– Gov’t calls women to take lead in advocacy

ADDIS ABABA- Germany wants to support artists to contribute to empowering women and girls in their fight against sexual- and gender-based violence (GBV), the country’s Ambassador to Ethiopia said.

As part of the international 16 days of activism, the Embassy of Germany and the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Centre organized an event recently under the theme: “Youth in Art for Women’s Rights” at Goethe-Institut.

In his opening remarks, Germany Ambassador to Ethiopia Stephan Auer stated that the event aims to bring together artists from all arenas to explore together how to artistically approach women’s rights. “Artists are one of the most vocal groups in society, and we want to support them to contribute to empowering women and girls in their fight against sexual- and gender-based violence.”

Through the voice and works of Ethiopian artists, the Embassy wants to raise the public’s awareness of women human rights defenders’ movement. “Equality and commitment to women’s rights are the heart of Germany’s human rights policy. In Ethiopia, we support women’s rights organizations to ensure women’s rights and gender equality become reality.”

Art provides an unlimited space to share messages of human rights resilience, strength and unity against GBV. In this regard, the strong artists will display the strength and resilience of Ethiopian women in the fight against GBV through their works, Ambassador Auer emphasized.

Kalkidan Tesfaye, Advocacy and Communication senior Officer with the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Centre mentioned that the event highlights how youth artists portray women’s rights in their works.

The center collaborates with musicians, poets, animators, filmmakers, and visual artists to promote the causes of sexually assaulted women and girls as we assist those affected by unrest and other situations.

So far, the center has formulated and provided training for over 12 Human Rights Defenders Centers in 12 universities that are believed to be vulnerable to instability.

Peace State Minister Taye Denda said at the event that conveying messages through art is significant as it reaches a vast audience in different forms. Campaigning for the rights of women and children using art is crucial given the fact that they are the major victims of GBV as well as insecurity.

The state minister further noted that women and girls are expected to be in forefront to fight for their rights and take the lion share in sensitizing the society, as they are the most vulnerable groups in the times of unrest and crises. Women’s participation in conflict prevention and revolution is also improving from time to time.

The government not only formulates and adopts laws but it is fully committed to ensure women’s rights are respected. Human right activists also need to exert their responsibility in advocating women’s rights and holding accountable individuals who commit sexual assaults, Taye pleaded.

BY BETELHEM BEDLU

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2023

This is not travel-related. Rather, this is one of the short stories I published years before I started blogging. It was first published in The Philippines Free Press in 2001 and was later included in the anthology The Likhaan Book of Poetry and Fiction 2001 (an anthology of best short stories and poetry for that year). Subsequently, this short story has been included in several high school textbooks all over the Philippines.

My inspiration for this is a story told to us by our father, Bernardo Songkit Taboclaon, who loved to entertain us with tales from his childhood in Bukidnon. Some words also came from my grandmother, Dominica Adorable Gujilde (whose family came from Bohol). For example, she would always refer to the supernatural creatures as “not like ours.” I grew up hearing that.

***

COME here, mga apo. You want me to tell you a story? Then you must come nearer, and sit at my feet. Don’t interrupt me, as my memory is as fleeting as the summer breeze, and you may find that an interrupted story is worse than no story at all.

I had been telling you war stories before, of things that happened to your father and to your father’s father, who was my brother. Now, what I am going to tell you is a little different, but something that you will hopefully remember when you find the need for this memory.

I was the third son of Francisco, a town hall clerk, and Carmencita, a housewife, in a small town called Canda, somewhere south in Bukidnon. It is far from here, very far. To go there, you have to travel by ship or airplane, and by bus for more than twelve hours.

We lived in a small house, made smaller by the fact that there were three sons, all not far apart in age. Fernando was the oldest, Alejandro, your grandfather, followed after a year, then, me, barely a year later as well. After that, Nanay just declared she would not get pregnant again, and indeed she didn’t.

We were boisterous as all boys are, and it was all that Nanay could do to keep us in place. We had no household help, and aside from our three cats, five kittens, two dogs, a flock of chickens and two pigs, we only had Apo, Nanay’s father.

Apo was eighty-four, but he was still spry and lively. He would wake up early every morning, rouse us out of bed, nag us to do our chores—scrubbing the floor, watering the plants, feeding the animals, among other things—and would then sit in the verandah the whole day, puffing on a rolled betel leaf, spitting out the red goo into a small can beside him.

Often, I would sit with Apo and he would tell me stuff about the war and the times that his family had to leave their home in the middle of the night, as the shelling and the bombing started in their town.

There were times, as well, when Apo talked about the “not-like-ours,” his term for the supernatural. He had seen a kapre, he said, he had also been friendly with a dwende, and had witnessed a manananggal flapping its wings.

I spent so much time with Apo that my brothers picked on me constantly, calling me a sissy. That was their favorite taunt, for they knew I hated to be called that.

Was it my fault then that sometimes I liked Apo’s company better than theirs? I was no wimp—I played their games and excelled at some. I was the best when it came to playing with marbles and nobody could catch me when we were playing tag, but I did not like hunting which was one of their favorite pastimes. I loved birds, and I hated to see them hurt. I cried once when I saw Fernando hit a maya in the chest, the poor bird falling from a branch—merely stunned or dead, I didn’t know. I ran away before they could see my tears.

But—I let them be. I worried that they would tease me even more if I chided them about hurting birds. I refused to go hunting with them—after all, I was still the undisputed champion and had the biggest marble collection in town.

One day, when Fernando was fourteen, Alejandro thirteen, and I, twelve, Tatay came home with bad news. The body of Budok, a farmer from another barangay, was found that morning. It was mangled beyond recognition, and only the guitar embossed with his name, lying just a few feet away, and his clothes, identified him. A young boy who was looking for his dog found the animal sniffing the body behind a bamboo clump not far from town.

According to Tatay, it was the second such murder in two months, but they had not worried before because the first victim was a stranger and the murder had taken place in Antil, a town a day’s walk away.

What was queer, Tatay said, was that someone pulled out Budok’s (and the stranger’s) internal organs. According to the doctor, neither a bolo nor a knife was used for the crime, which didn’t make sense at all for that would mean that the person used his hands, and how could a pair of hands do the damage it did?

Apo was at his usual place in the verandah, listening to Tatay, but hearing that the murderer used his hands, he stood up and came nearer to us.

“He used his hands, eh?” he said, sitting next to Tatay in the sala.

“That’s right, Tay,” my father answered, holding Nanay’s hands. “But the doctor is still examining the body and talking to the coroner from Antil. He’ll have a full report soon.”

“Is it Doc Morales?” When my father nodded, Apo surprised us all when he stood up and went outside. “I’m going to see him.”

When Apo came back late that night, he was unusually silent. He didn’t eat supper with us, and just stayed in his room. We heard him rummaging in his kaban once or twice, and then all was quiet.

“What’s he doing?” Alejandro asked.

Nobody answered. It was a solemn dinner, with Tatay and Nanay silent, thinking, perhaps of the murder, and Apo not there to chastise us for not doing our chores well.

“Maybe he’s smoking again, arranging his betel rolls in that wooden chest of his,” said Fernando who didn’t think much of Apo.

Before I could think of a rejoinder, Apo came out of his room. In his hand was a long bronze dagger, easily a foot in length, and a piece of cloth. He sat at his usual place in the table and polished the blade, oblivious to the five pairs of eyes staring at him in astonishment.

“Tay, what’s that?” Nanay asked, not daring to believe that her beloved, usually harmless father was now holding a lethal weapon.

“That’s a nice piece of work. I don’t see many bronze daggers nowadays,” Tatay said, admiring the thickness and the sheen of the metal. “What are you going to do with it, Tay?”

Apo put down the blade and faced all of us, no longer the blabbering, betel-smoking old fogy, but a strong, wise man about to impart wisdom to his brethren.

“We are not dealing with something ordinary here,” he said.

“Where?” Fernando interrupted. Tatay shushed him and gestured for Apo to continue.

“I’ve been to Doc Morales. The coroner’s report from Antil arrived already, and his findings matched that of Doc Morales’s: it was done by a woman,” at this, he held up a hand as we all tried to ask him at the same time how the doctors knew. “And personally, I know who did it.” At this point, he paused dramatically, and when he spoke, it was barely a whisper. “It was done by the not-like-ours.”

Nobody spoke. Not even Fernando whose credulity, I was sure, was already stretched to its limit. I think it was because Apo sounded really ominous. It was a relief then to hear Tatay ask Apo how they arrived at the conclusion, and what type of creature did Apo think the culprit was.

To my surprise, Apo turned to me. “You remember the stories I told you, Ton?”

I nodded. “Uh-huh. But which?”

“About the manlalayug,” he said, and I nodded again, wondering what the connection was.

“You see,” Apo continued, “The other day, I was just telling Tonyo about a creature called the manlalayug, and that’s why I got suspicious when I heard you describe the body. It occurred to me that I have seen that type of murder before so I went to the doctor’s to see if we could find strands of a woman’s hair and pieces of broken nail to prove my hunch.”

“But given that you do find those items which you say you did, how could you conclude that it was the manlalayug for sure?” Tatay asked. He was trying to still Nanay’s hands which were nervously wringing the tablecloth off the dining table.

Apo leaned into Tatay’s face. “You know Budok?” Tatay nodded. “He’s young, isn’t he? And strong?” Tatay nodded again. “How, then, can a woman claw his face and pull out his internal organs with her own hands? How can you explain that?”

“But she may have used a blunt instrument like a spoon! Or she may not be alone, or, or…” Tatay trailed off in mid-sentence when he saw Apo’s face.

Apo was shaking his head, and he looked sad, and not a little afraid. “Nobody believes in them anymore,” he whispered. “And it will be our deaths…”

“Wait, Tay, tell us, please. What’s a manlalayug? We really don’t know.”

Apo looked at each of us in the eye, then turned his back. When he spoke, his voice was very low (as if he was afraid of being heard) and we all had to lean forward to catch his words.

“When I was just a little older than Fernando here,” he said, “a manlalayug came to our town. She managed to kill five men within five months before one finally succeeded in stopping her.

“A manlalayug is a creature that possesses special powers. Once she is hunting, killing her becomes a challenge, for she transforms into a very beautiful woman who will certainly use her considerable charm to weaken a man’s will.

