Threatened Ethiopian cabaret lives to dance another day
ADDIS ABABA - A beloved monument to Ethiopia's traditional cabaret culture, the historic nightclub Fendika is running on borrowed time, having just escaped demolition. Two decades earlier, Fendika was one of 17 "azmari bet" (a venue hosting performances by Ethiopia's azmari musicians) in the Kazanchis district, a neighbourhood harkening back to Addis Ababa's jazz-fuelled era. Today, it is the only one still standing, says Melaku Belay, the 43-year-old owner and director of Fendika. Comparable to medieval troubadours, the azmari are itinerant poet-musicians from rural Ethiopia, who improvise songs while playing the masenqo, a single-string bowed lute made of wood, horsehair and raw hide. Their songs are rich in metaphors and double meanings, humorously mocking their audience, civil society and even powerful elites -- reflecting a freedom of expression rarely seen in Ethiopia.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 18:16 UTC
‘Apartheid’ psyops
The romanticism of grifters has been present in musical theater since before Harold Hill proclaimed “Ya Got Trouble” in “The Music Man;” and way after Starbuck claimed he could make it rain in “110 in the Shade.” It is hard for anyone to resist charm and charisma, even when it is all part of…
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 17:57 UTC
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Cairo building collapse kills twelve
Twelve people have died, including three children, and one was injured after a five-storey apartment building collapsed in the Hadayek Al Qubba district of Cairo on Monday, the city's civil protection authority said. Rescue teams are at the site searching for survivors beneath the rubble, officials told Egyptian TV news on Monday. All but two people in the area are unaccounted for and the search is ongoing, police officials told The National. A preliminary investigation into the incident determined the building collapsed because a resident on the ground floor had knocked down one of his walls during renovation. On Sunday, another building collapsed in the coastal city of Alexandria that left two dead and three injured.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 16:51 UTC
Egypt: building collapses in Cairo killing 9 people
A five-storey building collapsed in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Monday, killing at least nine people, authorities said, as rescuers dig through the rubble. Building collapses are common in Egypt, where shoddy construction and lack of maintenance are widespread in slums, city slums and rural areas. Four survivors were also taken to hospital and authorities evacuated a nearby building, according to MENA. Police forces cordoned off the area while rescue teams searched the rubble for possible survivors, according to local reports. Authorities are also building new towns and neighborhoods to relocate people living in at-risk areas.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 16:26 UTC
Bersi Ethiopian Restaurant Officially Open on Manhattan Avenue
After months of mystery and a limited social media presence, Bersi Ethiopian Restaurant finally opened its doors on 1049 Manhattan Avenue. And it already debuted to rave reviews, if Google is to be believed. Bersi, which focuses on vegan and vegetarian cuisine, took over from the long-vacant Ria Bella pizza place. Image via InstagramThe Bersi Instagram account highlights some of the menu’s standouts, such as misir wot (lentils cooked with Ethiopian spices) and emama fitfit (chickpeas, tomato, and carrots mixed with pieces of flatbread). According to a quick Google search, the team is still on the hunt for a server to join the team, so if that sounds like you, apply here.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 15:37 UTC
Venezuela left its green footprint in Ethiopia
Speaking to Prensa Latina, he expressed the commitment of the Venezuelan government to protect the environment after participating together with the diplomatic representatives accredited here and representatives of international organizations in the planting of 500 million tree seedlings. The latter, planned only this Monday, respond to the national initiative launched by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, and which also involved all sectors of society in the second stage of the Green Legacy Initiative. The Venezuelan delegation left its mark with 20 trees planted in the Gulele Botanical Garden in the capital. “Congratulations to the government of Ethiopia for the initiative to implement the program of 500 million trees in 12 hours”, Ruiz Espinoza emphasized . He said the joy of the diplomatic community’s participation, together with the Ethiopian people and government, was evident even under the rain this morning.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 14:37 UTC
Historic Ethiopian cabaret club saved from demolition
The last of 17 historic venues known as Azmari Bets, the Ethiopian cabaret club Fendika has been saved from demolition in Addis Ababa. Situated in the Kazanchis district of Ethiopia's capital, the Azmari Bet, or House of Azmari in Amharic, originally hosted performances by Ethiopia's Azmari musicians. A cultural centreThe cabaret club was bought by Melaku Belay, who took over its running in 2008. A new chapterIn June, when the local council announced demolition plans for the Azmari Bet and the construction of a luxury hotel in its place, musicians, artists and regulars were shocked. "It's an essential place" for Ethiopian artists, explained Eden Mulu, a 30-year-old painter and designer who has exhibited at Fendika.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 14:11 UTC
Freight train derails in southeast Pennsylvania, but no known injuries or hazards
WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — A freight train derailment in southeast Pennsylvania early Monday spurred precautionary evacuations, but officials said no injuries were reported and there was no known hazard to the public. The 40-car CSX train, which was operating on tracks owned by Norfolk Southern, derailed around 4:50 a.m. in a wooded area Whitemarsh Township. CSX said at least 16 cars went off the tracks, but local officials later said 15 cars had derailed. Twelve nearby homes were evacuated shortly after the derailment was reported “out of an abundance of caution,” Whitemarsh Township Police Chief Christopher Ward said. Among the other derailed cars, five contained urea, a liquid fertilizer, and another had tetrachloroethylene, which is used as a dry cleaning agent and metal degreasing solvent.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 13:38 UTC
