Ethiopian born Grammy-nominated singer Wayna has been arrested at a Houston airport, AP reported. The following is the report from AP.
Ethiopia - R&B singer Wayna arrested at Houston airport
HOUSTON (AP) — Grammy-nominated singer Wayna has been arrested at a Houston airport after trying to get on a plane with a collapsible police baton that she uses while performing.
Wayna, whose real name is Woyneab Miraf Wondwossen, was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon Wednesday.
Houston police spokeswoman Jodi Silva said Thursday that security guards at the checkpoint at Bush International Airport discovered the 24-inch baton in her carry-on bag.
Wondwossen, 35, was transported to the Houston jail and posted $5,000 bond.
Wayna released her second album, "Higher Ground," in 2008. One of the songs on the album is "Billy Club," a ballad about police abuse, and Wondwossen twirls and points the baton when she performs the song live.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Beauty company to give four star treatment
Capital
Cosmo Trading PLC, a local beauty care products importing company, is finalizing the construction of its four star hotel in Bole sub city, behind the Saudi Arabian Embassy Residence.
According to the company, 90 per cent of the construction of New York - New York International Hotel has so far been completed and it will open its doors for guests before 2010.
Haileyesus Mengistu, owner and Managing Director of Cosmo Trading, told Capital that the overall construction of the hotel will consume 54 million Birr. "The construction of this hotel is just the beginning. We are planning to expand our presence in the Langano area as the place is becoming a haven for tourists and for retreat- seekers," he said.
Haileyesus added that the construction of the hotel was done by its sister company, Cosmo Trading Construction and Machinery Equipments Rental Company.
The newly constructed complex lies on a 615 sqm plot of land and the expansion of its parking lot and swimming pool is expected to be carried out once the adjacent land is secured by the company. The land was acquired by Cosmo Trading seven years ago from another lease holder for two million birr.
"The hotel will have 44 rooms, six penthouses, a bar and a restaurant that is on a par with the services provided by other four star hotels.
"The furniture is in the process of being imported from well-known brands from Spain," Negussie Awgachew, General Manger of New York- New York Café and Restaurant and Head of the Supervision in the new hotel's construction, told Capital. "It will create job opportunities for 150 to 180 people when it starts business."
Cosmo Trading, exclusive distributor of TCB Naturals and Palmers, among other products, added that it is planning to produce the imported beauty care products here in Ethiopia. "This will save a lot of foreign exchange and it means a lot especially at this time when there is an acute shortage of it, especially for importers," Haileyesus said.
In a related development, Cosmo Trading announced that it is in discussion with major cosmetics producing companies to deal with the current shortage of dollars. According to the plan, the company is preparing itself to send oil seeds and pulses to Kenya and South Africa, two of the major customers of Cosmo Trading, and in will then use the foreign exchange it earns to import cosmetics.
"It is time for all of us to come up with an innovative idea to deal with the shortages. There is no use just sitting idle. We hope we will succeed in our plans, thereby curbing the adverse effects the shortages will have on our company," Haileyesus remarked.
Cosmo Trading PLC, a local beauty care products importing company, is finalizing the construction of its four star hotel in Bole sub city, behind the Saudi Arabian Embassy Residence.
According to the company, 90 per cent of the construction of New York - New York International Hotel has so far been completed and it will open its doors for guests before 2010.
Haileyesus Mengistu, owner and Managing Director of Cosmo Trading, told Capital that the overall construction of the hotel will consume 54 million Birr. "The construction of this hotel is just the beginning. We are planning to expand our presence in the Langano area as the place is becoming a haven for tourists and for retreat- seekers," he said.
Haileyesus added that the construction of the hotel was done by its sister company, Cosmo Trading Construction and Machinery Equipments Rental Company.
The newly constructed complex lies on a 615 sqm plot of land and the expansion of its parking lot and swimming pool is expected to be carried out once the adjacent land is secured by the company. The land was acquired by Cosmo Trading seven years ago from another lease holder for two million birr.
"The hotel will have 44 rooms, six penthouses, a bar and a restaurant that is on a par with the services provided by other four star hotels.
"The furniture is in the process of being imported from well-known brands from Spain," Negussie Awgachew, General Manger of New York- New York Café and Restaurant and Head of the Supervision in the new hotel's construction, told Capital. "It will create job opportunities for 150 to 180 people when it starts business."
Cosmo Trading, exclusive distributor of TCB Naturals and Palmers, among other products, added that it is planning to produce the imported beauty care products here in Ethiopia. "This will save a lot of foreign exchange and it means a lot especially at this time when there is an acute shortage of it, especially for importers," Haileyesus said.
