel Aviv and other areas, while saying Hezbollah had struck northern Israel. Missiles fired towards the United Arab Emirates prompted Dubai to briefly close its airspace, and a man was killed by debris from an intercepted missile over Abu Dhabi.

Ethiopian Airlines to Resume Direct Flights to Atlanta Beginning May 21, 2026Addis Ababa, 17 March 2026Ethiopian Airlines, the largest network operating carrier in Africa, is proud to announce that it will resume its direct passenger service between Addis Ababa and Atlanta starting May 21, 2026, after a temporary interruption of the route since February 2026. The resumption further restores a key connection between Africa and the United States for business and leisure travelers. Commenting on the service resumption, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew noted, “Atlanta is one of the most vibrant markets in the United States, and Ethiopian Airlines is delighted to bring this route back into its network. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates flights to multiple destinations across the US and continues to strengthen its transatlantic network as part of its long-term growth strategy. Tickets are available through Ethiopian Airlines’ website, mobile app, global ticket offices, Global Customer interaction Centers and authorized travel agents.

Ethiopian distance runner Fotyen Tesfay has officially set the marathon world on fire with a breathtaking performance in Barcelona. In her very first attempt at the distance, the 28-year-old clocked an incredible 2:10:53, securing the second-fastest women’s time in history. Despite heavy winds hampering her final sprint, Tesfay dominated the field, finishing nearly eight minutes ahead of her closest rival. While she narrowly missed Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56 by less than a minute, her fearless debut signals a new era for long-distance running. Tesfay is already eyeing the top spot on the all-time list, declaring that she would try for it in her next marathon.

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ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called on oil companies, service stations and the public to conserve fuel, warning that escalating tensions in the Middle East are disrupting global energy supplies. “As a result of the situation in the Middle East, fuel-importing nations are facing difficulties obtaining regular shipments,” Abiy said. Regional tensions have intensified since reported joint strikes by Israel and the United States on February 28, prompting military retaliation from Iran targeting several locations across the region. The crisis has also heightened concerns over security in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global oil shipments, further fuelling anxiety over energy security. Ethiopia, which imports all of the fuel it consumes, is considered among the countries most vulnerable to disruptions in international supply chains, prompting renewed government appeals for conservation and careful management of existing resources.

NEW YORK and ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) today announced a strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, the flag carrier of Ethiopia and a member of Star Alliance. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates from JFK's Terminal 7 and will transition its New York operations to the New Terminal One when it opens in 2026. "We are honored to welcome Ethiopian Airlines to the New Terminal One's diverse group of international carriers," said Jennifer Aument, Chief Executive Officer, The New Terminal One at JFK. said Mesfin Tasew, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines Group. Ethiopian Airlines joins a growing community of leading global airlines set to serve travelers at the New Terminal One, including Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos, Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air New Zealand, Royal Air Maroc, Air China, China Airlines, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, EGYPTAIR, China Eastern Airlines, and Azores Airlines.

For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions. Kenya Says Russia Agrees to Stop Recruiting Kenyans for Ukraine WarAdvertisementKenya’s foreign minister, Musalia Mudavadi, says Moscow has agreed that Kenyan citizens will no longer be enlisted to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine. Mudavadi says Kenya will provide consular assistance to citizens currently in Russia who need help. The issue has also raised concern across Africa, though governments are taking a cautious diplomatic approach. Frustrated farmers say many of the original claimants are elderly and fear they may never see the money.

ADDIS ABABA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia has become the second most attractive foreign direct investment (FDI) destination in Africa, with China being a leading investment partner to the East African country, a senior Ethiopian official said on Monday. Zeleke Temesgen, commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), remarked at a panel discussion entitled "Ethiopia: The New Investment Destination." "Ethiopia attracted the highest in East Africa and the second highest FDI in Africa, bringing 4 billion dollars in the 2024/2025 Ethiopian fiscal year ending on July 7, 2025. This showed a 22.7 percent increase compared to the previous year, with Chinese companies investing the highest in the country," he said. He added that the EIC issued 1,477 new investment permits to foreign nationals during the previous five years.

