Author: Jagharian Tania

The delegation headed by Vice-President of the Armenian National Assembly, Head of the Armenia-Argentina Deputy Friendship Group Edward Sharmazanov had a meeting with Rodolfo Zlauvinen, Argentina’s Undersecretary of State on Foreign Policy Affairs, Ambassador Gustavo.

The interlocutors emphasized the dynamic development of relations between the two countries. They attached importance to the further expansion and reinforcement of economic ties, which, they said, could be enhanced by the conduct of a business forum.

Edward Sharmazanov hailed the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the legislative, executive and judicial bodies of Argentina. He noted that “by condemning the Genocide, Argentina reiterates the indisputable fact of being a democratic country.”

During the meeting reference was made to regional issues, the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

Edward Sharmazanov said “the world has taken the triumphant path of self-determination. He said the lack of progress in Karabakh talks is a result of the non-constructive policy of Azerbaijan. He added that progress can hardly be achieved unless the agreements reached at Vienna and St. Petersburg summits are implemented.

Rodolfo Zlauvinen noted, in turn, that Argentina stands for exceptionally peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

Manchester United have completed their transfer of Paul Pogba from Juventus for a world-record transfer fee of £89m.

The French international has completed his medical at the club and signed a five-year deal, with the 105m Euros fee also potentially increasing through several add-on clauses. Paul joins on a five-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.

Paul Pogba, 23, has been with Juventus for four seasons, making 124 appearances and scoring 28 goals. He joined the Bianconeri from United in 2012.

The midfielder has been capped by France on 38 occasions, scoring 6 goals and was a member of the recent squad that reached the final of Euro 2016.

Paul Pogba said:

“I am delighted to rejoin United. It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with José Mourinho. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends. But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.”

José Mourinho said:

“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is. At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.”

Photo: AP

 

A Russian balloonist has set a new record for flying non-stop around the world, his support crew have said, the BBC reports.

Fyodor Konyukhov’s balloon was said to have passed directly over the airfield in the Australian town of Northam where he began his journey 11 days ago.

If his record is confirmed by the World Air Sports Federation he will have taken more than two days off the record set by American Steve Fossett in 2002.

Konyukhov, who is 65, is expected to land later on Saturday.

Konyukhov’s route took him from Australia to above New Zealand, the Pacific Ocean, South America, the Cape of Good Hope and the Southern Ocean.

His crew said the balloon, which is 56m (183ft) tall and uses helium and hot air, covered the route in 11 days and six hours, beating Fossett’s record by more than two days.

The American, who also started from Northam, took 13 days and eight hours in setting his record.

Photo: AP

 

Turkish officials say that nearly 8,000 police officers have been suspended, reportedly on suspicion of having links to the failed coup attempt at the weekend, the BBC reports.

Some 6,000 members of the judiciary and military, including generals, have been detained in connection with the coup.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to purge state bodies of the “virus” that caused the revolt.

The EU’s foreign policy chief says the rule of law in Turkey needs protection.

The Turkish government claims cleric Fethullah Gulen was behind the plot.

The Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire 26 times at the line of contact with the Karabakh forces last night.

The rival fired more than 450 shots from weapons of different calibers in the direction of the Armenian positions.

The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army keep the situation under control and confidently continue with their military duty.

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria in Armenia Georgi Karastamatov who is concluding his diplomatic mission in our country, President’s Press Office reports.

President Sargsyan thanked Ambassador Karastamatov for his personal contribution to the consistent development of the Armenian-Bulgarian relations and underscored that in recent years the political dialogue between the two countries has noticeably intensified constituting a solid base and guarantee for the development and strengthening of the interstate relations in all areas.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed hope that the next ambassador of Bulgaria will also spare no effort to deepen the relations between Armenia and Bulgaria and to develop cooperation in a number of mutually beneficial areas. The President of Armenia wished all the best to Georgi Karastamanov in his future endeavors.

Ambassador Karastamatov thanked the President of Armenia for the high assessment of his work and for the assistance provided to him throughout his diplomatic tenure in our country. He assured that he was leaving Armenia with warm feelings and good impressions and would forever remain a friend of the Armenian people.

A news agency linked to so-called Islamic State has confirmed the death of key leader Omar Shishani, whom the US said it killed in March, the BBC reports.

The Amaq news agency said Shishani was killed in combat in the town of Shirqat, south of Mosul in Iraq.

The Pentagon said in March he had died from injuries sustained in a US air strike in north-eastern Syria.

Shishani’s real name was Tarkhan Batirashvili but he was also known as Omar the Chechen.

The red-bearded jihadist was said to be a close military adviser to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The confirmation came on the Amaq website, which IS regularly uses to issue news and which had denied the Pentagon’s claims in March.

Amaq said he died trying to repel forces campaigning to retake the city of Mosul.

President Serzh Sargsyan had today a phone conversation with the US Secretary of State John Kerry. The call was initiated by the American side.

The interlocutors spoke about the recent developments in the NK peace negotiations mediated by Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, particularly to the process of implementation of the agreements reached in Vienna and Saint Petersburg.

Pioneering rock guitarist Scotty Moore, who was a member of Elvis Presley’s original band, has died aged 84, the BBC reports.

He died in Nashville on Tuesday after several months of poor health.

He is credited with helping Elvis shape his music that came to be called rock ‘n’ roll, and inspired generations of guitarists.

Moore was the last survivor of Elvis’s original band which included Presley, bassist Bill Black and producer Sam Phillips.

As part of The Blue Moon Boys Moore backed Presley on many of his legendary songs including Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes and Jailhouse Rock.

During today’s Ecumenical Encounter at Yerevan’s Republic Square Pope Francis received the model of Noah’s Ark as a gift.

Hs Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Pope Francis blessed the soil and water brought  from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Iran and Turkey. The soil and water were later poured in to the Noah’s  Ark.

Authored by American Armenian designer Michael Aram, the  model of Noah’s Ark will be taken to Vatican.

Armenia has become an “ark of salvation” for thousands of families from the Iraq and Syria. Armenia has provided refuge to about 20 thousand refugees from Syria, mostly the descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors.