Addis Ababa is a booming, cosmopolitan city in the heart of a poor, rural country, writes Ellie O’Byrne.

Ethiopian, American and European researchers have observed a fissure in a desert in the remote northeast of Ethiopia that could be the “birth of a new ocean basin”, scientists said.

Scientists led by Ethiopian researchers today said a fissure in a desert in the remote north-east could be the “birth of a new ocean basin”.

Six university students armed with hand grenades and pistols who seized an Ethiopian plane with at least 50 passengers and diverted it to Khartoum have released all their hostages and surrendered, officials said today.

Nine university students have hijacked an Ethiopian plane with 50 passengers on board at Khartoum airport, according to state-run Sudan television.