Latest news with #Ethiopian
Time Out
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This 100-year-old Bed-Stuy building is now home to a chic oyster bar
Bed-Stuy's latest wine bar hopes to introduce a space where the wine is accessible, the vibe is French and the oysters are freshly shucked on the half shell. A combination of the French words sel (salt) and lune (moon), Selune opened its doors on June 17, taking space in a 100-year-old brownstone. The wine and oyster bar is a labor of love from couple Marc Lioussanne and Bilen Gaga, who lean on their shared passions to bring it to life. Owner of Bistro Général & Mabel in Paris and previous beverage director of Eden Rock in St. Barths, Lioussane brings the hospitality angle, while Gaga's hand touches the interior, with an eye that is shaped by her fashion background and her Ethiopian roots. Salvaged from the previous tenant, a long, hand-stained walnut bar runs the length of the 50-seat wine bar, illuminated with globe lights. Across it, you can find two-seater tables and chairs plus a singular booth that's pushed up against the exposed brick walls painted white. Among a palette of tan leather, brushed gold and deep green accents, including live greenery, a single portrait hangs on the wall. Found near the rear of the restaurant, the painting depicts a scene of African women preparing a shared meal, nodding to Gaga's Ethiopian heritage. Naturally, wine is on order and there is plenty of it thanks to Lioussanne. Curating a selection over 120 bottles deep, the natural wine list is heavy on the regions of France with stops in Italy, New Zealand and Spain. They seem to be making good on their claim for accessibility as glasses can be had for $8-14 and bottles start as low as $27. There's also a list of cocktails for the partaking, including the miso-based Sunset Martini with rice vinegar syrup and the Ti Carib, an island-y number with coconut, allspice, juice and rum. Even the zero-proof varieties hold interest such as the Daisy with chia seeds, apple juice and a smoked lime as does the cherry tomato water-based Ruby Red, complimented with vanilla syrup and black peppercorn. Rounding it all out, the list includes a range of sakes plus beers sourced from Catskill Brewery. No matter what you drink, it can all easily be paired with Selune's French bistro fare and selections of the sea. Oysters are one of the main draws here, plucked from the eastern coasts of Cape Cod and Nova Scotia to Washington's Hood Canal. All can be dressed your way with a fleet of mignonettes for the choosing: ponzu scallion, shallot wine vinegar and lemongrass. If you'd rather your food come from land, you can build your own charcuterie board, starting with cured Jambon De Paris and Duck Foie Gras before selecting a few artisanal cheeses for the nibbling. Each board comes with a baguette and a swipe of butter to eat it all up.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Ethiopia secures record 7.21 bln USD in export revenue in 11 months
ADDIS ABABA, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia has generated record export revenue during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, driven by strong performance in major export commodities, the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration disclosed on Thursday. Presenting the ministry's performance report to the House of Peoples' Representatives, the lower chamber of Ethiopia's parliament, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe said the country earned 7.21 billion U.S. dollars in export revenue during the first 11 months of the current Ethiopian 2024/2025 fiscal year, which started on July 8. The figure surpasses the initial target of 4.59 billion dollars set for the reporting period, registering a 57 percent increase, Gofe said, noting that the latest revenue also represents an increase of 3.96 billion dollars compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. Data from the ministry also showed that export earnings from the mining and agriculture sectors significantly outperformed expectations, achieving 425 percent and 118 percent of their respective targets. Exports in the manufacturing sector also outperformed projections, recording a 57 percent growth over the target. The minister also updated lawmakers on the country's ongoing accession process to the World Trade Organization, describing the process as "progressing well." The Ethiopian government has attributed the improved export performance to ongoing comprehensive economic reforms and various enabling measures. The East African country's economy is projected to grow by more than 8.4 percent in the current fiscal year, according to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Edinburgh's Sheriffhall roundabout named in UK's top 10 most stressful junctions
Edinburgh's Sheriffhall roundabout has been named as one of the UK's top 10 most stressful junctions - and the 24th most stressful in the world. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The roundabout on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass is notorious for delays, traffic jams, accidents and near misses. But plans to upgrade the junction with a flyover to separate through traffic from vehicles on more local journeys are on hold, awaiting a Scottish Government go-ahead. A new study from Scrap Car Comparison surveyed thousands of drivers to work out the world's worst junctions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The company said: "We asked them to rate junctions and roundabouts based on four unique metrics: confusion, anxiety, fear and confidence. We then analysed the responses to create a unique 'stress score', allowing us to reveal which junctions around the world drivers are the most stressed about tackling." Sheriffhall emerged as the most stressful in Scotland and worse than Birmingham's "Spaghetti Junction", which did not feature in the top 10. A junction in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa was named the world's worst junction with a stress score of 56 out of 100. The worst in the UK was named as the Hanger Lane Gyratory, number 10 in the international table with a stress score of 44. