Sarkisian Workshop Series: Centering Indigenous Experiences in Climate Narrati

Chakrian Hovsep Leave a comment

Sarkisian Workshop Series: Centering Indigenous Experiences in Climate Narratives with Diane Wilson

The International Armenian Literary Alliance (IALA), Mizna and the Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW) invite you to the second installment of the Sarkisian Workshop Series: Centering Indigenous Experiences in Climate Narratives with Diane Wilson. The virtual workshop will take place on April 19, 2026, at 9:00 AM Pacific | 12:00 PM Eastern | 8:00 PM Armenia Time.

Foundational to Indigenous culture is a worldview that is relational to all other beings, a perspective that also shapes our storytelling. Climate narratives from that viewpoint are stories that emphasize this relationality, that accept the responsibility that is intrinsic to being a good relative, and has social justice embedded in its foundation. This workshop will provide context about Dakota people, and key teachings related to this world view, in particular, the concept of Mitakuye Owasin (We Are All Related), food sovereignty, and cultural recovery. Students will explore literature that embodies these teachings, as well as generative writing prompts.
Diane Wilson is a Dakota writer, educator, and bog steward, enrolled on the Rosebud Reservation. She has published six award-winning books as well as essays in numerous publications. Her novel, The Seed Keeper, won the 2022 MN Book Award and is a selection for the 2026 NEA Big Read. Wilson’s work explores seed sovereignty, social justice, cultural recovery, and environmental stewardship. She is currently working on a memoir, Mapping My Way Home: A Story of Loss, Renewal, and a Bog.
 
Recommended Reads
  • The Seed Keeper, by Diane Wilson
  • Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge, edited by Melissa K. Nelson and Dan Shilling
  • Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science, by Jessica Hernandez
  • Eating the Landscape: American Indian Stories of Food, Identity, and Resilience, by Enrique Salmon
  • Solar Storms, by Linda Hogan
 
Ticket Prices: $20 for each individual workshop
Purchase your tickets here.
Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in joining but the registration price is prohibitive.
IALA programs are shared spaces for creative work, dialogue, and learning. We invite all participants to contribute to an environment of respect, care, and thoughtful engagement. IALA reflects the multiplicity of identities in the Armenian community and beyond, and we do not tolerate any offensive behavior regarding gender identity and _expression_, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, national origin, socio-economic class, educational background, personal style/appearance, citizenship and immigration status, or political affiliation. Participants whose behavior disrupts programs or harms the community may be asked to leave the space or restricted from future participation.
 
The Sarkisian Workshop Series 2026: Can Storytelling Save Us? is brought to you by IALA, Mizna and AAWW. Funded by the Sarkisian Foundation for the Arts and Engineering, the series offers six writing workshops that will include literary analysis and generative writing exercises. Designed to bring together writers from diverse backgrounds, these workshops will encourage writers to engage with the pressing issues of our time.

Explore the full series and read along with it by purchasing titles at IALA’s Bookshop.org storefront.

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California Courier Online, April 6, 2026

Karapet Navasardian Leave a comment
California Courier Online, April 6, 2026

1- Pashinyan Jokes with Putin in the Kremlin:

“Armenia has Too Much Democracy”

By Harut Sassounian

2- Study finds Armenian alphabet structurally closer to ancient Ethiopic Ge’ez, revealing links between African and Caucasus scripts
3- Radio station appeals license cancellation over Armenian genocide reference to Turkey’s top court
4- Vahe Boghosian Preserves Sudanese-Armenian Community History, Boosts Sudanese Image
5- Western Diocese: Two churches and pastors not affiliated with Diocese
6- Israel settlers attack Armenian restaurant in Jerusalem
7- Jerusalem Armenian Church Building Desecrated with Nightclub Banners
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1- Pashinyan Jokes with Putin in the Kremlin:
“Armenia has Too Much Democracy”

By Harut Sassounian
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

An unusual conversation took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 1.

The 23-minute-long meeting was videotaped and made public, including the remarks made by both sides. Strangely, during the meeting, Pashinyan was wearing on his lapel the red-colored map of what he calls “real Armenia.” No other sensible leader would wear the map of his country on his lapel at a meeting.

