Author: Hagop Kamalian

Photo: Sputnik/ Oleg Urusov    

Europe and Russia have launched a joint mission to the Red Planet, the BBC reports.

The satellite, called the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), lifted off from Baikonur in Kazakhstan at 09:31 GMT.

The probe will investigate whether the methane in the world’s atmosphere is coming from a geological source or is being produced by microbes.

If all goes well, the two space powers expect to follow up this venture with a rover, to be assembled in the UK, which will drill into the surface.

That could launch in 2018, or, as seems increasingly likely, in 2020.

To celebrate International Women’s Day on Tuesday, Google’s animators and engineers dedicated their Google Doodle to empowering women and encouraging them to share their stories with the hashtag #OneDayIWill.

“It’s always an honor to pay tribute to women who have changed the course of history, sometimes in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles,” Google said . “For this year’s International Women’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the Doodle-worthy women of the future.”

The company filmed women in 13 countries and asked them to complete the sentence, “One day I will…” All told, the team spoke with more than 330 women in San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Lagos, Moscow, Cairo, Berlin, London, Paris, Jakarta, Bangkok, New Delhi and Tokyo.

 

 

 

The European Union unequivocally supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group toward the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict on the basis of the Madrid Principles proposed by the Co-Chairs, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said at a joint press conference with visiting High Representative of the ‪‎European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica‪ Mogherini. Summing up the results of the High Representative to Armenia, Minister Nalbandian said Yerevan and Brussels share the opinion that the maintenance of the status quo is in no one’s interest.

“The non-constructive steps targeted at aggravating the situation, the attempts to distort the negotiation process, the refusal to create a mechanism of investigation of border incidents and the belligerent rhetoric contribute to the maintenance of the status quo,” Edward Nalbandian stated.

Federica‪ Mogherini noted, in turn, that the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict is a priority for the EU, and added that it should be solved exceptionally in a peaceful way in line with the norms of international law. The High Representative reiterated the European Union’s support for the Minsk Group efforts and commended the recent steps targeted at easing of tensions. “It’s necessary to refrain from bellicose rhetoric and growth of violence, which are not conducive to the peaceful settlement process,” she said.

Speaking about the relations with the European Union, Minister Nalbandian said the establishment of strong partnership benefits not only the two patties, but also the region as a whole. “Armenia is ready to reinforce and expand the comprehensive cooperation in all spheres of reciprocal interest,” Edward Nalbandian said.

Impressed by her first visit to Armenia, Federica‪ Mogherini said the EU wants to be a good partner. “This cooperation is a testament to the fact that the EU is a primary trade partner for Armenia even at times of hardship; it is the first investor in Armenia and the first grant provider. But it’s not only about money,” Mogherini said.

At a meeting in Yerevan the Armenian Foreign Minister and the EU High Representtaive discussed the situation in the Middle East, and namely Syria, the mobilization of the efforts of the international community in their joint fight against terrorism.

“Armenia has provided refuge to about 20 thousand Syrian refugees, thus being the third in Europe with the number of migrants hosted,” the Minister said and added that “Armenia appreciates the possible EU assistance in that direction.”

The implementation of the agreement on Iran’ nuclear program was also on the agenda of the talks, Edward Nalbandian said. To conclude with, the Armenian Foreign Minister stressed that “the Armenia-EU relations are on a high level and the perspectives are promising.”

PHOTO: REUTERS/DADO RUVIC

 

has raised the market value of Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The 27-year-old Armenian international, who currently plays for Borussia Dortmund, now costs €28 million (up from €22 million).

Mkhitaryan moved to Dortmund from Shakhtar Donetsk for €27.5.

The Armenian has scored 18 goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions this season.

Photograph provided by Bill and Jadwiga Smith

 

Hundreds of letters and photographs that tell the story of Pope John Paul II’s close relationship with a married woman, which lasted more than 30 years, have been shown to the .

The letters to Polish-born American philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka had been kept away from public view in the National Library of Poland for years.

The documents reveal a rarely seen side of the pontiff, who died in 2005.