In a related development, Cosmo Trading announced that it is in discussion with major cosmetics producing companies to deal with the current shortage of dollars. According to the plan, the company is preparing itself to send oil seeds and pulses to Kenya and South Africa, two of the major customers of Cosmo Trading, and in will then use the foreign exchange it earns to import cosmetics.
"It is time for all of us to come up with an innovative idea to deal with the shortages. There is no use just sitting idle. We hope we will succeed in our plans, thereby curbing the adverse effects the shortages will have on our company," Haileyesus remarked.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Liya's Crewcuts
J.Crew partners with Liya Kebede to carry her handmade children's collection, Lemlem
Thursday, March 19, 2009
(NEW YORK) When J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyons and team met supermodel, mother of two, and International Goodwill Ambassador Liya Kebede, a relationship was born. Lyons approached Kebede to appear in the April catalog, but both quickly realized their relationship needn't end there. The product of their partnership? Not only will Kebede be the first model to be the exclusive face of a J.Crew catalog, but J.Crew's Crewcuts line will pick up pieces from the model's handmade children's clothing line, Lemlem. Lemlem (the name means "to bloom") was launched by Kebede in 2007, with all of the pieces made by hand from natural cotton in her native Ethiopia. The line will be available at Crewcuts store locations and at jcrew.com beginning in April.
Friday, March 13, 2009
EPRDF Cheats Thousands Out of The winners of Ethiopian Millennium Pageant and More
The winners of Ethiopian Millennium Pageant and State owned Ghion hotel have now joined the queue and chorus in the escalating row over past due payments and are also demanding to be paid for the Millennium Pageant held in October 2007 under the direction of State Minister for Culture and Tourism: Mohamuda Ahmed Gass, who has left a long trail of unpaid debts in his wake since 2007 after extensively obtaining the services on credit and misusing official instruments of the Ethiopian government, i.e Official letter heads and his position as State Minister to issue official guarantees to obtain services on credit and promises to pay for the event that was supposed to be a positive enhancement for Ethiopia’s poor international image.
The winning Beauty queens were never paid or given any of their prizes, and many are still even to this day still owed money for their Air tickets to Ethiopia, they were told to buy their tickets and promised by State Minister for Culture and Tourism: Mohamuda Ahmed Gass that they would be fully reimbursed once they got to Ethiopia, but on arrival in Ethiopia apparently Mohamuda Gass and the local partner: Aklilu Telwelde of Ezana Entertainment deliberately delayed paying them in hard currency until the very last minute, and instead would try to give them about 9000 birr instead of US$950, just a few hours before they were due to leave Ethiopia, knowing fully well they could not take Ethiopian currency out of the country.
Several of the girls were thus forced to go to the local black market to change their Ethiopian money into hard currency, a very dangerous practice for them until the main organiser insisted that all the girls must be paid in hard currency and not exposed to danger by going to Illegal black markets.
Aklilu Tewelde of Ezana Entertainment the local partner would deliberately go AWOL and arrive hours after he thought the girls had left for the airport, in one instance Miss Argentina Gisselle Fuentes [photo] refused point-blank to leave Ethiopia until she got her money in hard currency and even changed her flight, but 18 months later she is still owed US$450, Miss Bahamas is owed over US$900, Miss Brazil over US$900, and the list goes on, and this is a big shame for Ethiopian Ministry of Culture to do this to these girls who came to experience Ethiopian hospitality only to be deceived and conned by the Ministry of culture and Tourism, how is it possible for the Minisitry of Culture and Tourism to make such a huge mess of coordinationg just 37 Queens visiting Ethiopia? and this is why this event will sadly never return to Ethiopia again.
Miss Venezuela the winner was never paid her token prize of just US$5000, nor was the runner up Miss Costa Rica: Silvana Sánchez Jiménez paid her prize of US$2000, Miss Tourism Congo: Katissa Kouta, Miss South Africa, Palesa Makwa also did not get their US$1000 prizes from the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture & Tourism and Mohamouda Gass who simply said “that can all be pending, we have no money”
Ghion hotel recently warned and took the Ministry of Culture and Tourism court over it outstanding debts for lodging services provided to the Ministry in October 2007 for the visiting beauties amounting to over 741,000 ET Birr and apparently got an order from the Federal court to pay the money and additional interest of 9% but apparently the Ministry has still not paid them, see newspaper article attached
What is shocking is the belligerent attitude to the whole affair by the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism to say they had a budget deficit despite it being held in 2007 and they have to date made no attempt to pay a single penny since 2007, claiming a budget deficit, blaming Sheik Al amoudi and every other convenient excuses they can come up with.
