In the special episode of The Subcontinent, we will discuss the growing relation between India and Armenia and New Delhi's resistance to the establishment of Zangezur corridor.
And we shall take a look at the rupee coming up as a trading currency between India and Malaysia thus reducing the monopoly of the dollar.
Watch the video of the report at
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed the humanitarian crisis in the breakaway Nagorio-Karabakh Republic as a result of blocking the Lachin corridor during a phone conversation, the Armenian cabinet said on Friday
YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 07th April, 2023) Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed the humanitarian crisis in the breakaway Nagorio-Karabakh Republic as a result of blocking the Lachin corridor during a phone conversation, the Armenian cabinet said on Friday.
"During a phone conversation, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh due to the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan was discussed," the cabinet said in a statement.
ANKARA, April 7. /TASS/. Russia expects that non-regional actors will not interfere with the settlement in the South Caucasus, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference following talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday.
"We hope that some of our extra-regional colleagues will not interfere with these processes (settlement in the South Caucasus – TASS) and orient the parties towards the strict implementation of the trilateral Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements," he said.
He stressed that these agreements "remain the main basis for further work."
Russia is in favor of deepening cooperation among countries in the region.
"We welcome the process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey, launched with our support. We welcome efforts to unblock transport links in the region and, of course, to promote the post-conflict restoration of the South Caucasus," Lavrov said.
In their role as supporters of the sciences with the founding support of the Akian College of Science and Engineering (CSE), the Akian family have also contributed to the 200 ChangeMakers of AUA campaign, with their children Lori, Lena, and Haig investing in the effort to nurture a culture of research and innovation among AUA students and faculty. This new initiative of creating the Akian BioScience Lab will further bolster their commitment to fostering advanced research in the field.
Speaking of what has inspired them to fund the inception of this groundbreaking new lab, Zaven Akian says, “I have always been interested in expanding CSE’s programs beyond computer science, data science, and engineering. Indeed, the field of bioscience was a target to introduce in CSE’s list of prospective disciplines, especially following the devastating pandemic the world experienced starting in 2020.”
The Akian BioScience Lab will serve as an experimental platform for both research and educational activities and will be led by Dr. Narine Sarvazyan, who was recently appointed to the position of the William Frazer Endowed Professorship, established with funds donated to the University by the late visionary philanthropist and AUA benefactor Edward Avedisian.
With her husband, Arthur Petrosian, Dr. Sarvazyan is among the 100 Pillars of AUA, through which she continues to support AUA students and is committed to investing in their future through education. “I feel a great responsibility to utilize my expertise and knowledge to teach and inspire many talented AUA students, making it possible for them to develop their own careers in bioscience without having to leave the country,” she says. In her outstanding research career, she has focused on the basic mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias, cardiotoxicity of cancer drugs and environmental contaminants, stem cell therapies and new imaging modalities to visualize ablation lesions and other pathophysiological tissue states. Her extensive experience in the field will be instrumental in leading the new Akian BioScience Lab at AUA.
Dr. Sarvazyan will play a major role in the Lab, developing and teaching several hands-on life science courses with the ultimate goal of training a new cadre of young scientists to lead research in the field in Armenia. “In the United States, over 60% of all scientific research occurs in university labs. These labs play a crucial role in fostering innovation, providing hands-on learning opportunities, facilitating collaboration, and elevating the standing of universities. I hope that creating a similar environment at the AUA Akian BioScience Lab will contribute to bringing a research-oriented culture to Armenia's higher education ecosystem. The ultimate goal is to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations among different AUA programs, as well as to engage AUA faculty and students in collaborative research with other academic and educational entities in both Armenia and abroad,” Dr. Sarvazyan remarks.
AUA students will be exposed to a “wet-lab” environment where they will be enabled to apply their theoretical knowledge to conduct hands-on experiments, which will in turn help them to innovate and develop advanced practical skills advantageous to their future career endeavors. Dr. Sarvazyan adds that “studies conducted at the lab will eventually lead to the development of new life sciences technologies in Armenia. This will help to form local spinoffs and startups in a variety of disciplines, including agriculture, medicine, environmental protection, and other related fields.”