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sheriffhall was the worst in Scotland, 10th worst in the UK and number 24 in the world, with a stress score of 35. Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs, who is campaigning for urgent action on Sheriffhall, said: 'Sadly, it is not surprising to see Sheriffhall named as one of the most stressful junctions in the UK. Like the rest of the Edinburgh bypass, it is completely inadequate for a city the size of Edinburgh. 'From day one it was clear that the roundabout needed a fly-over; 40 years later we have a significantly larger population across the region but have seen no progress whatsoever to improve the roundabout. 'Sheriffhall is costing commuters and businesses in our region time, money, and pollution from congestion. It is time for SNP Ministers to act and provide the leadership needed to get the upgrade back on track. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'That is why I have launched my campaign to upgrade the notorious junction and asking residents across Lothian to make their voice heard. 'Edinburgh and the Lothians deserve better than this and I hope my campaign to upgrade the junction will make SNP Ministers understand the level of frustration motorists are facing and give the upgrade the priority it deserves.' In a debate at the Scottish Parliament last week, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop acknowledged the challenges and frustrations facing motorists at Sheriffhall and said she was keen to see progress, but that due process had to be followed. She said there had been 2,773 objections to the proposals, prompting a public local inquiry; the independent reporter who conducted the inquiry had submitted her conclusions and recommendations to the Scottish Government in October 2023, but they were still being considered by officials.
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
A free clinic for donkeys
A man walking his donkeys to a donkey clinic to get his animals a treatment in Addis Ababa. — Photos: AFP At a clinic in Ethiopia's capital, a donkey is complaining as a vet tries to trim his nails. Ethiopia is thought to have the most donkeys in the world – one in five of the global total according to the United Nations – and they form a vital part of the economy. So the Donkey Sanctuary, run by a British charity that operates around the world, has its work cut out at its free clinic near Merkato, Addis Ababa's vast open-air market. On a recent visit, several dozen donkeys were gathered in pens, some agitated and kicking their feet, while others eagerly pounced on food. Caregivers and veterinarians were taking turns treating injuries, colic and eye problems. Guluma Bayi, 38, walked more than an hour and a half with his two donkeys to reach the clinic. 'It has been three weeks since my donkeys became sick,' he said. 'One has a leg problem and the other has a stomach issue.' Like the others making the trip, Guluma relies heavily on his donkeys to make a living. He uses them to transport jerrycans of water to sell to his fellow villagers. 'After they became ill, I couldn't buy bread for my children,' he said. 'I begged a guy to bring me here.' After successful treatment, Guluma was able to go home with both donkeys. A veterinarian treating a donkey at the clinic. Ethiopia had around nine million donkeys in 2018. A donkey yourself The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation says Ethiopia had some nine million donkeys as of 2018. They play a major economic role in the East African country of around 130 million people, ploughing fields and transporting goods, offering a cheaper alternative to vehicles at a time when petrol prices have risen sharply. 'There is a proverb in Ethiopia: if you don't have a donkey, you are a donkey yourself,' said Tesfaye Megra, project coordinator for the Donkey Sanctuary, laughing. The charity operates in several regions across the country and opened its Addis Ababa centre in 2007. 'They are invaluable animals ... and they are suffering while they are providing different services to the community,' said Tesfaye. The daily life of donkeys is no picnic. Urban sprawl in the Ethiopian capital has made green spaces increasingly scarce. The loads they carry can be heavy, and many are beaten and badly treated. Another visitor to the clinic, Chane Baye, said he used his two donkeys to carry sacks filled with grain for clients across the city. They allow him to earn between 200 and 400 birr per day (RM6.35 and RM12.70) – not bad in a country where a third of the population lives below the World Bank's poverty line of US$2.15 (RM9.10) per day. The 61-year-old comes roughly every three months to have his donkeys checked – '... whenever they start limping or have a stomach problem,' he said. 'Before this clinic, we used traditional ways to treat them,' he added, referring in particular to nails roughly removed from the animals' legs with a knife. He is pleased his donkeys now get professional treatment for wounds and infections. Derege Tsegay, a vet at the sanctuary, performs a routine but unsavoury operation – inserting his gloved-up arm deep into a struggling donkey's rectum. Derege pulls out the large chunk of faeces that had accumulated in the animal's stomach. 'It happens often,' he said. A shortage of food in the city means donkeys eat whatever they find, often including plastic which can block their digestive system. It's not always pleasant, but he knows how important the work can be for local people. 'I am proud of what I am doing ... because I am trying to solve the problem of so many owners that rely on their donkeys,' he said with a smile. – AFP
International Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- International Business Times
Meet Kenchen Bharwani: The Mastermind of Off-Price Fashion's Economic Growth in the United States
As the U.S. fashion industry faces a generational shift, consumer priorities pivoted toward affordability and sustainability. Shoppers want stylish clothing without the ethical baggage of fast fashion ushering in an era where off-price fashion is no longer niche, but a strategic economic driver. Enter Kenchen Bharwani. With nearly two decades of experience, Bharwani has been at the forefront of this movement. Known for transforming unsold inventory into scalable retail solutions, she has emerged as a game-changer for American brands, retailers, and consumers. Kenchen approaches the industry with a holistic mindset optimizing supply chains, reviving dormant inventories, and breathing new life into underperforming product categories. "My job isn't just to move product. It's to create possibility from what the market discards," Bharwani shares. "That's where real innovation begins." Through her insights, Bharwani has shown how off-price fashion evolved from bargain bins to a boardroom priority and why both U.S. retailers and wholesalers are investing in it. Bringing Off-Price Fashion to U.S. Consumers Off-price fashion connects global manufacturers with American buyers seeking quality goods at reduced costs. Bharwani's entry into the field began at PT Chandrishka Apparel in Indonesia, where she helped a struggling export house grow by attracting international buyers including major American brands through her networking acumen and expertise. Before "off-price" became an industry buzzword, she was already connecting manufacturers in Asia and Africa to U.S. wholesalers and retailers, building a cross-border network that powers today's off-price supply chain. Her success led her to Karmin Industries Inc., one of North America's top wholesalers. Tasked with expanding the off-price segment, Bharwani introduced a supply chain model sourcing from vetted vendors across Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Egypt benefiting retailers across the U.S. and giving consumers access to quality goods at lower prices. "Her knowledge and connections are extensive. It helped lead us to an expanded base of supply, increased production, procurement and profitability," said a Karmin executive. "This has been a key factor in reducing our costs." Reinventing the Off-Price Fashion Playbook Bharwani's impact is most apparent in her sourcing innovations. She's tapped into underutilized global textile capabilities, bringing premium fleece blends from Pakistan, double pique knits from Ethiopia, and ring-spun cotton tees from Kenya to American shelves. In one standout case, she transformed leftovers of a rare double pique knit fabric with moisture-wicking abilities from Al Asr Industries PLC in Ethiopia into a line of men's activewear tops under Karmin's Azur private label. The result: affordable performance apparel for U.S. retailers and a new revenue stream for the Ethiopian manufacturer. The designs were later showcased at Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week, with 430,000 units purchased by Gor Factory, helping Al Asr break into Europe. Her knack for connecting the right fabric with the right market has made her indispensable. "I don't just fill a gap I anticipate it," Bharwani says. Turning Deadstock into Economic Wins As lead fashion consultant at Empire Apparel LLC today, Bharwani recently led a landmark acquisition and redistribution of 1.2 million units of Hanes Brands Inc. inventory. Amid inflation and overstock, this move gave American discount retailers premium access at off-price rates. She oversaw and advised her team on everything from quality control to buyer segmentation, ensuring rapid inventory turnover while maximizing margins. The initiative didn't just give smaller retailers a competitive edge without costly production it allowed consumers to access quality apparel at reduced prices. The project also opened new export channels to Europe and reduced textile waste, promoting sustainability. "This wasn't just about clearing inventory," she notes. "It was about building a circular economy that uplifts retailers, expands consumer choice, and aligns with sustainability goals." Redefining U.S. Fashion Economics Off-price fashion is expected to outpace traditional retail as inflation and evolving values shape consumer behaviour. Bharwani has laid the groundwork through sourcing, vendor relationships, and brand strategy to turn what was once excess into a growth engine for the U.S. fashion economy. Her model leverages surplus stock as an asset, not a liability. Her work empowers small businesses, supports job creation, and contributes to the reindustrialization of American fashion by shortening supply chains and offering alternatives to fast fashion. Bharwani's success isn't just measured by units moved but by the ecosystems she strengthens, the value she unlocks, and the economic resilience she fosters within the retail market. Wherever off-price fashion is heading next, Kenchen Bharwani will be leading the charge one deadstock success story at a time.
