Reuters
BEIJING (Jan. 24) - It gives a whole new meaning to high heels.
Customs officers in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou have discovered 60 pounds of marijuana leaves hidden in 215 pairs of shoes abandoned at the airport last year, Xinhua news agency said on Wednesday.
The marijuana was found in five suitcases and a nylon bag that arrived in Guangzhou from Addis Ababa on August 6, 2006, but were never declared at Customs and only opened two weeks ago.
"When they opened the packages on January 11, officials found the shipment contained 215 pairs of platform shoes, whose soles had been hollowed out and stuffed with marijuana leaves," Xinhua said.
A spokesman with Guangzhou customs said the city had cracked 85 drug trafficking cases and seized 316 pounds of drugs since it tightened scrutiny at major checkpoints last September.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Photographer raises Ethiopia's profile
Images of sick, dying people were the only perception of Ethiopia one freelance photographer had a little more than a year ago. Today is a different story.
After spending a month in the African country and researching its culture, Emily Taylor now is trying to educate people in Richmond about the life of Ethiopians.
"It's such a big part of my life right now, that getting up in front of people and sharing (my experience) feels really good to do," Taylor said. "The interest is definitely there and everyone is so positive about it."
"Project Image Ethiopia" is how Taylor hopes to bridge the gap between Westerners' perception of Ethiopia and its true identity. The project, which still is in its beginning stage, will be turned into a multimedia product. It will include a short documentary and a book that Taylor hopes to take to universities and cultural centers around the world.
"There's a taste of everything that the modern world has. There's such good diversity there, all in one country." - Emily Taylor
Taylor, a young and energetic Richmonder, said she wants to show the modern aspects of Ethiopia.
"The project will focus on the progressive things - the things people don't realize are there," Taylor said, adding that the country is home to more than 55 universities and a number of private and government-owned schools.
"There's a taste of everything that the modern world has. There's such good diversity there, all in one country."
Ethiopia uses the Julian calendar, which is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of either five or six days. The calendar is seven-and-a-half years behind the calendar used in the U.S.
Therefore, Ethiopians are about to celebrate their millennium. Taylor said since this year is especially important for the African country, it is also a big factor in her project.
Yoseph Teklemariem is an Ethiopian living in Richmond. He said Taylor's project couldn't happen at a better time because of the Millennium celebrations and because of the doors it could open for tourism in the country.
"Her images are amazing," Teklemariem said. "What it could mean for Ethiopia's tourism - just shedding light on a country that's been so misrepresented for so, so many years."
For more information about the Project Image Ethiopia, go to www.projectimageethiopia.org. An important aspect of the multimedia project is changing the perception Americans might have about Ethiopians. Taylor said that even though there is poverty and sickness, the people maintain a sense of pride.
"A lot of people in the western society have little or no respect for them (Ethiopians) at all," Taylor said. "In our terms, they are so materialistically poor, but they almost know the secrets of life. They are so happy."
Taylor remembered an 8-year-old boy whom she met. He had left his family to go to school in town. Taylor said she was amazed by his motivation to live on his own and get an education he wouldn't have received otherwise.
Teklemariem said children are taught to see a wrong angle of Ethiopian people.
"When I moved here in the '80s, it was the height of the famine," Teklemariem said. "I was teased a lot and couldn't combat it with anything because I was just like 'that's all they see,' so I can't be upset at young kids because that's all they're trained to see."
Taylor recently launched her Web site, where she explains her goals and ambitions about Ethiopia. The Web site was designed and hosted by Lou Barber, who was nominated in September, 2006 by Style Weekly as one of Richmond's "Top forty under 40."
Taylor said the help she receives from people has kept her motivated about her project.
"I wouldn't still be doing this if it wasn't for the support and encouragement from the Richmond community and people from all over the place."
Gergana Bobeva
Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: Spectrum - Commonwealth Times
After spending a month in the African country and researching its culture, Emily Taylor now is trying to educate people in Richmond about the life of Ethiopians.
"It's such a big part of my life right now, that getting up in front of people and sharing (my experience) feels really good to do," Taylor said. "The interest is definitely there and everyone is so positive about it."
"Project Image Ethiopia" is how Taylor hopes to bridge the gap between Westerners' perception of Ethiopia and its true identity. The project, which still is in its beginning stage, will be turned into a multimedia product. It will include a short documentary and a book that Taylor hopes to take to universities and cultural centers around the world.
