Blog Archives - HabeshaLink

Rice Purity Test Tool

The Rice Purity Test is a popular 100-question self-assessment survey used to gauge an individual's "purity" or level of innocence based on their life experiences. Originally created by students at Rice University as a bonding activity during Orientation Week (O-Week), it has since become a viral internet tool. How the Test Works The Checklist: Users are presented with 100 items describing various activities, ranging from innocent social behaviors to more mature experiences involving relationships, substance use, and legal issues. Scoring: You check off every item you have ever done. Your final score starts at 100 and decreases for every checked box. High Score (e.g., 90–100): Indicates a high level of "purity" or fewer life experiences in the categories tested. Low Score (e.g., below 50): Indicates a wider range of life experiences or "impure" activities. Purpose: While it began as a way for freshmen to socialize and compare experiences, it is n…

Ethiopians didn’t have a term for ‘stroke,’ so this Dallas doctor created one

DALLAS, Tex.―When Hareg Wolde arrived in the emergency room to see her mother, doctors gave her grave news. Her mother had suffered a massive stroke, they said, and she might not live through the night. Hareg was shocked. Just the day before, her mother, 68, had been strong and limber. She had climbed up and down the stairs of their Garland house with ease, cooked meals and cared for Wolde’s two young children. Now she lay unconscious, her right side paralyzed. The situation would be upsetting for anyone. But Hareg, who is originally from Ethiopia, felt bewildered. Not only had she never heard of a stroke, but her native language, Amharic, has no term to describe the world’s second leading cause of death. Her predicament is not uncommon in Dallas. Amharic is the fourth most commonly spoken language at Parkland Hospital after English, Spanish and Vietnamese. North Texas is home to as many as 40,000 Ethiopian immigrants and one of the fastest growing African-born pop…

Woman empowers girls in her home country of Ethiopia

Native Ethiopian Lily Yoseph founded Tangible Hope Foundation, a nonprofit that empowers young girls living in poverty in rural Ethiopia by giving them access to education, medical care and nutrition. By Colleen Bidwill (Marin Independent Journal) | MILL VALLEY, Cal.―Lily Yoseph considers herself lucky. Growing up in Ethiopia, she had a privileged life. She came from a middle-class family, got an education and was encouraged to follow her dreams. While on a trip back to her childhood hometown of Kofele in 2008, the Mill Valley, CA resident realized not all women in Ethiopia were as lucky. From the trip came Tangible Hope Foundation, her nonprofit that empowers young girls living in poverty in rural Ethiopia by giving them access to education, medical care and nutrition. Lily Yoseph started the nonprofit out of her then one-bedroom apartment in Sausalito, while working various odd jobs to make ends meet. Today, it supports 100 young girls in Ethiopia and continues to…

Ethiopia human rights lawyer Henok Aklilu and friend Michael Melak arrested for receiving training at Palestine consulate

Amnesty International requests Ethiopian authorities, in a press statement, to release immediately and unconditionally human rights defender Henok Aklilu who was arrested for exercising freedom of expression (Amnesty International)―The Ethiopian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release a human rights defender and his friend who were arrested and charged for advocating for a more autonomous capital – Addis Ababa, with self-governance similar to other regional states, and for “receiving training from the Palestine Consulate” in Ethiopia, said Amnesty International. Henok Aklilu – a lawyer renowned for representing people accused of terrorism-related offenses – was arrested at his office in Addis Ababa together with a friend, Michael Melak, with whom he intends to form an association of Addis-born Ethiopians. “The arrest of Henok and Michael highlight the difficulties human rights defenders continue to face despite the Ethiopian government’s stated commitm…

National Airways Ethiopia acquires five Embraer ERJ145 aircraft

National Airways acquires five aircraft To launch domestic, regional flights One of the indigenous private airlines in Ethiopia, National Airways, has bought five passenger aircraft from the US. National Airways purchased the aircraft from an American company. The aircraft are Embraer ERJ145 with 50 seats. Four of the aircraft have already arrived Addis Ababa and the fifth one is expected to arrive in the coming few days. RELATED: National Airways Ethiopia The private airline which has been providing charter flight services since 2009 is now planning to launch scheduled domestic and regional flights. Company official told The Reporter that the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) has approved the airline’s request to operate domestic scheduled service. The airline is planning to start scheduled flight services to Mekelle, Gondar and Bahir Dar. “We are also planning to start scheduled flight services to Hargeisa, Somaliland, Bosaso, Puntland and…