Here is the most striking thing Pashinyan told Putin: “Armenia is a democratic country…. We have citizens who think that there is too much democracy in Armenia…. For example, our social networks are 100% free. There are no restrictions at all, and many citizens think that this is too much.….” Pashinyan had the audacity to present his authoritarian rule in Armenia as excessively democratic.

I am glad the video of this meeting was disclosed, so the public can know what was discussed. After the formal talks, the two leaders continued their discussions in a closed format over a working breakfast.

Pres. Putin opened the public meeting by commenting on the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia. He cautioned that the “domestic political processes in Armenia are gaining momentum.” However, this “escalation… must not harm our relations between Russia and Armenia in any way.”

Putin warned that “it is impossible for Armenia to be simultaneously a member of the Russia-centered Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union’s custom’s framework.” He implied that if Armenia were to pursue its economic relations with the European Union, it would no longer be able to export to EAEU countries, including Russia, billions of dollars’ worth of products, leading to the collapse of Armenia’s economy. Putin pointed out that “Armenia’s exports to EAEU countries have increased tenfold in recent years.”

In his response, Pashinyan stated that Armenia will pursue both trade channels for the time being, until it is forced to make a choice. Neither Putin nor Pashinyan had a good reason to discuss this issue now, since Armenia is decades away from qualifying to join the European Union.

In another stern message to Pashinyan, Putin reminded him that while “the price of gas in Europe is over $600 per 1,000 cubic meters, Russia sells it to Armenia for $177.5 per 1,000 cubic meters. The disparity is vast, the difference is substantial.” If Russia were to raise the gas price for Armenia, Armenia’s production of goods would come to a halt and the population would face severe hardship during winter months.

Surprisingly, Putin then brought up what he called “the most sensitive issue” — Karabagh. I am sure Pres. Aliyev was not happy that Karabagh was described as “the most sensitive issue,” since both he and Pashinyan consider the Karabagh issue closed. Putin then unnecessarily revisited Armenia’s frozen membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), stating that the CSTO could not intervene in the Karabagh conflict after Pashinyan in 2022 recognized it as part of Azerbaijan. What ensued is a series of erroneous claims on both sides. Putin was wrong to tie CSTO’s lack of involvement in the defense of Karabagh with Pashinyan’s surrender in 2022. In the past, when CSTO’s lack of involvement in the Karabagh war came up, Putin had correctly explained that CSTO could not defend Karabagh since it was not part of the Republic of Armenia. What Pashinyan should have asked is: why did CSTO failed to intervene when Azeri troops invaded the territory of the Republic of Armenia in 2021 and 2022, since the CSTO had a mandate to defend its member — Armenia — from attack?

Pashinyan, in his response, mistakenly blamed Russia for recognizing that Karabagh was part of Azerbaijan before he did. This cannot justify Pashinyan’s recognition of Karabagh as part of Azerbaijan, since no country in the world, including Russia, had recognized Karabagh as part of Armenia. Armenia itself had not recognized Karabagh as part of Armenia. Furthermore, why did Pashinyan base his decision on Karabagh on Russia’s position?

Putin then returned to the theme of Armenia’s upcoming elections, cautioning that the Karabagh and CSTO issues should “not become entangled in the domestic political process, especially during an election campaign.” Putin continued by reminding Pashinyan that there are over two million Armenians who live in Russia, possibly implying that if relations between the two countries sour, the large number of Armenians, who have immigrated to Russia in recent years, could be forced to return to Armenia.

Putin then made a request to Pashinyan which can be interpreted as an attempt by Russia to interfere in Armenia’s domestic politics. Here is what Putin said: “There are many political forces which have a pro-Russia orientation…. We would very much like all these political parties and political activists to be able to take part in the domestic political process during the elections [in Armenia]. Some, I know, are in prison, despite holding Russian passports. That is your decision; we are not interfering. But, we would like them to be able, at the very least, to participate in this domestic political process.”

This gave the opportunity to Pashinyan to tell Putin that Armenia’s constitution forbids candidates who are not solely Armenian citizens from running for high office in Armenia.

By lavishly praising Putin, Pashinyan’s intent may have been to convince him that he is not exclusively in the West’s camp, thus trying to reduce Russia’s antagonism toward him in the upcoming elections and minimize its support for the opposition.