"There's a taste of everything that the modern world has. There's such good diversity there, all in one country." - Emily Taylor
Taylor, a young and energetic Richmonder, said she wants to show the modern aspects of Ethiopia.
"The project will focus on the progressive things - the things people don't realize are there," Taylor said, adding that the country is home to more than 55 universities and a number of private and government-owned schools.
"There's a taste of everything that the modern world has. There's such good diversity there, all in one country."
Ethiopia uses the Julian calendar, which is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of either five or six days. The calendar is seven-and-a-half years behind the calendar used in the U.S.
Therefore, Ethiopians are about to celebrate their millennium. Taylor said since this year is especially important for the African country, it is also a big factor in her project.
Yoseph Teklemariem is an Ethiopian living in Richmond. He said Taylor's project couldn't happen at a better time because of the Millennium celebrations and because of the doors it could open for tourism in the country.
"Her images are amazing," Teklemariem said. "What it could mean for Ethiopia's tourism - just shedding light on a country that's been so misrepresented for so, so many years."
For more information about the Project Image Ethiopia, go to www.projectimageethiopia.org. An important aspect of the multimedia project is changing the perception Americans might have about Ethiopians. Taylor said that even though there is poverty and sickness, the people maintain a sense of pride.
"A lot of people in the western society have little or no respect for them (Ethiopians) at all," Taylor said. "In our terms, they are so materialistically poor, but they almost know the secrets of life. They are so happy."
Taylor remembered an 8-year-old boy whom she met. He had left his family to go to school in town. Taylor said she was amazed by his motivation to live on his own and get an education he wouldn't have received otherwise.
Teklemariem said children are taught to see a wrong angle of Ethiopian people.
"When I moved here in the '80s, it was the height of the famine," Teklemariem said. "I was teased a lot and couldn't combat it with anything because I was just like 'that's all they see,' so I can't be upset at young kids because that's all they're trained to see."
Taylor recently launched her Web site, where she explains her goals and ambitions about Ethiopia. The Web site was designed and hosted by Lou Barber, who was nominated in September, 2006 by Style Weekly as one of Richmond's "Top forty under 40."
Taylor said the help she receives from people has kept her motivated about her project.
"I wouldn't still be doing this if it wasn't for the support and encouragement from the Richmond community and people from all over the place."
Gergana Bobeva
Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: Spectrum - Commonwealth Times
Ethiopian troops to fully withdraw from Somalia in three phases
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced Wednesday the Ethiopian forces, which crushed the Union of Islamic Courts in Somalia last month along with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), would be leaving the country in three phases.
Meles said he expected the deployment of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) before the end of the third phase withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces.
He told a press conference that the Ethiopian forces began withdrawing from Somalia as of Tuesday.
Meles said the victory of the Ethiopian defense forces over the extremist group in Somalia without casualties on civilians showed the military capability and heroism of the defense forces.
He said the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces from the capital Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia would successfully be completed in the coming few weeks.
Ethiopia started withdrawing its troops as the TFG forces began stabilizing the country, Meles said.
Meles said warlords and their militias have become part of the army of the TFG through peaceful ways after handing over their armaments.
The TFG in collaboration with the people of Somalia has already shouldered the responsibility of ensuring peace and stability in Somalia, he said.
According to Meles, the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops would be executed as per the schedule irrespective of the deployment of AMISOM.
AMISOM is to take over from the Ethiopian forces, which were sent to Somalia last month to drive out the UIC. The UIC had taken control of much of central and southern Somalia over the past six months, before being routed from the capital Mogadishu and driven south.
So far only Uganda and Malawi have pledged to contribute to the AU force. Other countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa are considering possible contributions.
Source: Xinhua
Meles said he expected the deployment of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) before the end of the third phase withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces.
He told a press conference that the Ethiopian forces began withdrawing from Somalia as of Tuesday.
Meles said the victory of the Ethiopian defense forces over the extremist group in Somalia without casualties on civilians showed the military capability and heroism of the defense forces.
He said the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces from the capital Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia would successfully be completed in the coming few weeks.
Ethiopia started withdrawing its troops as the TFG forces began stabilizing the country, Meles said.
Meles said warlords and their militias have become part of the army of the TFG through peaceful ways after handing over their armaments.
The TFG in collaboration with the people of Somalia has already shouldered the responsibility of ensuring peace and stability in Somalia, he said.
According to Meles, the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops would be executed as per the schedule irrespective of the deployment of AMISOM.
