Free Republic

ADDIS ABABA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Ethiopia on Tuesday confirmed that a group of unidentified gunmen attacked a Chinese oil company's premises early in the morning in Ethiopia's Somali state, causing heavy casualties. The embassy has formed an emergency team, maintaining close contact with the Ethiopian government and military, according to the Chinese Charge d' Affaires ad interim Zhang Yuebang. At least nine Chinese workers were killed during the attack, Xu Shuang, acting manager of the Chinese oil company, told Xinhua. Another seven Chinese workers were kidnapped by the gunmen, who also killed 65 Ethiopian employees...

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - A series of bombs exploded in Ethiopia's capital Friday, killing four people and wounding at least 42, police and witnesses said. Federal police spokesman Commander Demsash Hailu said the blasts were the work of an organization trying to discredit the government but did not offer specifics. The bombings came just before Monday's anniversary of last year's general election. International observers called the balloting seriously flawed and opposition politicians have refused to take up their posts in protest of what they called government vote-rigging. Police have blamed other small bombings in recent months on alleged militant elements...