I don’t know if Pashinyan managed to accomplish that objective, but after returning to Armenia he told the media that his meeting with Putin was “very successful.” However, we don’t know what he and Putin discussed during their private meal behind closed doors. Regardless, cunning alone can only take a politician so far; it cannot compensate for incompetence!

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2– Study finds Armenian alphabet structurally closer to ancient Ethiopic Ge’ez, revealing links between African and Caucasus scripts

Addis Standard
Addis Ababa – A new study has found that the Armenian alphabet may be structurally closer to the ancient Ethiopic Ge’ez than previously understood, shedding fresh light on possible historical connections between cultures in Africa and the Caucasus.The research, conducted by scientists at San Diego State University and reported by Phys.org, used artificial intelligence to examine similarities among ancient writing systems. The findings were published in the journal Digital Scholarship in the Humanities.
Using a dataset of more than 28,000 Ethiopic characters, researchers trained a computer model to recognize structural features such as curves, straight lines, and angles. The system, which had no access to historical or cultural context, then compared these patterns with letters from Armenian, Georgian, and Caucasian Albanian alphabets.

The analysis showed that Armenian letters exhibited the strongest structural similarity to Ge’ez, followed by Caucasian Albanian with moderate resemblance, while Georgian showed weaker and less consistent similarities. By contrast, the Latin alphabet demonstrated significantly lower similarity, reinforcing the distinctiveness of the observed patterns.

 “Our aim was to move beyond visual impressions that are difficult to test or replicate,” said Sam Kassegne, the study’s lead investigator. “By making our criteria explicit and mathematical, we introduced an objective computational approach that is easily reproducible.”

One notable finding is that the Armenian script appears nearly as similar to Ge’ez as Ge’ez is to its own earlier forms, suggesting the resemblance may not be coincidental. Both writing systems developed around the 4th to 5th centuries AD —a period marked by documented travel between Ethiopia and parts of the Middle East, including Jerusalem, Egypt, and Syria. Historical accounts also indicate that Mesrop Mashtots, credited with creating the Armenian alphabet, traveled within the region.

 “What makes the research significant is that computational geometry and historical scholarship converge on the same scripts and time period,” said Daniel Zemene, the study’s first author.

While the researchers caution that structural similarity does not prove direct borrowing, the findings strengthen arguments that cultural contact and exchange may have influenced the development of writing systems across regions. The study also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in uncovering patterns in historical and linguistic research.

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3- Radio station appeals license cancellation over Armenian genocide reference to Turkey’s top court

SCF
Açık Radyo (Open Radio), whose broadcasts were silenced in October 2024 by Turkish authorities after a guest spoke on air about Armenian genocide, has taken its legal challenge against the cancellation of its license to Turkey’s highest administrative court after lower courts rejected its appeals, Turkish Minute reported.
The İstanbul-based station and its legal team announced on Tuesday that both cases they filed against the decision have been escalated to the Council of State, marking the latest stage in a nearly two-year legal battle.

Speaking at a press conference in İstanbul’s Beyoğlu district, representatives of the station said the case should not be seen as an isolated administrative measure but as a “critical threshold” for freedom of _expression_, media freedom and the rule of law in Turkey.

“This is not only a matter concerning one institution,” they said, describing the process as a structural problem affecting all independent media outlets in the country.

In a press statement the station argued that imposing harsh sanctions over expressions that have been recognized as protected speech by both national and international court rulings creates a chilling effect on the media and restricts freedom of _expression_.

The controversy stems from a broadcast in April 2024, when a guest referred to the mass killings of Armenians during the late Ottoman period, using the term Armenian genocide.

The Armenians, supported by a majority of historians and scholars, say 1.5 million of their people died in a genocide committed by the Union and Progress government of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Turkey acknowledges that large numbers of Armenians and Turks died in the conflict but firmly rejects the characterization of the deaths as genocide.

Following the broadcast Turkey’s media watchdog, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), imposed the highest administrative fine on the station and ordered a five-day suspension of the program.

According to Açık Radyo co-founder Ömer Madra, the station later lost its license after failing to implement the suspension due to a technical issue that prevented them from viewing the dates included in the official notification.

