Bill Gates Pledges Majority of Fortune to Boost Health and Education in Africa

Scientists have discovered that tectonic plates in northeast Africa are gradually pulling apart, a movement that could potentially form a sixth ocean within the next one to 20 million years. Currently, the region encompassing Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea is shifting at a rate of approximately 0.3 inches (about 0.76 cm) annually, according to research published by the London Geographical Society. The East African Rift System, known for its active tectonic activity, shows signs of significant geological changes as magma shifts beneath the Earth's surface. Notably, the emergence of a large fissure in Ethiopia in 2005 alerted researchers to the accelerated movement of these plates. Should the separation continue, it is predicted that the rift valley will eventually sink, allowing water from the Indian Ocean to flood into the resulting basin, thus creating new coastlines and altering climate patterns in the region. Geological experts suggest that similar processes previously led to the formation of the Saudi Arabian peninsula, highlighting the potential for dramatic geographical transformations over time.

Tensions have escalated in Ethiopia’s Tigray region following a coup that ousted interim leader Getachew Reda, leading him to flee to Addis Ababa. A rival faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), led by Debretsion Gebremichael, has seized control of provincial offices and local media, according to reports by The Guardian. Residents in Tigray are now gripped by uncertainty, with many withdrawing cash and attempting to flee the area. A recent skirmish has left three people dead, further heightening fears of imminent conflict. A resident noted, “Fear and uncertainty prevail,” as many plan to escape to Addis Ababa or neighboring countries. This upheaval coincides with rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which have strained since Ethiopia lost its access to the Red Sea post-Eritrea's secession in 1993. Despite Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s calls for peaceful negotiations regarding access to Eritrean ports, military movements at the border suggest a potential for escalation. Analysts warn that the volatile situation in Tigray could ignite wider conflict between the two nations, as efforts for peace confront ongoing rivalries.

The Tigray region of Ethiopia is on the brink of renewed conflict following a recent coup, as interim leader Getachew Reda fled to the capital, Addis Ababa. The coup was initiated by a rival faction of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), led by Debretsion Gebremichael, which seized control of provincial government offices and key infrastructure in the regional capital, Mekelle. Tensions escalated when Reda attempted to dismiss senior military commanders, leading to a split within the ruling TPLF party. The turmoil reignited fears of a return to violence, reflecting the region's troubled recent history, which saw approximately 600,000 fatalities during the conflict that ended in 2022, according to a British Medical Journal study. Residents report widespread fear, with many withdrawing cash and fleeing towards safer areas. Additionally, strained relations between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea have raised concerns of an interstate conflict, exacerbated by Ethiopia's military mobilization along the border. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue regarding access to the strategic Red Sea port of Assab but warned that without resolution, the situation could escalate further.