I’m crossing my fingers, pre-results, that Nile Ethiopian takes the Readers’ Picks crown this year so that together we can give it a double birthday present, because 2026 marks 20 years in business for this wonderful, colorful, humble and no-doubt flavorful slice of I-Drive’s unbelievable, under-the-radar dining scene. And while you’re at it, look outside the theme park zone for additional options, like last year’s winner: Yene Romay. Critic’s ChoiceWinner: Nile Ethiopian Cuisine, 7048 International Drive in Orlando, 407-354-0026; nileorlando.comRunners-up: Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine in Orlando and Yene Romay Ethiopian Kitchen, food truckReaders’ ChoiceWinner: Boma – Flavors of Africa, 2901 Osceola Parkway in Lake Buena VistaRunners-up: Nile Ethiopian Cuisine in Orlando and Jiko – The Cooking Place in Lake Buena Vista2026 Foodie Awards: Click here to see all the winners! Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.

The combination of higher fuel prices and longer flight paths will squeeze airline margins and could push ticket prices higher in the coming weeks. Jet fuel prices surge after strikes on IranJet fuel prices have risen since the escalation of the conflict in late February, due to disruption to energy supply routes in the Middle East. Each additional hour in the air increases fuel burn and crew costs, raising operating costs substantially when multiplied across large airline networks. The combination of higher fuel costs and higher fuel burn could spell trouble for the airline industry, which has historically operated on razor-thin margins. Operational knock-on costs of rerouting around closed airspaceRerouting has a financial impact beyond fuel costs.

Convened under the ILO Global Skills Programme in collaboration with national partners, the consultation brought together key stakeholders to discuss governance structures, institutional roles and lessons learned from similar initiatives in other sectors, particularly agro-processing, where a Sector Skills Body has already been established. Dr. Feteh Weldesenbet Zeberga, President of the Ethiopian Hotel and Tourism Employers Federation, described the initiative as both timely and strategic. "The Sector Skills Body (SSB) for Ethiopian Tourism and Hospitality is a timely and strategic initiative for Ethiopia. "As vice chairman of a Sector Skills Body (SSB) for Agribusiness, we have already gained valuable experience in aligning industry needs with skills development systems, strengthening collaboration between employers, training institutions, and government bodies. As discussions move toward concrete next steps, stakeholders underscored that sustained partner engagement and institutional capacity building will be critical to ensuring that the Sector Skills Body becomes not merely a policy commitment, but a functional and enduring mechanism for sector transformation.

Warning: This press release contains descriptions of sexual violence and torture. Nine had been attacked by OLA fighters, while one endured violence from both an ENDF soldier and OLA fighters. Two of the survivors fell pregnant as a result of the sexual violence they were subjected to. Another survivor, Anisa* who was pregnant at the time of the interview (as a result of the sexual violence), was also held in sexual slavery by OLA fighters at the end of 2024. However, they were afraid of seeking medical aid, including abortion care and testing for sexually transmitted infections, for fear of reprisals by the OLA fighters and authorities, and the stigma associated with sexual violence.

“Rebels in Ethiopia's most populous region of Oromia have committed summary executions, gang rapes and sexual slavery against women and girls between 2020 and 2024,” Amnesty International said on Friday (March 6, 2026). Amnesty interviewed 10 survivors of sexual violence in two districts of Oromia, including seven who were minors at the time of their assaults, as well as health professionals. "Nine had been attacked by OLA fighters, while one endured violence from both an (Ethiopian Army) soldier and OLA fighters," Amnesty said in a report. The women told Amnesty that they believed they were "raped by OLA fighters as a reprisal for having husbands, brothers or fathers in government forces." Read | Rebels kill 48 in Ethiopia’s Oromia: rights agencyAmhara, the second most populous region, has also been plagued by clashes since 2023 between the federal army and rebels.

Social MediaBorkenaToronto – Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council President Haji Sheikh Ibrahim Tufa on Thursday expressed his condolences over the assassination of Iran’s spiritual and political leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He condemned the killing of Khamenei and signed a book of condolence at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. “Ethiopian Muslims stand on the side of Iranian brothers at this difficult time,” he is cited as saying. The Iranian leader was killed on Saturday after the United States and Israel started a joint bombing campaign. __Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkenaLike borkena on FacebookBorkena Ethiopian News Youtube ChannelTo submit Press Release, send submission to info@borkena.comAdd your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business DirectoryJoin the conversation.

Twenty-two-year-old Abeba Amdu has seen some of the best years of her life consumed by war - and she has no wish to see another conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, which some fear could be about to break out.