“Despite the administrative fine being enforced and despite our request for new dates due to technical reasons regarding the suspension schedule, we were effectively silenced without even receiving a response to our petitions,” Madra said.

Madra criticized the court rulings thus far, saying the station’s legal submissions, including expert reports and precedents, were dismissed with a standard justification that RTÜK’s decision to revoke the station’s license was “in compliance with the law.”

In its legal filings the station argued that it could not be held responsible for remarks made by guests during live broadcasts without considering the overall context and intent of the program and that the sanctions imposed were disproportionate.

Lower courts rejected Açık Radyo’s appeals, and both cases were escalated to the Council of State for final review in 2026.

The station’s broadcasting license was suspended by RTÜK for five days in May on the allegation of inciting hatred. The media regulator subsequently withdrew the station’s license in July, but the radio continued to broadcast until its closure on October 16.

The station, which had been broadcasting for three decades, describes itself as a station “open to all sounds, colors and vibrations of the universe.” Its broadcasts addressed human rights, minority rights and ecological issues, among other topics.

Following the shutdown the station resumed broadcasting online under the name “Apaçık Radyo,” meaning “more open radio,” maintaining its editorial line on digital platform.

Representatives of the station said during the press conference that despite the loss of its FM license, it continues to operate online under the Apaçık Radyo platform with an expanded team, maintaining its principles of independent broadcasting.

They also noted that the cancellation of an FM license in a metropolis like İstanbul, which faces a high earthquake risk, affects not only a media outlet but also the public’s right to access information.

Turkey, which has a poor record on freedom of the press, was ranked 159th out of 180 nations in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
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4- Vahe Boghosian Preserves Sudanese-Armenian Community History, Boosts Sudanese Image

By
Satenig Kouyoumdjian
The
Armenian Mirror-Spectator

YEREVAN
— Vahe Boghosian is the founder of the first multimedia project on
Sudanese-Armenian history, called sudanahye (Armenian for Sudanese Armenian),
which documents and preserves the unique history and rich culture of the Sudanese-Armenian
community. He has been touring various countries, giving lectures and
organizing exhibitions of the archival materials, starting last year in London,
Amsterdam and Berlin, and this year in the US at New Haven (Yale University),
Boston (Harvard University and several other venues), and New York City.

“I don‘t
think I have a particular skill. I only have love – love for my family, my
culture and our history,” Boghosian said in Western Armenian, whilst sitting on
the steps of the Matenadaran in Yerevan, the largest center of Armenian
manuscripts in existence.

Born and
raised in London, Boghosian got his his bachelor’s degree in history and his
MSc. in security studies. On his mother’s side he is Sudanese-Armenian.

The
majority of the Sudanese-Armenian community fled genocide from the Ottoman
Empire and resettled in Sudan, not only surviving the genocide, but preserving
their Armenian identity and creating a unique Sudanese-Armenian culture.

More
specifically, many Sudanese-Armenians are indigenous to Arabkir, a town located
near Malatya in the eastern Ottoman Empire, today’s Turkey. Arabkir was
described as “extremely culturally advanced,” and the Armenian population there
was skilled in crafts, trade and business, according to a book about the town
prepared by Antranig Poladian (1969). Fleeing the Hamidian (1894-1897) and
Adana (1909) massacres, Arabkir Armenians resettled in Sudan and helped each
other building their lives and businesses which were often connected to larger
trading networks, such as in Egypt.

Sarkis
Melikian is said to be the first Armenian in the modern period coming to Sudan,
where he arrived in the 1840s and successfully set up a trading business
between Sudan and Egypt.

An
example of a later prominent family of immigrants is the Kurkjian brothers, who
founded the Kurkjian Brothers Company which supplied the Sudanese government
with food. This company later expanded and began trading with Europe. It turned
into an infrastructure and ports company, making roads, bridges and railway
lines, according to sudanahye.com. The family was also the main sponsor which
funded the building of the Armenian Church St. Krikor Lusavorich in Khartoum
and was considered as one of the most successful families of the
Sudanese-Armenian community.

Boghosian
says that in general, Sudanese-Armenians secured themselves an enviable
economic position in Sudan, utilizing their entrepreneurial mindset to set up
businesses like the examples given above.

