The Embassy of the United States of America today announced that the beginning of the 2012 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery application season. Applications for the 2012 DV Program will be accepted from October 5 to November 3, 2010. Applicants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form (E-DV) at dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period. Paper entries will not be accepted. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter as heavy demand may result in website delays. No entries will be accepted after noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), on November 3, 2010.

On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the UN International Day of Older Persons. The theme of the year 2010's commemoration is “Older persons and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)”.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has called on international development partners to support Ethiopia’s growth and transformation over the coming five years thorough releasing budget aid. He said Ethiopia expects increased aid from traditional and new donors. The Premier on Thursday held a consultative meeting with the donors on his government’s new five-year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP).

A team of 22 Sudanese nationals drawn from a range of professions has paid a 7-day visit to Ethiopia. Kuriftu Resorts PLC organized the visit in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy in Sudan. The team comprising Journalists, Musicians, university deans, government officials and prominent individuals visited Bahirdar, Hawassa and Bishoftu towns from September 22-28 September 2010.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi the transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia should get a new prime minister immediately so as to be able to effectively fight back pressure from terrorists operating in that country. The statement came up during talks with TFG President, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed in Addis Ababa on Wednesday. He said Ethiopia is ready to contribute its part towards a strong TFG in Somalia. Sheik Sharif for his part stressed on the irreplaceable role of Ethiopia for the strengthening of the TFG.

A model donning green synthetic grass in the shape of a dress, with adey abeboch (little, yellow flowers) in a basket on her back, carrying a sign wishing everybody a “Happy New Year,” ended the catwalk fashion show of Sewasew Design on the evening of Thursday, September 23, 2010, at Ethiopia’s first Hub of Africa International Fashion Week.

Star Alliance announced that Ethiopian Airlines will become a member of the alliance as its Chief Executive Board has unanimously approved Ethiopian Airlines' joining application. Ethiopian Airlines is expected to become a Star Alliance member within the next 12 months.SAS already code-shares with Ethiopian Airlines on the Stockholm-Addis Ababa route since earlier this year, but the partnership has now been expanded to include a number of Ethiopian's African destinations, suchas Ambouli (Djibouti), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania), Entebbe (Uganda), Mombasa (Kenya), Nairobi (Kenya), and Zanzibar (Tanzania).

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Gold and nickel explorer Nyota has raised £21,58-million through a placing of shares to fast track exploration and development work at its Tulu Kapi deposit in Ethiopia, it announced on Tuesday. The deposit remains open in three directions and at depth and the additional funding would allow the company to continue with the four on-site drill rigs working 24-hour shifts.