“The manlalayug prowls at night, and hunts for men who are alone. Once a man is completely enraptured by her, she will wrestle him to the ground, for she has extraordinary strength, and she will eat his internal organs.

“And that is not only her power. She will also fool your mind. It was said that there were men who did not come under her spell but still died because when they met face to face, they just stabbed her, the woman they were facing, not knowing that it was just her image. The real her was behind them.”

“But how can you kill her then?” Alejandro interrupted.

“Stab backwards,” I said, before Apo could speak. “For even if you don’t see her real body, it is there, behind you.”

Apo looked at me, approvingly, I thought. “Yes, Tonyo is right. You should stab backwards. If it is the right metal, like this bronze blade, once is enough. Then you should run, and run for all you’re worth, for even a dying manlalayug can curse you with her last breath. And that will be the end of you.”

Nobody spoke, and the air was full of fear and wonder, I thought, for the extent of Apo’s knowledge that we had only seen at this moment.

“But who was the man that killed the manlalayug in your town? And you didn’t tell me about this before, Tay,” Nanay was frowning, but she has let go of the tablecloth, and was now absently flattening it.

Apo sighed and looked at the dagger, turning it this way and that. He didn’t speak for a while, and we all thought he wasn’t going to answer Nanay when he finally spoke.

“I didn’t tell you because there was no reason to. I never thought this would happen again,” he said. He looked at Nanay. “The man who killed her was my father, your grandfather, who I told you died of malaria when I was fifteen.”

It seemed that my great-grandfather managed indeed, to wound the manlalayug. Unfortunately, he didn’t leave until the woman seemed dead. “She cursed him,” Apo said, “telling him that he will die before the month was to end.”

Our great-lolo died within a week, but not before telling his fifteen-year-old son everything that he knew about the monster he bested. He gave him the dagger to keep, as well, reminding him that he should follow his father’s footsteps should the same thing happen again. But he was already too old, too old. Apo was shaking his head, looking at the weapon in his hands wistfully.

“That’s why I took out this dagger, in case someone is willing to hunt the manlalayug. She won’t be coming out until the next full moon, so we have time to prepare.”

Tatay stood up, raking his hand through his hair. “How can we tell the mayor, or the police, about this? They’ll laugh at us.”

“Then don’t.”

“But… we can’t let her kill again, if indeed, it is a manlalayug!”

Apo sighed. “Isko, we can’t let the authorities do everything.”

“So what do you suggest we do? I can’t very well do it, if that’s what you’re suggesting!” Tatay was glaring at Apo, and Apo was glaring back.

“And why not? You are still young and strong…”

“Tay!” Nanay was furious. She stood up and faced Apo. “How can you say that? We have three children! And what are the police there for?” Nanay was almost shouting, and Tatay had to calm her and lead her to their bedroom.

Apo looked at us. “Sometimes we have to be brave, my boys.” Then, he, too, went to his room.

The next morning, nothing was said of the incident. Apo did not talk about the manlalayug, and neither did my parents. But there was a tension in the air as the weeks passed, and the doomed night neared.

On Thursday, the night before the full moon, Alejandro brought up the subject while we were in bed.

“Do you think she’ll strike again?” he said.

Fernando harrumphed. “It’s just one of Apo’s tales. You wanna bet nothing will happen tomorrow?”

“How can you say that?” I protested. “Apo was telling the truth! You saw his face when he was telling us about his father. How can you just ignore it?”

“Way to go, Tonyo! We didn’t know you really believed that!” Alejandro said. He whispered something to Fernando and they laughed. Within moments, they were chanting, “Sissy! Sissy! Sissy!”

Wanting to strike back, I muttered, “You just don’t want to face her. You’re just afraid you’ll be her next victim.”

Fernando sat up and brought his face close to mine. “So, you’re not afraid, huh? Well, brave boy, why don’t you take Apo’s dagger and find the manlalayug yourself?”

Find the manlalayug? What a crazy idea! She’d have boys like me for breakfast, and still have room for more! I turned my back on Fernando and kept silent. But my brothers guessed the reason for my silence, and resumed their chanting once more, punctuating it with hisses.

Feeling their gibes bite, and realizing that the only way to stop their jeering was for me to agree to what they wanted me to do, I almost shouted, “Yes, yes, I’ll do it. I’ll kill her.”

The words had been empty, but when I said them, I realized that I really had to do it, not for my brothers nor for myself, but for my father. If I would not go, and the manlalayug claimed another victim tomorrow, Tatay would be forced to hunt her himself, despite what Nanay had to say because he would feel obliged.

I couldn’t—I wouldn’t—imagine what would happen if he failed.

Alejandro touched my arm, suddenly contrite. “We didn’t really mean that, Ton. We were just teasing.”

I turned to Alejandro, and told him, firmly, I hoped, “No, I’ll go. Otherwise, Tatay has to, and you know Nanay is already mad at Apo for saying he has to do it.”

My brothers realized then what I had already understood, and they, too, were silent. Fernando slung his arm around my shoulders and said, real softly, “Are you sure you can do it, Ton?”

I looked at him in the eyes and said, just as softly, “Yes.”

The next day, my brothers were unusually quiet, thinking perhaps of what I had to do that night. When Apo went to his usual place in the verandah, they helped me look for the bronze dagger in Apo’s bedroom. We found it on top of his clothes in the kaban, and we hid it in my closet.

Nobody was able to eat dinner, and though my parents were greatly puzzled for my brothers and I were usually voracious eaters no matter what the food was. They did not comment, lost in their own thoughts as well.

We said good night, and my brothers and I laid down on the mat, all tense and waiting for the time that I could safely leave the house. When we were sure that our parents and Apo were asleep, we rose. I took out the dagger from the closet and tucked it into the waistband of my pants.

“Better carry it,” Fernando whispered. “So you are ready anytime.”

Alejandro hugged me. I patted his back, saying I would be back before they knew it. I was down the stairs already when Fernando tried to pull me back inside the house. “Ton, don’t do it. Please! You’ll get yourself killed.”

I pulled out of his grasp and said, “I won’t. I’ll take care.”

Then I ran, ran into the wide streets, and onto the open fields that lay between us and the town proper.

I reached the town in ten minutes. Tired by my run, I plopped down on a bench in the plaza contemplating my next action. Should I spend the whole night there? The bench was cold, and after my run, the air was chilly. I only had a thin T-shirt, and a pair of short pants (good for running, I thought then), and though I was accustomed to cold weather, the air that night was especially biting. I was shivering within minutes.

My heart was beating rapidly. I seemed to be the only one awake in the whole town, and I was sitting in the middle of the plaza with only the bronze dagger to comfort me.

I looked around and everything was in shades of gray. Some bats screeched and a few crickets chirped but, otherwise, I was alone, and I could hear noises, noises that my nocturnal companions did not make. I was hearing the noises of the night, and it seemed to come from everywhere, yet from nowhere.

I suddenly had a name for what I felt—fear. And it was fear that slowly filled my whole being.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore—the bats, the cold, the gray shapes that seemed to be moving toward me, and the utter stillness of everything around me. I stood up and began to run back home, berating myself for the foolishness of my pride, and cursing my brothers for forcing me to prove my masculinity.

On my way back, passing by the first rice field, I realized that nothing stirred. I slowed down to a walk and listened. Not a single stalk of rice moved, not a single cricket chirped. I remember thinking that it was too calm, too still.

I was halfway through the second rice field when I detected movement ahead of me. I hoped to God that it was only one of my brothers, or our neighbor Pilo the drunkard, or anybody except the one I thought it would be.

I was already sweating profusely, though my palms were cold. My grip on the dagger slipped more than a few times, and I had to grope for it on the ground since I did not want to take my eyes off from what might be in front of me.

I suddenly realized that everything was becoming very, very real. My brothers and their dare were a million years away. This was reality—me holding a cold piece of metal, in the middle of nowhere, shivering because of the cold and because of something moving in front of me that I couldn’t see. This was my reality, and I was deathly afraid.

I considered what to do—go back to the town and wake someone up to accompany me back home, or go ahead?

I was standing indecisively when the matter was taken from my hands. I saw her, just a few steps in front of me, appearing quite suddenly—all woman, all flesh. Her movements were graceful, and her hair was very, very long, moving with a life of its own, trailing after her like a black luminescent gown. And she was looking at me, and she seemed to see deep into my soul.

I knew at that moment that it was her—the manlalayug I had been waiting for and wanting to hunt. But knowing that it was her did not stop my growing interest for her. I let her get closer, fascinated by the way she walked. She was gliding, and her feet did not touch the ground, of that I could’ve sworn.

When she was near enough to touch me, she reached out her hand and, blindly, I took it. It was soft, so soft, and I could smell her, the fragrance of the wind and the sea. Slowly, she pulled me against her soft body.

I was lost. I could feel it. I was going to return her embrace when my dagger nicked me, just a little, in the arm and I woke as if from a dream, and saw what was facing me.

Without thinking, I stabbed her in the chest, hard, bringing down the bronze weapon into her beautiful bosom with my two hands. To my surprise, my blade passed through her body into thin air, and I almost stumbled. What the…?

Then I remembered, and in my mind Apo was screaming, She’s behind you! She’s behind you! Stab backwards!

Gripping the metal with all the strength my 12-year-old body could muster, I drove the dagger backwards, not surprised this time, when I encountered firm flesh, which quickly yielded and buried my blade to the hilt.

The image in front of me vanished, and when I turned around, there she was, the manlalayug, writhing with pain, clutching her stomach, as she tried to quell the flowing of her blood. In seconds, her immaculate gown turned crimson.

I ran and never looked back.

I found my brothers awake and waiting for me by the door. They told me they were about to wake up my parents and tell them what happened. Then they saw my bloody arm and hands, and the blade still dripping with the manlalayug’s blood. Fernando ran to our parents’ bedroom and banged for all he was worth, and they came out, Apo came out, and they saw what I had done.

All of us went back to the place where I fought the manlalayug, each of us bringing a weapon but the manlalayug was no longer there. All that remained was a puddle of blood, dark and ominous in the moonlight.

The next morning, the whole town searched for a wounded woman, and even the local officials were persuaded to join the hunt once we told them what happened. But we didn’t find her. Nor was any woman reported to have died in the next few days.

But the killings stopped after that. And to my brothers, and even to the other children, I was no longer Tonyo the Wimp. Overnight, I had become Tonyo the Brave—and that was the name I became known for, for the rest of my life.

