Continuous attacks force Ethiopian govt. to send reinforcements to Somali capital

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Also in the news: [Ethiopia is accused of 'torturing and illegally jailing opponents of regime'] - [Rocket hits hotel in latest Mogadishu attack] - [Hundreds rally in anti-Ethiopian, troop deployment in Somalia] - [Making Miracles Happen in Ethiopia] - [Ethiopian resort and spa opens]

International: [Gates: Iranian Weaponry Found In Iraq] - [Jerusalem 'tense' as Protestors and Israeli Police Clash] - [China Executes Ethnic Muslim Separatist] - [Italian footoball to Go Ahead Without Fans]

German citizen and assault victim Ermyas Mulugeta sits in a courtroom before the continuation of a trial in Potsdam, near Berlin February 9, 2007. Two Germans went on trial on Wednesday for assaulting the Ethiopian-born Ermyas M. in the eastern city of Potsdam last year in a case which triggered a debate in Germany about racism and integration. REUTERS/Bernd Settnik/Pool (GERMANY) (More...)

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-News Release In relation to the coming Feb 19 2007 trial of prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia

-Toronto Feb 15 rally

For more on these and other related news Visit:

'Free Ethiopia’s Prisoners of Conscience'

[Action Center] [Resource Center]

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Ethiopia is accused of 'torturing and illegally jailing opponents of regime'

09 February 2007 - Ethiopia is conducting a systematic campaign of intimidation, detention and torture against political opponents of its increasingly autocratic government, human rights groups have alleged.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, a celebrated ally of the US administration in its "war on terror" and previously invited to sit on Tony Blair's Africa Commission, has become increasingly blatant in his suppression of opposition.

At least 40 opposition supporters in the country have been held in prison since December where torture has become commonplace, according to evidence from Amnesty International.(More...)

Also see:
-Ethiopia: Torture against political opponents

Hundreds rally in anti-Ethiopian, troop deployment in Somalia

MOGADISHU (AFP) - Hundreds of demonstrators have filed through Mogadishu to protest the presence of Ethiopian troops and a planned deployment of African peacekeepers in the lawless nation.

As they marched through the streets of southern Mogadishu Friday, some 600 demonstrators warned that Somalia, which has been ravaged by internecine violence for the past 16 years, would be a "graveyard" for the planned 8,000-strong peacekeeping force.

"We are against any kind of foreign military intervention and we are ready to fight them," Mohamed Farah Nur, one of the organisers of the protest that began shortly after midday Friday prayers, said. (More...)

Continuous attacks force Ethiopian govt. to send reinforcements to Somali capital

MOGADISHU - Ethiopian military reinforcements and heavy weaponry have reached parts of Lower Shabelle region, according to Somali military sources.

The specially-trained Ethiopian units are expected to arrive in the Somali capital Mogadishu soon to help protect government buildings, which have come under continuous attacks in recent weeks.

The Ethiopian units, accompanied by Somali soldiers, will begin security operations inside Mogadishu targeting those responsible for a string of nighttime attacks, military sources informed Garowe Online on the condition of anonymity.(More...)

Rocket hits hotel in latest Mogadishu attack

MOGADISHU, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Unknown assailants on Friday fired a rocket into a hotel in north Mogadishu where senior government officials were staying in the latest post-war violence in the chaotic Somali capital, security officials said.

"It struck the reception, breaking windows there. Definitely, there must be people who are wounded," one official told Reuters by telephone of the strike on the Global Hotel. (More...)

Making Miracles Happen in Ethiopia

Courage, determination and dedication. Those words describe Ethiopian native and Atlanta resident Sebri Omar.

Omar made a life-changing commitment, and together with 11Alive’s Bill Liss, they Made Things Happen to save countless lives in Omar’s native Ethiopian city.

For Harar, Ethiopia, a city of a half-million people, the first ambulance ever, came from Atlanta. It was inspired by Atlanta resident Sebri Oman, who was forced to flee his native Ethiopia at the age of 17 to escape a military coup and possible death.

Omar walked across the desert -- alone -- for seven weeks.

“My parents didn’t want me to get killed,” said Omar. “Once you start walking, there is no stop.”(More...)

Ethiopian resort and spa opens

A ETB17m (US$1.9m, 1.5m euro, £1.02m) new resort and spa has opened on the shores of the Kurriftu Lake at Bishoftu town in Ethiopia. The Kurriftu resort and spa covers 107,640sq ft (10,000sq m) and has created more than 100 jobs in the local area.

Facilities at the property include a swimming pool and restaurants. The resort will be run by owner and general manager Tadiwos Getachew, who has announced he now intends to begin work on another resort and spa at Lake Tana in the Amhara state, Ethiopia. Source

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