AMISOM is to take over from the Ethiopian forces, which were sent to Somalia last month to drive out the UIC. The UIC had taken control of much of central and southern Somalia over the past six months, before being routed from the capital Mogadishu and driven south.
So far only Uganda and Malawi have pledged to contribute to the AU force. Other countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa are considering possible contributions.
Source: Xinhua
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Zethiopia and Ethiopia Reads launch Literacy Campaign
Take One Book Literacy Campaign for Ethiopia
EthiopiaReads.org in collaboration with Zethiopia is launching a new literacy campaign to coincide with the Millennium Celebration that will take place in Ethiopia during 2007.
Ethiopia Reads, founded in 2003, has a mission to improve literacy and create a culture of reading in Ethiopia, and Ethiopia Reads does this by planting libraries and publishing books in local languages – and offering continuing education programs to help educators in Ethiopia nurture a love of reading.
Since Ethiopia Reads opened Ethiopia’s first free children’s library in 2003, thousands of children have experienced the joy of reading, they logged 60,000 visits to the library in 2006. Ethiopia Reads sees first hand the difference that one library, ONE BOOK, and one story can make in the life of a child.
If you or someone you know is traveling to Ethiopia during 2007, Zethiopia and Ethiopia Reads challenge you to TAKE ONE BOOK with you, because we believe that education is hope and books can change lives.
For more information on the TAKE ONE BOOK campaign, please contact Catie Dupont at ethiopiareads@aol.com.
Books can be dropped off at Shola Children’s Library. Shola is located in Beklo-bet, behind the Dashen bank off of Debre Zeit road.
EthiopiaReads.org in collaboration with Zethiopia is launching a new literacy campaign to coincide with the Millennium Celebration that will take place in Ethiopia during 2007.
Ethiopia Reads, founded in 2003, has a mission to improve literacy and create a culture of reading in Ethiopia, and Ethiopia Reads does this by planting libraries and publishing books in local languages – and offering continuing education programs to help educators in Ethiopia nurture a love of reading.
Since Ethiopia Reads opened Ethiopia’s first free children’s library in 2003, thousands of children have experienced the joy of reading, they logged 60,000 visits to the library in 2006. Ethiopia Reads sees first hand the difference that one library, ONE BOOK, and one story can make in the life of a child.
If you or someone you know is traveling to Ethiopia during 2007, Zethiopia and Ethiopia Reads challenge you to TAKE ONE BOOK with you, because we believe that education is hope and books can change lives.
For more information on the TAKE ONE BOOK campaign, please contact Catie Dupont at ethiopiareads@aol.com.
Books can be dropped off at Shola Children’s Library. Shola is located in Beklo-bet, behind the Dashen bank off of Debre Zeit road.
WILL YOU TAKE ONE BOOK?
Zethiopia Art Contest for Children
Zethiopia Children’s Art Contest – January 2007
Send us your drawing of your favorite wild Ethiopian animal. Is it a Gelada Monkey, an Ibex or a Lion? Your artwork will be entered into an Art Contest to take place during the upcoming Ethiopian Children’s festival and it may be featured in Zethiopia.
Use 8 ½ x 11 inch paper to submit your entry. Give your picture a title. Please put your name and birth date on the back of your artwork.
Mail to: Zethiopia, 1115 U Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.
Send us your drawing of your favorite wild Ethiopian animal. Is it a Gelada Monkey, an Ibex or a Lion? Your artwork will be entered into an Art Contest to take place during the upcoming Ethiopian Children’s festival and it may be featured in Zethiopia.
Use 8 ½ x 11 inch paper to submit your entry. Give your picture a title. Please put your name and birth date on the back of your artwork.
Mail to: Zethiopia, 1115 U Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.
(Photograph by J. Goering photography. For more information please visit http://addisbandb.com/)
Monday, January 22, 2007
USAID Donates Vehicles to Strengthen Health Training Program
US Embassy Addis Ababa Press Release
January 18, 2007
No. 03/07
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Thursday, January 18 officially hand over 20 new vehicles to the Ministry of Health tomorrow. The Toyota Land Cruisers, worth more than US $500,000, will be used to transport health officer university students and their instructors to and from twenty training hospitals located in the Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, and SNNPR regions.
“Health officers receiving pre-service training will now be able to reach training hospitals and health centers in some of the most remote areas of Ethiopia. This exchange will improve the training of health officers and the quality of health services of rural communities. USAID is proud to be a part of that accomplishment,” USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director Glenn Anders said. During the ceremony, Mr. Anders handed over the keys to one of the new vehicles to His Excellency Dr. Kebede Worku, State Minister of Health. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Health garage facility in Addis Ababa.