YES, yes, that was a nice story, my dears, a nice story. But there are no more stories like that. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you instead about how the river Polangi came to be. It, too, is a nice story.

Now, you go on up, it’s already late. Lolo Tonyo is tired, and you all have to go to school tomorrow. Good night, good night.

©2001 by Maria Aleah G. Taboclaon

Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She’s partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!

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The statement from Ventosilla’s family “raises very serious questions that deserve clear and accurate answers,” Harvard Kennedy School Dean Douglas Elmendorf said. “Harvard Kennedy School supports the family’s call for an immediate and thorough investigation and for public release of all relevant information, and the School stands with all of Rodrigo’s friends and colleagues and with the LGBTQ+ community.”

Ventosilla’s family has asked the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to push for an investigation into Indonesian authorities’ conduct. But in a statement issued this week, the ministry appeared to side with Indonesian officials’ account of the events.

In a news release on Aug. 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that Indonesian authorities’ actions amounted to discrimination and anti-trans violence. The ministry said that the arrest happened because customs officers found pills with a medical prescription and “objects that contained traces of cannabis, as well as various products made with said substance.”

“As is public knowledge, Indonesia maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding the possession of drugs and their derivative products, for which one of the detained nationals would have committed a serious crime under the strict laws of that country,” the ministry said.

It also said that the Peruvian Consulate was in touch with local authorities throughout to ensure that they worked within local law and respected Ventosilla and Marallano’s rights.

Gianna Camacho, a spokesperson for Ventosilla’s family, told BuzzFeed News that they reject the ministry’s statement, calling it an “offense against the families” and “biased” against Sebastian and the families’ accounts.

“We demand a process that determines those responsible for the torture, extortion and violation of human rights that Sebastián suffered and that led to the death of Rodrigo,” they said.

Marallano has since returned to Lima, the spokesperson said. Ventosilla’s body is expected to arrive on Aug. 31.

The deterioration of LGBTQ rights in Indonesia has alarmed activists and human rights organizations. There is no law explicitly prohibiting same-sex relations, and trans people can change their gender on official documents after gender reassignment surgery. But authorities have leaned on other laws to crack down on LGBTQ people in the country. Reports of violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ community in Indonesia are rampant, and local activists have said it could get worse.

Indonesia also has some of the strictest drug laws in the world. Travelers from other countries have been handed the death penalty for drug offenses in the past. Cannabis is considered a Category 1 narcotic, and possession can result in years of imprisonment and hefty fines.

Most prescription medication is allowed into Indonesia, though authorities strongly advise bringing a doctor’s letter and the original prescription along with it. International travelers have also been detained in Indonesia for carrying medication without a prescription.

Unarguably, peace is life. All people across the globe have been feeling the taste of peace and are heard of saying that it is the backbone of all sorts of activities since nothing can be safely carried out without it. Yes, peace is priceless human capital that knows no boundary because everything in the world can’t be dealt with in human life without the presence of peaceful atmosphere and persistent security.

When it comes to the onward motion tied with economic growth, the scenario that attracts different versions as economy; the basis of livelihood and the secret behind staying alive; economy or source of food product; one of the most fundamental or basic necessities of life, of course, the role of peace is untold.

Cognizant of the fact that every activity in relation to social, political or economic progress is highly annexed or firmly intertwined with peace and serenity, The Ethiopian Herald had recently a stay with Mohammed Feisel, who was graduated in Agro Economics from Haramaya University, to have professional outlook regarding the peace and economic growth or affluent life style.

He said, “In the first place, no one can limit the significant of peace as it is equaled by none on the planet earth for it was, is being, has been, even will in a limitless fashion be the source of all the good, inside calmness and social repose. Truly speaking, no one can provide peace with a clear cut explanation or purpose since it is tantamount to assuming all the things found in the land in aggregate.

In simple terms, health is peace, life in the absence of scarcity is peace, harmonious living is peace, clean and mesmerizing environment is peace, showing progress in life is peace, love is peace, wealth or income is peace.”

As far as the latter is concerned, wealth or economic aspect which is the basis for every life, all activities from which economy is secured need peace and peaceful trend more than anything else as every fruit can be successfully collected in the presence or peace. Needless to state, peace is life in short as every aspect of life demands it equally with what living things deserve to stay alive, equally with air, food, shelter and other related necessities for life. True, peace is the lifeblood of human existence, and its absence entirely disrupts life let alone leaving rooms for production and productivity and recording growth in economic spheres.

As to Mohammed, the relationship between the economic performances of Ethiopia, for instance, its levels of peace could hardly be expressed in words as peace acts as a reliable predictor of a country’s future performance for a number of macro-economic indicators. In the prevalence of peace and peaceful atmosphere, a number of insights can be better assessed and the potential source of economic advancement and investment perspectives of the country are going to be well expedited.

Mohamed further explained that, apart from sorting out the potential means that enable the nation to promote production and productivity in Ethiopia, taking the presence of peace and serenity for granted, properly hunting financial investment products that are likely to yield higher returns has to be well capitalized on.

Besides, it is quite important for the country to develop more comprehensively competent companies, which can decide where to invest and determine better future economic outcomes. Clearly, all the available sources of economic progress had better be exploited well thereby helping the nation come up with gratifying economic growth bedecked with peaceful environment. The role of peace especially in due course of running activities in relation to economic factors is by far invaluable since such a travel-oriented step requires peace, security, amicable social communication and peaceful coexistence.

Mohammed further elucidated, “We all need to capitalize on what peace can offer businesses instead of saying what businesses can do for peace. All economic actors and business doers have to be granted with peace and security. In order for the private sector to engage with peace building, investors’ thus first need to see the benefits of peace to their investment decisions as economic performance can be predicted by movements in the same socioeconomic developmental factors that impact peacefulness.”

Without a shadow of doubt, greater peacefulness is extraordinarily connected with higher levels of economic firmness of purpose, business and technological innovation, higher worker productivity and less administrative red tape, he added. Mohammed further said that the presence of peace has long been the main factor used to forecast superior economic performance by the nation since the country can set a number of economy-oriented plans, macroeconomic trajectories and national development schemes taking its unwavering peace for granted. Otherwise, it is difficult to back home out for work and conducting a range of societal associations let alone thinking about how can solicit income generating means, which in turn helps the nation garner huge economic return at the end of the day.

Hence, embarking on peace is an incomparable step to be taken in Ethiopia if the country wants to become an affluent one. Interestingly, the country has been in a position to register remarkable economic growth, win tourists’ confidence, create continental market linkage and contribute a lot to the nation’s economic growth though there are challenges, he added.

He said, “Peace first and all other aspects are its subordinates in life. Peacefulness is the backbone of economic progress, social connection, political interaction and even a means to drive bilateral or multilateral ties wheel well. Therefore, nothing is much more important and rewarding than working for peace in the history of human race. Come to our point, we can absolutely say that peace and economic growth are two sides of a coin. “

Mohammed said, “If the issue of peace is entirely solved in Ethiopia, the high cost of living, peculiarly witnessed in urban areas, would undoubtedly sharply fall for agricultural products are transported from place to place without restriction and reservation. If this is so, the long heaped social, political, cultural and even economic challenges from which every Ethiopian is now suffering are going to be queued in their proper pattern and provide citizens with a sigh of relief.”

Yes, peace and its invaluable elements attract higher rates of foreign direct investment, promote low inflation, lift citizens’ purchasing power, and ensure equitable distribution of resources thereby recording superior economic and investment performance across the nation. The reason for such superior returns lies in the relationship between the factors that create peace and those that create a robust transaction, economic bolstering and conducive economic environment, is the prevalence of lasting peace, he added.

Progress in peace indeed helps the government exercise low level of corruption and improve the everyday lives of citizens via reducing the cost of regulatory compliance for businesses, and contributing a lot to peace that targets at improving systems of doing business and making profits out of all economic activities, and this is practically being done so, Mohammed opined.

Ethiopia’s progress in the peace and security framework is highly associated with increased production and productivity with superior financial returns, outcomes on safe biodiversity and a viable social well-being. As peace is a very good forecaster of future environmental, social and governance performance, all citizens have to join force and move in unison to come up with economically, socially and even politically stable nation under the auspicious of peaceful scenario. That is why it is recurrently heralded that better economic performance assists in building peace and vice-versa.

Peace and economic growth together can form a virtuous cycle. Similarly, a worsening performance in peace hinders economic growth and contributes to the process of forming a vicious cycle. The economy and peace can therefore be thought of as a system that can move in either a beneficial or destructive direction. In simple terms, the systemic relationships between peace and favorable economic environments have to be well handled and well nurtured for a delightful return.

In a nutshell, since the nation has registered commendable economic growth and appealing tourism amid some sorts of challenges, everyone has to focus on ensuring peace and security. The best scheme for successfully addressing such a daunting challenge, which has highly compromised the smooth flow of activities in one way or another due to lack of peace and security, must be well aborted to help the nation record remarkable economic growth for attaining the intended prosperity.

Such a bold move unquestionably helps make money and do business individually or collectively out of every sector and this in turn would enable the nation bring about a better economic growth. As stated from the outset, economic growth without peace is definitely unthinkable!

Now that Thailand is open to visitors again, many people are rushing back to this beautiful Southeast Asian country, where white-sand beaches, incredibly delicious food, and historic temples abound. Bangkok, which I always recommend for solo travelers, is where the majority of tourists arrive. There you can find many of the best Thailand landmarks, from the opulent Grand Palace and the quirky Fertility Shrine, to the numerous shopping opportunities all over the city.

You can find a great many interesting, historic, and just plain beautiful places all over Thailand. As a bonus, it is also one of the cheapest places to visit in Asia where you can enjoy plenty of things to do on a budget. Here is a list of some of the best Thailand landmarks you can visit once you get there.

Have the time of your life in Bangkok

Before heading off to the north of the country, or down to the islands, spend a few days (or a week!) in Bangkok, where everything happens. Make sure to check out these landmarks while you’re there!

1. The Grand Palace

The architectural masterpiece located at the heart of Bangkok houses the world-renowned Emerald Buddha and is the symbol of the monarchy’s unrivaled place in the lives of the Thais. It has been the official residence of the King of Thailand since 1782 with the king’s court, the king himself, and his government based on the premises before 1925. Pay a visit to see where the spirit of magnificence and absolutism dwells. 