Overall
the modern immigration of Armenians to Sudan can be summed up as three major
waves, with the first wave being during the Turco-Egyptian rule (about
1820-1880) of Sudan. The second wave came after the Hamidian and Adana
massacres in the end of the 19th century/beginning of the 20th century and the
third wave after the Armenian Genocide starting in 1915.

“It is a
culture of a certain serenity and graciousness” is how Boghosian characterizes
the Sudanese-Armenian identity, in part “coming from the Sudanese culture,
which is perceived as very hospitable in the Arab world.”

Unlike
the big Armenian diasporan communities in Syria, Lebanon or Egypt, the Sudanese
Armenians did not have Armenian political parties, Boghosian explains. However,
that doesn’t mean that Armenian culture was less valued or passed on in the
Sudanese-Armenian community.

Crises
and Reaction

Since
2023, one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world has been unfolding in
Sudan, with more than 150,000 victims and about 12 million people who have
become refugees seeking safety (BBC). The civil war broke out as a result of a
struggle for power between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group Rapid
Support Forces (RSF). (See “A simple guide to what is happening in Sudan,”
Natasha Booty, Farouk Chothia, Wedaeli Chibelushi- BBC 11/13/2025.)

Unfortunately,
today the Armenian community in Sudan is almost non-existent, and the Armenian
Church has also been damaged during the war.

In this
regard, Boghosian remarked: “I don’t think any human has more of a
responsibility than others to do something. If we have a common humanity, then
we all have a shared responsibility to care about injustice everywhere. Justice
is a universal not national concept. I think as a people who have seen
Genocide, have been refugees in multiple countries, and continue to experience
injustice today we should strive to be aware of injustice, oppression and
genocides elsewhere. In those countries where we have a shared history with a
diaspora community it’s understandable we would be more in touch with current
affairs there.”

After
war broke out in Sudan, Boghosian chose not to lose hope but instead started
the sudanahye project in January 2025. It aims to preserve the
Sudanese-Armenian culture despite the events of war and destruction, but also
intends to be a means to change the narrative about Sudan, which currently
connotes war, destruction and instability.

In the
past, Sudan has served as a safe harbor for Armenians, where they were welcomed
and had the chance to build prosperous lives. Their success made them become a
people the Sudanese appreciated.

For
Boghosian, a key point is that we should not forget that we were refugees in
their countries long before they became refugees in ours. Unfolding the
successful stories of Armenians in Sudan is therefore also an attempt to give
the country a chance to break free from the shackles the narrative of war is
currently imposing.

Boghosian
is now living in Armenia. While he is researching and publishing, he also finds
himself on a path of discovering his own connection to Armenia as a
“spyurkahye” (Armenian for diasporan Armenian).

The
sudanahye project is supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. If you
are interested in the project, you can follow his journey through the Instagram
page @sudanahye or his blog http://www.sudanahye.com.
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5- Western Diocese: Two churches and pastors not affiliated with Diocese

We wish to inform the faithful of our Church of certain uncanonical activities taking place in the cities of Glendale and Upland, about which concerned members of the faithful have repeatedly brought to our attention.

For some time, an entity operating at 332 N. Pacific Ave., Glendale, CA 91203, has presented itself under the name “St. Sargis Armenian Apostolic Church.” This structure has no affiliation whatsoever with the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America and has not been consecrated by the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. Furthermore, the individual presenting himself as the “spiritual pastor,” under the name “Fr. Petros Baghramyan,” is in fact a defrocked former priest. By a Pontifical decree issued by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on January 20, 2022, his clerical rank was formally removed. The decree explicitly states that he is to be regarded among the laity under his baptismal name, Armen Baghramyan, and from that date forward he is no longer permitted to perform any priestly functions within the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

The authority to ordain and depose clergy has been entrusted to the Church by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 18:18). The Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–7) clearly affirm that the Apostles appointed bishops as overseers to safeguard the integrity of the faith, to preserve proper ecclesiastical order, and to protect the faithful from deception.

Regrettably, Armen Baghramyan (formerly Fr. Petros Baghramyan), in defiance of this decree, continues to present himself as a priest within the structure he established, performing such sacraments as Holy Baptism, Holy Matrimony, and the Divine Liturgy.