Under the Radar: Ethiopia’s economic growth offers opportunities and challenges

Although achieving lower middle-income status by 2025 is ambitious, Ethiopia is making strides in combating poverty and improving economic growth with the poverty rate falling from 44% in 2000 to 23.5% in 2015-16. By Bashir Ali (Global Risk Insights) | Not many may know that Ethiopia was among the first countries to join the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when the latter was formed on 27 December 1945. Nevertheless, it took another 72 years for Ethiopia to welcome its first visit from the IMF Managing Director, in this case, Christine Lagarde who in December 2017 visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and met with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. This followed the IMF’s assertion that in 2017 Ethiopia’s economy surpassed Kenya’s to become East Africa’s largest economy. Lagarde’s visit served as the latest stamp of approval for Ethiopia’s bold plan to reach lower-middle income status by 2025. Ethiopia’s growing economy It was Ethiopia’s late President Meles Zenawi who cr…

Addis Ababa: 10 best things to do in Ethiopia’s capital ― CNN

Ethiopia’s capital, ‘Addis,’ as it’s often simply known, is the world’s third-highest capital city at 2,400 meters, and has worn its heart on its sleeve since it was founded by Emperor Menelik. By James Jeffrey (CNN) | Rambunctious, manic, beguiling, exciting — it’s hard to accurately describe Addis Ababa. Ethiopia‘s capital, which translates as “New Flower” in the country’s Amharic language, shows little sign of losing its youthful, lusty edge and is the pulsing heart of this eclectic nation’s resurgence as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. “Addis,” as it’s often simply known, is the world’s third-highest capital city at 2,400 meters, and has worn its heart on its sleeve since it was founded by Ethiopian Emperor Menelik about 1892. Life is lived very much outdoors on its bustling streets thanks to comfortable temperate weather boosted by months of nonstop sunshine. “Perhaps the highest praise one can direct at this chaotic, contradictory and compe…

At Least 60 People Killed in Ethiopia’s Latest Violence

From Thursday (from Dec. 14), 29 ethnic Oromos were killed by ethnic Somali attackers in Hawi Gudina and Daro Lebu districts of Oromia region. By Aaaron Maasho (Reuters) | ADDIS ABABA―At least 61 people have been killed in clashes between different ethnic groups in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, officials said, the latest bout of violence to highlight increasing instability in a province racked by bloody protests in 2015 and 2016. From Thursday, 29 ethnic Oromos were killed by ethnic Somali attackers in the region’s Hawi Gudina and Daro Lebu districts, regional spokesperson Addisu Arega Kitessa said. The violence triggered revenge attacks by ethnic Oromos in another district, resulting in the killing of 32 Somalis who were being sheltered in the area following a previous round of violence. “The region is working to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the spokesperson said in a statement. The cause of the latest violence was not known, but it followed protests in Or…

Traveling Ethiopia Taught Me to Appreciate Its Heritage

“How reconnecting with my roots gave me a greater sense of purpose,” writes English-Ethiopian singer-songwriter Izzy Bizu for the Huffington Post.

By Izzy Bizu (HuffPost) | Ethiopia, my beautiful chaos. Walking through colourful markets, I smell leather, brilliant white cotton, coffee and a sea of vibrant beads inspired by tribes that made our country what it is today. There is nothing like the gift of the human touch, derived from a history that boasts pure workmanship and artistry made on the side of our cobbled streets. I smile to myself when I see that our coffee has made it half way around the world, but sometimes I wonder how much our farmers are really appreciated. Do they know how much it is all worth? And do their living standards correspond to that? I find it interesting how we can enjoy such things as we were lucky enough to be born in the right place at the right time. We reap and thrive off the labor of others. It’s …

Ethiopia: AAU’s Technology Institute to Management Coal Phosphate Fertilizer Complex Project

The state-owned Chemical Industry Corporation awarded management and administration consultancy service contract of the coal phosphate fertilizer complex project to Addis Ababa University's Technology Institute, Ethiopian Press Agency reported.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony on Monday, at Addis Ababa Hilton, The Corporation's Acting Director General Mekonnen Zergaw said, the execution of mega projects by indigenous contractors and consultants greatly contributes to building the nation's technology capacity and development, particularly in areas such as citizens' capacity building and promoting technology transfer.

Addis Ababa University's Academic Vice-President Dr. Jyissu Omer on his part said, “ The AAU is ready to implement the new consultancy service contract agreement responsibly.”

In addition to conducting research and study, teaching-learning process and community service programs, the Inst…