In addition, the Akian BioScience Lab will provide grounds and open doors for partnering with local industry and collaborating with foreign institutions. “Most importantly, the research activities of this lab will be conducted in compliance with Western principles of ethical research, including the proper treatment of animals and human subjects, as well as observation of safety standards,” Dr. Sarvazyan confirms.
“Sonia and I were delighted to support Professor Sarvazyan’s mission with the Akian BioScience Laboratory, which is essential to her research. We are looking forward to her leadership and the impact she and her associates will have in Armenia in this exciting field, eventually establishing a Ph.D. program in biosciences and bioinformatics. We believe that one day in the near future, Armenia will be at the forefront of research and discovery, even production of medications, vaccines or other genetically modified products for human consumption,” Akian adds.
In her research experience over the course of three decades, Dr. Sarvazyan’s laboratory, currently at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has been continuously supported by funding from the United States National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National American Heart Association, and other major funding agencies. Speaking of funding, Dr. Sarvazyan states, “The Akians’ gift will be a wonderful start for creating such a lab, and more donor and grant support will be sought to finance the procurement of additional equipment required for the lab.”
The Akian BioScience Lab will provide AUA students with various opportunities to learn and experiment, playing a crucial role in their intellectual and academic development. The launch of the Lab will be a significant step forward in the advancement of research at the University, further improving its institutional visibility and reputation.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
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Bella Karapetyan | Communications Manager
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40 Baghramyan Avenue, Yerevan 0019, Republic of Armenia
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Assembly Meetings with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), & Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL)
Washington, D.C. – With Artsakh and Armenia in focus, activists from coast to coast came together in the nation's capital as part of the Armenian Assembly’s successful 2023 Advocacy Summit, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
Advocates from California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland gathered at the U.S. Capitol to hold over 100 meetings with congressional offices in response to the crisis surrounding Artsakh and continued threats against the Armenian people. They stressed the importance of U.S. support for Armenia and Artsakh and the obligation to prevent another Armenian Genocide.
In the Assembly's meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Assembly Co-Chair Van Krikorian discussed the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor and ways in which the United States can take concrete steps to end it, along with securing a robust aid package to Artsakh and Armenia.
Participants also raised the community's deep concerns over the ongoing inhumane blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, along with the treatment of and failure to release Armenian prisoners of war, as well as the importance of humanitarian assistance to Artsakh and Armenia. They called upon their elected representatives to support for H.Res. 108, "condemning Azerbaijan's blockade of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and ongoing human rights violations."
Elected officials shared their remarks on important issues relating to the Armenian people, particularly the blockade on Artsakh
"As a result of these meetings, we look forward to more Members of Congress joining the Armenian Caucus and supporting legislation condemning Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh," said Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. "The Assembly thanks the greater Armenian community for its consistent activism and passionate support that resulted in an impactful Summit where we presented pressing Armenian issues to Members of Congress."
During the culminating Hill reception, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), alongside Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Seth Magaziner (D-RI), applauded the efforts of the Assembly advocates for forcefully representing their community both on the Hill and in their local districts. They stressed the importance of continuing to raise their voices on behalf of Artsakh and Armenia and keep Congress informed.
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair emphasized the need to continue educating the Administration to formulate policies that take into account the lawless behavior of the Aliyev regime in Baku, while Members of Congress were vocal in their support for Armenia and Artsakh and condemnation of Azerbaijan.
Activists and Members discuss key issues pertaining to the Armenian people
Nagorno Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan conveyed his sincere appreciation for the commitment of the Assembly members who traveled to Washington in order to stand up for the rights of Artsakh Armenians. He noted that the debates over geopolitical calculations complicated relations in the region and that the fundamental human needs and rights of the population to not be overlooked.