KCB Group is targeting entering Ethiopia before the end of 2026, as it seeks to expand its regional footprint, which is increasingly playing a crucial role in driving the lender’s growth in net earnings. KCB Group has narrowed down to a target entity that it believes will provide the right cultural and strategic fit to inform its entry into the market.“Last year, we indicated that there were a number of banks we were looking at for shortlisting. We are looking at this year, we are really looking to at least make an announcement in the course of this year”, KCB Group Finance Director, Lawrence Kimathi, said in an interview. KCB Group, however, said that it will be pursuing Ethiopia market entry through the acquisition of control of the target entity, something that may face regulatory hurdles given the ceiling placed by the National Bank of Ethiopia on foreign shareholding in the liberalising banking sector. The Ethiopia entry will be the latest in a stream of acquisitions by KCB Group, with the lender having acquired a 75 percent stake in Riverbank Solutions and a minority stake in Pesapal in 2025, pointing to a leaning towards fintech capabilities.

March 16, (THEWILL) — Africa’s leading industrial conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited, has signed a landmark $4.2 billion, 25-year natural gas supply agreement with China’s major energy company, GCL Group, to power a large fertiliser production project in Ethiopia. Under the arrangement, GCL Group will supply stable natural gas to Dangote Group’s planned three-million-tonne-per-year urea fertiliser production complex currently under development in Ethiopia. According to the partners, the fertiliser plant is expected to commence operations in 2029, and once completed, will become East Africa’s largest modern fertiliser production hub. President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, said the collaboration represents a critical step toward strengthening Africa’s industrial capacity and food security. Chairman of GCL Group, Zhu Gongshan, described the agreement as a strategic milestone that would unlock new opportunities in Ethiopia’s energy, chemical and agricultural sectors.

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Mines has signed mining investment agreements worth $4.2 billion in Addis Ababa with ZYTB DIM Metals and Minerals Manufacturing PLC, Ethiopian Investment Holdings and Bero Mining and Trading PLC to develop iron ore, potash and gold resources. According to the World Bank, natural resources account for about 3% of Ethiopia’s GDP. Minister Habtamu Tegegne said the projects aim to boost industrial self-sufficiency and expand mineral exports.

Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has offered humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia after devastating floods and landslides killed at least 64 people in the country’s southern region, expressing solidarity with those affected by the disaster. The disaster was triggered by heavy rainfall that caused flooding and landslides across several communities, leaving dozens more people missing. Pakistan extends its deepest condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia over the devastating floods and landslides that stuck the country. Floods and landslides are recurring hazards in Ethiopia, particularly during periods of heavy seasonal rainfall. In recent years, Pakistan has experienced multiple devastating floods, highlighting the growing global challenges posed by climate change.

March 16, (THEWILL) — The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to support the development of Ethiopia’s emerging capital market by sharing its legal and institutional framework for resolving investment disputes. The Chairman of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST), Aminu Jinaidu, gave the assurance when he received the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Legesse Geremens Haile, during a courtesy visit in Abuja. Jinaidu assured the envoy that the Tribunal would do everything within its capacity to assist Ethiopia in strengthening the legal mechanisms needed to support a stable and credible capital market. Speaking earlier, Haile disclosed that Ethiopia had recently established a capital market system, including the Ethiopian Securities Exchange and the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, to safeguard investor interests and support economic development. He also reiterated Ethiopia’s interest in deepening both political and economic relations with Nigeria, expressing confidence that lessons drawn from Nigeria’s experience would assist his country in developing credible and efficient capital market institutions.

The bishops added that violence against defenseless people cannot be justified under any circumstance. “Such violence against defenseless people cannot be justified by any religious teachings, culture, or political reasons,” the statement said. Amid rising tensions in parts of the country, the bishops urged Ethiopians to resist hatred and division. Meanwhile, Ethiopia is also grappling with a natural disaster in the south of the country. In July 2024, more than 250 people were killed in southern Ethiopia after heavy rains triggered a massive mudslide.

Fotyen Tesfay of Ethiopia ran an incredible 2:10:51 to win the Zurich Barcelona Marathon in Spain on Sunday, recording the second-fastest time in world history for a woman and the fastest-ever debut at the distance. “Today was fantastic—not what I was expecting, but it is good,” she told the race broadcaster, according to World Athletics . She tested positive in March 2025 and her results from then on were disqualified, but her world record still stands. Chepngetich’s world record mark was met with skepticism at the time, as it improved Tigst Assefa’s previous world record of 2:11:53 by almost two minutes. Tesfay is the first woman since Chepngetich to beat Assefa’s mark, which itself was a world record by more than two minutes when she ran it at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.