The vehicle donation supports the Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative, which is improving the skills of front line health workers through enhanced training programs at Ethiopian universities. The health initiative began out of a conversation between Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter about how The Carter Center could help build the capacity of Ethiopia. They agreed that the health science facilities in Ethiopian universities needed to be strengthened.
Since 2000, USAID/Ethiopia has awarded The Carter Center more than US $12 million to develop improved health officers curriculum, enhance the teaching and learning environment, and train university instructors in pedagogical skills and drought health response. The Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative now covers seven universities.
The teaching and learning environment, especially within the universities, has improved markedly because of the Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative. Over 3,000 health officers will graduate from the program by 2008.
January 18, 2007
No. 03/07
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Thursday, January 18 officially hand over 20 new vehicles to the Ministry of Health tomorrow. The Toyota Land Cruisers, worth more than US $500,000, will be used to transport health officer university students and their instructors to and from twenty training hospitals located in the Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, and SNNPR regions.
“Health officers receiving pre-service training will now be able to reach training hospitals and health centers in some of the most remote areas of Ethiopia. This exchange will improve the training of health officers and the quality of health services of rural communities. USAID is proud to be a part of that accomplishment,” USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director Glenn Anders said. During the ceremony, Mr. Anders handed over the keys to one of the new vehicles to His Excellency Dr. Kebede Worku, State Minister of Health. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Health garage facility in Addis Ababa.
The vehicle donation supports the Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative, which is improving the skills of front line health workers through enhanced training programs at Ethiopian universities. The health initiative began out of a conversation between Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter about how The Carter Center could help build the capacity of Ethiopia. They agreed that the health science facilities in Ethiopian universities needed to be strengthened.
Since 2000, USAID/Ethiopia has awarded The Carter Center more than US $12 million to develop improved health officers curriculum, enhance the teaching and learning environment, and train university instructors in pedagogical skills and drought health response. The Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative now covers seven universities.
The teaching and learning environment, especially within the universities, has improved markedly because of the Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative. Over 3,000 health officers will graduate from the program by 2008.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Dozens die in rebel attack in Ethiopia’s Ogaden region
JIGJIGA, Ethiopia Jan 20 (Garowe Online)
Dozens of people were reported killed after Ethiopian rebels raided government positions in Gunagado, a district in eastern Ethiopia’s Somali-inhabited Zone 5 region, according to witnesses.
The fighting erupted Friday between rebels loyal to the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and local government troops, killing a total of 25 people, including some district officials.
Reliable sources have confirmed to Garowe Online that at least 4 officials were killed in the rebel attack, including distict security commissioner Sa’di AwSiad, security commander Hashi Qadadi and local legislative chief Sayid Wafer.
Some other district officials were missing and feared dead, the sources added.
At least 3 wounded people were rushed to hospitals in Jigjiga, the region’s capital.
Its not the first attack ONLF rebels launched on the Ethiopian government. Last week, rebels attacked positions in Garbo town, leading to at least 5 deaths.
Addis Ababa has not commented on these attacks in the countryside. but the attacks come at a time thousands of Ethiopian troops are deployed inside neighboring Somalia to help the interim government restore order.
Dozens of people were reported killed after Ethiopian rebels raided government positions in Gunagado, a district in eastern Ethiopia’s Somali-inhabited Zone 5 region, according to witnesses.
The fighting erupted Friday between rebels loyal to the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and local government troops, killing a total of 25 people, including some district officials.
Reliable sources have confirmed to Garowe Online that at least 4 officials were killed in the rebel attack, including distict security commissioner Sa’di AwSiad, security commander Hashi Qadadi and local legislative chief Sayid Wafer.
Some other district officials were missing and feared dead, the sources added.
At least 3 wounded people were rushed to hospitals in Jigjiga, the region’s capital.
Its not the first attack ONLF rebels launched on the Ethiopian government. Last week, rebels attacked positions in Garbo town, leading to at least 5 deaths.
Addis Ababa has not commented on these attacks in the countryside. but the attacks come at a time thousands of Ethiopian troops are deployed inside neighboring Somalia to help the interim government restore order.
Zethiopia Wants Your Article Contribution
Do you have an editorial column or an article that you would like to contribute to Zethiopia? Please submit your article in Word Document form to meron@zethiopia.com.
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