As with any holy place in the country, make sure to wear the proper clothes when visiting the Grand Palace. Women should cover their shoulders and knees; don’t wear short-shorts, sleeveless or strapless dresses, or low-cut tops. You can also buy a shawl when you get there.

2. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

One of the best places to see the sunrise is Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, along the Chao Phraya River. It is said to have been given its name when one of the Thai kings came with his family to watch a sunrise.

If you sail into Bangkok, rather than arrive by land or air, Wat Arun will be one of the first things you will see. It is named after Aruna, the Hindu god of the Sun often personified as the rays of the rising sun. 

3. Sri Maha Mariamman

I know Bangkok is chock-full of temples, but this is one of the many Thailand landmarks you should check out. Located on the bustling Silom Road, one of Bangkok’s main arteries, this is the most important Tamil Hindu temple in Thailand.

The Indian influence has fashioned not only Thai past and present but also those of the region as a whole. Sri Maha Mariamman, done in the South Indian style, was built in the late 18th century by a Tamil-Hindu immigrant. It is, first and foremost, what reminds of the deep ties between Thailand and India.

4. Lumpini Park

Also located along Silom Road, Lumpini Park is the lungs of Bangkok. The piece of greenery is crawling with big lizards, known as water monitors, and is always full of joggers and other health-conscious citizens of Bangkok. At any time of the week, you can find people running there, doing Zumba or other aerobic classes, or working out at the outdoor gym.

Lumpini Park is also just a great place to sit down and take a break, especially after sightseeing or shopping. Note it is close to Chinatown, where you can have authentic Chinese food, and where you can visit one of the most revered Chinese temples in Thailand, the Guan Yu Shrine. 

5. Chinatown

Pay a visit to the bustling district in the center of Bangkok, Chinatown. It is one of the most scenic Thailand landmarks and is especially appealing at night when the red Chinese lanterns are all lighted up.

Aside from shopping, go on a food trip there. Try roasted duck and noodles on the side streets. Don’t forget to visit the heart of the district, Guan Yu Shrine, an incense-heavy place where the Chinese community come to worship Guan Yu,  a paragon of loyalty and righteousness, a hero both to the lawful and lawless. 

6. Chatuchak Market

Who hasn’t heard of this huge market in Bangkok? It’s definitely a shopaholic’s dream. There are thousands of small shops that sell clothing, home goods, toys, pet products, souvenirs and postcards to send back to family.

Chatuchak Market has over 8,000 stalls, and on a normal weekend, there would be thousands (some say up to 200,000) of people walking around here, pre-Covid, of course.

Bought more than you could carry in your luggage? Not to worry, there are shipping companies in Chatuchak. Just bring your purchases there and send back home!

7. Joseph Conrad’s hotel, the Mandarin Oriental

Joseph Conrad, a Russia-born Pole that became a great English writer, first arrived in Bangkok for his debut as a captain. It was here that many of his works were written, including the famous Lord Jim. Lord Jim, having arrived in Bangkok was carousing fairly much, pushing boisterous fellow drinkers into the muddy waters of the Chao Phraya.

Just like his hero, Joseph Conrad is also said to have engaged in avid drinking by the Chao Phraya, in what is now Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. He ordered stiff hard liquors instead of cocktails, prized by the likes of more moderate Somerset Maugham that also put up there (Maugham was recovering from jungle-contracted malaria at the time).

Head to the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, and see for yourself the place that may have inspired Joseph Conrad to write many of his Oriental sea tales, the somewhat colonial Lord Jim Bar, and have a glass or two in his name. 

8. Kanit House

Another location featured in the movies is Kanit House, a residential complex torn down in the 1990s where famous French serial killer and fraudster Charles Sobharj lived. It is extensively featured in the recent BBC production (watch The Serpent on Netflix!) devoted to the criminal, who is currently in jail in Kathamndu.

Kanit House is a great place to approach this somewhat ghastly chapter of expat Bangkok’s past. Sadly, since the original Kanit House was pulled down, the documentary was filmed at one of the locations on Sukhumvit Road. This is definitely not for everyone, but it’s interesting, nonetheless, for those who are interested in dark tourism.

9. Jim Thompson’s House

Another house that is less creepy and seedy and more on mystery, is the Jim Thompson House. Set at the end of a long road and surrounded by landscaped gardens, the house was owned by American businessman and art collector James H.W. Thompson. He was a prominent figure in his day; as the founder of a world-renowned luxury Thai silk company, he had the prestige, the wealth, and the connections to hold popular social gatherings in his beautiful home.

That is, until he disappeared.

Jim Thompson had lived in Thailand for more than 20 years when he mysteriously disappeared in 1967 while out for a walk in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. Years after his disappearance, his house and art collection were turned into a national museum.

10. Monument to Democracy

Located close to the frenzied Khao San Road, where crowds of mostly-young tourists engage in unhinged party-making well beyond the dawn, the Monument to Democracy is one of the best of Thailand landmarks for a different reason. It is a testimony to Thailand’s becoming a true democracy.

Its four wing-like structures stand around a monument featuring a copy of the original constitution placed on a pedestal. It commemorates the revolution in 1932 that introduced Thailand’s first constitution. 

11. The temples of Ayutthaya

If you’re visiting Bangkok for more than just a few days, I would urge you not to miss a day trip to the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, an ancient capital of Siam only a couple of hours from Bangkok.

Two of its most important temples are Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and Wat Phra Mahathat, where you can find the iconic Buddha head entangled in tree roots.

Enjoy the chill vibes of northern Thailand

It goes without saying that you should definitely visit Chiang Mai when you go to Thailand. This northern capital has a lot to offer, especially the hordes of digital nomads who prefer it slower and quieter pace. While there are a lot of Thailand landmarks in the north, here are a couple you can check out in and outside of Chiang Mai.

12. Wat Chedi Luang

The monastic establishment’s grand, even if somewhat forlorn, appearance and its past are what make this Buddhist temple one of the best places to visit in Chiang Mai. The mesmerizing even if somewhat ruin-like facade hides the glorious past of the monastery.

It is here that the world-renowned Buddha statue, Phra Kaew, the sacred palladium of Thailand, was housed before being moved to the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

13. Wat Sri Suphan, the Silver Temple

Located along Wualai Road just outside the old city walls, Wat Sri Suphan stands out. Its ubosot (ordination hall) are full of intricate carvings on a thin, silver panel. Produced through traditional silver-making practices, the details speak volumes of the skills of its silversmiths who use techniques that have been handed down to them for generations.

14. Doi Chiang Dao

Located near Chiang Mai lies one of the best hiking trails in Thailand, the Doi Chiang Dao. It takes you through the unique Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, whose mountainsides are sheltered by a thick foliage of trees and wildflowers. Even though some hike it as an over-nighter, you can also travel the route during the day, if reasonably fit; and even put up at a lodge to stay longer.

Start your trek early, and don’t forget to break for lunch. Note that even though three hours of the hike will be through the dense evergreen forest, you still must take precautions such as applying slathers of sun-block. Also, keep in mind that to go on this hike you must be accompanied by a tour guide. 

You can find some cave systems in Chiang Dao, which are free to check out and quite easy to go around in. Make sure to take a dip as well in their “hot springs,” which are basically tubs of water filled with warm water from the mountains.

Spend the rest of your time in Thailand on the islands

Once you’ve had your fill of Bangkok and its temples, and Chiang Mai and its chilled-out digital nomads, head to the best Thailand has to offer: its beaches!

One of the greatest and fastest ways to uncover rural Thailand is traveling in a standing-only train carriage to Surat Thani, the main travel hub of Southern Thailand. It is the gateway to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Thao, three islands which are home to three of the best Thailand landmarks such as Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui, Haad Rin party places in Koh Phangan (where you can find the world-famous full moon parties), or Sairee Beach on Koh Tao.  

15. Phuket

The huge island of Phuket, the largest in Thailand, is not just its crowd-teeming Patong, full of irresistible temptations to some and a hell-hole of loud noises to others. There are also a great many pristine beaches scattered around the island, perfect for swimming and surfing.

It is also from Phuket where you can visit Ko Phi Phi, where The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed, and Krabi, whose craggy limestone cliffs and over a hundred smaller islands tempt many to extend their stay.

Thailand definitely deserves its reputation as one of the best places to visit if you are after nature, history, food, and culture. The Thailand landmarks mentioned here are just a very few of the many that you can find there. Check out the travel restrictions and make sure to start your new year enjoying what the country has to offer!

What landmark would you add here, if you’d been to Thailand?

Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She’s partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!

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Doctors are “concerned” for the health of Queen Elizabeth II and have placed her under medical supervision, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday.

“Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” the Palace said in a statement. “The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”

The Queen’s eldest son and heir Prince Charles is with her, while other family including Princes William and Harry have also journeyed to Scotland.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said in a statement, “The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime.”

“My thoughts — and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom — are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time,” Truss said.

The Queen was last seen publicly on Tuesday at her Scotland residence, where she formally invited Truss to become prime minister. In photos of the meeting, the 96-year-old monarch used her cane and smiled at cameras.

I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding, and example. Queen Elizabeth’s was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.

Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where The Queen was Head of State, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than seventy years in which my Mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations. In 1947, on her twenty-first birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples. That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss. In her life of service, we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as Nations. The affection, admiration, and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign. And, as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humor, and an unerring ability always to see the best in people. I pay tribute to my Mother’s memory and I honor her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all.

When The Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were still coping with the privations and aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of earlier times. In the course of the last seventy years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths. The institutions of the State have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of Realms – of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant.

The role and the duties of Monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England – the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted. In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government. As The Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation. And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.

My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.

This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage seventeen years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much. As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades. Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given. I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.

In a little over a week’s time, we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example. On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express. And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May “flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Addis Ababa — The Ministry of Mines disclosed that a total of 170 companies are currently engaged in the exploration and development of mineral resources in Ethiopia.

State Minister of Mines, Million Mathewos told ENA that following the government’s reform over the past few years, there is growing interest of foreign companies engaging in the mines sector across the country.

According to him, Ethiopia with 1.1 million square kilometers area, has advantageous geography and geological conditions and unique mixtures of various minerals even in the same place.

Beneath the fertile lands and vibrant landscapes of Ethiopia lies a treasure trove of untapped mineral wealth, a vast reserve of resources waiting to be unearthed and harnessed for the nation’s economic prosperity, it was learned.

