13:35,
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Rain with thunderstorm is forecast in Armenia’s capital of Yerevan after the daytime of June 27, on June 28-30 and on July 1-2 in the evening hours, the ministry of environment said.
Air temperature across the Republic will gradually rise by 6-9 degrees on June 27-30.
As for the weather in Artsakh, no precipitation is expected in the Republic on June 27 and 28.
15:16,
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a consultation today relating to the agenda and process of education reforms, the PM’s Office said.
Issues relating to the development of strategy in education sector and in this context the higher, professional education and general education reforms were discussed.
The meeting participants touched upon the regulations proposed by the draft law on Higher Education and Science, the criteria for the quality of higher education and the strategic guidelines, the study opportunities in foreign languages and other topics. The process of reform of professional education was presented. The works launched in general education field were discussed.
Prime Minister Pashinyan said education reform is one of the absolute priorities of the government, highlighting the need to go to strategic solutions in this area. He added that it is necessary to intensively continue the discussions on education strategy, focusing on solving issues of forming education content, physical infrastructure and high-quality professional staff.
17:05,
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. The International Center for Standardization and Certification “HALAL” is expected to be established in Armenia for boosting the export process of local production.
Today, on June 27, the specialists of the ICSC HALAL met with Armenian business community representatives in the ministry of economy.
“The cooperation with the Center will provide local manufacturers with an opportunity to export the local production to the Eastern market and have new partners”, Head of the Department of Development of Quality Infrastructure at the Ministry of Economy of Armenia Zhanna Zakaryan said.
The Center carries out certification of products and services, including for trade and public food.
“Certification will be provided for meat products, poultry, fish, milk, dairy products, bakery, confectionery, food additives, other food, healthcare and perfumes, cosmetics, tourism, spa services, hairdressing, fitness and taxi services”, Aidar Gazizov, Director General ICSC HALAL said.
HALAL Center is a leading certification body in Russia and abroad. The Center is operating since 2002. It has already established partnering relations with the manufacturers of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. More than 40 companies are currently exporting their production to the countries of Middle East – the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, through the Center.
17:34,
YEREVAN, 27 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 27 June, USD exchange rate up by 1.08 drams to 409.64 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.98 drams to 433.52 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 7.69 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.10 drams to 502.63 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price down by 152.69 drams to 24041.60 drams. Silver price down by 3.55 drams to 274.73 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
According to the Prime Minister, the bio-laboratories operating in Armenia pose no threat to Russia
23:21,
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. The bio-laboratories operating in Armenia are 100% owned by the Republic of Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports PM Pashinyan said in a Facebook live. The journalist noted that the Russian side has repeatedly stated that there are biolaboratories in Armenia, within the framework of which there is cooperation between the United States and Armenia, including in the direction of military departments. In addition, the Russian Embassy in Armenia stated that there are structures in Armenia that have participated in biological projects in Ukraine.
"It is true that it was created with the support of the United States, but they are owned by the Republic of Armenia. This topic was raised in 2018, our Russian partners expressed concern, we invited them, we said, come and show what the concern is. There have been visits and discussions, but no concerns were raised as a result of those discussions," said the Prime Minister.
Pashinyan noted that a document on cooperation in the field of biosafety was signed between Armenia and Russia, there is close cooperation between the two countries in that field, cooperation will continue.
"But this does not mean that we will not cooperate with other countries in the field of developing science and infrastructure. It’s another issue that we have to see whether this cooperation poses a threat to the Russian Federation or not. We guarantee that during our cooperation we have not and will not create threats for our allies. Although we hear concerns, we try to understand if we may have missed something. If it turns out that we have missed something, we create a threat, although that’s impossible, we are open to those discussions. I have expressed concerns about those public statements, but so far I have not received any specific information about it," Pashinyan concluded.
Sen. Menendez: “It simply makes no sense to say that U.S. assistance and training has not impacted its [Azerbaijan’s] military balance with Armenia.”
Rep. Schiff: “Under no circumstances should the U.S. be providing military support to such a regime […] President Biden should not have waived Section 907.”
WASHINGTON—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) reacted sharply to President Biden’s decision to once again waive Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan, greenlighting new U.S. military aid to the Aliyev regime despite its ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
In a statement released on Friday, Chairman Menendez noted, “I am deeply disappointed to see the Department of State once again make an exception to bypass Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act to provide what has become annual assistance to the regime in Baku. Adding insult to injury, the administration chose to move forward with this most recent waiver despite the recent publication of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report which confirmed the Department of State and Department of Defense have failed to meet statutory reporting requirements to Congress on the impact of U.S. assistance on the military balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
Chairman Menendez continued, “As Azerbaijan continues to further occupy territory from its violent assault on Nagorno-Karabakh, during which more than 6,500 people died and more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians were displaced in 2020, it simply makes no sense to say that U.S. assistance and training has not impacted its military balance with Armenia. I will continue to conduct rigorous oversight of any and all assistance to Azerbaijan and expect the Department of State to operate with complete transparency and provide all necessary details for Congress to assess any assistance provided to Baku.”
In commentary released to the ANCA, Chairman Schiff pledged to work with Congressional allies and the Armenian American community to “remove a president’s power to waive Section 907 and to urge the Biden administration to reinvigorate the peace process.” Chairman Schiff explained, “Azerbaijan is responsible for provoking a horrific war and humanitarian disaster in Armenia and Artsakh, killing thousands of Armenians over 44 days in September 2020 and forcing thousands more to flee their ancestral homelands. To this day, Azerbaijan continues to illegally detain Armenian soldiers who have been subject to torture, and to threaten thousands of innocent civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh who live in fear of another attack and invasion.
Chairman Schiff continued, “Under no circumstances should the United States be providing military support to such a regime – it not only runs counter to our nation’s core democratic values, but could empower the Aliyev regime to continue or escalate its provocative actions against Armenians. President Biden should not have waived Section 907.”
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian thanked Chairman Menendez and Chairman Schiff for calling out the Biden Administration’s reckless decision – demanding stronger Congressional oversight and a stop to U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan. “Not a single penny in U.S. tax-payer money should go to the overtly racist and openly aggressive Aliyev regime. We look forward to working with Chairman Menendez and Chairman Schiff and their colleagues on key committees in both the Senate and the House to oppose U.S. subsidies for Azerbaijan’s genocidal violence against Artsakh and Armenia.”
The ANCA has been running an online campaign – https://anca.org/907 – condemning President Biden’s decision and urging Congress to use every legislative vehicle possible to zero-out military aid to Azerbaijan.
On June 23rd, the Biden Administration reportedly notified Congress of their decision to waive Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act. The measure, adopted in 1992, establishes statutory restrictions on U.S. assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan “until the President determines, and so reports to the Congress, that the Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.” Congress included a Section 907 waiver in the FY2002 Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. U.S. presidents – Republican and Democrat – have waived Section 907 annually ever since.
During his run for office, on October 14th, 2020, then-candidate Biden stated that the United States must “fully implement and not waive requirements under Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act to stop the flow of military equipment to Azerbaijan.” As President, he first reversed his position on the issue on April 23, 2021 – on the eve of his historic announcement properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, issued earlier this year, revealed that the State Department consistently failed to inform Congress of the impact of over $164 million in assistance to Baku on the military balance between Azerbaijan and Armenia. According to the GAO, the U.S. has provided about $808 million in overall US aid to Azerbaijan in fiscal years 2002 through 2020.
12:13,
YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's pan-Armenian involvement precludes any political tendencies, preferences or influence, so the Foundation's board members and entire staff should spare no effort to avoid any political manipulation or suspicion, and to work transparently and publicly, ARMENPRESS reports President of Armenia, President of Board of Trustees of Hayastan All Armenian Fund Vahagn Khachaturyan said at the 31st sitting of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan also attended the sitting.
"Since the day of its establishment, the Fund has become the powerful national idea and the axis around which we have united to discuss issues of national importance, to try to find solutions," Khachaturyan said.
He added that this is why the daily work of everyone, especially the members of the Board of Trustees, should be aimed at popularizing the Fund, maintaining its reputation and mission.
The President also thanked the Fund’s donors, the Fund’s network and staff for their unwavering devotion and tireless work.
15:45,
YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish aviation authorities did not provide "FLYONE ARMENIA" airline with the opportunity to carry out overflight flights over Turkish airspace to Lebanon, due to which the company has to cancel Yerevan-Beirut-Yerevan flights until July 21 of this year, FLYONE ARMENIA company informed ARMENPRESS.
"It should be noted that Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan, Yerevan-Paris-Yerevan, Yerevan-Lyon-Yerevan flights are operated according to the schedule. Relevant information will be provided on the resumption of flights to Beirut. The company apologizes to the passengers for the inconvenience”, the airline said.
FLYONE ARMENIA offers the following alternatives:
– Change of flight date;
– A 110% Credit Shell refund for the passenger's personal FLYONE account for the tickets purchased online or via the app only.
– Full refund of the canceled flight ticket.
If the ticket was purchased from a travel agency, the passengers should contact the agency to choose from the alternatives offered.
BY KATY SIMONIAN
This year’s 45th Navasartian Festival and Closing Ceremonies will feature an impressive line-up of musical performances from some of today’s most celebrated artists.
Marking a return to Los Angeles City College, where the games were first held back in the late 1970s, Homenetmen continues its tradition of hosting the Navasartian Festival with an array of music from two dozen recording artists during the three-day event which will take place Fourth of July weekend.
Patrons will be treated to beautiful Armenian music from the acclaimed Tigran Asatryan, Andre, Christina Pepelian, and Joseph Krikorian among many others, with songs that encapsulate the spirit of the Armenian people and the joyful occasion of the festival.
The Navasartian Festival will begin on Friday, July 1 at 4:00 pm. and continue through Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3, kicking off at 8:00 a.m. each day. The Closing Ceremonies will commence at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 3.
Only minutes away from Little Armenia, Los Angeles City College is located at 855 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90029. Accessible parking as well as Metro and Bus Stops are available. The campus offers a beautiful setting and safe environment with the comfort of multiple parking structures and easy access to amenities.
“Following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we look forward to welcoming the community back with a celebration honoring the achievements of the young athletes who stand at the heart of the Homenetmen family,” says 45th Honorary President Mr. Ara Tchaghlassian. “Music, food and dancing will be among the many festivities for all to enjoy, as they are cornerstones of the Armenian culture,” he added.
With an exceptional display of music coupled with highlights such as the heartwarming Parade of Champions, this year’s Navasartian Festival promises to be one of the brightest, most successful events of the year.
For more information about the Navasartian Games and Festival, including a full list of singers and schedule, please visit the Navasartian Games website or call (323) 344-4300.
Katy Simonian is a member of the 45th Navasartian Victory Ball Committee.
PanARMENIAN.Net - The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Armenia grew by 60 to reach 423,104 between June 13 and 19, according to information provided by the Health Ministry.
Fresh figures also revealed that 25 more people recovered, and no patient died died from Covid-19 in the past week.
A total of 8,625 tests have been performed in the reporting period, the National Center For Disease Control and Prevention said.
So far, 412,693 people have recovered, 8625 have died from the coronavirus in the country, while 1684 others carrying the virus have died from other causes.