Kojak fingerprint scanners from Integrated Biometrics are playing a major role in the enrollment of citizens for Ethiopia’s Fayda digital ID, in a move that is advancing digital inclusion of the country’s total population. Since 2023, Ethiopia has been implementing the Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project with funding from the World Bank. Over 90 agencies have also integrated their services with the digital ID system, making identity verification and authentication easier. With the Fayda digital ID, Ethiopians now easily have access to a wide range of services from public institutions and the private sector. Article Topicsbiometric enrollment | biometrics | Digital Ethiopia 2030 | digital ID | digital inclusion | Ethiopia | Ethiopia National ID Program (NIDP) | Fayda | fingerprint biometrics | Integrated Biometrics

Jimma University in Ethiopia is advancing national efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the Local Production of Antibiotic Disc (LoPAD) project, an innovative initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the LEAD Innovation Challenge Program. On 17 February 2026, a joint delegation from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute, and WHO visited Jimma University to review progress and discuss scaling the innovation. High-level discussions brought together Jimma University leadership and senior representatives from government and international organizations to explore transitioning the innovation from research to scalable manufacturing, addressing regulatory alignment, quality assurance, and approval pathways. Dr. Bejoy Nambiar, Health Systems and Policy Advisor at WHO Ethiopia, praised Jimma University for its leadership, noting that the LoPAD project represents a milestone in strengthening diagnostic capacity and Ethiopia’s response to AMR. Collaboration among academia, government, and international partners is central to translating such innovations into scalable solutions that expand laboratory access, protect public health, and strengthen Ethiopia’s health system.

SubscribeUganda Airlines has signed a deal with Ethiopian Airlines to lease a single Boeing 787-8 aircraft to service its flights to London Gatwick and Mumbai, local media reports suggest. Photo: Markus Mainka | stock.adobe.comThe problem with suspending London Gatwick flights is that it is at risk of losing its slots. Uganda Airlines resumes long-haul flights with Ethiopian Airlines ACMI leaseOn social media on Thursday, Uganda Airlines said that it would be resuming select long-haul flights. Management links: Uganda Airlines’ new boss is ex-Ethiopian AirlinesThe Chief Executive of Uganda Airlines, Jenifer Bamuturaki, stepped down last month following considerable criticism over the airline’s poor financial performance. The Ugandan government appointed Wake to address the “current weaknesses in the leadership and management of Uganda Airlines,” drawing on his experience as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.

Nardi Restaurant opened this February at 3415 Telegraph Ave. in the Pill Hill neighborhood, next to the old Taste of Denmark bakery. The chef and owner is Nardos Alemu, who used to run a restaurant living back in Ethiopia. Right now, there are two pages devoted to food on the menu: breakfast on one, lunch and dinner on the other. Adventurous diners might try the dulet for breakfast — minced liver and beef sauteed with onions and spice powder. There’s also genfo, a warm wheat porridge with spiced butter, and bula, a vegetarian mash made from the stem of the false-banana tree.

Abdulla Rasheed Editor - Abu DhabiAbdullah Rashid Al Hammadi is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in both Arabic and English media. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, D.C., he reported for Alittihad and became a member of the National Press Club. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and the wider Arab world.

Ethiopia has launched its first “smart” police stations—unmanned facilities where citizens can report crimes and concerns without ever speaking to an on-site officer. This initiative marks a significant milestone as Africa’s first fully unmanned police service, aligning with the country’s ambitious Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy. Uniformed officers were initially on hand to guide users, but the long-term vision is for fully automated, officer-free operations. Ethiopia’s internet penetration is low, with many lacking digital literacy or reliable access, potentially excluding rural, older, or low-income populations. This unmanned model could redefine policing across Africa—if the digital divide can be bridged.

In an Public Notice published on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Tanzania Immigration Services Department announced that its immigration system is currently unavailable following a technical incident. Visa on arrival in Tanzania remains available for eligible travelersDespite the temporary disruption, Tanzanian authorities emphasized that visas on arrival continue to be fully available. In this context, immigration authorities remind travelers that eligible foreign visitors can still obtain a visa directly upon arrival, in accordance with the country’s immigration policy. What if your Tanzania e-Visa application is already in progress? For travelers who have already submitted and paid for an electronic visa (e-Visa) application but have not yet received confirmation, the authorities have not outlined any specific procedure in their statement.

Ethio telecom and Sweden-based telecommunications giant Ericsson are partnering on a network expansion project that will reportedly bring 4G-LTE to more than 100 towns across Ethiopia. Ericsson re-established its presence in the late 1990s, and has since played an important role in expanding Ethiopia’s telecom network. Under the leadership of Frehiwot, who took over as CEO in 2018, Ethio telecom and Ericsson have revived their long-lived partnership. Ericsson’s equipment has been a crucial part of the LTE and 5G network expansion the telecom operator has undertaken in recent years. An Ethio telecom report published in October 2024 indicated USD 19 million in outstanding obligations to Ericsson.