H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene Welcomes Ethiopian Young Mid-Level Leaders through the Chevening Program
Ambassador Hirut Zemene welcomed Chevening Ethiopia Leadership Fellowship Class of 2023 from various Ethiopian institutions including, National Election Board of Ethiopia, Ministry of Health, Bahir Dar University, St.Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical Collage,Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical Collage, Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Ethiopian Women with Disabilities National Association and Eco-Justice Ethiopia, a local NGO on the 14th of July 2023 in the Embassy premises. On the Occasion, the Ambassador shared her experiences in leadership in the field of diplomacy and briefed the young leaders about the Embassy’s various endeavours in Benelux countries and European institutions. She also encouraged them to be builders of Ethiopia, a country where innovation and youth leadership in all sectors are needed to promote the interest of the country in numerous areas. The tour was part of their engagement in the UK, France and Belgium. The Embassy receives Ethiopian trainees of the chevening scholarship annually and furnishes experience sharing briefing.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 13:20 UTC
News: Online media outlet Ethiopia Insider suffers robbery, jeopardizing daily news production
Addis Abeba – An online media news outlet, Ethiopia Insider, managed under Haq Media and Communication, fell victim to a robbery last night. Haq Media and Communication issued a statement today, suggesting that the theft may be related to the significant pressure the media outlet has been facing due to daily reports. The statement provided details of the incident, explaining that Ethiopia Insider staff members had worked until 4:00 p.m. the previous day and securely locked the premises before leaving. Ethiopia Insider has reported the incident to the Bole Sub-City police station, where some staff members have provided statements. Tesfalem stated that Haq Media and Communication will closely monitor the police investigation and provide updates regarding any outcomes.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 12:55 UTC
Equipment Stolen From Ethiopia Insider Ethiopian Media Outlet In “suspected Targeted”attack
Ethiopia InsiderAn Ethiopian media outlet, Ethiopia Insider, says it was robbed of cameras, laptops, and other equipment in what it suspects was an orchestrated attack. The owner of Ethiopia Insider, Haq Media & Communications, said staff left their office in the capital Addis Ababa locked around 4pm on Sunday. Three digital cameras, two zoom lenses, four laptops and a smartphone were stolen from the media outlet, according to a statement released by Haq Media on Monday. “Ethiopia Insider has been publishing objective and impartial stories for the last three years,” said the statement from Haq Media, adding that the theft would negatively impact their efforts to produce quality reports. The robbery is the second such incident to hit Ethiopian media in recent times.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 11:50 UTC
GERD is Good for Nile Neighbours, No Harm Intended to Egypt: Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed
GERD is Good for Nile Neighbours, No Harm Intended to Egypt: Ethiopian PM Abiy AhmedEthiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assured Egypt and neighbouring Nile nations that the country’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will bring benefits rather than harm – stressing that Ethiopia does not intend to jeopardize the water security of downstream countries. “Our development needs in both the upstream and downstream countries are increasing due to population growth,” declared Ahmed in the statement. Al-Sisi’s diplomatic efforts were made clear through Ahmed’s invitation to Cairo last week – Ahmed’s first visit to Cairo since June 2018. The controversial dam, which has been subject to contentious debates and diplomatic discord over its impact on downstream countries, rescheduled GERD’s fourth phase of filling to early September. The decision to delay, announced by Ahmed to the Ethiopian Parliament on 6 July, was to ensure no harm was caused to downstream neighbours.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 10:25 UTC
Authorities Believe Israeli Faked Kidnapping in Ethiopia
Photo Credit: Yoav Dudkevitch/TPSIsraeli authorities have scrapped a search for a man allegedly kidnapped in Ethiopia after determining the incident was a hoax. The Foreign Ministry now believes that Francis Adbabayi, 79, from Rishon Lezion, who traveled to his native country of Ethiopia a few weeks ago, faked his own abduction in order to keep the ransom. Help me… This trouble I wouldn’t wish upon my enemies,” Adbabayi reportedly said in the recording. Israeli officials were working with Interpol on the matter. Authorities reportedly dropped the case after discovering that Adebabayi had answered incoming phone calls from Israeli numbers.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 10:25 UTC
Reach for the Skies
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Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 10:22 UTC
Ethiopia's Ambassador Recognises Ugandans for Active Participation in Addis Conference
The ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu has awarded a certificate of appreciation to the Ugandans who participated at the recent concluded 2nd High-Level Conference. The conference was held on June 22, 2023 in Ethiopia capital, Addis Ababa. Speaking at the award ceremony in Kampala, the ambassador highlighted the embassy's major achievements secured during the Budget Year 2015 E.C. He also expressed that 60% of Ethiopians remain in the dark without access to electricity; "Must the Ethiopian Government remain ideal without addressing this major need of its people? In addition, the ambassador also bid farewell to the three Embassy diplomats who completed their tour of diplomatic duty.
Source:Ethiopian News
July 17, 2023 10:11 UTC