Author: Boshkezenian Garik

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves says he cannot believe the treatment of Henrikh Mkhitaryan under Jose Mourinho this season.

The playmaker, signed from Borussia Dortmund for £26million in the summer, has only featured four times in the Premier League, not playing more than 45 minutes in any of his appearances.

After nursing a slight injury in September, the Armenia international is back fit and seemingly available, and Hargreaves says he can’t understand why the 27-year-old is being overlooked by Mourinho.

‘He needs to play, I can’t believe that he’s not getting a look-in. He would be a banker in my starting XI,’ he told Squawka.

‘He had a slow start at Dortmund too and he was the players’ player of the year last season. He got 23 goals and 32 assists, which is staggering numbers.

‘This wasn’t in a terrible league against pub teams and I can’t think of anybody who could put up those numbers besides Messi and Ronaldo. He’s a top player and we haven’t seen it yet at United.’

Discussing reasons for his absence, Hargreaves mentions a potential fragility in Mkhitaryan’s personality.

‘The thing is, he’s such a wonderful player but I think he’s also quite a sensitive guy,’ he added. ‘It would have been perfect if he started off flying with goals and assists, but the slow start has probably hit his confidence.’ 

Next up for United is a local derby against Manchester City in the EFL Cup, and it is yet to be seen whether Mkhitaryan will be trusted with a role in the game.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

 

At least 58 cadets and guards have been killed after militants attacked a police college in the Pakistani city of Quetta, officials say, the BBC reports.

Three militants wearing suicide bomb vests entered the college late on Monday, reportedly taking hostages.

A major security operation lasted for hours and all attackers were killed.

No group has said it carried out the assault, but Quetta has seen similar attacks by separatists and Islamist militants in recent years.

Hundreds of trainees were evacuated from Balochistan Police College as troops arrived to repel the militants. Local media reported at least three explosions at the scene.

The police academy is home to hundreds of students and many of the cadets who died were killed in the blasts, said Major General Sher Afgan of the Frontier Corps.

Due to shortcomings in situation of democracy and political freedoms prior to and during the Referendum, including the voting day, the Referendum failed to meet requirements of election legislation and international commitments of the country with regards to democratic elections.

As a result of amendments to the NGO legislation, independent civil society is not able to operate freely in the country. Criminal investigation and large tax fines lingering over some foreign and domestic NGOs, along with restrictions of accessing the foreign funding prevented civil society organizations from meaningfully participating in the referendum and engaging in voter education and election monitoring.

Political repressions intensified during the Referendum resulting in increased number of political prisoners.

The Referendum day was marred with violations including ballot-box stuffing, multiple voting, group voting (carousel) and voting of persons without registration, similar irregularities from the previous elections. EMDS observed that voter turnout was artificially raised in majority of polling stations through multiple voting and ballot-box stuffing. The official turnout do not correspond to real figures.

Following the opinion of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan on the Constitutional Act on amendments to the main law of the country, EMDS published its opinion about the proposed changes and preparations to the Referendum, and called for consulting with the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (the Venice Commission).

EMDS believes that comprehensive assessment of 26 September 2016 Referendum requires consideration of all stages of the referendum including evaluation of awareness raising among public on proposed changes, political situation and conditions prior to the referendum, the election legislation, conduct of the referendum day and vote tabulation against the international commitments of the country.

EMDS notes with regret that there was no open public debate or adequate awareness raising campaign among public on proposed changes to the Constitution which are essential for expression of people’s true will. Increased restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly and association in the last few years, along with very short official campaigning period (22 days) and refusal to register opposition campaign groups contributed to the lack of vibrant debate during the referendum.

EMDS believes that the government should demonstrate political will to restore mutual confidence in relations between the state and public, should create competitive environment for all political opponents and should release all political prisoners.

Moreover, as the Referendum fails to deliver adequate Constitutional reforms on separation of power and protection of human rights, the government should work together with the Venice Commission and civil society to address the issues in this field.

Photo: Sputnik

 

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin has awarded the chief designer of Sukhoi Su-34 Rollan Martirosov with the Order of Alexander Nevsky, according to the Kremlin’s official website.

“Rollan Martirosov led the Su-34 program.  The program officially started on 19 June 1996 and was worked on by a team managed by Rollan Martirosov on the basis of the technical-tactical demands of the Soviet air force.

Rollan Martirosov started work in the Sukhoi design Bureau in 1959 after graduating from the Moscow aviation Institute. He has made a great personal contribution to the solution of complex technical issues in the process of developing, testing and serial development of such famous aircraft of the Sukhoi as the Su-7БКЛ, Su-15, T-4, Su-24, Su-24M and Su-27.

Under his direct technical leadership, developed and implemented

The main technical solutions of the Su-34 were developed and implemented under his direct management.

As chief designer of the Su-34, Martirosov currently provides technical management works on increasing the combat capabilities of Su-34 under the state contract with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

 

 

 

Candidate for Prosecutor General’s post Arthur Davtyan had a meeting with representatives of four factions represented at the National Assembly today.  He pledged to ensure the publicity of activity of the Prosecutor General’s Office, if elected.

At a meeting with representatives with the Republican Party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Orinats Yerkir and Heritage factions, Davtyan presented his approaches and answered questions.

The parliamentary forces seem not to mind Davtyan’s candidacy. Head of the Republican faction Vahran Baghdasaryan described him as “experienced,” while Armen Rustamyan of ARF said “he’s a promising candidate.”

The Prosecutor General’s post has been vacant since Gevorg Kostanyan announced his resignation on August 4. The National Assembly shall elect the new Prosecutor General by a secret ballot.

Photo: REUTERS/ Mohammad Ismail

Two explosions rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul on Monday, killing at least 24 people and injuring 90. According to local media reports, the devices were detonated by suicide bombers, reports.

Police have confirmed that a police chief and a high-ranking Defense Ministry offials were among those killed in the blasts.

Initial reports earlier suggested that the bombing targeted Defense Ministry personnel.

According to the sourse, Taliban is said to have claimed responsibility for the attack.

The second blast reportedly targeted first responders as they rushed to the scene. Afghan law enforcement officers confirmed at least 30 people have been injured in the attack.

The Defense Ministry is located in the centre of Kabul, right next to the Presidential Palace and not far away from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) HQ and the US Embassy.

Ten recipients of the Gratitude Scholarship program from Syria, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon will begin their studies at United World College (UWC) schools around the world in September. These students have been chosen based on their high academic performance. Each is either a refugee or displaced, living in extreme poverty, or living with the loss of a parent or a guardian. Seven of the students will attend UWC Dilijan in Armenia, an international co-educational boarding school which hosts students from more than 60 countries.

The Gratitude Scholarship program, valued over $7 million, is a joint undertaking of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the Near East Foundation. Over the duration of the program, 100 promising students from countries affected by conflict, displacement and poverty in the Middle East will benefit from the opportunity to study at one of the United World College international schools and colleges. The program was established to thank the people of the Middle East who offered shelter and food to those displaced by the Armenian Genocide a century ago.

The Co-Founders of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative have also announced the continuation of the Amal Clooney Scholarship. Now in its second year, the scholarship offers one female student from Lebanon free enrollment in a two-year international baccalaureate program at UWC Dilijan. The student is selected based on her exemplary academic performance and interest in the promotion of human rights and international issues. The scholarship was established to strengthen cross-cultural education and understanding, in honor of the scholarship’s namesake, esteemed international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

“We are proud to offer education and international experience to deserving students from the Middle East, home to so many Armenians during the last century,” said Ruben Vardanyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. “By bringing together young people from across the world, we seek to promote international dialogue and understanding at an early age, when relationships are formed and values are instilled. Our hope is that this reinforces a sense of compassion, understanding and the willingness to help each other, even in the face of adversity.”

This year’s Amal Clooney Scholar was selected from more than 43 short-listed applicants for her stellar academic performance, positive energy and passionate sense of social responsibility, which she plans to put to good use by studying law at university.

“We are proud to be able to help empower our next generation of female leaders and humanitarians through this program,” Vardanyan added. “And we’re excited by the possibilities this scholarship holds for the young women of Lebanon and the region.”

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative aims to advance collaborative social and philanthropic projects on behalf of the global Armenian community. Its flagship project is the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, a $1 million global humanitarian prize which honors those who put themselves at risk to enable others to survive. George Clooney, Co-Chair of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee, presented the inaugural Aurora Prize to Ms. Marguerite Barankitse during a ceremony in Armenia on April 24, 2016.

Nominations for next year’s Aurora Prize are open until September 9, 2016. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate inspiring humanitarians who are saving lives and advancing humanitarian causes in all parts of the world. To nominate an eligible candidate, please visit .

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he isn’t surprised at his former club Borussia Dortmund’s decision to sell a number of top stars, including Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who signed for Manchester United for £30m, according to .

The German manager also said that it was a perfect time for Mkhitaryan to make the move and enhance his career.

Klopp brought Mkhitaryan to Dortmund in 2013 for a record-breaking €27.5m fee, but he failed to find his feet until last year, when he excelled under Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel.

“I was not swept off my feet when I heard about it,” Klopp told . “If a player plays such a season he gets so much attention and opportunities he never dared to even dream of before.

“It was clear from day one that Mkhitaryan would not be at Dortmund forever. Last season was his year and there could not have been a better market than the current one for him.”

Klopp went on to say the sales of Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich and Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester were formalities, and that Dortmund need to deal with selling top players every year.

Asbarez- A ballet titled “Meran Vor Aprink” (They Died So We May Live), dedicated to the Armenian Genocide, was honored with television’s prestigious Emmy Award at the 45th Annual Emmy Awards 2016 Ceremony. The Emmys were presented to the film’s Executive Producers, Diane and Charles Paskerian.

The Emmy Award is presented for outstanding achievement in television by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), San Francisco Northern California Chapter, including Hawaii, Reno, and Sacramento, Oregon. This year there was a record number of 757 English and 179 Spanish entries in 67 categories. “Meron Vor Abrink” was listed under the Arts/Entertainment-Program/Special category.

Davit Karapetyan, Principle Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, was so inspired when he saw San Francisco’s Armenian Genocide Memorial “Mount Davidson Cross” for the first time, he envisioned choreographing a 100th Genocide Ballet Dance Video as a “Tribute to the Survival of our Ancestors through creative dance and music. We agreed to raise necessary funds for talent and crew….and the “creative process began!”

The ballet took over a year to produce, with original choreography by Davit Karapetyan, fourteen San Francisco Ballet dancers including Karapetyan, Vanessa Zahorian, and a crew of 23. Writing, editing, and development input was done by Diane and Charles Paskerian. Filming took place at Baker’s Beach and the Mount Davidson Cross.

The video project was enthusiastically endorsed by the Bay Area Centennial Committee and the Council of Armenian American Organizations of the Bay Area. The Council is charged with maintaining and supporting the Armenian Genocide Memorial Cross at Mount Davidson, the home of the Annual San Francisco Easter Sunrise Service for almost 100 years, and supporting Armenian Genocide education. The historical cross is the tallest Armenian Genocide Monument in the World.

The ballet may be viewed in the Youtube video below: