Aid agencies are warning that Ethiopian authorities are under-estimating the scale of the country’s drought.

Official estimates of the number of people facing hunger and hardship stand at 4.6m but agencies warn the real figure could be more than 8m.

NEW YORK (CNN) — You may find it hard to believe that this remains an issue in this campaign, but it does.

The candidates, both candidates, are still getting questions about Barack Obama’s ethnicity and religion. If you are even semi-informed, then by now you already know that of course, Barack Obama is an American.

Ato Sileshi Tilahun, a senior official of the Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF), has arrived in Asmara over the weekend to hold discussions with Ato Meazaw Getu, the chairman, and other leaders of the resistance group. During his two-week stay in the region, Ato Sileshi will also visit the EPPF fighters in the field.

It is gratifying to know that Ethiopian Americans are carrying their fair share of the load in helping the economy of their homeland. It was an eye-opening revelation to learn that Ethiopian Americans contributed  a cool $1.2 billion to the Ethiopian economy this past year. More on Sending Cash Home: The Political Economy of Remittances in Ethiopia

 At least 47 people were killed Monday in a series of violent incidents in Somalia, reports CNN.

A roadside bomb exploded Monday as African Union forces were traveling through K4 square, a major junction in south Mogadishu, witnesses said. The bombing was followed by an exchange of gunfire between AU forces and insurgents, they added.Video Fighting explodes in Somalia 2

Casualties included at least five civilians killed and another 20 people wounded, including an AU soldier, an AU spokesman said.

Also killed was an insurgent, a spokesman for the Islamist insurgents said, and a Somali government soldier, according to a government spokesman.

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — Human Rights Watch urged Ethiopian lawmakers on Monday to reject legislation it says would slap major government restrictions on foreign aid groups and ban them from some activities. More on Human Rights Watch urges Ethiopia to reject aid bill

 (Reuters) – Sudan summoned the Kenyan and Ethiopian ambassadors on Monday to protest against what it said were illegal shipments of arms to its semi-autonomous south, state media reported. More on Sudan summons Kenyan, Ethiopian envoys over arms

(CBS/ AP) Democrat Barack Obama proposed more immediate steps Monday to heal the nation’s ailing economy including a 90-day moratorium on home foreclosures at some banks and a two-year tax break for businesses that create new jobs.

With the economic turmoil weighing down his Republican presidential rival, Obama also proposed allowing people to withdraw up to $10,000 from their retirement accounts without any penalty this year and next.