“To date, over 100 companies are actively engaged in mineral exploration across the country, while about 70 others are actively developing different mining projects transcending the exploration stage in minerals like gold, gas, iron, geothermal and others. This is huge,” Million pointed out.

Stating that the exploration stage could take three weeks up to fifteen years, he noted many companies engaged in the exploration and development stages are expected to transform to the construction stage and more investors will be attracted in the coming few years.

He stated that the government has identified the mining sector as a major pillar of the country’s development and has been promoting the sector in different parts of the world.

“We have vast untapped mineral resources,” the state minister underscored, adding that “some of them are already explored and many of them are yet to be explored.”

He added: “the minerals we identified so far are able to transform us from the level we are now to an elevated economic growth becoming big source of capital, input to agriculture and industry.”

As Ethiopia’s mining sector continues to gain momentum, the country is poised to transform its untapped mineral wealth into a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development.

The government has given high priority to the mining sector by considering it as one of the critical economic sectors of the country and is taking several reform measures.

In order to realizing this national aspiration, Ethiopia has been preparing a national mines policy to sustainably harness the untapped potential of the sector.

The policy aims to attract domestic and foreign investment by creating a transparent and predictable regulatory environment, promoting sustainable mining practices, and enhancing local community engagement.

The Second Annual Mining and Technology Expo was also inaugurated last week by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed with the main objective to promoting the sector by bringing stakeholders and experts in the sector together to discuss challenges and opportunities.

The expo 5 days featured presentations, panel discussions, and networking events aimed at fostering collaboration and advancing the mining industry in Ethiopia.

Some parts of Australia are currently under hard lockdown, over a year since the pandemic blew up the world. Hopefully, things will get better soon, and the country will welcome tourists again. In the meantime, here’s an article on the best treks in Australia from fellow blogger, Louis from Outdoor Explorer. If you’re an avid hiker or just a nature enthusiast, Australia has some of the best trails (and the best extreme adventures) you can take!

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Australia is known around the world for being a continent full of natural beauty and wonder, and one of the best ways to experience this is by hiking some of the fantastic trails that the country has to offer. Whether you’re a new hiker, new to hiking in Australia, or a veteran with several mountains in your belt, you will find a route for you down under.

Here are some of the best hiking trails in Australia.

Best Hiking Treks in Australia

#1 – Mt Ngungun: Perfect for New Hikers

Pronounced noo-noo in the local Aboriginal language, this is a small mountain that makes up part of the Glasshouse Mountains range on the Sunshine Coast. This is a shorter walk, perfect for beginner hikers or those who haven’t hiked elsewhere in Australia.

It’s only about 3 kilometers, return, yet it offers those who make it to the top outstanding views of the surrounding area, thanks to its 250m elevation.

The walk can be steep in places, so take your time and go at your own pace. The top of the mountain is open to the sun, so make sure that you bring plenty of water with you to avoid dehydration.

It’s also home to a variety of rare native plants that aren’t found in many other parts of Australia.

#2 – The Overland Track: For Extreme Adventurers

On the other extreme, there’s the Overland Track, a 6-day, 65-km trek through outback Tasmania (an island off the south coast of mainland Australia).

There’s a huge variety of landscapes and ecosystems that you can expect to experience as you progress along this hike. There are deep glacial valleys, open plains, towering eucalyptus jungles, and much, much more.

Public huts are spread along the hike, which you can use as accommodation if you wish. It’s also advisable to bring a lightweight hiking tent with you in case you don’t make it to the huts before nightfall.

You’ll need to purchase a $200 pass from the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service to be able to do this walk.

#3 – Twin Falls Circuit: One of the Most Refreshing Treks in Australia

Located in Springbrook National Park, just west of the Gold Coast, this circuit walk is a nice day walk suitable for all ages.

Despite being only 4 kilometers long, it is packed with interesting sights. There are narrow caves nestled among huge boulders, vantage points where you can look out over the Gold Coast and the ocean beyond, plus two large waterfalls.

One of the waterfalls plunges into a large pool, which is a popular swimming spot. It’s a nice place to cool off at the end of your walk.

If you listen carefully, you can hear the distinctive call of the native catbird at certain points. As the name suggests, this bird really does sound like a cat!

There are also a few nice spots where you can have a picnic, so feel free to bring along some food.

#4 – The Multi-Day Fraser Island Great Walk

The largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island covers an area of 1,840 square kilometers and is located just off the eastern coast of Australia.

It also contains one of Australia’s most famous walks, the Fraser Island Great Walk.

At 90 kilometers in length, and taking on average 6 to 8 days to complete, this is certainly a hike for experienced trekkers only. With a mix of both tropical rainforests and flora found only in sand environments, this is a very unique hike.

The hike can be broken up into smaller sections if you don’t feel like tackling the whole thing in one go. This is a fairly remote trek, so make sure that you bring plenty of water and gear with you.

Being a multi-day hike, it’s also very important that you pack your backpack appropriately to keep the weight evenly distributed and avoid putting unnecessary stress on your body. Check out this guide on how to pack your backpack properly.

#5 – Climbing and Hiking Mt Tibrogargan

Another hike in the Glasshouse Mountains range, this one is actually part hike, part mountain climb due to the incredible steepness in parts.

This mountain is actually the plug of a volcano that existed around 27 million years ago.

Today, you can hike/climb to the top of the 360-meter high mountain and enjoy stunning views of the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the other Glasshouse Mountains.

Be aware that this climb is very steep and only recommended for those with decent footwear and plenty of hiking experience.

When to Go Hiking in Australia

Australia is a vast country, with a climate that varies from place to place. Generally speaking, winter is quite mild in most of the country, so autumn, winter, and spring is the best time of the year for hiking.

The heat is brutal in summer, and you greatly increase your risk of sunstroke or dehydration if you choose to hike for extended periods at this time. If you go hiking in summer, bring plenty of water (a lot more than you think that you will need) as well as a hat and appropriate clothing.

Many of Australia’s venomous snakes tend to be more active in summer too, which makes the cooler months a better time to hit the trails.

Things to Know When Hiking in Australia

When going on hiking treks in Australia, like in any country, it pays to observe safety precautions. Here are some tips on how to maximize your trip.

Heat

The Australian summer is hotter and more dangerous than in many other countries. In the northern parts of the country, summer is hot and humid, while in the southern parts, it is hot and dry.

Regardless, the sun is very strong in Australia and you can get sunburnt, dehydrated, or sunstroke after even moderate exercise in direct sunlight.

Avoid hiking in the hottest part of the day, wear a hat and sunscreen and make sure that you always take water with you.

Wildlife

Australia has a reputation for being home to many dangerous animals, and this is true to a degree.

When hiking, snakes are your greatest threat in terms of wildlife. There are a number of venomous snakes in Australia, although the Eastern Brown snake is probably the one you need to be the most careful of (being the second most venomous land snake in the world).

When hiking, step heavily and don’t be afraid to make some noise. This gives any snakes advance warning of your presence and time for them to scatter. They are fearful of humans and will generally only attack if provoked.

If you are bitten, use the Pressure Immobilization Technique (PIT) to bandage the wound and get a companion to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Avoid moving your body as this can spread around the venom.

In saying this, snakebite fatalities are very rare in Australia (usually around one per year). Driving from home to the car park at the trailhead is probably more risky than being bitten by a snake.

Summing Up

Australia is a beautiful country with a variety of different hikes (and other adventures) that each show off a different aspect of this natural beauty.

Hiking really is the best way to experience the different landscapes, climates, and ecosystems that the country has to offer. When the world is open again, feel free to drop by for a visit and go on one (or several) hiking treks in Australia!

Louis is an outdoors enthusiast from Australia. He writes all about camping, hiking, and caravanning over at Outdoor Explorer. You can also follow him on YouTube.

These are the devastating effects that Pakistan’s deadly floods are wreaking on the country.

Dubbed “the monster monsoon of the decade” by Pakistan’s climate change minister Sherry Rehman, torrential rain in the region has killed at least 982 people since June, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

Every 24 hours, the agency lists hundreds of men, women, and children who have been injured or killed because of collapsed roofs, flash floods, or drowning.

“Pakistan is living through a serious climate catastrophe, one of the hardest in the decade,” Rehman said in a Twitter video. “We are, at the moment, at the ground zero of the frontline of extreme weather events in an unrelenting cascade of heat waves, forest fires, flash floods, multiple glacial lake outbursts, flood events, and now the monster monsoon of the decade is wreaking nonstop havoc throughout the country.”

The unprecedented deluge — worse than Pakistan’s 2010 “superflood,” which affected 20 million people — has overwhelmed the country’s resources, prompting leaders to urge the international community to help with relief efforts.

One of the hardest-hit provinces, Sindh, has requested 1 million tents for its displaced residents, Rehman told Reuters. But there aren’t enough tents, and people are seeking refuge in makeshift shelters in school buildings and mosques, she said.

The streets are filled with stagnant sewage water, and the risk of waterborne diseases is high.

“This is clearly the climate crisis of the decade,” Rehman said. “Through no fault of our own,” she added, noting that Pakistan emits less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Global warming is causing Pakistan’s 7,000 glaciers — the largest number outside the poles — to melt, causing glacial lake outbursts triggered by heat waves in the country.

This year, extreme weather events like droughts, heat waves, and floods are affecting every part of the world.

In Africa, floods have taken a devastating toll on tens of thousands of people in Chad and Gambia, while nearly 4.6 million children in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are threatened by severe malnutrition following a severe drought in the region, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Meanwhile, in Europe, receding water levels caused by drought are revealing underwater artifacts, while three ancient Buddha statues resurfaced after water levels plunged in China’s Yangtze River. And in Dallas, a summer’s worth of rainfall in one day wreaked havoc in the city amid a drought in Texas.

Weather disasters like droughts are inextricably linked to human-induced climate change. The planet has already warmed 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, according to NASA, and that’s making disasters worse. Stopping this vicious cycle will require drastically reducing our reliance on climate-polluting fossil fuels.

Addis Ababa — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia’s pathway to prosperity follows a multi-sectoral growth approach to enable equitable development, underscoring the importance of the private sector as the engine of growth.

The premier made the remark at the opening of the 20th General Conference (GC.20) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna, Austria today.

“we are an entrepreneurial state that recognizes the private sector as the engine of growth and aims to harness our demographic dividend for productivity,” Abiy said.