There is no suggestion the Pope broke his vow of celibacy.

The friendship began in 1973 when Ms Tymieniecka contacted the future Pope, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, then Archbishop of Krakow, about a book on philosophy that he had written.

The then 50-year-old travelled from the US to Poland to discuss the work.

Shortly afterwards, the pair began to correspond. At first the cardinal’s letters were formal, but as their friendship grew, they become more intimate.

The pair decided to work on an expanded version of the cardinal’s book, The Acting Person. They met many times – sometimes with his secretary present, sometimes alone – and corresponded frequently.

The Days of Armenian Culture in Belarus testifies to the mutual interest of the two nations, Culture Minister of Belarus Boris Svetlov said at an official opening ceremony on 9 February, informs.

The Belarusian-Armenian relations have a long history. The Armenian people made a huge contribution to the victory in the Great Patriotic War. Today representatives of the Armenian diaspora are a pride of Belarus, Boris Svetlov said. In 2014 Armenia hosted the Days of Belarusian Culture. Culture is a calling card of any country that helps address different issues that at first seem unsolvable, the ministry added.

In turn, Deputy Culture Minister of Armenia Artur Poghosyan said that the Armenian people would like to share their huge culture with the Belarusian people. The friendship between the two countries becomes stronger, while the 10-year cooperation in culture and art expands its borders. “Today we are obliged to preserve good traditions, cultural and human ties to hand them over to the future generations,” said Artur Poghosyan.

The Days of Armenian Culture opened with an exhibition of the ancient Armenian book at the National Library of Belarus. The exhibition featured the first printed book in Armenian (1512), the printed Bible in Armenian (1666), the first Armenian periodical Azdarar, and also books from the collection of the National Library of Armenia. Minsk residents and guests will have a chance to get familiar with the artworks of modern Armenian painters in the Mikhail Savitsky Gallery.

The exhibition will open on 10 February. Later  the day the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia will perform at the concert hall of the Belarusian State Music Academy. The Days of Armenian Culture in Belarus make part of the cooperation program signed between the culture ministries of the two countries for 2014-2017.

The program is aimed at assisting the establishment of direct contacts between the museums of the two countries, exchanging tours between theaters, music and dance companies of Belarus and Armenia. The program also envisages the Days of Belarusian Cinema in Armenia and the Days of Armenian Cinema in Belarus. Apart from that, Armenia is a Guest of Honor of the 23rd Minsk International Book Fair in 2016.

Ural Airlines launches international flights from the Kaluga International Airport. From February 2016, the airline will operate on Thursdays a new weekly direct flight to Yerevan, according to .

Flights to Yerevan will be performed on modern and comfortable liners of Airbus A320 family equipped with economy and business classes.

Ural Airlines is among TOP 5 leading Russian airlines by volume of transportations in January-February 2014-2015 For the first 11 months of 2015 the company’s services have benefited 5.1 million passengers, the geography of flights includes more than 200 destinations.

According to the Federal air transport Agency of Russia (Rosaviatsia) in October 2015 flight regularity of airline amounted to 97,01%. The fleet of Ural Airlines is composed of aircrafts from the European Airbus. The company now operates 35 aircrafts (19 A320s, 10 A321s and A319 6).

International airport “Kaluga” started scheduled passenger services at June, 16, 2015. At August, 18, 2015, the airport received international status, and on September, 4, 2015 for the first time received an international flight. Dassault Falcon 7x arrived from Braunschweig (Germany) to Kaluga. On Board were members of the Board of Directors of the Volkswagen group who arrived with official visit on the opening in the Kaluga region engine factory Currently running regular flights to St. Petersburg and Sochi («Komiaviatrans» airline).

Seven have been confirmed dead of swine flu in Armenia.

The Erebuni Medical Center confirmed the death of a young woman this morning.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health reports decrease in the number of patients diagnosed with pneumonia.

The Ministry said in a statement today that  fewer patients remain at intensive care units.

At the same time, the level of acute respiratory infections in children remains the same.