Turkey has begun mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia over a port deal Addis Ababa signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland earlier this year, according to four officials familiar with the matter. The goal of the negotiation was unclear, and expectations of a resolution were low, two of the officials said. “Despite rumours that Somalia has softened its stance on refusing to engage in dialogue until Ethiopia withdraws the (agreement), it seems unlikely,” one of the officials said. Turkey has built schools, hospitals and infrastructure and provided scholarships for Somalis to study in Turkey, and in return secured a foothold in Africa and on a key global shipping route. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Giulia Paravicini; Additional reporting by Dawit Endeshaw and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Hereward Holland and Alex Richardson)

Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..TonightScattered thunderstorms. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Shewangizaw Wegayehu07/02/2024 July 2, 2024Farmers in one part of southern Ethiopia are making their own organic compost with the help of earthworms. It's good for the farmers and the wider region. After initial resistance, the practice is catching on fast, bringing positive change.

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At an invitation of their Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, Foreign Ministers Taye Atske Selassie (Ethiopia) and Ahmed Moallim Fiqi (Somalia) met in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, where they held a frank, cordial, and forward-looking conversation on their differences, and explored ways to address them within a mutually acceptable framework. The statement noted that the representatives of Addis Ababa and Mogadishu reiterated their commitment to settle their differences peacefully. They expressed their appreciation to Fidan and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for facilitating the initiative and for their constructive contributions. They also agreed to meet in Ankara on September 2 for a second round of talks. jg/iff/arc/nmr

Turkey is mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia over a contentious port deal that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland earlier this year, according to officials with inside knowledge of the matter. Ethiopia had agreed to recognize Somaliland’s independence in exchange for the lease of 20km of the region’s coastline. Turkey shares a close relationship with Somalia and has rendered significant assistance to the East African country. Nevertheless, expectations are low that the negotiations will lead to a resolution, unless Ethiopia rescinds its agreement with Somaliland. SOURCE: THE EAST AFRICAN

Somalia: Ethiopia is not willing to withdraw Sea MoU with SomalilandMOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has expressed his concerns about Ethiopia's approach to seeking to access the sea, noting that the country has neither shown remorse nor commitment to withdraw the controversial agreement with Somaliland. He was speaking after talks between Ethiopia and Somalia ended in Turkey without a breakthrough. He said Ethiopia and Somalia delegates did not hold direct talks, but Turkey was acting as the intermediary. The talks in Ankara are yet to iron out the differences as Somalia maintained the agreement ought to be dropped for sanity to prevail. A statement released on Monday in Ankara indicates that Somalia and Ethiopia signed a joint declaration in Turkey, which expresses mutual willingness to resolve their issues.

Turkey mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia on Monday to ease diplomatic tensions between the two African neighbors, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, and his Somalian counterpart, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, had a candid and forward-looking exchange concerning their differences, facilitated by Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan. The tensions arose after Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, which Somalia condemned as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The memorandum aimed to grant Ethiopia access to the sea through Somaliland in exchange for Ethiopia recognizing Somaliland as an independent country. Prior to the January memorandum, Somalia and Ethiopia had enjoyed peaceful relations.

He also expressed appreciation for PSI’s involvement and ECA’s assistance in developing the Ethiopia National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. The Minister highlighted that the forum, with its wide-ranging stakeholder representation, is a crucial step towards establishing a successful National AfCFTA implementation Strategy. Beyene Petros, the Director General of PSI, emphasized the importance of full commitment and ownership from all stakeholders in the development and implementation of the strategy. The forum was a pivotal platform for driving meaningful discussions and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders to advance the development of Ethiopia’s AfCFTA Implementation strategy. It marked a significant milestone for Ethiopia’s endeavors toward regional integration.

NEW ULM — Like a breath of fresh air, an African Arab provided nearly an hour of comic relief, hitting many subjects to an appreciative audience Saturday at the New Ulm Public Library. Sultan told a gripping story about nearly being mugged at 2 a.m. one night. Sultan said he’s learned that he intimidates certain groups of people at night, especially older, white people. When not doing stand up comedy, Ali makes short videos. His short Zoom Legend won the Best Short Mockumentary Film Award at the 2021 Reno Film Comedy Fest.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest network operating carrier, celebrated the inauguration of a new four-times-weekly service to Warsaw, Poland, yesterday evening. The launch event was attended by senior government officials from Ethiopia, top executives from Ethiopian Airlines, Przemysław Bobak, Polish Ambassador to Ethiopia, and other esteemed guests. The new route marks a significant milestone in Ethiopian Airlines' global expansion strategy, as highlighted by the airline's Group CEO during the ceremony. Beyond its commercial significance, the new service is expected to foster closer ties between Ethiopia and Poland. The Polish Ambassador, Przemysław Bobak, echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence that the new flight route will significantly benefit both nations, bolstering trade relations and promoting cultural exchange.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump debated each other Thursday, June 27, with CNN journalists Dana Bash and Jake Tapper moderating. After the debate, the talk on TV and online was about Biden’s poor performance. His people said he had a cold, and it is well known he has a lifelong speech impediment. Do you think Biden should step aside for a new Democratic candidate?

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey says it has mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease diplomatic tensions between the east African neighbors. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry says that the Ethiopian and Somalian foreign ministers were “able to separately have a candid, cordial and forward-looking exchange” on Monday concerning their differences. A second round of discussions is planned in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Sept. 2. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, which Somalia denounced as infringing upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The memorandum was to allow Ethiopia’s access to the sea through Somaliland and in return Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country.

Some of the lawyers involved in the case, however, say a plea deal is better than nothing. Can the judge block a plea deal? If the judge rejects a plea deal, Boeing and the Justice Department could negotiate a new agreement or go to trial. Lawyers for the families say that if Boeing accepts the plea deal, they will ask O'Connor to reject it. What are other potential implications of a Boeing plea?

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey says it has mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease diplomatic tensions between the east African neighbors. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry says that the Ethiopian and Somalian foreign ministers were “able to separately have a candid, cordial and forward-looking exchange” on Monday concerning their differences. A second round of discussions is planned in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Sept. 2. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, which Somalia denounced as infringing upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The memorandum was to allow Ethiopia’s access to the sea through Somaliland and in return Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country.