We have recently been presented with a document purporting to be a certificate of “Holy Baptism,” issued this year, which lacks the officiant’s signature, contains no certificate number, and bears an invalid seal. Moreover, there is no clarity regarding the source or authenticity of the Holy Chrism (Muron) used in the administration of Baptism and Chrismation, as such sacred elements are not authorized to be received outside the canonical structures of the Church.

A similar situation exists in the city of Upland, where another self-proclaimed structure operates without having been consecrated by the Primate. The individual presenting himself as “Fr. Kevork Halladjian” is not an ordained priest according to the canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church and does not possess valid priestly ordination. This entity identifies itself as “Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church” and is located at 196 S 3rd Ave, Upland, CA 91786.

It is with deep concern that we note many sincere and God-fearing faithful, unaware of these facts, have participated in these purported “sacraments.” Upon learning the truth, some have expressed distress and have turned to the Diocesan Office for guidance.

For this reason, we urge all faithful to remain vigilant and to verify, through the Diocesan Office, the canonical status of any church or clergyman, in order to avoid falling victim to self-proclaimed or defrocked individuals and the danger of spiritual deception.

We also call upon those who may have unknowingly received baptism or been married within the above-mentioned structures to contact the Diocesan Office for proper pastoral guidance and assistance.

*****************************************************************************************************6– Israel settlers attack Armenian restaurant in Jerusalem

Middleeastmonitor.com
Taboon Wine Bar [Twitter]
Israeli settlers on Thursday evening attacked an Armenian restaurant near the New Gate in the Christian Quarter of the occupied city of Jerusalem, local sources told Wafa News Agency.
The radical settlers attacked a group of diners, mostly Armenians, who were enjoying their meals at the Taboon Wine Bar.
Video footage posted by Wafa News Agency showed the extremist Jewish settlers hurling chairs at the restaurant and diners.
On Friday afternoon, Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa visited the restaurant owners and adjacent shopkeepers, whose businesses were the target of attacks, in a show of solidarity by the church.
This came just one day after a number of extremist Jewish settlers cursed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and chanted “death to Arabs” near Damascus Gate in occupied Jerusalem.


















*****************************************************************************************************7- Jerusalem Armenian Church Building Desecrated with Nightclub Banners

zartonkmedia

Armenian Church-owned property in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter has been desecrated with rainbow-colored banners reading “Armenian Church Night Clubs & Bars,” sparking outrage from the local Armenian Christian community. The image, showing the signage draped across a balcony and misappropriating church identity, was shared by Jerusalemite-Armenian Kegham Balian on X.

The banners welcome visitors to “Armenian Church Night Clubs & Bars” in Jerusalem’s city center, falsely implying church endorsement of nightlife establishments. Some signs even include the wording “Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem,” raising concerns over reputational harm and blatant disrespect toward sacred institutions.

The tenant responsible for this signage is occupying property owned by the Armenian Church. The use of church-owned space in this manner has been labeled by members of the community as a direct desecration of Armenian Christian heritage and a mockery of the Church’s identity in the Holy City.

“Desecration of Armenian property in Jerusalem: A tenant of the Armenian Patriarchate has turned Church-owned property into ‘Armenian Church Night Clubs & Bars.’ Unacceptable! This is a grave insult to our faith and heritage, and it demands accountability. Now!” — Kegham Balian, on X

As earlier reported in July, an Israeli watchdog revealed that 50% of hate crimes in Jerusalem’s Old City targeted Armenian Christians, amid an alarming spike in attacks. Between April and June 2025, the Religious Freedom Data Center documented 50 such incidents, with half occurring in the Armenian Quarter and many taking place at the Armenian Patriarchate itself. The attacks included spitting, verbal abuse, vandalism, and desecration of holy sites. Despite 22 police reports, only 2 cases have led to prosecution, raising serious concerns about accountability and protection for Christian communities.

******************************************************************************************If you wish to read daily updated Armenian news and commentary,

Please send me your email address: [email protected]
Website: TheCaliforniaCourier.com
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Armenpress: Israel issues warning to Iranians to avoid taking trains

Jalatian Sonya Leave a comment
Read the article in: EspañolՀայերենRussian

The Israeli military warned Iranians on Tuesday to avoid taking trains until at least 9 p.m. local time, AP reported.

