Twenty-eight grade 11 students – half of them girls – participated in the third edition of the STEM School in Ethiopia, an intensive training program developed by Ethiopian Airlines, Boeing [NYSE: BA], and ThinkYoung to empower Ethiopian youth.

Held over six weeks at Ethiopian Aviation University, the program provided more than 300 hours of immersive training, combining classroom learning with internship, career talks, and field visits to aviation facilities. The initiative supports young people from all regions of Ethiopia, igniting their interest in higher education and preparing them for future careers in aviation, engineering and technology.

The students learned digital skills such as coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence, while also developing soft skills including teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Hosted by Africa’s largest airline, the program capitalized on Ethiopian Airlines’ operational expertise, offering exclusive access to its cargo, maintenance, repair and overhaul and other facilities for hands-on learning.

Residents of South Sudan’s capital threatened to sue the government on Wednesday, accusing it of failing to provide basic services in their neighborhoods for many years…A letter of intent to sue is a formal notice a plaintiff serves to a defendant or its representatives, warning of impending legal action if concerns are not addressed. “We are intending to sue the National Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the National Road Authority, and the Juba City Council. The reason is that they failed to deliver services to citizens in the areas of Hai Referendum, Mia Saba, and Gudele,” he said. He added that the justice minister, as the government’s attorney general, must be given legal notice before a lawsuit against a government institution can proceed…The lawyer said the legal threat was a wake-up call and that the group hopes to resolve the concerns out of court. “In these affected areas, roads are cut off, there are no health facilities, schools are not accessible, and people cannot move to the town,” Majok said. He expects the Justice Ministry to convene a discussion with the accused institutions…Majok stated that every citizen has a right to basic services and that if the issue is not addressed, they will proceed with the lawsuit and may expand the case to include other affected areas. Radio Tamazuj

Somalia’s Ministry of Defense has welcomed the upcoming deployment of Egyptian troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), following the completion of the first training program for Egyptian Armed Forces units…Egypt’s involvement onboard Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) came following heightened tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, triggered by Ethiopia’s January 2024 Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland. At the time, Mogadishu insisted that Ethiopia would not be part of AU-led forces replacing ATMIS and instead bolstered its military partnership with Egypt, including weapons shipments and joint training. Ethiopia had called on the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) to ensure comprehensive consultations with key stakeholders as plans progress for deploying a new peacekeeping mission in Somalia as part of the replacement ATMIS. Despite the rift, Somalia and Ethiopia have since reached an agreement on the presence of Ethiopian forces under AUSSOM after Ethiopian army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula’s visit to Mogadishu in February during which the two sides reached at consensus on Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) deployments. (Addis Standard)

Puntland’s defense forces have issued an urgent 72-hour ultimatum to Islamic State (ISIS) fighters trapped in the Baallade valley, urging them to surrender peacefully or face full military action. The militants, currently surrounded in cave hideouts within the valley, have been warned that this is their final chance to avoid bloodshed. The message, issued in multiple languages, called on the fighters to lay down their arms and contact Puntland security forces for safe surrender. “The Puntland government calls on ISIS fighters and anyone wishing to surrender to contact Puntland security forces within 72 hours. Your life is valuable,” read a statement from Puntland’s military command. Authorities pledged humane treatment for any fighters who surrender, including safe return to their families and communities. However, officials warned that failure to comply would lead to severe consequences. “There will be no escape. This is the final opportunity,” the statement said. The standoff comes as the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a separate two-week counterterrorism operation in the Puntland region targeting ISIS-Somalia. The joint strikes focused on leadership hideouts in the Golis Mountains, a remote area known to harbor high-ranking militants. (garowe online)