German firm to design CBE headquarters in Addis Ababa
German design firm Henn Architekten has won first prize in an architectural competition for the construction of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) headquarters in Addis Ababa. Once the project is completed, the 42-story tower will be the tallest building ever built in Ethiopia. The CBE selected Henn Architekten December 29, 2009 at an awards ceremony held at the Sheraton Addis Hotel.Henn Architekten’s winning pitch includes a gap in the tower facade, which will reveal the city from a new perspective. A seven-person jury selected Henn Architekten from 21 local and foreign contestants.The skyscraper is scheduled to be built in five years. (read more)

Peeved Passengers Force Flight at Bole
Sixty Nigerian passengers flying with Ethiopian Airlines last week controlled parts of the Bole International Airport terminal on Thursday morning, December 31, 2009, and temporarily held Ethiopian employees, insisting that the airline arrange for them an immediate flight home.(Addis Fortune)