“Your presence puts your life at risk,” the warning posted on X in Farsi read, likely signaling a new target for their airstrikes.

The U.S. and Israel launched what they described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon and posed a threat—an allegation Iran has denied. In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at U.S. assets and other targets across the Middle East. 

Read the article in: EspañolՀայերենRussian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Artemis II flight day 6: Crew wraps historic lunar flyby

Karakhanian Suren Leave a comment
U. S.10:06, 7 April 2026
Read the article in: ArabicՀայերենРусскийTurkçe

The NASA Artemis II mission wrapped up a historic seven-hour lunar flyby, marking humanity’s first return to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972 and capturing images of the lunar far side.

After the lunar observation period concluded, the Artemis II crew was congratulated by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, in a live conversation that aired as part of NASA’s continuing live coverage of the mission.

They also spoke with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and answered questions from social media.

The momentous day began at 1:56 p.m. EDT as NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, set the record for the farthest distance from Earth traveled by any human, surpassing Apollo 13’s distance of 248,655 miles, NASA said in a press release.

During a planned 40-minute loss of signal as Orion passed behind the Moon, the spacecraft and its crew made their closest approach at 7:00 p.m., flying at about 4,067 miles above the surface. Two minutes later, the crew reached the mission’s maximum distance from Earth at 252,756 miles, setting a new record for human spaceflight.

As they flew over the Moon’s far side, the crew photographed and described terrain features including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly evolved over time. They also noted differences in color, brightness and texture, which provide clues that help scientists understand the composition and history of the lunar surface. The crew witnessed an “Earthset” — the moment Earth dropped below the lunar horizon — as Orion traveled behind the Moon and an “Earthrise” as the spacecraft emerged from the opposite edge of the Moon.

As the lunar observation period ended, the crew witnessed a nearly hour-long solar eclipse as the spacecraft, the Moon and the Sun aligned. With a view of a mostly darkened Moon, the crew analyzed the solar corona — the Sun’s outermost atmosphere — as it appeared around the Moon’s edge.

During the eclipse, the crew had an opportunity to look for some rarely seen phenomena that are only visible on an unlit portion of the Moon. They reported six light flashes created by meteoroids impacting the lunar surface while traveling many thousands of miles per hour.

“On the far side of the Moon, 252,756 miles away, Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy have now traveled farther from Earth than any humans in history and now begin their journey home. Before they left, they said they hoped this mission would be forgotten, but it will be remembered as the moment people started to believe that America can once again do the near-impossible and change the world. Congratulations to this incredible crew and the entire NASA team, our international and commercial partners, but this mission isn’t over until they’re under safe parachutes, splashing down into the Pacific,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said on X.

Read the article in: ArabicՀայերենРусскийTurkçe

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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U.S. Vice President Vance to meet Orban ahead of Hungarian elections

Emma Jilavian Leave a comment
Europe10:14, 7 April 2026
Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will travel to Hungary on Tuesday to meet Prime Minister Viktor Orban amid his re-election bid.

During the two-day visit, coming just days before the ‌April 12 parliamentary elections, Vance will meet with Orban and attend a campaign rally with him, Reuters reported citing Hungarian government sources.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my good friend Viktor, and we’ll talk about any number of things related to the US-Hungary relationship,” Vance told reporters before departing Washington, adding relations with Europe and Ukraine will be discussed.

Citing opinion polls, Reuters reported that Orban, who U.S. President Donald Trump has already publicly endorsed and praised as “a truly strong and powerful leader,” and his Fidesz party ⁠face the most challenging election since returning to power in 2010. In most independent surveys, they trail the center-right Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, according to Reuters.

On a trip to Hungary in February, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ‌said the ⁠Trump administration was focused on Orban’s success, making clear that the continuation of robust bilateral ties with Budapest was contingent on Orban’s re-election. He even suggested the U.S. could provide financial assistance, though he did not elaborate.

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Trump says Iran could be ‘taken out’ on Tuesday, Hegseth says major strikes to

Arpi Talalian Leave a comment
Read the article in: ArabicՀայերենRussian

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will order sweeping attacks on Iranian power plants and bridges on Tuesday night unless Tehran makes a deal aimed at ending the five-week war, Reuters reports.

