Top news items in major Ethiopian media outlets

The Following are news highlights in Ethiopia's major media outlets on Wednesday.

--Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has laid cornerstone for the construction of Baeker Integrated Agro-Industrial Park in Tigray regional state.

Estimated to cost 2.5 billion Birr (1.1 billion U.S. dollars), the first phase of the construction is expected to be completed and readied for investment in two years' time, it was indicated. (Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation/EBC)

--Ninety-one percent of the construction of the Genale Dawa III hydro-electric power project which is expected to generate 254 MW power has been completed, the Ethiopian Ministry of water, Irrigation and Electricity announced. (Ethiopian News Agency/ENA)

--Top United Nations humanitarian official released 18.5 million U.S. dollars from the organization's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to enable critical aid for people suffering from malnutrition and severe water shortages in Ethiopia's Somali region -- the worst drought-stricken part of the country.

"I was recently in Ethiopia's Somali region, where I saw the devastating impact this drought is having on people's lives, livestock and livelihoods," said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien. (Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation/EBC)

--Preparations have been finalized for the 7th edition of Ethiopia's cities forum to be held April 30-May 6, 2017 in Gondar, Amhara regional state, said the Ethiopian Ministry of Urban Development and Construction. (Fana Broadcasting Corporate/FBC)

--Professor Richard Pankhurst, the prominent historian and researcher on Ethiopia, was laid to rest at the Saint Trinity Cathedral on Tuesday. (Fana Broadcasting Corporate/FBC) Endit