Industrial policies are the most viable strategies for accelerating Africa’s economic growth, the premier stated, noting that “Our convening here today offers an opportunity to visit our shared commitment to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development.”

According to him, Africa is endowed with abundant natural resources including critical minerals and dynamic youth population which are essential for industrial productivity and transformation of the economy. And yet, he said poverty remains to be among the most serious challenges, which entail placing Africa at the center of the global industrialization agenda.

“History has shown us that industrialization can lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty across the world. The manufacturing sector in particular has emerged as the driver of prosperity providing employment and fostering innovation in both developed and developing countries.”

The premier stated that over the past two decades, the world of industry has been in constant state of change due to digital transformation and evolving geopolitical landscape and the need for a green industrialization because of climate change.

Abiy further said, Ethiopia, since 2018, has embarked upon reforms rooted in a deep understanding of the nation’s potentials, challenges and opportunities to expand its economy and accelerate poverty reduction.

“Our vision is to fully unlock Ethiopia’s untapped potential in various sectors and to drive this growth through able institutions and highly skilled labor. Our pathway to prosperity follows a multi -sector growth approach to enable equitable development,’the premier said.

“We have been making deliberate policy shifts aimed at boosting productivity in all sectors and creating conducive investment and business environments. Our Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda introduced macro -financial, structural and sectoral reforms aimed at liberalizing key economic sectors such as telecom and banking, fostering private sector investment, enhancing external competitiveness, and productive capabilities,” Abiy elaborated.

He further stated that Ethiopia has strengthened its adaptive industrial policymaking by establishing a free economic zone in order to be more agile in the face of a changing world. “We have been investing extensively in multi-sectoral growth sources under the homegrown economic reform pillars of agriculture, industry, tourism, ICT and mining.”

These investments, according the premier, have translated into noteworthy achievements, including increased agricultural productivity, the emergence of a growing mining sector, robust momentum in the digital economy and notable flagship destination initiatives in the tourism sector.

The production of strategic commodities like wheat, coffee and avocado, alongside promising measures for substituting edible oil and rice production are pivotal for food-sufficiency, he added.

“Over the past five years, we have managed to raise our total farm area from 15.3 million hectares to 22 .9 million hectares, with vast amount of land for crop production still available for cultivation as we continue expanding on our potential in the agricultural sector.”

Prime Minister Abiy further elaborated that the digital economy is making substantial progress driven by the implementation of foundational elements such as a digital ID and payment systems with the establishment of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute that focuses on research and development of solutions in our priority sectors.

The five day conference emphasizes on how inclusive and sustainable industrial development can support sustainable supply chains, limit the climate breakdown and contribute to ending hunger.

The General Conference is the highest policymaking organ of United Nations Industrial Organization (UNIDO).

Any legit cafephile (someone who really loves coffee) would want to know where to go for the world’s best coffee. After all, is there anything more enjoyable than sitting by a street café enjoying the brew while people watching? It’s one of my best pastimes when traveling.

Indeed, coffee is possibly the world’s most popular beverage. For centuries, we have consumed coffee as the perfect pick-me-up in the morning, or at just about any time of the day. As a coffee lover, definitely consider visiting places with a strong a coffee culture.

Here is a list of five cities where you can find the world’s best coffee. Start your day at any of the cafés, sample their offerings, and then explore the city as much as you can. These are certainly worth visiting for their tourist sites alone, but coffee lovers would enjoy the added perk.

Drink cappuccino in Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy has a huge coffee culture. Some of your favorite styles of coffee were born in this vibrant, bustling city. Small cups of espresso were first brewed here, as well as cappuccino. You will still find a huge coffee and cafe culture in this city to this day, with the streets filled with cafes and vendors offering a massive range of coffees. Most will taste a lot better than the coffee you find in the cities and towns you are used to.

Rome is also rich in world history, and you can spend some of your time in this city visiting sites like the Roman Colosseum with a freshly brewed cup of coffee in your hand.

Enjoy the world’s best coffee — Kopi Luwak in Java, Indonesia

The island of Java in Indonesia has become synonymous with coffee, so much so that many people call any cup of coffee a java. This small and idyllic island became one of the world’s largest coffee producers centuries ago, and still provides some of the world’s best beans for coffee lovers around the world.

One of Java’s most famous beans is kopi luwak. This is the famous “cat poop” coffee that many of the world’s coffee connoisseurs think is the best brew on the planet. Take a look here to find out more about the history of cat poop coffee and what makes it so special.

Try the egg coffee and coconut milk coffee in Hanoi, Vietnam

I like eggs, and I like coffee. But combined? No way!

That is, until I tried it Hanoi. The Vietnamese call it ca phe trung, and it’s made with beaten egg yolk, condensed milk, and espresso. Some even add sugar to it. While the combination sounds odd, the taste is absolutely delicious. It looks great, too, kinda frothy and creamy. Egg was used to substitute for milk back when milk supply was scarce.

The best place to have this is Cafe Giang in the Old Quarter in Hanoi.

Another different kind of coffee in Hanoi is coconut milk coffee. Like the egg coffee, I was wary about tasting it, too, but I need not have worried. It was delicious and best to have as a cold drink. Called cot dua ca phe, it’s made with coffee grounds, coconut milk, and (again), condensed milk and blended.

The best place to enjoy coconut milk coffee is Cong Ca Phe in the Old Quarter.

Visit the birthplace of Starbucks — Seattle, Washington, USA

This west coast city is the American capital of coffee. A hot cup of coffee has long been a staple of American culture, but Seattle took it to the next level. This city gave the world the Starbucks coffee brand with the first shop opened here in 1971, and the Seattle style of the coffee shop soon took the world by storm.

You can find a wide variety of coffee shops there today, including some excellent independent shops that offer beans and brews from all around the world.

Savor the intangible heritage of Vienna, Austria

Coffee and the cafe culture is such a huge part of Viennese life and history that UNESCO listed their coffee shops as a part of their intangible heritage in 2011. Coffee shops in Vienna are often wonderfully ornate and decorated and provide the perfect place to relax and enjoy a brew. The locals often enjoy a cup of melange, which is strongly brewed espresso served with steamed and frothed milk and well sweetened.

If you want to have a taste of the world’s best coffee, head to these cities and enjoy not only their tourist attractions but also their brew. As a coffee lover, there is really nothing that makes you appreciate a place better than a cup of warm coffee.

What other cities can you recommend for coffee lovers?

Elena is a professional writer based in Sacramento, CA. After graduation, she took a gap year to travel around the world (95 countries so far! Yay!). She loves surfing, Crossfit, Keanu Reeves, and cats.

Mikhail Gorbachev, whose drive to transform the Soviet Union ended the Cold War but inadvertently helped bring about his own country’s collapse, has died, according to Russian news agencies. He was 91. The Tass, RIA Novosti, and Interfax agencies cited the Central Clinical Hospital, according to the Associated Press.

Gorbachev’s reign as the last Soviet premier from 1985 until 1991 was marked indelibly by two bywords: perestroika — literally “restructuring,” but implying reform — and glasnost, or “openness,” symbols of his intent to shake off the torpor caused by seven decades of authoritarian rule and staid central planning. Hoping to return the Communist Party to its roots in Vladimir Lenin’s October Revolution of 1917, Gorbachev opened up the Soviet political system to broader political participation, public scrutiny, and a re-examination of Josef Stalin’s legacy of mass imprisonment and murder, prompting years of national soul-searching.

Mayor of Maya City disclosed that the Haromaya lake shore development project construction will start next week; various development projects are being built in the city with an outlay of 400 million Birr.

Maya city Mayor Ifra Wozir (PhD) told the Ethiopia Press Agency (EPA) that the lake shoreline development project will help develop the local tourism resource, capacity and infrastructure.

He stated that there are 22 new and two existing projects planned to be undertaken in the Maya city this year. The project will reply to residents’ long stayed questions upon completion. Among these projects, the Haromaya lake shore development project study has been completed and will go operational soon.

The construction of the first phase of Haromaya lake shore development will be completed by the end of the year as per the design, and investors will be allowed to develop the area.

For the first phase of the project an initial budget of 80 million birr has been set. The project will create a job opportunity for the local youth thereby making them economically benefited, the mayor said.

Haromaya Lake has dried for 17 years and it is getting recovered now and the project includes actions to protect the lake. Adequate arrangements have been made to make the surroundings more interesting by developing lake environs.

The construction of roads, parks, beautification of the area, fish farming and other related tourism development works will be carried out hand in hand with the project.

He explained that the development project is compatible with the nature of the area and helps preserve energy. It will also help increase the flow of visitors to the city and increase the income it can secure out of the sector.

Ifra said that the projects will provide the city with charming look and a better service to residents through road, walkway lights, tourism development and various infrastructure.

Maya City Administration is the arrangement incorporating Haromaya, Adele and Aweday having established by the Oromia State Council.

A guest post by blogger and avid hiker Amy Alton. Read about her experience as well hiking the Copolia Trail in Mahe, Seychelles.

Hiking in Chattanooga is a must for those visiting Tennessee. Avid hikers from all over the country fly in to visit during peak season and there are an estimated 150 miles of hiking trails on public lands within a 15-minute drive of downtown.

The metro area, which includes parts of Georgia, has a population of half a million people, making it a decent mid-sized city in the United States. It’s on the Tennessee River and is closely surrounded by plateaus. This provides easy access to hikes of varying difficulty and stunning views.

If you plan to visit Chattanooga, do not miss spending at least a day hiking. If you aren’t an experienced hiker, there are several easy options and access to viewpoints with parking lots so you can enjoy the views without a long walk.

For avid hikers, Chattanooga is an easy place to spend several hours a day hiking, seeing the best views in the city, and never walking the same trail twice.

The Best Time to Go Hiking in Chattanooga

While the views are stunning any time of year, hiking in Chattanooga in fall, around peak foliage season, is a truly awe-inspiring experience. The fall colors are some of the best in the United States and add a little extra pleasure to the viewpoints.

Summer gets warm, with highs in the upper 80s (or around 26 degrees Celsius). Winter is fairly mild and wet, but if it freezes, it can severely restrict access to the plateaus.

Don’t miss out on a hike because of a cloudy day! The elevation of some of these hikes means you might be in or above the clouds, adding to the dramatic view.