In addition to the meetings on the Hill, Assembly also had meetings with the Administration as well as an opportunity to meet with former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Marie Yovanovitch, and presented her with the Morgenthau Award.
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch with Assembly Leaders
Prior to the Advocacy Summit, the Assembly held multiple briefings and training sessions both in person and online. These educational sessions provided participants with more detailed information about legislation and the legislative process, as well as specific actions to request from their representatives.
Advocates from all over the country participated in the Advocacy Summit
The Assembly offers its thanks and appreciation to our
2023 Advocacy Summit Sponsors and Donors:
Summit Sponsors
David and Margaret Mgrublian
Gor and Sona Adamyan
Anthony and Nancy Barsamian
Vigen and Houry Ghazarian
Supporting Donors
Jason Capizzi
Diran Depanian
Aram Gavoor
Zarema Jaramillo
Michael and Noelle Kahaian
Steven Keytanjian
Armen Meyer
Lisa Nersesian Richardson
Ani Speirs
Donors
Angela Adamyan, Naira Babayan, James Connelly,
Hagop and Marie Ghajanian, Garry Javizian, Anne and Robert Norris, and Sarah Sites
The Assembly's reception welcomed longtime supporters, newcomers, elected officials, and young professionals to the Advocacy Summit
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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Lev Aslan Dermen was a Bel Air billionaire and gas station tycoon when he joined forces with the polygamous Kingston clan.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) – A former leader of the Armenian mafia in Los Angeles was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday for his role in a billion dollar scheme to rip off American taxpayers.
Lev Aslan Dermen, also known as Levon "The Lion" Termendzhyan, was convicted of conspiring with members of a polygamous sect in Utah known as "The Order" in one of the most audacious tax frauds in history.
He was found guilty after a seven-week trial of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.
Dermen was a Bel Air billionaire and gas station tycoon when he joined forces with members of the polygamous Kingston clan.
According to the Department of Justice, court documents and testimony from Dermen's 2020 trial show that from 2010 to 2018, Dermen conspired with various members of the Kingston family to fraudulently claim more than $1 billion in refundable renewable fuel tax credits.
The IRS ultimately paid out more than $511 million in credits to Washakie Renewable Energy, a Utah biodiesel company owned by Jacob and Isaiah Kingston.
The Kingstons distributed the fraud proceeds among themselves and Dermen, the DOJ said.
Jacob Kingston, 46, took a plea deal and testified against Dermen, telling jurors they had more money than they could launder, so they started buying luxury items like Lamborghinis and Bugattis along with private jets, yachts and mansions in Turkey, Utah and Huntington Beach.
Prosecutors said Dermen employed a team of corrupt law enforcement officers, including former DHS Agent Felix Cisneros, former Glendale detective John Balian and former FBI Agent Babak Broumand.
In addition to the prison sentence, Dermen was ordered to pay $442,615,520 in restitution to the IRS and imposed a money judgment of more than $181 million against him.
Jacob Kingston, who was co-owner and CEO of Washakie, was ordered to pay $511 million in restitution to the IRS. The court also imposed a $338 million money judgment against him. He was also sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison.
"The significant sentences imposed by the court reflect the breathtaking scope of the defendants' nearly decade-long tax fraud scheme – one of the largest ever," said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department's Tax Division. "Dermen and members of the Kingston family cost law-abiding taxpayers more than $500 million and attempted to steal double that. They also sought to cover their tracks by cycling billions-of-dollars in transactions through the banking system and using fuel purchases and oil tankers to give the illusion their plant was actually producing and selling biodiesel fuel eligible for IRS credits. Tax Division prosecutors and IRS-CI Special Agents not only unraveled this scheme – they uncovered, traced and recovered millions in proceeds secreted in Turkey, the United States and elsewhere."
12:38, 9 April 2023
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. On April 9, President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan in the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God in Stepanakert partook in the Divine Liturgy, officiated by Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan on the occasion of the Holy Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Second and third presidents of the Republic Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, representatives of the legislative and executive bodies took part in the liturgy too.
