Author: Bedik Zaminian

Photo: Getty Images

A shortlist of candidates chosen by magazine’s editors for the 2015 Person of the Year was revealed on NBC’s TODAY show Monday morning, The eight contenders are, in alphabetical order:

Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, who as leader of ISIS has inspired followers to both fight in his self-declared caliphate of Iraq and Syria, and also stage attacks in countries like Tunisia and France.

Black Lives Matter activists, who have protested inequality towards African Americans, especially in their treatment by law enforcement.

Caitlyn Jenner, whose coming out as a transgender woman prompted widespread conversations about gender identity and issues of equality for the LGBT community.

Travis Kalanick, who as CEO of Uber drove his car-hailing company to a nearly $70 billion valuation, but also drew criticism about the downside of the sharing economy.

Angela Merkel, who as German chancellor has been at the center of major news events this year, from economic strife in the Eurozone to Europe’s ongoing migrant crisis.

Vladimir Putin, who as president of Russia has defied Western sanctions over his country’s military activity in Ukraine to play a critical but precarious role in the war on ISIS.

Hassan Rouhani, who as president of Iran is seeking to bring his country out of pariah status and repair its sanctions-crippled economy by pursuing a nuclear deal with the West.

Donald Trump, whose populist rhetoric has made him frontrunner in the race for the Republican presidential candidacy and stirred debate about the party’s future.

The 2015 Person of the Year will be unveiled on TODAY Wednesday morning, when the news will also be shared on Time.com. NBC is also asking readers to vote on which of the eight finalists should win.

Head of the Defense Policy Department of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Levon Ayvazyan visited Lebanon November 25-28. He had meetings with Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Lebanon Calid Salmen, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigade General Manuel Kirejyan, other officials.

Issues related to the development and deepening of cooperation between Armenia and Lebanon were discussed. Reference was made to the situation in the region and other issues of reciprocal interest.

The military cooperation plan between the Armed Forces of the two countries was signed within the framework of the visit.

published by the Institute for Economics and Peace rates Armenia as one of the safest countries in the world in terms of potential terrorist threats.

Armenia is ranked 116th among 162 countries, where a lower place means less danger in terms of terrorism.

Armenia’s neighbors in the region are placed as follows: Georgia – 71th, Turkey – 27th, Azerbaijan – 93rd and Iran – 39th.

Armenia’s partners in the Eurasian Economic Union Russia and Belarus are ranked 23rd and 77th respectively, Kazakhstan is 83rd, Kyrgyzstan is 86th.

The Global Terrorism Index provides a detailed analysis of the changing trends in terrorism across 162 countries over the last 15 years. It investigates the patterns of terrorism by geographic activity, methods of attack, organizations involved and national economic and political contexts.

According to the report, the number of lives lost to terrorism increased by 80% in 2014, reaching the highest level ever recorded at 32,658. This compares to 18,111 in 2013. According to the third edition of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), out today, this increase represents the largest yearly increase in deaths ever recorded. The report also highlights the dramatic rise in terrorism over time, with deaths increasing by nine-fold since the year 2000.

The report, developed by the Institute for Economics and Peace and based on data from the Global Terrorism Database of START, reveals that just two terrorist groups, ISIL and Boko Haram, are now jointly responsible for 51% of all global fatalities from claimed terrorist attacks. Boko Haram, which pledged its allegiance to ISIL as the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in March 2015, has become the world’s deadliest terrorist group, causing 6,644 deaths compared to ISIL’s 6,073.

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund affiliates in the United States of America (Armenia Fund, Inc./Los Angeles and Armenia Fund USA/New York), have announced the launch of their joint fundraising campaign “Our Home,” Massis Post reports.

This innovative campaign will culminate with the live 12-hour broadcast of the 18th Annual International Thanksgiving Day Telethon which airs on November 26, 2015.

Having become a Thanksgiving Day tradition for Armenians around the world, the Telethon will air from Los Angeles and be broadcast from coast to coast and internationally on cable and satellite television as well as online:

This year’s flagship ground-breaking project is the construction of single family homes for families in Artsakh who have 5 children or more and lack adequate housing. There are already 466 families identified in Artsakh who fit the criteria and 211 are known to live in unacceptable housing conditions.

“This is truly a humanitarian project and we have received a great deal of positive feedback from our donors. It is not easy to raise 5 or more children even in the United States, let alone Artsakh. We all should pitch in to help the parents who are raising the next generation of Armenia’s scientists, doctors, statesmen and artists by providing them adequate housing. These are parents who work hard, who do their absolute best to provide for their children, but, unfortunately, they cannot save enough money to build a home big enough for their children,” explains Antranik Baghdassarian, President of Armenia Fund, Inc. the U.S. Western Region affiliate of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

The homes that Armenia Fund constructs will have land plots of 10,000 sq. ft. each, where the families can grow fruits and vegetables. Armenia Fund will provide furniture for every room in the house as well as provide household appliances, including water heaters, refrigerators, washers, stoves and vacuum cleaners.

