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Oct 12 , 2024 . By Bereket Balcha

The Day Earth Moved Beneath Us

I was lying in bed one day feeling like I was on a gently rocking boat, though no reason for the movement was visible. I had been in a relaxed pose for some time and wondered what could have caused this subtle shift. For a moment, I even questioned if something was wrong with me. Since I was not up...

Oct 5 , 2024 . By Bereket Balcha

Addis Abeba's Cultural Kaleidoscope Redefines Its Emerging Identity

I recently picked up a takeaway chicken Mendi meal from a Syrian restaurant on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, near the Jakros neighbourhood. The owner, a seasoned chef of Arabic cuisine, greeted me with a warm smile. Hailing from Damascus, he is part of the diaspora that fled Syria's nearly decade-long conflict. His command of Amharic was impressive; we conversed effortlessly without slipping into English. His restaurant operates around the clock, taking orders online and in person, offering convenience that has endeared him to his clientele. It is not uncommon now to see Syrians in Addis...


Sep 21 , 2024 . By Bereket Balcha

The Merkato Multiverse

The sight of a porter carrying over 10 mattresses over head while zigzagging through the commotion of pedestrians and vehicles of all types epitomises what Merkato is all about. Africa's largest open-air market is a bustling hub where a diverse array of goods and sellers thrive. From street vendors selling snacks to larger businesses dealing in machinery, the market is filled with an energetic mix of pedestrians, vehicles, and loud advertising. The noise is constant, with multiple traders calling out for attention, making it challenging to hold a conversation. The chaotic environment, characte...


Sep 14 , 2024 . By Bereket Balcha

Confronting the Ghosts of Conflict, Trauma

I found myself deeply engrossed in an interview on local media. The guest was Seble Hailu (PhD), a psychologist known for her efforts in addressing trauma. The host set a sombre tone from the outset, preparing viewers for a thoughtful discussion on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly focusing on victims and firsthand witnesses of violent conflicts and crimes such as rape and homicide. The recent conflicts, which have left many deeply scarred, served as a key case study. I watched the interview intently, struck by how trauma—both personal and collective—is rarely disc...

View From Arada

Pollution Amidst Greening Moves

My brother and I visited the Bole Arabsa neighborhood after a funeral, where my brother noted the significantly better air quality compared to downtown Addis. He described the fresh air as "food for t...

Sep 8 , 2024

A Kaleidoscopic Year of Tradition, Transformation

The New Year air is supposed to be filled with a sense of renewal and continuity—a blend of the familiar and the evolving. This annual cycle, while a marker of time's passage, also serves as a momen...

Sep 1 , 2024

Location Trumps Innovation, Apparently!

Legend has it that James Bruce, a Scottish traveller and writer on a mission to find the source of the Nile River, once expressed his disdain for locals eating raw meat at the imperial palace in Gonde...

Aug 25 , 2024

Post-Olympic Bitter-Sweet Taste

The love affair between the people of Ethiopia and Olympic games dates back to Abebe Bikila's historic barefoot marathon win in Rome over half a century ago. Since then, generations of athletes have r...

Aug 10 , 2024

The Fast Lane of Addis Abeba’s Life

Addis Abeba's streets are a mix of commerce and survival, where vendors and beggars are amidst the chaotic traffic in pursuit of a living. At every stoplight, the streets transform into an open-air...

Aug 3 , 2024

Hidden Costs of Constant Decision Making

It seemed only a matter of time before Joe Biden caved in to step aside from the November 2024 presidential race. The pressure had mounted with publicly raging discourses. On a personal level, I belie...

Jul 27 , 2024

The Virtual Pursuit of Happiness

A close friend introduced me to an application called "Hamster Kombat," which at first seemed like any other online game. With simple graphics reminiscent of classic games like Sonic X or Super Mario...

Jul 20 , 2024

Extinguish Hate Before it Devours

A 20-year-old man, fresh out of high school, crawled over a rooftop with a rifle, planning to commit the unthinkable. With his life ahead of him, he made the dreadful choice to take a life. This acti...

Jul 13 , 2024

A Note Rekindles Faith in Decency

One day, I found a handwritten note in Amharic on my car. The note began with a greeting and explained that the writer had accidentally bumped into my car in our residential parking area. He found no...

Jul 7 , 2024

The Perils of Unverified Information

News of a draft proclamation shared during a casual coffee chat surprised our friend group. According to one of us, the proposed law seemed to impact everyone's economic interests, sparking a heated d...

Jun 29 , 2024

Whip Up Guac While Rethinking Household Chores

An early arrival home with perfectly ripe avocados sparked a culinary whim. It had been a while since I ventured into the kitchen. While no professional, I gleaned some skills during a West African so...

Jun 22 , 2024

Mirage of Comparison in Contentment Desert

Scrolling through social media triggers envy. That friend's stunning apartment makes our furniture choices seem dull, and the colleague's constant travels put our relaxing weekend at home to shame. Th...

Jun 15 , 2024

Addis Abeba's Rush Hour River

Addis Abeba had been sweltering for most of May. The heat was unlike anything residents had experienced in a long time. The tables turned almost overnight. Looming clouds brought a sudden and unwelcom...

Jun 8 , 2024

Podcasts:Ticket to a Breath of Fresh Air

Who knew a YouTube video titled "Introducing the Ethiopian Capital Market" would spark a newfound fascination with podcasts? Intrigued by the guest, Brook Taye (PhD), the Director General himself,...

Jun 1 , 2024

From Sleepless Sea to Tranquil Harbor

A sanctuary for the weary, sleep can become a battleground for those wrestling with insomnia. The persistent inability to fall or stay asleep disrupts the coveted hours of rest and compromises both p...

May 25 , 2024

The Road Less Traveled: Hidden Value of Hard Work

On my way to visit my parents over the weekend, a wide smile spread across my face as I noticed the transformed road from Mexico Square to Sarbet. Just a couple of months ago, it had been a dusty, tra...


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With the Horn Edging to the Brink, Regional Leaders Should Extol Trust

In his inaugural address on October 27, 2024, Taye Atseqesellasie, the fifth president sin...

Editorial | Oct 12 , 2024

Beyond Borders Ethiopians' Journey to Healing

Nine months ago, Worku Hailu found himself in India, thousands of kilometres from home, un...

Featured | Oct 6 , 2024 . By HAWI LEGESSE

Coffee Exporters Left Steaming as Central Bank's Forex Grind Brews Trouble

A recent directive is roiling the coffee industry, following the Central Bank's requiremen...

Agenda | Oct 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO

COFFEE EXPORTERS ROAST CURRENCY RULES

A new directive by the Central Bank requiring coffee exporters to convert half of their fo...

Fortune News | Oct 13 , 2024

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