Trump’s vow at a White ‌House press conference came ahead of the 8 p.m. EDT deadline on Tuesday (0000 GMT Wednesday) that he set for Iran to comply with U.S. conditions.

Trump is demanding Iran forswear nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit waterway. He said: “The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night.” “I hope I don’t have to do it,” Trump said, according to Reuters.

He said the U.S. has a plan “where every bridge in Iran will be decimated” by midnight EDT (0400 GMT) Wednesday and “where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again.”

“I mean, complete demolition – by 12 ⁠o’clock, and it’ll happen over a period of four hours if we want it to. We don’t want that to happen,” he said.

Critics have said Trump would be committing war crimes if the U.S. attacks civilian power plants, a point Trump dismissed on Monday. “I’m not worried about it. You know what’s a war crime? Having a nuclear weapon,” Trump said earlier on Monday during an Easter egg event for children on the White House South Lawn, according to Reuters.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told the press conference that the heaviest strikes since the start of the Iran conflict would take place on Monday and warned that Tuesday would have even more.

Speaking to reporters earlier at the Easter event, Trump said a proposal offered by Iran was inadequate.

“They made a proposal, and it’s a significant proposal. It’s a significant step. It’s not good enough,” Trump said.

He said the war could end quickly if Iran does “what they have to do.”

“They have to do certain things. They know that, they’ve been negotiating I think in good faith,” he said.

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Current oil and gas crisis worse than 1973, 1979, 2002 together, says IEA chie

Albert Nalbandian Leave a comment
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The current oil and gas crisis triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is “more serious than the ‌ones in 1973, 1979 and 2002 together”, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol has said.

“The world has never experienced a disruption to energy supply ⁠of such magnitude,” he told Le Figaro newspaper

He said the European countries, as well Japan, Australia and others will suffer, but the countries most at risk were developing nations which will suffer from higher oil and gas ‌prices, ⁠higher food prices and a general acceleration of inflation.

The IEA member countries agreed last month to release part of their strategic reserves. Some of this had ⁠already been released and the process continues, said Birol.

Following strikes by Israel and the United States, Iran has effectively restricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for about 20% of the world’s oil and gas, driving energy prices higher.

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Deadly shootout near Israeli consulate in Istanbul

Yeghisabet Arthur Leave a comment
Turkey14:23, 7 April 2026
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Three people were killed and two ‌police officers were injured in a gunfire incident near the building housing the Israeli consulate in ⁠Istanbul on Tuesday, Reuters reported citing local media.

Reuters video showed a police officer pulling out a gun and taking cover as gunshots resounded. One person was seen covered ‌in ⁠blood.

A strong armed police presence is always maintained in the area near the ⁠Israeli consulate. Television footage showed armed police patrolling in the ⁠area after the shooting.

Daily Sabah reported that three people were “neutralized” after the shootout.

Broadcaster NTV said one gunman was captured injured, and the other one was killed.

Unconfirmed reports say the suspects fired at police officers stationed near the building, which is located in a key business hub also housing the headquarters of Türkiye’s major banks, according to Daily Sabah. 

It is unknown at this time whether the assailants targeted the consulate.

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Trump says ‘whole civilisation will die tonight’ if Iran fails to make deal

Baghdasarian Karlen Leave a comment
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U.S. President Donald Trump once ‌again warned Iran to make a deal by his Tuesday deadline, saying a “whole civilization will die tonight” if ⁠an agreement is not reached to end the conflict. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. 

“I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?

“We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!” he posted.

Trump had earlier said he would strike Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran did not sign a deal. The U.S. president gave Iran until 4 a.m. Yerevan time on April 8, after which, he said, there would be no more bridges or power plants in Iran.

Read the article in: Armenian:

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Iran is “history itself”: Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref slams Trump’s rhe

Emil Lazarian Leave a comment
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Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, responded to the latest threats by U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that his country is not afraid.

“Iran is not a mere ‘incident’ in history, but history itself,” Aref wrote in a post on X.

He stressed that Iran “will not be intimidated by Trump’s threats,” adding that the country’s response to what he described as the enemy’s brutality is to stand firm and rely on the internal strength of the Iranian nation.

Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

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