Easy Hiking in Chattanooga — Tennessee Riverpark

If you want to go hiking in Chattanooga, start with a simple walk along the riverfront at the Tennessee Riverpark. This 16-mile paved path runs along the south shore of the Tennessee River. It extends out from either side of downtown, so walking along the path gives you easy access to downtown attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium and the Hunter Museum of American Art.

Bike Chattanooga, a bicycle rental system, has nine stations along the Tennessee Riverwalk, and you can rent bikes for $8/day to tackle the whole trail.

There is a steep, 100-foot elevation climb in downtown, but a majority of the Riverpark is flat. The Walnut Street Bridge by the Hunter Museum is pedestrian only and spans the Tennessee River to the north shore, where you can explore Coolidge Park.

This is the Tennessee Riverpark map.

Lookout Mountain: Chattanooga’s Popular Viewpoint

Point Park and Sunset Rock, both on Lookout Mountain, are the two most popular viewpoints in Chattanooga, and for good reason. You can drive up Lookout Mountain and visit both spots — there is a free, small parking lot at Sunset Rock and a pay-to-enter National Park at Point Park — but of course it’s worth the hike up to either viewpoint, and you can easily visit them both in a 4.5-mile hike.

Start by parking at Craven’s House, a historic home, viewpoint, and war memorial. The home also serves as a parking lot and trailhead for a variety of Lookout Mountain Trails and is only 15 minutes from downtown. The trail will take you to the west side of the mountain, where you can then choose which lookout you want to go to first. From the fork, it’s 0.8 miles to Sunset Rock or 0.6 miles to Point Park.

Sunset Rock looks west out over the winding Tennessee River. There’s a bit of industry out there, but mostly it’s a forested view. You may

From Sunset Rock, you can detour on the Upper Gum Springs Trail and in 1.5 miles, you’ll cross the Tennessee/Georgia border, which is marked.

Park Point is on the Northern tip of Lookout Mountain. If you come up from the trail, you have access to Umbrella Rock. This is where you’ll get the best viewpoint and a highlight of hiking in Chattanooga. The river bends through the city and on a very clear day, you’ll be shocked how far you can see.

The Rock City attraction, in Georgia at the highest point of Lookout Mountain, claims that on a very clear day, with the right equipment, you can see seven states: Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and at a whooping 120 miles away, Kentucky and Virginia. Regardless of how many states you can see, the viewpoint is worth it, and so is the hike.

During your walk, look for deer, woodpeckers, and even an occasional turtle!

This is the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Trail Map.

The Best View When Hiking in Chattanooga — Snooper’s Rock

For an iconic view of the Tennessee River away from the city, take the 40-minute drive out to Snooper’s Rock in Prentice Cooper State Forest. You’ll be blown away by the view, especially in the fall in peak foliage.

There is a parking lot right by Snooper’s Rock, but Prentice Cooper is flush with hiking trails. For a three-mile hike (six-mile round trip) to Snooper’s Rock, park at the Cumberland Trail parking lot. You’ll also be able to visit Indian Rockhouse, a large overhanging boulder.

This is the Cumberland Trail Tennessee River Gorge segment map.

Fiery Gizzard for Experienced Hikers

A 50-minute drive from downtown takes you out to the South Cumberland State Park and Fiery Gizzard Recreational Area. The Fiery Gizzard trail itself is a little over eleven miles one-way, and is for experienced hikers only. However, there’s the Gundy Day Loop Trail, which is less than two miles.

You can also start out on Fiery Gizzard and turn around whenever you’d like. The unique part of this trail is that it runs along Big Fiery Gizzard Creek, so instead of lookouts and viewpoints, you have a lower-elevation trail in a valley. You can hike directly along the creek for three miles and descend less than 100 feet, then turn around and head back.

There are several waterfalls to explore, and the old Civilian Conservation Corps campsite, which in the 1930s, housed nearly 200 young men to provide labor for public development projects.

This is the Trail map for Fiery Gizzard.

Cloudland Canyon: One of the Top Hiking Trails in the US

For a great hike in nearby Georgia, drive 35-minutes south to Cloudland Canyon State Park. Backpacker Magazine rated the West Rim Loop Trail one of top 10 hikes in the United States, and is an excellent hike for stunning views.

Parking is $5 per car and you can park near the Interpretive Center to pick up the trail. The trail is 1.2 miles to the actual loop, which is 2.3 miles, giving you a total hike of five miles.

There are side trails to Cherokee and Hemlock Falls, which add another mile onto the hike, but also are extreme elevation changes. Most of it is metal staircases and can be very popular. If you want to include the waterfalls, hike down into the gorge first before continuing onto the West Rim Loop.

This is the Cloudland Canyon trail map.

Best Forest Views in Chattanooga: North Chickamauga Creek Gorge

This trail is probably the least-known secret of hiking in Chattanooga. It’s only 20 minutes north of downtown, and is one of the best forest views. The creek absolutely rushes here, and it’s also a place to kayak.

Park at the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge Trailhead and follow the trail out two miles to the large rock at the Boston Branch Overlook. You might see a bald eagle, but you will definitely get a stellar view of the gorge.

This is one of the more technically challenging trails. You will often pass under or alongside cliff walls, and after a rain the trail will be very wet and muddy. It’s also one of the trails that is most protected from the sun, making it a good hike for the summer. Hikers in winter should be aware that the nearby mountains block the sun early and the temperature drops quickly.

This is the North Chickamauga Creek trail map.

Recommended Family Hiking in Chattanooga: Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

If you are looking for one more easy walk to do, visit the Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center. This park is at the base of Lookout Mountain and is a non-profit organization that maintains educational programs and a plant nursery. There are several flower gardens, bamboo gardens, and wetland boardwalks to enjoy.

There is a $15 per car fee to visit the center.

This is the Reflection Riding trail map.

Other Things to Do in Chattanooga

There are other things you can do in Tennessee aside from hiking in Chattanooga. The Tennessee Aquarium, for example, is regularly touted as one of the best aquariums in the US. On Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is a popular cave system with guided tours.

Some of the most famous attractions in Chattanooga revolve around trains: the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a historic hotel with converted sleeper cars, the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway which takes passengers up the 73% inclined track, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

Which Chattanooga hike sounds best to you? Would you try to get all eight in?

Amy Alton of Out Chasing Stars has spent the last six years traveling the world via sailboat with her husband. They finished a world circumnavigation in 2020 after sailing 34,000 nautical miles. Their YouTube channel has documented their journey from launch to the finish line. Amy’s always been an avid traveler and has visited 60 countries so far. You can see more on Instagram and Facebook.

Latest posts by Amy Alton (see all)

This summer’s flight headaches, many of them caused by extreme weather, continue to wreak havoc at airports across the US and beyond, with 11,337 delays and 2,077 cancellations reported so far. And it’s not likely to get much better any time soon.

The hardest-hit airports on Monday, which saw the bulk of the cancellations, were Newark Liberty International, Dallas–Fort Worth International, and LaGuardia, according to FlightAware. The delays and cancellations at those airports were due to storms and staffing issues.

The National Weather Service said Dallas–Fort Worth Airport saw record rainfall between Sunday and Monday with 9.19 inches of rain, making it the second-wettest 24-hour period.

Travelers at Newark Liberty International reported being stuck for nearly nine hours on the tarmac, in some cases being asked to disembark the plane and later get back on, only to be ultimately told the flight was canceled because the crew had clocked out.

Addis Ababa, December 1 /2023 (ENA) Health Minister Lia Tadesse has called on further collaboration of development partners to eliminate HIV AIDS from Ethiopia.

In her remarks on World AIDS Day commemorated in Addis Ababa today, Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse said the day is observed to remember the contributions and leadership of communities in the progress made in HIV AIDS prevention and control globally and in Ethiopia.

“Ethiopia has had significant progress and strides in terms of reducing the incidence and reducing mortality from HIV AIDS. This was possible because of the strong political and government commitment, but combined with our strong partnership with diverse partners.”

The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS, which was 1.26 percent in 2010 has declined to 0.91 percent in 2022, it was learned.

But it’s also a critical moment as we still have a long way to go in terms of the ambitious commitment that we have in terms of elimination of HIV AIDS, she stated.

In addition we still have the challenge of stigma discrimination which requires strong attention, the minister noted.

If we collectively work on these with strong engagement of communities, including religious leaders and the media all up to the grassroots level, we will definitely collectively achieve the goal that we have envisioned, Dr. Lia stressed.

UNAIDS in Ethiopia Country Director Francoise Ndyishimiye said by the end of 2022, still 39 million of people were living with HIV/AIDS all over the world.

In Africa, including in Ethiopia, the number of infected people is increasing, mostly young people, she disclosed, adding that we need to act to get a new generation free of HIV.

“Ethiopia has been leading the HIV response, showing its commitment; despite the different challenges we are getting on the point of elimination to end HIV AIDS by 2030. (Therefore) it is important to have again engagement of the highest level leadership in leading with HIV response.”

According to Ndyishimiye, UNAIDS along with other entities in Ethiopia and partners is committed to working with the government and the community to effectively address HIV AIDS in the country.

USA Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Massinga said the US government has invested over three billion USD to support the HIV and AIDS response in Ethiopia over the past 13 years.

Under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) strategy, community leadership is at the forefront of our programming and is a key ingredient for the long-term sustainability of the HIV response here in Ethiopia and around the world, he added.

The results we gained together over the past few decades demonstrate the possibility of tremendous goals that can be reached.

The “US government remains committed to ensuring that HIV is no longer a public health threat in Ethiopia by 2030. We remember where we were 20 years ago and are committed to not sliding backwards. Together we can and will control HIV/AIDS epidemic and ensure that Ethiopians are able to fulfill their aspirations for healthier lives.”

The World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising the awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease.

Addis Ababa — Ethiopia’s demand for access to the sea is an existential and crucial matter for the development and regional integration of the Horn of Africa, a researcher on African affairs noted.

In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency, the researcher Musa Shekhu said that sea port is a crucial issue for Ethiopia with 120 million population.

Despite the geographical proximity of Ethiopia which is located at a stone’s throw from the sea, it is denied access to the sea, he added.

This is an existential matter for Ethiopia, the researcher stated, adding that securing sea port is a sovereign, economic and historical matter.

And there are documents proving Ethiopia’s right to a sea port. Those documents and history must be reviewed, the researcher underscored.

