The National Bank of Ethiopia doubles forex retention limit for exporters
The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has decided to double the percentage of foreign currency that Ethiopian exporters can retain from their export earnings. As per the existing regulation, exporters were required to surrender 70 percent of their foreign currency earnings to the central bank at the prevailing exchange rate. - Advertisement -However, in a decision passed today, the NBE has doubled the retention limit for exporters to 40 percent of their foreign exchange proceeds. Now, exporters will have to surrender only 50 percent of the forex earnings to the central bank. Frezer Ayalew, the Director of Banking Supervision at the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), confirmed the decision has been made “but it will take effect once a circular has been issued to banks.”The move aims to incentivize exporters and boost Ethiopia’s export competitiveness in international markets.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 10:46 UTC
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Israel evacuates 200 people from northern Ethiopia
Israel has evacuated more than 200 Israelis and people eligible for citizenship from conflict areas in northern Ethiopia. Most of the evacuees were taken from the northern city of Gondar on Thursday, while 30 were rescued from the nearby city of Bahir Dar, the Israeli Prime Minister's office said. “The State of Israel looks after its citizens wherever they are,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “In recent days, Israeli citizens and people eligible for aliyah [citizenship] from Ethiopia became in distress in areas of combat. Ethiopian Jews in the Amhara region.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 10:44 UTC
Israel rescues 200 of its citizens from from battle zone in Ethiopia
Israel rescues 200 of its citizens from from battle zone in EthiopiaIsrael “looks after its citizens wherever they are.”By World Israel News StaffApproximately 200 Israeli citizens and prospective immigrants have been evacuated from the conflict-stricken region of Gondar, Ethiopia, in planes sent by Israel amid escalating violence between the Ethiopian Army and Fano militiamen in the Amhara region. Among those rescued were Israeli tourists, Jewish Agency staff, and 50 locals who are will immigrate to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the “quick, quiet and – above all – successful” inter-ministerial operation. “Israeli citizens and people eligible for aliyah from Ethiopia became in distress in areas of combat. “We will welcome them [to Israel] with warmth and blessings,” the prime minister said.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 10:42 UTC
Ethiopia’s restive Amhara ‘calm’ after govt claims militia retreat
The government said Wednesday it had imposed curfews in six major cities hit by the unrest in the northern region, including the capital Bahir Dar and the holy city of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The State of Emergency General Directorate announced the move after declaring that the armed forces had “freed” the cities from local fighters it described as bandits. There has been no official casualty toll, but hospital doctors in two of the affected cities told AFP on Wednesday that scores of civilians caught up in the violence had been killed or injured. “The ENDF (Ethiopian National Defence Force) has regained ground in many places and controls the major cities,” one aid worker based in the city of Dessie said on condition of anonymity. “However, scores of districts are still in the hands of Fano fighters in the South Wollo area (of which Dessie is the administrative
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 10:05 UTC
Ethiopia - Deescalate Tensions in Amhara, International Rights Experts Urge
An international human rights body focused on Ethiopia has voiced deep concerns over the worsening security situation in the northwest of the country, particularly in the Amhara region. The International Commission of Human Rights Experts took note of the declaration of the state of emergency, adding that it required approval by the House of Peoples' Representatives, as per the Ethiopian Constitution. "Previous states of emergency have been accompanied by violations of human rights," the Commission said in a statement on Thursday. The International CommissionThe International Commission was established by the UN Human Rights Council in December 2021 to conduct an impartial investigation into allegations of violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law in Ethiopia committed since 3 November 2020, which marked the start of the conflict in Tigray. The body comprises three human rights experts appointed by the President of the HRC.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 09:47 UTC
Power back for Viti Levu, planned shutdown for Sunday
Power supply is now restored for most parts of Viti Levu. Earlier this evening, a fault caused a power disruption on the main island. Article continues after advertisementMeanwhile, thousands of people around Viti Levu can expect another power disruption this Sunday. It says it will be carrying out urgent power line maintenance. Related Story:Viti Levu in darkness
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 08:47 UTC
New action plans proposed by iTaukei Affairs
The Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Pita Tagicakirewa, confirms that the Ministry is putting together four new action plans concerning iTaukei. According to Tagicakirewa, the proposed action plan will ensure the protection of iTaukei’s language and culture and enhance training for the younger generation. Article continues after advertisementHe adds that the action plans include the International Decade on Indigenous Language, which is a ten-year program, culture and education, and the Pacific Regional Culture Strategy. “Right now, the Ministry is putting together about four action plans concerning the iTaukei. International decade on indigenous languages, 2022–2032 we are putting together a national action plan; it’s almost done.”The Permanent Secretary says that the proposed action plan will be submitted to the cabinet for endorsement before the Ministry starts implementing it.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 08:47 UTC
News: Authority partners with Swiss company SICPA to combat fake higher education credentials
