The two houses of the Ethiopian parliament on Monday appointed Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie as the new president of the country.
The appointment followed the end of the term of current President Sahle-Work Zewde after six years of service as the country's head of state.
The newly-appointed president was sworn in on Monday before members of Ethiopia's House of Peoples' Representatives and House of Federation as the new leader of Africa's second most populous nation.
Ethiopia, which operates under a parliamentary political system, grants its president largely ceremonial powers. The president's term of office is six years and can be re-elected once.
In the annual national plan presented to the parliament after the inauguration ceremony, Atske Selassie said Ethiopia had achieved an economic growth rate of 8.1 percent in the just-concluded fiscal year despite internal and external challenges.
Atske Selassie also highlighted Ethiopia's relationship with China, calling it an exemplary partnership that should continue to be strengthened.
"In terms of bilateral relations, Ethiopia's relationship with China has been elevated to an unwavering all-weather strategic partnership while safeguarding our national interests," he said.
Atske Selassie also stressed that Ethiopia's accession to the BRICS membership is a major diplomatic achievement and a key step in ensuring political, economic and social interests and balancing the country's international relations.
"Ethiopia's official entry into the BRICS mechanism opens the door for Ethiopia to gain significant political, economic and social advantages, while further strengthening our balanced engagement with global partners," he said.
Ethiopian parliament appoints FM as new president
Ethiopian parliament appoints FM as new president
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