Ethiopia has a legal right to have access to the sea, and the country’s requests cannot be determined by a specific party, Musa argued, adding that the country seeks to achieve this in a diplomatic manner and in a way that allows the peoples of the Horn of Africa to enjoy economic integration.

According to the researcher, Ethiopia wants neither war nor occupation of the territory of other countries, but engage in diplomacy to ensure mutual benefits.

The Ethiopian position is demonstrated by development projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that cause no harm on others but benefits all countries. Musa said this applies to the request of the country to sea port.

– Commemorates 2023 World AIDS Day

ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Health (MoH) has called for stakeholders’ joint efforts towards HIV elimination by 2030.

This was disclosed here yesterday while commemorating the 2023 World AIDS Day under the theme “Let Communities Lead” in the presence of global institutions representatives, Ambassadors, bureau heads among others were in attendance.

Speaking at the occasion, MoH Minister LiaTadesse (MD) said that Ethiopia has been exerting its significant efforts towards reducing mortality rate of the virus thereby registering a significant progress in this regard.

She further remarked that strong political commitment and combined involvements of diverse partners play a leading role to ensure our plan of eliminating HIV by 2023 and health and wellbeing of the entire community.

The minister said: “The challenge of addressing the maternal child transmission of HIV and restoration of services that are disrupted by displacement are among the ministries priority that requires much emphasis.”

As to Lia, MoH managed to minimize the death toll rate of the virus by 52% .

“Lack of sufficient response mechanisms of leader’s at all levels; awareness and manmade and natural disasters are the main impacting factors to halt the spread of the virus.”

Therefore, the minister emphasized that it is critical to further strengthen innovative activities hand in hand with religious leaders, media, civil society and other stakeholders to achieve a common goal.

UNAIDS Ethiopia Country Director and Representative Ethiopia Country Office Francoise Ndayishimiye (MD) said that empowering communities and exerting collective efforts of communities is crucial in ending the AIDS epidemic and bringing an AIDS free world.

Moreover, she said Ethiopia has strong community structures that can be considered to scale up the community led monitoring.

Francoise said: “This World AIDS Day is more than a celebration of the achievements of communities HIV response, advancing progress toward the end of AIDS. Besides, it is a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles.”

It was indicated that in 2022, about 39 million people globally were living with HIV; 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV, 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

“Currently, Ethiopia has been leading the HIV/AIDS response and showing its commitment despite the different challenges the country is facing thereby managing to diminish to 0.91%.”

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, KoffiKouame for his part said that they have been empowering the communities to design, implement and monitor tailored interventions to combat HIV/AIDS effectively.

“It is highly important leveraging the wisdom and expertise of community leaders and grassroots initiatives to bring about inclusive strategies that embrace the entire community. Also, Ethiopia deserves commendation for its outstanding efforts in combating HIV/AIDS spearheaded by the Ethiopian Government in collaboration with various partners,” he remarked.

BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER 2023

Developing countries including Ethiopia face budgetary deficits that require to be minimized if not removed. Such deficits involve a combination of fiscal discipline, effective revenue generation and strategic management of expenditure. Fiscal discipline refers to the practice of maintaining a responsible and sustainable approach to fiscal policies and management of public finances. In the developing countries this involves ensuring that the government revenues and expenditures are balanced. It means public funds have to be used efficiently, effectively and transparently.

In other words, public expenditure should not be more than the revenues collected. Moreover, the expenditures have to be verified by the concerned authorities, internal and external auditors. The slightest imbalance of resources has to be reported to the PMO and to the Parliament with measures to be taken.

The budgetary process should be established with the objective of precluding ways and means that cause budget deficits. Unauthorized spending by executing and implementing agencies should entail penalties, suspensions and dismissal of officials responsible for the act. This is possible only if there is a clear and transparent budgetary process. Transparent and accountable budgeting process that involves comprehensive planning, realistic revenue projections and responsible expenditure allocations is vital.

In the planning process in Ethiopia, the Ministry of Planning ensures if the budget is balanced. This means that tax and other sources of revenue are absolutely reliable for financing the expenditure of the government. Similarly, expenditures have to be checked for their reliability. Exaggerated expenditures lead to artificial budgetary deficits. Both the revenue and expenditure have to be checked and rechecked for their reliability based on past performances in the country.

Another measure of transparency is public disclosure of budgetary information. If Ethiopian citizens are allowed to understand how public funds are allocated and used, they would be in a position to follow up programs and projects that interest them. This also indirectly helps spotting project expenditures that are not related to the needs of the citizens of the country. It also assists in minimizing budgetary deficits in Ethiopia. This measure also enhances revenue generation in the country through tax reforms. The design and implementation of progressive tax reforms may broaden the tax base or the taxpayers.

It also enhances public compliance with the tax reform. This may include reducing tax exemptions and improving tax collection mechanisms. To facilitate the tax collection process it is important to make the concerned agencies in the country as efficient as possible. Strengthening customs enforcement, for example, helps to reduce smuggling through improving trading facilities that boost external trade revenue.

The tax office may explore opportunities to raise non-tax revenues such as fees, licenses and fines. To overcome budgetary deficits, it is very essential to have strong fiscal discipline. One of the means to manage deficits is expenditure control and public finance management. Implementing strict controls on government spending is also important. This includes setting realistic budget targets, enforcing expenditure limits and avoiding overspending. Unrealistic targets lead to unlimited expenditures and excessive spending. These open the door for corrupt practices where officials, directors, and managers collude in mismanaging financial resources. To hide financial abuses, periodic reports are filled with fake data and unverified documents. In this process, public resources are directed to personal benefits.

Purchases may be made using false receipts upon which misleading reports are produced. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary to enforce fiscal discipline in all public and private enterprises. In short, fiscal discipline requires installing expenditure controls and transparency. Minimizing budgetary deficits in Ethiopia requires appropriate system of debt management. Debt management presupposes debt sustainability and restructuring. Debt sustainability demands monitoring and evaluation of financial expenditures by concerned agencies. This contributes to sustainability of debt.

This measure includes careful consideration of new debt issuance. It also requires refinancing existing debts when favorable terms and conditions are available. This depends on financial managers that are highly skilled and trustworthy in checking and controlling the manner in which debt is used. It may demand for debt restructuring that may lead to exploration of options and choices for debt restructuring. This also requires monitoring of the current budget in order to check if there are challenges to manage it.

This opens the options to negotiate with lenders and creditors to allow for more favorable terms and conditions. One area where budgetary deficits may be minimized is public investment. Management of public investment requires prioritization of projects based on their economic impacts and contribution to long-term growth in Ethiopia. Projects may contribute to the generation of output, employment and income. They may also generate foreign exchange through export of agricultural and manufactured products.

However, whatever its contribution may be an investment must be analyzed in terms of its costs and benefits. Obviously, if the costs are greater than the benefits, Measures, mechanisms to minimize budgetary deficits investors would not be in a position to invest. They have to conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses to ensure that they benefit from the projects. These projects have to be aligned with the national development goals of Ethiopia.

Moreover, their financial viability has to be tested by the concerned institutions before they are implemented. These institutions are also responsible for enhancing efficiency with the goal of reducing wastage of resources. Among these institutions, the agency responsible for public administration focuses on the means of reducing the bureaucratic and operational costs and corruption. A very close study on the operations of the public services is a precondition for implementing and enforcing anticorruption measures that minimize leakages.

The minimization of financial leakages guarantees the efficient and effective use of public funds. Proper use of resources promotes economic growth and development in Ethiopia. In this respect, the promotion and development of the privates sector is critical. This requires the design and implementation of policies that foster the environment for private sector growth. However, studies on the problems faced by the private sector have to precede policies approved and implemented. This process leads to increased economic performance by the Ethiopian private sector that generates output, income and higher tax revenues.

The sector creates jobs by focusing on initiatives that stimulate employment generation in the country. This reduces social and economic dependency by the unemployed job seekers in Ethiopia. Policies should, therefore, focus on economic growth, development, foreign exchange generation and creation of employment opportunities. The promotion of social development in Ethiopia focuses on targeted safety-net spending. This presupposes redirecting social spending towards programs and projects that have a direct and measurable impact on poverty reduction and human development. In this respect, lessons have to be learnt from other developing countries that succeeded in promoting social development.

There are also lessons related to relevant and applicable subsidies that ensure real benefits to those in need. However, these subsidies need not create a significant burden on the state budget. Follow up of the impact of the budget demands a realistic program of monitoring and evaluation. This, in turn, demands review of budget performance against planned targets. Conducting activities based on planned targets primarily involves the monitoring of revenue collection, expenditure patterns, and overall fiscal health.

Those responsible for revenue collection have to operate efficiently and effectively without corruption and rent-seeking. Similarly, expenditure patterns have to be free from fraudulent and deceptive practices. Those who deal with purchases of goods and services have to operate openly and clearly. Internal and external audit services should be strengthened to ensure the fiscal health of enterprises. This presupposes an adaptive strategy based on the actual performance of the economic and financial sectors in Ethiopia.

This strategy is designed by the agency responsible for planning and development in the country. This agency verifies actual sector performance and reports to the higher bodies of the government. If the periodic review of economic performance is below targets set by the plan, there may be a need to look for external assistance. Performance may be low due to shortage of resources required by the sector agencies.

In this case, international assistance is an alternative to address fiscal challenges in Ethiopia. This, however, requires diplomatic skills to positively engage global organizations and donors for financial and technical support. Seeking international assistance is crucial for enhancing economic development in the country. However, the terms and conditions of external assistance have to be in the interest of the country.

They should reflect the country’s macroeconomic policies. Foreign assistance has to be consistent with the fiscal and monetary policies of the Ethiopian government. These policies have to complement each other for achieving macroeconomic stability.

Similarly, the impacts of exchange rate policies on inflation and debt servicing have to be analyzed in advance. In conclusion, the minimizing of budgetary deficits requires an all-inclusive and comprehensive approach as briefly indicated above. It entails a cautious and careful balance between revenue generation, expenditure management, economic growth promotion, and effective fiscal policies.

The sources of revenues have to be realistic for ensuring a guaranteed source of income for the state. Expenditure management is absolutely necessary to avoid over-spending above the collected tax and other available sources of income. At the moment Ethiopia has to keep a balance between its revenue and planned expenditure. This helps to promote economic growth in line with the economic policies, plans and programs of the government. Implementation of these measures should be accompanied by continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation to ensure their effectiveness in the economic environment of the country.