Here are your weekly links to the latest news happening in Ethiopia and in Africa.

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NPR October 9, 2006
Wars Hamper Social Progress Across Africa

Over the last two decades, the number of Africans living in extreme poverty has nearly doubled.

HIV continues to spread. Agricultural production on the continent has stagnated. Millions of African children still lack access to clean water, basic health care and primary education.

The continent risks being left behind even by the rest of the Third World. War has been one of the biggest factors holding back social progress on the continent. (Continue reading here).

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Addis Fortune (Addis Ababa)October 10, 2006
Ethiopia: Super Jumbo Airbus to Land in Addis

The world's largest aircraft ever, the European Airbus A380, will be landing at the Addis Abeba's Bole international airport, making Ethiopia the first African sky to witness what is often described as "super jumbo" aircraft. It will arrive in mid October 2006, to have a test flight for about a week, reliable sources told Fortune.(Continue reading here).

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The Reporter (Addis Ababa)October 7, 2006
Ethiopia: Large Numbers of Ethiopian, Somalis Cross Gulf of Aden

Despite a smuggling crackdown in Somalia, large numbers of people continue to cross the Gulf of Aden, with almost 600 Somalis and Ethiopians landing on the Yemeni coast last Sunday alone, UNHCR reported.

Since the start of the September to March sailing season, at least 35 smuggling boats carrying 3,536 people have crossed from Somalia to Yemen. On the first day of October, five boats carrying 575 Somalis and Ethiopians landed near Bir Ali in Yemen. But at least 54 people have died making the perilous voyage, and 60 are missing. (Continue reading here).

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The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)October 8, 2006
Ethiopia: 10 Minors Die of Measles in North As AWD Spreads in Regions

At least 10 children have died of measles outbreak in Tigray Regional State in the northern part of the country, a UN report said on Friday, The latest humanitarian situation report said the outbreak was spreading in nine districts of the Tigray regional state, some 900 KM North of the capital, Addis Ababa.(Continue reading here).

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The Reporter (Addis Ababa) October 7, 2006
Ethiopia: Treason Trial Adjourned

The trial of 111 defendants, including 29 of the main opposition leaders accused of plotting to overthrow the government, resumed briefly Thursday after a two-month adjournment only to be suspended again on procedural grounds... The accused, including about 20 journalists and others, are on trial for "conspiracy to use force to overthrow the constitutional government."(Continue reading here).

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The Ethiopian Herald (Addis Ababa) October 8, 2006
Ethiopia: Private Hotel Inaugurated

A hotel built by a private investor in Bole Sub-City at a cost of 18 million birr was inaugurated yesterday... The new hotel will open job opportunities for 60 to 70 people. The hotel has modern bedrooms, restaurants, meeting hall, sunbath and massage services, among others.
(Continue reading here).

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The Reporter (Addis Ababa) October 7, 2006

Ethiopia: Man's Survival At Stake
OPINION: Yelibenwork Ayele

The environment is the source of livelihood. But the understanding of the linkage between the environment and the source of livelihood is lamentably lacking in developing countries, including our own. And many people do not often recognize environmental ones as issues that require immediate attention.(Continue reading here).

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CNN.com October 9, 2006
Somali Islamists declare 'jihad' on Ethiopia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (Reuters) -- Somalia's powerful Islamists on Monday declared holy war against Ethiopia, which they accused of invading their country to help Somalia's government briefly seize a town controlled by pro-Islamist fighters.

Both sides confirmed the takeover of Buur Hakaba, the first military counterstrike by President Abdullahi Yusuf's interim government since the Islamists took Mogadishu in June and went on to seize much of Somalia's south.

"Starting from today, we have declared jihad against Ethiopia," Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told a news conference, while wearing combat fatigues and clutching an AK-47 assault rifle. (Continue reading here).

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The Ethiopian Herald (Addis Ababa)October 8, 2006
Ethiopia: Betgna Radio Programme Launched

Betgna, a radio programme that presents the daily life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) was launched Thursday.

Speaking at the launching of the programme, AIDS Resource Centre Media Coordinator, Selamawit Mamo said the programme was produced by the Centre for Communications at the Johns Hopkins University.

Similar radio programmes being aired in Malawi and Nigeria have significantly contributed in bringing about behavioural change towards HIV/AIDS, she said.(Continue reading here).