Author: Emil Karabekian

On 5 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received philanthropist Arthur Varzhapetyan, NKR President’s Press Service reports.

Issues related to the realization of various programs in our republic were on the discussion agenda.

For the assistance shown to the Motherland in the realization of significant socioeconomic projects and in connection with the 25^th anniversary of the NKR proclamation Bako Sahakyan handed in the “Mesrop Mashtots” order to Arthur Varzhapetyan.

Thereafter President Sahakyan and Arthur Varzhapetyan partook in the Stepanakert’s Renaissance square at a solemn ceremony of handing over keys from the cars donated by the philanthropist to a number of NKR state structures.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II,
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS,
ON THE OCCASION OF THE DAY OF KNOWLEDGE
( September 1, 2016 )

From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin we extend Our Pontifical blessings on the occasion of the Day of Knowledge, congratulating all the teachers, students and schoolchildren of educational institutions.

The mystery of the day expresses the desire and love of our people towards science and enlightenment, which has become a guarantor of our national longevity. Our nation celebrates every new Academic year with hope and expectations, that the soul and minds of our children be strengthened through the light of knowledge which is spread from the educational institutions. Education and knowledge are a God-given gift, enabling humanity to make their live safe and happy by recognizing his Creator and the world.

We extend our prayers to Almighty God asking to make the new academic year productive with His heaven-sent divine blessings, to grant strength and energy to teacher-lecturers and all devotees of education in order to educate a nation of deserving and talented children.

With the blessings of our Lord, may the new Academic year be fruitful with abundant merits for the sake of strengthening the Homeland and progress of our nation.

–  A Southern California App Developing company, ZaRRian Corp, has launched an emoji app much to the delight of the Armenian community around the world.

ARMOJI is an emoji keyboard that celebrates the rich Armenian culture and adds color, culture and laughter to text messages. The app features 170 fascinating emoji’s that play on Armenian stereotypes and culture that makes texting more fun. But that’s not all. The developers are currently working on more emojis that will be released soon.

Although ZaRRian Corp developed the app, ARMOJI is the brainchild of Angineh Nazarian – head of the team- and an Armenian-American who has lived in California as part of the Armenian community for most of her life.

When asked about how the idea came about for the app, Angineh said “It really came down to a simple phrase. I constantly found myself saying:  ‘I wish we had an emoji for so and so.’ And I’m sure this is something that many people have expressed! For me, this phrase finally turned into a declaration. After discussing it with other Armenians in the community I realized it wasn’t just me; we all needed an Armenian version of emojis, hence ARMOJI!”

Many users are already enjoying the Armenian Emoji app. One user of the app said “I love this app! Being Armenian I feel it’s the best way I can express myself! I can’t believe it took this long for us Armenians to get an app like this! Great added bonus is that the app runs very smoothly and it’s super easy to use!”

ARMOJI is only available on the App store for a download price of $1.99. However, plans are afoot to release the Android version in the near future. For further information, about the app, click .

DHA photo

 

A large car bomb has exploded outside a police building in Cizre, in south-east Turkey, killing eight policemen and injuring more than 45, reports say, the BBC reports.

The explosion occurred at 07:00 (04:00 GMT). Pictures show a multi-storey building in ruins.

It is unclear who carried out the attack, but Turkish media blamed the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK.

Cizre has been the subject of several curfews in the past few months by Turkish authorities fighting the PKK.

“The latest developments in Armenia’s capital Yerevan, related to the seized Erebuni police station, are very worrying. We call for an immediate release of the medical staff that is being held hostage,” Maja Kocijancic, Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement.

“At the same time, we reiterate our call on the Armenian authorities to refrain from excessive use of force by the police in handling public manifestations. Likewise, demonstrators need to refrain from violence in the exercise of their civil rights,” she added.

‘Use of force and violence to achieve political change are not acceptable. Conflicts need to be resolved through political dialogue with a respect for democracy, rule of law and fundamental freedoms,” the Spoesperson said.

Members of the “Sasna Tsrer” (Daredevils of Sasoun), who ceased the premises of an Armenian police station early on Sunday have said they will release the hostages.

Member of the group, Press Secretary of the Founding Parliament Varuzhan Avetisyan told that they held a meeting with Georgy Kutoyan, Chief of the National Security Service, with the mediation of Artsakh Hero Vitaly Balasanyan. They made a decision to release the hostages on condition that a press point is created.

“After additional discussions late in the evening we decided to release the two young policemen before the press point is established, as an addition expression of goodwill. We are now doing that in the presence of Mr. Balasanyan,”Avetisyan said.

They pledged to release two other hostage – a General and a Colonel – at the moment the press point is opened.

Stability in Turkey is important for the region, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared.

“We keep following the developments taking place in Turkey,” MFA Spokesman Tigran Balayan wrote on Facebook.

“Stability and order in the neighboring country based on democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms  is important for the whole region,” Tigran Balayan said.

President Serzh Sargsyan has arrived in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh  for a working visit. President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan today met with Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan.

A range of issues related to the cooperation between the two Armenian states and its expansion were discussed during the meeting.

During a special audience for jubilee pilgrims at St Peter’s Square in Rome today  Pope Francis reflected on his recent  journey to Armenia.

“This past weekend I made a pastoral visit to Armenia, the first nation to embrace the Christian faith and a people which has remained faithful even in the midst of great trials,” he said.

“I also plan to go to Georgia and Azerbaijan in the near future, to encourage peace and reconciliation in a spirit of respect for all.”

“With gratitude for the welcome and fellowship showed me by the Armenian Apostolic Church, I ask the Virgin Mary to strengthen Christians everywhere to remain firm in the faith and to work for a society of ever greater justice and peace,” he concluded.