BEIRUT, Lebanon (KSEE) – It’s a part of daily life in Lebanon: sudden darkness. Government-supplied electricity is available for only one to three hours a day. Those who can afford it, get a generator.
But on this day at the Armenian Relief Cross Clinic in Beirut, Dr. Van Boghossian of Fresno’s medical mission team had to use a battery-powered light to get the job done.
“We’ll make it work. We deal with whatever we get,” Dr. Boghossian says.
Power outages are among the many challenges in Lebanon. The economy is in crisis, the currency has lost much of its value and people struggle to buy food and basic necessities.
Even government leaders acknowledge something needs to be done.
“It’s really highly needed because as you know, all over the world, not only the Armenians, but the international community also knows in what devastating situation the Lebanese people are living,” says Lebanese politician Hagop Pakradouni.
But a generous gift from Fresno is offering hope and shining a new light at this clinic.
A $25,000 donation to the Advance Armenia Foundation provided funding for solar panels and a generator to keep the lights on from now on. The gift was bequeathed by the late Clara Margossian of Fresno who passed away in February.
Three years ago, Clara donated a million dollars to build apartments in the country of Armenia, and she left even more of a legacy in her wake.
“I think her vision was very great because today if you ask any Lebanese people this time they say the most important aspect of our life is the cost of energy and the cost of gas. If we can eliminate those, we will survive,” says Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian of Fresno, the executor of Clara’s estate.
Among those attending the ribbon cutting, was U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea.
“So to have a generator and solar panels to make a community health clinic accessible to everybody who needs it without regard to what community they belong to, that is what American values stand for,” Shea says.
Going solar at this clinic will save the staff thousands of dollars in electricity costs. But more importantly, it keeps the lights on so life-saving work can continue in a country that’s struggling.
This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved two separate motions reaffirming their support of the Armenian community, proclaiming April as Armenian History Month and approving legislative advocacy steps that will urge the federal government to add an Armenian category to the 2030 Census.
Their action comes on the heels of anti-Armenian hate flyers having been found posted on light poles near Glendale’s St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church and in other areas of the city a week ago.
“I want to make sure the public at large knows that our Board fully supports our Armenian community and stands in solidarity with them,” stated Supervisor Kathryn Barger, lead author of both motions. “My prior motions supporting legislation – from condemning Azerbaijan’s deadly and unprovoked military operation in Artsakh to providing $10 million to the Library of Congress to support Armenian Genocide education – unequivocally reflect my strong support for Los Angeles County’s Armenian residents. I will continue to work with my colleagues to invest in and strengthen this community.”
Supervisor Janice Hahn, who is currently serving as Board Chair, also voiced her support. “Los Angeles County is the proud home of the largest population of Armenians outside of Armenia,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Armenian History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich Armenian culture and the contributions Armenian people have made to Los Angeles County, as well as recognize the dark days of the Armenian Genocide.”
https://kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov/l-a-county-supervisors-show-support-for-armenian-community/
Putin pressed on the importance of implementing the 2020-2022 agreements that were signed between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Putin asked the Armenian leader to implement the terms of the agreement, and focused on the issues "related to security and stability on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, restoring economic and transport ties in the North Caucasus and preparing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan."
"In addition, some topical issues of bilateral relations were touched upon," Russian President Putin's press service reported."
Armenian government's press service released a statement, noting that Pashinyan and Putin discussed unblocking transport communications in the South Caucasus. The two leaders, it said, last spoke on March 16 in a telephone conversation between the Russian president and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev. Prior to the Soviet Union's collapse, the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory, was a part of Azerbaijan. In February 1988, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh, populated by ethnic Armenians, has since been under dispute about who claims the territorial sovereignty in the region. Russia has acted as a mediator in resolving the tense situation, clashes between troops of Baku and Yerevan, and negotiating a ceasefire. In November 2020, a statement on the full cessation of hostilities negotiated by Moscow in Nagorno-Karabakh was adopted that has since been violated.