Digital Doctors

When 14-year-old Binyam Yosef developed a nasty swelling under his left knee, his worried parents took him to the Black Lion Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa. They approached Swiss professor Jacob Schneider who examined Binyam thoroughly and concluded that he was suffering from a malignant cancer. It looked as though his leg would need to be amputated, but Schneider was not 100 per cent sure of his diagnosis.

"I discussed the case with staff in the pathology department," Professor Schneider recalls. "We could not come to a definite decision." In the end, Schneider referred the case to an old colleague in Switzerland. Using the latest technology, he took a digital photograph of the boy's knee tissue through a microscope and e-mailed the photo to Professor Gernot Jundt, head of the bone tumor registry at the University of Basel. "Within days we received his diagnosis and detailed recommendations for the treatment," Schneider remembers." We were able to save the boy's leg."

Binyam Yosef is one of a lucky few in Ethiopia to be treated through the use of information technology. His case dates back to 2004, and results from the efforts of a group of health professionals to improve medical diagnoses and treatment over the past decade, and whose efforts led to a partnership between telecoms bodies, the health ministry and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. "With personal commitment and enthusiasm this project produced a number of activities which gave a glimmer of hope to the country," says Dr. Fassil Shiferaw of the Ethiopian Telecommunication Medical Service.Binyam Yosef is one of a lucky few in Ethiopia to be treated through the use of information technology. His case dates back to 2004, and results from the efforts of a group of health professionals to improve medical diagnoses and treatment over the past decade, and whose efforts led to a partnership between telecoms bodies, the health ministry and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. "With personal commitment and enthusiasm this project produced a number of activities which gave a glimmer of hope to the country," says Dr. Fassil Shiferaw of the Ethiopian Telecommunication Medical Service. Read More

August 01 2007
Rumblings of trouble in the Horn of Africa
Western diplomats suspect that Ethiopia, the Goliath of the two opponents, is sorely tempted to deliver a killer blow against its smaller rival before the Bush administration, a close Ethiopia ally, leaves office at the beginning of 2009. Last year Ethiopia invaded Somalia and, with clandestine Pentagon help, toppled an emerging Islamist movement accused of sheltering Al Qaeda operatives. And though Eritrea has more to risk in going to war, experts say its deepening isolation from the world -- its latest alleged mischief involves UN accusations that it secretly funneled weapons to Islamist rebels in Somalia -- doesn't preclude its launching a pre-emptive strike.

Ethiopian refugee slain in robbery of E. Dallas store
The gunman held some sort of assault rifle and wore something over his face, says the woman, who is not being identified for her protection. He pointed his gun at the woman's face. Then he turned and walked around the counter toward the clerk, 48-year-old Tadessa Kebeda, nicknamed Shorty because he stood about 5-foot-4. Mr. Kebeda, who at that moment may have been thinking about getting home to his pregnant wife, came to the U.S. from Ethiopia about 25 years ago as a refugee.

Lantos Addresses Erroneous Reports About Legislation on Ethiopia
To correct erroneous reports about the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Accountability Act (H.R. 2003), Chairman Tom Lantos of the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued this statement today: "The full committee did not consider the measure at today's markup because I wanted to give Ethiopia's elders, government officials, courts and opposition leaders an opportunity to work out a pardon arrangement for the more than 30 remaining political detainees. Late last week I notified other members of Congress, including the House leadership, of my decision." H.R. 2003 is dead!!

July 31 2007
UN: Ethiopia, Eritrea Still a Concern
In its resolution Monday, the Security Council demanded that Eritrea withdraw its troops and heavy military equipment from the buffer zone and Ethiopia reduce the number of additional military forces it has recently sent to areas next to the zone. It also called on both sides to "show maximum restraint and refrain from any threat or use of force against each other."

Sec. Council Extends UN Role In Ethiopia, Eritrea
The Security Council today agreed to extend the mandate by six months of the United Nations peacekeeping mission monitoring the ceasefire that ended the border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2000, voicing concern about the ongoing tensions between the two African neighbours.

Rastafarians don't give up the fight to live in Ethiopia
The promised land of the world's Rastafarians can be found along a narrow highway in Ethiopia's ancient Rift Valley, a landscape of scattered trees with trunks the size of houses and fields of grain that shimmer in the sunlight like a bronze haze. "We've been waiting a long, long time to become Ethiopians," said Desmond Martin, a Jamaican pioneer who settled here more than 30 years ago on land donated by Emperor Haile Selassie. "We love Ethiopia. Ethiopia is our holy land. But we're still not considered to be from this place."

Don't call me black
I encountered racism everywhere I went. It was expressed in various ways: at times it was outright mockery, at times it was behind my back, sometimes it was pity. Yet, slowly, I managed to fit in (I hate this phrase). I graduated high school, served in the army, traveled in South America, graduated from university and got a normal (i.e. not "typical" Ethiopian) job. The last hurdle I was not able to overcome so far: Israeli women. Not a single Israeli woman wanted to date me. I had female friends in the army and through school. I have a good relationship with the ones at work. But a girlfriend? Sex? No way.

Ethiopian negotiates MD-11 conversions
ETHIOPIAN Airlines has purchased one MD-11 from Boeing for conversion. The aircraft will be delivered to Ethiopian in December 2008. “Currently, the Ethiopian export market is exhibiting a dramatic annual average growth rate and ET’s total international freight traffic uplift has been increasing at 12.03 per cent annually. The addition of these two freighter aircraft will bolster cargo capacity of the airline supporting the increasing export market of the country.”