The agreement aims to ensure the security and authenticity of certificates issued by higher education institutions in Ethiopia. According to SICPA’s official website, CERTUS is specifically designed for document issuers such as educational institutions, government entities, and businesses. SICPA is also expected to deliver an additional 24,000 security codes to the Education and Training Authority within six months. Earlier this year, the Education and Training Authority conducted a screening of 18,000 higher education degrees and discovered 921 counterfeit certificates. During a recent briefing to members of parliament, Minister Berhanu highlighted plans to implement a nationwide system for verifying higher education documents.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 07:52 UTC
LGBTQ+ People in Ethiopia Blame Attacks on Their Community on Inciteful and Lingering TikTok Videos
“TikTok is being used to incite violence,” said Bahiru Shewaye, co-founder of House of Guramayle. Bahiru said several videos have been reported to TikTok but “we are still waiting for them to take action.”TikTok did not respond to requests for comment. In another video posted Aug. 2, a TikTok user calls for gay men to be stabbed in the buttocks. LGBTQ+ Ethiopians said the surge of abusive content has left them feeling unsafe, with several fleeing abroad in recent weeks. … It has always been bad, but this time it feels different.”Another LGBTQ+ man, a student in Addis Ababa, said he has been outed twice on TikTok.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 06:07 UTC
LGBTQ+ people in Ethiopia blame attacks on their community on inciteful and lingering TikTok videos
“TikTok is being used to incite violence,” said Bahiru Shewaye, co-founder of House of Guramayle. Bahiru said several videos have been reported to TikTok but “we are still waiting for them to take action.”TikTok did not respond to requests for comment. The AP on Thursday reviewed several videos that appeared to violate TikTok’s community guidelines by inciting violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In another video posted Aug. 2, a TikTok user calls for gay men to be stabbed in the buttocks. LGBTQ+ Ethiopians said the surge of abusive content has left them feeling unsafe, with several fleeing abroad in recent weeks.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 05:23 UTC
Ethiopia cracks down on gay sex in hotels, other venues
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Security forces in Ethiopia are cracking down on hotels, bars and restaurants in the capital Addis Ababa where gay sexual activity is alleged to take place, the city administration said on Thursday. Rights groups say the LGBT community in Ethiopia remains underground because LGBT people face high levels of discrimination and fear violence and ostracism if their identities are discovered. The Addis Ababa Peace and Security Administration Bureau, a government body, said it was taking action "against institutions where homosexual acts are carried out" following tip-offs from the public, and had already raided a guest house in the city. Gay sex is prohibited by law in Ethiopia, but there are no recent reports of people being convicted for engaging in consensual same-sex sexual activity. (This story has been corrected to change sourcing from Ethiopia News Agency to Addis Ababa Peace and Security Administration Bureau in paragraphs 1, 4 and 5)(Reporting by Tiksa Negeri, Writing by Hereward Holland, Editing by William Maclean)
Source:Ethiopian News
August 11, 2023 02:13 UTC
Nearly 200 Israelis Evacuated From North Ethiopia in Rescue Op
i24 News – Over 200 Israelis and those entitled to immigration to the Jewish state were rescued from northern Ethiopia amid ongoing violence, a joint statement of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. “174 Israeli citizens and those entitled to it were rescued during the day from the city of Gondar. At the same time, 30 Israeli citizens were rescued from the town of Mount Dar, in northern Ethiopia. A total of 204 Israeli citizens and those entitled to it were rescued, in 4 flights. In the last few days, citizens of Israel and (those eligible for) Aliyah from Ethiopia entered into distress in the battle zones.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 10, 2023 23:45 UTC
Ethiopian Airlines to Expand Fleet and Destinations, Implement a 10% Cargo Discount
Ethiopian Airlines is set to receive eight new passenger aircraft and expand its international destinations by six in the coming months. The two Boeing planes are expected to arrive within two months, coinciding with the introduction of six new international destinations. Ethiopian Airlines aims to increase its revenue by 22 percent this year, and to achieve this target, it is not only expanding its fleet and flight routes, but also focusing on infrastructure development and improving customer service. With a current fleet of 145 aircraft and serving 134 international destinations, Ethiopian Airlines continues to strengthen its position in the aviation industry. According to Mesfin Tasew, the CEO of the airline, the discount is a way for Ethiopian Airlines to play its part in promoting trade within the continent.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 10, 2023 19:23 UTC
Advocacy groups: Ethiopian government’s anti-gay rhetoric spurs online attacks
An advocacy group in Ethiopia has sharply criticized government institutions for homophobic statements they say have spurred online attacks against LGBTQ and intersex people. The Addis Ababa Culture, Arts and Tourism Bureau on Aug. 5 released a statement that condemned acts of same-sex relations. The statement cited reports of people engaging in same-sex relations, including public displays of affection, at restaurants and hotels in Addis Ababa, the country’s capital. Ethiopian police also urged members of the public to report anyone who engages in same-sex relations, citing they go against social values. Many LGBTQ and intersex Ethiopians are therefore forced to live in hiding because even talking about who they are is dangerous.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 10, 2023 19:23 UTC
Concorde takes a leisurely trip up the Hudson
Concorde, a supersonic aircraft which was capable of speeds up to Mach 2, has taken what was perhaps its slowest trip ever recorded. On Wednesday the static display aircraft from New York’s Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum was removed and carried on a barge trip up the Hudson River. Photo Credit: Kurkoe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsTouring the Intrepid Museum exhibitThe Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City host Concorde G-BOAD as a static display. Photo Credit: Image by Alfred Hutter, Attribution, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Concorde on display at the Intrepid Museum is a National Historic Landmark. Tours of the Museum’s display Concorde will resume when the aircraft returns for Spring 2024.
Source:Ethiopian News
August 10, 2023 18:18 UTC