“Coming off the heels of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we reflect not only on our survival but our future – our children, the beneficiaries of this year’s Telethon’s target project. I am glad we are combining our efforts with our Western Region affiliate this year. It projects unity and highlights the importance of this year’s project. By streamlining our efforts and joining our unique talents and resources, we will better serve Armenia and Artsakh by reducing costs and operational expenses, thus allowing more funds to be allocated for projects. We call on all Armenians in the United States and around the world to watch the Telethon and donate generously for this noble program,” stated Khoren Bandazian, President of Armenia Fund USA, the U.S. Eastern Region affiliate of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

According to the program, priority will be given to low income families, as well as the families of active duty officers of the armed forces, families of veterans of the Artsakh Liberation War and to the survivors of soldiers who lost their lives defending Artsakh.

“This is a great partnership benefiting the children of Artsakh. Their parents do the heavy-lifting of providing for the children through their hard work, the government of Artsakh does its part by providing subsidies and allowances for every child, and we will build them new beautiful homes. The Fund will only be able to do this with the support of our donors, who we cannot thank enough for their generosity and caring. Today, when we hear about Azerbaijan’s unprecedented aggression against the peaceful population of Artsakh, it is important for all of us to send a powerful message to our brothers and sisters that our support for Artsakh is stronger than ever,” explains Ara Vardanyan, the Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, Yerevan.

The Telethon airs for 12 hours on U.S. Thanksgiving Day, November 26 beginning at 10:00AM Pacific Standard Time.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will arrive in Armenia for a working visit on Novemver 9 at the invitation of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

Within the framework of the visit Sergey Lavrov will have meetings with President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

The negotiations of the Foreign Ministers will be followed by a joint press conference.

On November 3, the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Church, began its work session at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

At the opening session on November 4, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a prayer was offered for the souls of the departed Armenians who were killed in the Moscow-Yerevan bus crash on the Don highway in Tula, Russia.

The Supreme Spiritual Council members expressed sympathies to the families and relatives of the deceased. The Council members also wished a speedy recovery to all the injured.

Argentina will face a run-off election next month after neither presidential candidate gained enough votes to win the poll outright, the BBC reports.

Centre-left candidate Daniel Scioli led exit polls, and just edged centre-right Buenos Aires mayor Mauricio Macri with most votes counted.

Many had expected Mr Scioli to lead by a greater margin.

The run-off on 22 November will be the first time an Argentine election will be decided by a second round.

With 86% of the votes counted, Mr Scioli was marginally ahead with 35.9% of the vote, while Mr Macri had 35.2%.

To win outright in the first round, a candidate needed 45% of the vote or a minimum of 40% as well as a 10-point lead over the nearest rival.

“What happened today will change politics in this country,” Mr Macri, the mayor of Buenos Aires, told supporters.

President Serzh Sargsyan received today Anatoly Torkunov, rector of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MSIIR), who has arrived to Yerevan to take part in the 3rd International Forum of the MSIIR Alumni. The meeting was also joined by RF Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Nebenzya.

The president welcomed the guests, noting that he is glad to host them within the frames of the abovementioned prestigious international forum being held I Armenia. Serzh Sargsyan attached great importance to the MSIIR special role in training qualified cadres, experts in international relations and diplomats, including for Armenia, many of whom, according to the president, have achieved great success in public policy, social and scientific spheres.

Serzh Sargsyan stressed Anatoly Torkunov’s weighty contribution to the maintenance of the institute’s best traditions.

At the meeting, the president awarded academician Anatoly Torkunov, rector of Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RA high state decoration, the Order of Honor, for his activities aimed at the strengthening and development of the Armenian-Russian friendship, as well as at the deepening of scientific and educational ties.

Rector Anatoly Torkunov thanked the RA president for recognizing his activities, as well as for praising his educational institution.

During the conversation, the RA president and MSIIR Rector stressed the major role of education and science in the development of states and their societies.

Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 crashed as a result of a Russian-made Buk missile, the Dutch Safety Board says, the BBC reports.

The missile hit the front left of the plane causing other parts to break off, it said in a final report into the July 2014 disaster, which killed 298 people.

The report does not say who fired the missile, but says airspace over eastern Ukraine should have been closed.

The plane – flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur – crashed at the height of the conflict between government troops and pro-Russian separatists.

Most of the victims were Dutch – 196, including some with dual nationality. The other passengers and crew were nationals from 10 countries.