July 30 2007
Opposition denies links in Ethiopia treason trial
Ethiopian opposition officials told a court on Monday that two anti-poverty activists on trial for allegedly trying to overthrow the government were never members of their movement. Daniel Bekele, 40, and Netsanet Demissie, 29, are the last two defendants out of 131 original charged in a long-running treason trial. On Monday, Hailu Shawel, chairman of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) told the court neither men had been a part of his organisation.

Fighting chance for Ethiopians
Norm Perdue used to have a home office he called his "Ethiopia Room." Those were the days when he was able to contain this project to one desk and a few walls. This week, Perdue and 10 members of the dance troupe, ages 7 to 12, will arrive in New York City to begin their second annual dance tour.

Over 3500 Judges to Vote Online for Miss Millennium Queen, Teen
Over 3500 Judges will vote the internet to decide the finalist of the Miss Millennium Queen and Miss Millennium Teen pageants next week, to allow a broader and better selection, organizers announced in a statement. Ethiopians in the Diaspora, estimated to be over 3500, will be emailed links to the web site featuring the finalists and be invited to vote online for "Miss Photogenic", in what has been said "the first of it is kind" for an Ethiopia beauty Pageant," said the beauty pageant organizers. Source Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)

July 28 2007
Mekelle University opens four new fields of study
Int'l community urge all parties to advance dialogue

July 27 2007
Statement by the Embassy of Ethiopia on False Reports by the New York Times
Eritrea Denies Sending Weapons to Somalia

July 26 2007
UN says, Eritrea Arming Somalia Insurgents
Freed Ethiopian opposition condemn govt "propaganda"
Ethiopian bread virtually worth own weight in gold
Ethiopia seeks to bring its long lost prince home from Britain

July 25 2007
International scholars to attend conference on Ethiopia
Another group of Ethiopian opposition members seek pardon
Eritrea Joins The Axis of Evil

July 24 2007
Listen to Seiy Abraha's latest interview with German radio (Amharic)
UN Says Ethiopia Isn't Blocking Aid To Eastern Ethiopia
Ethiopia deadline for Red Cross
Eritrea appeals to China in Ethiopia border deadlock

July 23 2007
What next for Ethiopia's freed leaders?
4 Ethiopians Dead, 2 Wounded in Atlanta Shootings
Over 27 mln birr valued hides, skin supplied to central market in Tigray

July 21 2007
Ban Ki-moon calls for efforts to break Ethiopia-Eritrea peace process stalemate
US Congressman Welcomes Release of Ethiopian Opposition
EU welcomes pardon of Ethiopian opposition figures

July 20 2007
Ethiopia's freed leader defiant
Ethiopia pardons 38 opposition members

July 19 2007
Ethiopia leaning to clemency in opposition case
Ethiopia leases land to Indian investor to boost tea
Coptic and Ethiopian Churches Sign Truce

July 18 2007
Office collects over 194 mln birr in revenue

July 17 2007
Convicted CUD leaders asked the Ethiopian government to pardon them For their crimes aganist the Ethiopian people

Listen to Siye Abraha's interview with VOA Tigringa Amharic
If you don't want to listen to the whole program, you can slide the time bar to about 18.35 on the Amharic version and it will start at Ayte Siye's interview. It is not that long but it shows the man's determination to stand for his believe. The man has guts! I am impressed. Now, I would like to dedicate this song for Siye Abraha enjoy PLAY
Mekelle University undertaking expansion activities with 180 mln birr
Ethiopia Pardon Board to Decide Fate of Convicted Opposition Leaders
Group helps Ethiopia's donkeys

July 16 2007
Beyonce to perform at Ethiopian millennium
American Rthym ‘N’ Blues star Beyonce Knowles will stage a day-long concert for the Ethiopian millennium to be celebrated on September 12 in Addis Ababa. Sheraton Addis will pay Beyonce one million dollars and pay for the transportation of her band and equipment, APA learnt here on Monday.
Ethiopian opposition leaders get life sentence
UN to spend $63 million in health activities in Ethiopia
U.S. urges clemency for Ethiopians sentenced to life in prison
Teetering on shifting Eritrea-Ethiopia border, Badme awaits fate
PM Office publicizes a letter by CUD leaders asking pardon

July 15 2007
Mekelle University graduates over 3, 000 students in various fields
Eritrea accuses UK envoy of "conspiratorial" acts

July 14 2007
Six regular conference of Tigray State Council concludes endorsing performance report, appointment
Investors with 2.5 bln birr capital licensed in Tigray State
Ethiopia, World Bank sign grant, loan agreements

July 13 2007
Residents of Adwa town transplants over 100,000 seedlings
Rotarians aiding Ethiopians
Somalia peace meeting to go ahead, envoys invited
Somalia oil deal for China

July 12 2007
Gulf Air and Ethiopian Airlines enter codeshare pact
Eritrea Labeled Worst Jailer of Journalists in Africa
Two British Council employees arrested in Eritrea
Off with their heads, maybe

July 11 2007
Seeye Abraha Out from Jail
'Lucy's' Houston visit turns political
Ethiopia yields ancestral fossils