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Mar 2 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Push the Edge, Grasp the Dream

Sometimes, the unexpected happens when daily routine is disrupted for no clear reason. That was my experience one morning in February 2025. I had gone to bed late, as I often do when something lingers on my mind. That night, I was thinking about two movies I had watched on consecutive days, both com...

Feb 23 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Treating Passwords Like Toothbrush, Virtual Schemes Endanger Unsuspecting Public

I spent a quiet Saturday afternoon at one of my favourite hideaways, La Patisserie Cafe, known for its excellent pastries and coffee. While my car was being washed, I enjoyed a slice of cake and a cup of green tea, making the most of my time by also giving half a dozen pairs to the shoeshine boy. Time is the one resource that cannot be multiplied, borrowed, or reclaimed. After nearly four and a half decades of life, I have learned the value of using it wisely. That is why I was also reading an intriguing book, The Eleven-Year-Old Man, by Mulugeta Abreham, a veteran of Eritrea's insurgency i...


Feb 16 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Social Fitness is Key to Long, Happy Life

My parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary was an unforgettable event. I started the day by picking up a bouquet of roses and a heartfelt postcard. Stopping by Robera Coffee for an espresso and a quick shoe shine, I made sure to dress my best for the occasion, excited for what lay ahead on a beautiful Sunday. As I checked my pocket from time to time, feeling the small ring box inside, I thought back to Saturday afternoon when I had wrestled with the perfect gift idea. After considering several options, I visited an antique jeweller at Century Mall, renowned for crafting stunning silver and go...


Feb 9 , 2025 . By Bereket Balcha

A Rebirth of a Royal Gem in Addis Abeba

My first visit to a palace was Ankober Palace, in the North Shoa Zone of Amhara Regional State about a decade ago. A relatively small, two-story medieval structure, it sits atop a hill, built in a traditional Ethiopian architectural style. Ankober Palace's prominence does not lie in its grandeur or sophistication but in its historical importance as the seat of the Shoan dynasty. Founded by Yekuno Amlak, it later became the power base of Haile Melekot, the father of Emperor Menelik II. Menelik II eventually left Ankober, established Addis Abeba, and made it his capital, leaving Ankober to fa...

View From Arada

Feb 1 , 2025

Misconceptions, Hasty Judgments Lead to Costly Mistakes

I had an errand to run, dropping off some clothes at Sunshine Laundry, my go-to spot for its quality service and convenient hours. The parking attendants guided me to an open space, and I quickly wen...

Jan 25 , 2025

Inflation's Lingering Impact, the Need for Stronger Consumer Protection

According to Statista, a platform that aggregates vital data and provides future projections through advanced analytics, Ethiopia's inflation trend is expected to decline steadily in the coming decade...

Jan 18 , 2025

Roha Band Creates a Legacy Carved in Stone

Some bands define a generation and leave a lasting mark, becoming anthems for their time. The Beatles, a renowned group from the 1960s to the late 1980s, hold the record for 180 million certified albu...

Jan 11 , 2025

A Journey Down Memory Lane, Alumni Reunion

When a couple of old elementary school friends started chatting on WhatsApp, I was curious but unsure what they were planning. Soon, they created a group named after our elementary school and graduati...

Jan 4 , 2025

A Pinch of Music, Tragedy, Tech Shifts

I would rank December as one of the best months in 2024. I may be biased by the fact that it was a vacation time for me, enjoying exciting travels during the Christmas season, and finally taking time...

Dec 28 , 2024

Humility in Victory, Denial in Defeat

The boxing arena erupted with the shouts of expectant crowds as the long-awaited rematch for the world heavyweight championship unfolded. This bout was a sequel to the controversial first fight betwee...

Dec 21 , 2024

The Power of Memes in Shaping Cultural Evolution

A person's hand is seen throwing pens into an empty wine glass while the Christmas carol "Jingle Bells" plays in the background. The goal is to create a viral video by successfully landing one pen in...

Dec 14 , 2024

Honouring Uncelebrated Contemporary Achievers

I didn't realize while watching Gladiator Part Two that Ejigayehu Shibabaw, (a.k.a. Gigi), a renowned Ethiopian singer, was among the vocalists featured. Gigi, celebrated for her extraordinary vocal r...

Dec 7 , 2024

Cherishing the Loved Ones A Reflection on Life, Loss, and Loneliness

The cinema hall at the National Theatre was nearly empty, with just half a dozen people attending, including two projectionists running the movie from a laptop. The film, part of a three-day Japanese...

Nov 30 , 2024

No Pain, No Gain Detour Until the Dust Settles

One morning, I had the rare chance to drop off my son at his class at Addis Abeba University. Being on vacation made this possible. Under normal circumstances, getting to work on time and drop-offs is...

Nov 23 , 2024

A Verdant Oasis in a Concrete Jungle

I found myself savouring the first leisurely moments of my vacation. Sitting at John Graham's corner in the Olympiakos Greek Club, the world slowed down for a while. With good dinner and a tangy crisp...

Nov 16 , 2024

The Parallel Universe of Comics

In a world where knowledge grows at an unprecedented pace, imagination remains the limitless frontier pushing humanity forward. While knowledge informs us, imagination is what propels us toward innova...

Nov 9 , 2024

Addis Abeba Stays Under the Weather

Each year around this time, Addis Abeba's dry chill settles in, catching me and many others off-guard. I find myself closing windows tightly in the morning to seal in warmth. My once-routine walks are...

Nov 2 , 2024

Cold November with Long Shadows of Conflict

The stakes of the upcoming U.S. election extend far beyond America's borders, rippling across continents already destabilised by growing conflicts. As the world watches, America's polarising campaign...

Oct 26 , 2024

Prospectus Puzzle in a New Frontier

When I received an SMS notifying me about Ethio telecom's 10pc share offering, I was genuinely intrigued. The public sale of shares from a major state-owned enterprise, which dominates the telecom sec...

Oct 20 , 2024

Preserving Roots During Globalisation

“The key to our people's survival does not lie in weapons or wealth but in culture.” This quote, which resonated with me while watching a documentary, captures the essence of how societies endure...


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Mismanaged, Trade Liberalisation Could Pour Cold Water on Local Hopes

The domestic economy has endured a punishing half-decade. A global pandemic throttled trad...

Editorial | Mar 2 , 2025

Publishing Industry Contends with Soaring Costs, Shifts Digital

Walelgn Ayele, an aspiring young author, faced a harsh reality when he attempted to publis...

Featured | Feb 9 , 2025 . By KALKIDAN NEGASH

False Overseas Job Promises Leave Seekers Bankrupt

Masresha Alebel, 37, hoped to improve his family's circumstances by seeking employment in...

Agenda | Mar 2 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER

Wegagen Breaks Ground as First Bank to Issue Shares on Capital Market

Wegagen Bank has taken a pioneering step in the emerging capital market, releasing a prosp...

Fortune News | Mar 2 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER