Month: October 2016

Thirty people have been kidnapped and killed by militants linked to so-called Islamic State group in Afghanistan’s Ghor province,  the BBC reports.

The provincial government said the civilians were abducted as they collected firewood in the mountains.

They were shot dead when local people tried to rescue them. A spokesman said an IS commander was also killed.

IS has been gaining some support in Afghanistan and in some areas is challenging the Taliban.

The dead civilians included children, Ghor Governor Nasir Khazeh told AFP news agency.

The delegation headed by Lieutenant-Colonel Movses Hakobyan, Chief of the General Staff of RA Armed Forces, participated in the 23rd annual conference of European Armies held in the German city of Wiesbaden October 25-26.

Led by U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) and featuring high-ranking military officials from 42 countries, the conference was aimed at the exchange of views on the threats facing the European security and stability and the ways of resisting the challenges.

Pobeda Airline will start regular flights from Gyumri’s Shirak Airport to Moscow’s Vnukovo from the end of November.

The flights will be operated thrice a week.

The ticket prices will start from 10 thousand AMD.

Photo: Sergei Bobylev/Russian Defence Ministry Press Office/TASS

Around 100 aircraft, radar troops and air defense forces from seven CIS member states are taking part in the Joint Air Defense System drills, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, TASS reports.

“The exercise began with sentries from Eastern European and Central Asian regions detecting control targets of the token enemy performed by the Russian Tupolev Tu-160 and Tupolev Tu-85MS strategic bombers as well as the Tupolev Tu-22MS long-range bombers,” the statement says.

The drills are taking place in the air space of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia. The exercise involves strategic bombers Sukhoi Su-27, Mikoyan MiG-29, MiG-31, Sukhoi Su-24, Su-34, Su-25 war planes as well as Mi-8 and Kamov Ka-27 helicopters.

During the drills, the Air Defense forces will conduct exercises against aircraft breaching the CIS countries’ borders, actions to be taken in the event of aircraft hijacking, and assistance to planes and helicopters in distress.

Asbarez – The Armenoid Team announced on October 21 that the award-winning filmmaker, Bared Maronian’s opening sequence of “Women of 1915” documentary has been nominated by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) 40th Annual Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards among its Craft Achievement Nominees for directing. Already a four-time Emmy award winner, this is Maronian’s first Emmy nomination as a director.

“I’m honored and grateful to be among the 2016 NATAS nominees—for the first time as a director,” said Maronian.  “My heartfelt gratitude to my sponsors and the entire Armenoid Team without whose continued support and expertise the production of ‘Women of 1915’ wouldn’t have been possible.”

“Women of 1915” premiered in New Jersey in June, under the sponsorship of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of the Eastern United States—a non-profit women’s organization—and also premiered in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). The documentary has already been awarded the Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award—and accepted into the following upcoming film festivals:

ARPA Film Festival at the Egyptian Theatre, November 5, 3:30pm in Hollywood, California.

Pomegranate Film Festival, November 20, 1pm in Toronto, Canada.

“Women of 1915” is the first documentary to unveil the role of the Armenian women of the era and the horrors they lived through the first Genocide of the 20th century.  The documentary highlights the integral role the Armenian women played in their respective communities and the heroic, humanitarian women advocates who came to their aid from around the world, and some who even died at war-ravaged Ottoman Empire to empower the Armenian women as pillars of war-torn, post-Genocide societies.

Maronian’s “Women of 1915” follows his highly acclaimed documentary “Orphans of the Genocide” on the plight of the Armenian Genocide orphans. “Orphans of the Genocide” was selected by the Hong Kong World International Film Festival, and nationally distributed by the National Educational Telecommunications Association to over 250 TV stations across the U.S.  Since its release, “Orphans of the Genocide” has been awarded a Telly Award, nominated to the 2014 Regional Emmy Award in Historical Documentary category, was part of the NYC Filmmaker’s Festival, nominated as Best Documentary at the 2013 ARPA Film Festival, featured at New York’s Unspoken Human Rights Film Festival, and received the Audience Choice Award at the 2013 Pomegranate Film Festival in Toronto.

As the founder of the Armenoid Team, Maronian specializes in producing thematically Armenian documentaries, and has produced three Armenian films. Maronian is a graduate of Haigazian University with a major in Political Science, and has attended Palm Beach State College of Florida and the Broadcast Career Institute of Palm Beach.

Today, at the Meridian exhibition center in Yerevan President Serzh Sargsyan was present at the Conference of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), which along with over 80 participants – representatives of the jewellery making and precious metal processing area from 25 countries of the world was also attended by the President of CIBJO Gaetano Cavalieri. The President of Armenia addressed the participants of the Conference.

Remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan at the Conference of the World Jewellery Confederation

Distinguished Mr. Cavalieri,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to greet you warmly and welcome to the Republic of Armenia. We are delighted to host a conference of the unique world parliament which regulates your area – the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO). We attach great importance to the convening of the Conference in our country.

Armenia and Armenians spread all over the world have made a great contribution to the development of jewellery and stone processing and have obtained their constant place in the chronology of the industry. Successful works of the Armenian jewellers, their activities in different countries of the world gave a boost to the entire industry; they established jewellery production and jewellery stores in New York and Paris, Moscow and London, Constantinople and Beirut, Cairo and many other places. They have created brilliant jewellery pieces, thrones and crowns decorated with precious stones, lavishly adorned decorations and goblets.

Today in Armenia we are conducting consistent works aimed at the development of jewellery making and stone processing industry. We have proclaimed that area one of the priorities, a strategic area of our economy. It is also symbolic that for years now, in Armenia we celebrate the National Day of Jewellers; there is also a street in Yerevan named Jewellers’ Street which brings you here, to the Meridian jewellery economic zone. This was initiated by the one of the most enthusiastic individuals in your area, my advisor and the President of the World Association of the Armenian Jewellers Gagik Gevorkian.

Besides being a production complex, Meridian is a huge exhibition center which is hosting the Yerevan Show international jewellery exhibition for the sixth time. The last one was conducted under the auspices of the President of Armenia. It stressed the importance the state is attaching to the development of the jewellery industry, development and expansion of international cooperation in that area, of the mutually beneficial exchange of experience, new ideas, and establishment of professional and trade relations. The state will continue to encourage the activities in this zone.

We are glad that the Armenian Jewellers Association (AJA) has its active involvement and its worthy place in the multinational family of the jewellers.

Now, I would like to address the President of CIBJO.

Mr. Cavalieri,

We highly value your contribution to the organization, regulation, and development of the Industry. Your and the CIBJO’s efforts aimed at the dissemination and propagation of the traditions and outstanding achievements of the Armenian jewellers are commendable.

With this in mind, I have signed a decree on awarding you and now will execute that pleasant duty. I am hopeful that the activities of your organization in general and cooperation with the Armenian jewellers in particular will register new achievements in the visible future.

Dear Friends,

I wish efficient work to the Conference, great success to its participants, and new accomplishments to the CIBJO.

And now allow me to proceed with the award ceremony.

At the conclusion of his remarks, President Serzh Sargsyan awarded the President of the CIBJO Gaetano Cavalieri with the Medal of Gratitude for the activities of the World Jewellery Confederation in the Republic of Armenia, as well as for the proper presentation to the world of the Armenian jewellery and stone processing traditions.

Today, at the Meridian exhibition center President Serzh Sargsyan held a meeting with the Chair of the Kimberley Process, representative of the United Arab Emirates Ahmed Bin Sulayem who is in our country in framework of the annual conference of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) held in Yerevan on October 24-28.

The President of Armenia welcomed the guest to our country and expressed hope that Mr. Ahmed Bin Sulayem’s visit to Armenia will signify not only strengthening of cooperation in the framework of the Kimberley Process but also, considering his rich experience in diamond processing and jewellery making in the UAE, will be useful in the shaping and implementation of the mutually beneficial bilateral projects. According to the President, with this regard the convening of the COBJO Conference in Yerevan creates excellent possibilities.

Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of the Kimberley Process as a bright example of the consolidation of the efforts throughout the world for the prevention of the circulation of the so called “conflict” or “blood” diamonds and commitment of the parties – members of the process. He underscored that the process acquires a greater importance especially nowadays when conflicts in the world have multiplied and new hot spots have come into existence. The President of Armenia viewed as upsetting the fact that natural resources are being used not for good but for evil purposes.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that Armenia joined the Kimberley Process in 2003 which allowed our country to become a full member of the world diamond market and now is persistent in carrying out her commitments made in the framework of the Process.

The Kimberley Process Chair noted that he has arrived to Armenia also as a representative of the trade community of Dubai and is eager to discuss with the government of Armenia issues pertinent to the Kimberley Process and strengthening of Armenia-EAE trade and economic relations.

The collection of notes of Khachaturian’s famous works’ arrangements for piano trio will be presented at Aram Khachaturyan House Museum on November 9.

The collection comprises some of Aram Khachaturian’s famous works, arranged for piano trio by Avetik Pivazyan and Ruben Asatryan special for Khachaturian trio. The authors have remained faithful to the original works and retained Khachaturian’s artistic style and colours.

The collection has been published at “Komitas” publishing house. The book is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia. Besides, a little concert will take place during the presentation. These arrangements will be performed by the musicians of Khachaturian Trio.

On the same day the museum will also host the opening of the exhibition “Dedication to Aram Khachaturian”. The works of the Honored Artist of Armenia Henrik Elibekyan will be presented to the audience.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian will visit France on October 27.

Minister Nalbandian is expected to have a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault.

Former England international Paul Merson says Henrikh Mkhitaryan is Manchester United’s ‘best player,’ Goal.com reports.

Manchester United’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea on Sunday, which has left them with just one victory in their last six Premier League outings, has sparked inevitable discussion regarding what Jose Mourinho needs to do in order to rejuvenate his Red Devils.

Paul Merson is among those who feel the Portuguese needs to get ruthless with his under-performing squad, culling those struggling for form and introducing those unfortunate to have found themselves on the outside looking in.

He wrote in his Sky Sports column on potential changes to United’s forward line: “Ibrahimovic used to be world class but he’s 35. He used to be in the top three or four players in the world but he’s not the same player anymore. Even Lionel Messi won’t be world class when he’s 35.

“He can’t play twice a week either now, which we saw on Sunday. He played Thursday and Sunday and he didn’t get a kick.

“I think Wayne Rooney has got to come back in. He got the blame before they dropped him and they’ve not improved since then. He got dropped for not doing too much wrong.

“At the moment I just don’t think Mourinho has options that he likes on the bench. At least if he drops Ibrahimovic then he’ll have an option to bring him on.”

Merson also feels that the Red Devils need to bring added creativity to their ranks by offering an opportunity to a summer signing he considers to be the best player on the Old Trafford books.

He added: “I think he [Mourinho] needs to get Henrikh Mkhitaryan fit and in the team. He’s got the X Factor and they need to get him playing.