The State Minister at the center of this fiasco: Ato Mohamouda Ahmed Gass has surprisingly simply continued to collect his State Ministerial salary and benefits, keep his plush office and drive around Ethiopia in his official big car since October 2007 to date, whilst everybody else who came to Ethiopia and made huge positive contributions towards enhancing Ethiopia’s International Image have all been left out of pocket since October 2007, with no attempt to settle this matter honorably or in a timely manner, we have repeatedly asked State Minister : Ato Mohamouda Ahmed Gass to act honorably and with integrity and settle this matter over the last 18 months but his response has always been simply to give us more excuses, and finally say: “don’t contact me again” all of which we have documented and will be making public shortly.
Respectfully
Ethiopian Life Foundation
The winning Beauty queens were never paid or given any of their prizes, and many are still even to this day still owed money for their Air tickets to Ethiopia, they were told to buy their tickets and promised by State Minister for Culture and Tourism: Mohamuda Ahmed Gass that they would be fully reimbursed once they got to Ethiopia, but on arrival in Ethiopia apparently Mohamuda Gass and the local partner: Aklilu Telwelde of Ezana Entertainment deliberately delayed paying them in hard currency until the very last minute, and instead would try to give them about 9000 birr instead of US$950, just a few hours before they were due to leave Ethiopia, knowing fully well they could not take Ethiopian currency out of the country.
Several of the girls were thus forced to go to the local black market to change their Ethiopian money into hard currency, a very dangerous practice for them until the main organiser insisted that all the girls must be paid in hard currency and not exposed to danger by going to Illegal black markets.
Aklilu Tewelde of Ezana Entertainment the local partner would deliberately go AWOL and arrive hours after he thought the girls had left for the airport, in one instance Miss Argentina Gisselle Fuentes [photo] refused point-blank to leave Ethiopia until she got her money in hard currency and even changed her flight, but 18 months later she is still owed US$450, Miss Bahamas is owed over US$900, Miss Brazil over US$900, and the list goes on, and this is a big shame for Ethiopian Ministry of Culture to do this to these girls who came to experience Ethiopian hospitality only to be deceived and conned by the Ministry of culture and Tourism, how is it possible for the Minisitry of Culture and Tourism to make such a huge mess of coordinationg just 37 Queens visiting Ethiopia? and this is why this event will sadly never return to Ethiopia again.
Miss Venezuela the winner was never paid her token prize of just US$5000, nor was the runner up Miss Costa Rica: Silvana Sánchez Jiménez paid her prize of US$2000, Miss Tourism Congo: Katissa Kouta, Miss South Africa, Palesa Makwa also did not get their US$1000 prizes from the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture & Tourism and Mohamouda Gass who simply said “that can all be pending, we have no money”
Ghion hotel recently warned and took the Ministry of Culture and Tourism court over it outstanding debts for lodging services provided to the Ministry in October 2007 for the visiting beauties amounting to over 741,000 ET Birr and apparently got an order from the Federal court to pay the money and additional interest of 9% but apparently the Ministry has still not paid them, see newspaper article attached
What is shocking is the belligerent attitude to the whole affair by the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism to say they had a budget deficit despite it being held in 2007 and they have to date made no attempt to pay a single penny since 2007, claiming a budget deficit, blaming Sheik Al amoudi and every other convenient excuses they can come up with.
The State Minister at the center of this fiasco: Ato Mohamouda Ahmed Gass has surprisingly simply continued to collect his State Ministerial salary and benefits, keep his plush office and drive around Ethiopia in his official big car since October 2007 to date, whilst everybody else who came to Ethiopia and made huge positive contributions towards enhancing Ethiopia’s International Image have all been left out of pocket since October 2007, with no attempt to settle this matter honorably or in a timely manner, we have repeatedly asked State Minister : Ato Mohamouda Ahmed Gass to act honorably and with integrity and settle this matter over the last 18 months but his response has always been simply to give us more excuses, and finally say: “don’t contact me again” all of which we have documented and will be making public shortly.
Respectfully
Ethiopian Life Foundation
Thursday, March 12, 2009
“Teza” Wins African Oscar
“Teza,” an Ethiopian film about the ruthless regime of the former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, who was in power in Ethiopia from 1974 until 1991, won the Golden Stallion of Yennenga, the top prize at the Fespaco film festival in Burkina Faso, Reuters reported. The film’s Ethiopian-born director, Haile Gerima, currently lives in the United States and his sister Selome Gerima, who also co-produced the film, accepted in his honor at the event, which plays a similar role in Africa to the Academy Awards in the United States.
The second-place prize was awarded to the South African film “Nothing But The Truth,” directed by and starring John Kani as a librarian struggling against racism before and after apartheid. The film is based on Mr. Kani’s play of the same name. “Teza,” about a scientist who returns to Ethiopia after studying in Germany in the 1970s, also won best screenplay and a special jury award at the 2008 Venice film festival in September.
The second-place prize was awarded to the South African film “Nothing But The Truth,” directed by and starring John Kani as a librarian struggling against racism before and after apartheid. The film is based on Mr. Kani’s play of the same name. “Teza,” about a scientist who returns to Ethiopia after studying in Germany in the 1970s, also won best screenplay and a special jury award at the 2008 Venice film festival in September.
Beyonce Plans Ethiopia Concert
New York (Tadias) - Beyonce Knowles, the R&B star and actress (who plays the legendary Etta James in the movie Cadillac Records), is gearing up for an international tour, which may include Ethiopia, Entertainment Weekly reports.
Beyonce’s last performance in Ethiopia took place at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa, on October 17, 2007.
As to her 2009 schedule, EW says: “While details are still being worked out, she has dates tentatively penciled in for the U.K., Ethiopia, Japan, Brazil, and more, plus a run through the U.S. this summer.”
“I’ve been working on this tour for eight months,” Beyonce told EW. “It’s crunch time! I’ve been rehearsing and trying to make sure I put my set list together. Right now I’m anxious and I can’t sleep — I’ll be wanting to be at rehearsal. That’s the only thing I can think about. But I can’t wait.”
The report also says Beyonce will begin her year-long international tour in Canada later this month.
Beyonce’s last performance in Ethiopia took place at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa, on October 17, 2007.
As to her 2009 schedule, EW says: “While details are still being worked out, she has dates tentatively penciled in for the U.K., Ethiopia, Japan, Brazil, and more, plus a run through the U.S. this summer.”
“I’ve been working on this tour for eight months,” Beyonce told EW. “It’s crunch time! I’ve been rehearsing and trying to make sure I put my set list together. Right now I’m anxious and I can’t sleep — I’ll be wanting to be at rehearsal. That’s the only thing I can think about. But I can’t wait.”
The report also says Beyonce will begin her year-long international tour in Canada later this month.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Miss Ethiopia 2009
Chuna Okok, a 22-year-old from Gambella and sophomore at the faculty of business and economics at Addis Ababa University, outranked 19 competitors to win the title of Miss Ethiopia 2009 on January 18th.
After being named Miss Ethiopia of 2009, Chuna said that she was excited to win the title as it would leave a message that Ethiopia is a home for beautiful people in its all regions. She will take part in Miss World Cultural Heritage of 2009 due to be held in Namibia this year.
Chuna was asked to explain what helped her win the Miss Ethiopia 2009 competition. She replied that her confidence took the first and major place. Next to that, she said, her color played an enormous role.
On what constitutes beauty, Chuna said, "beauty to me is the cumulative outcome of internal and external beauty. One will not be complete without the other."
Chuna indicated that she will do her best to promote Ethiopia and the harmony of the different nations and nationalities of Ethiopia, through the display of its culture, dressing, food, and way of living. She said she would also like to introduce Ethiopia's rich natural and historical sites and heritage to the world.
Ms. Okok supports my belief and the belief of many people that no one can command attention and symbloize beauty and exoticism like my dark skinned beautiful sisters. With fierce confidence and intelligence in tow, they captivate and mesmerize.
Ms. Okok represents my best friend, my three cousins, my husband's sister and grandmother, my son's ex-girlfriend, and many women of color across the globe. Ms. Okok is truly beautiful to me. In my opionion, she deserves a Barbie.
Go Ethiopia, I'm proud of your representation of diversity in the meaning of beauty!!
After being named Miss Ethiopia of 2009, Chuna said that she was excited to win the title as it would leave a message that Ethiopia is a home for beautiful people in its all regions. She will take part in Miss World Cultural Heritage of 2009 due to be held in Namibia this year.
Chuna was asked to explain what helped her win the Miss Ethiopia 2009 competition. She replied that her confidence took the first and major place. Next to that, she said, her color played an enormous role.
On what constitutes beauty, Chuna said, "beauty to me is the cumulative outcome of internal and external beauty. One will not be complete without the other."
Chuna indicated that she will do her best to promote Ethiopia and the harmony of the different nations and nationalities of Ethiopia, through the display of its culture, dressing, food, and way of living. She said she would also like to introduce Ethiopia's rich natural and historical sites and heritage to the world.
Ms. Okok supports my belief and the belief of many people that no one can command attention and symbloize beauty and exoticism like my dark skinned beautiful sisters. With fierce confidence and intelligence in tow, they captivate and mesmerize.
Ms. Okok represents my best friend, my three cousins, my husband's sister and grandmother, my son's ex-girlfriend, and many women of color across the globe. Ms. Okok is truly beautiful to me. In my opionion, she deserves a Barbie.
Go Ethiopia, I'm proud of your representation of diversity in the meaning of beauty!!
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