Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian does not exclude the perspective of having one country recognize Artsakh Republic by the end of year. “Recognition by one country is not enough, but everything has its beginning,” Minister Nalbandian told reporters in Stepanakert, as he commented on the possibility of recognition of Artsakh’s independence by Armenia.

“The negotiation process is aimed at exceptionally peaceful settlement of the conflict. We should reach not just recognition, but also realization of Artsakh people for self-determination. This will allow to hope for Artsakh’s recognition,” Edward Nalbandian said.

The Foreign Ministry said “Azerbaijan is losing in the negotiations, the Azerbaijani leadership has forced itself into deadlock, because what the Azerbaijani leadership is doing is completely different from what the Co-Chairs holding international mandate are doing.”

“Having forced itself into deadlock, the Azeri side is trying to use force, which, they think will bring them bigger success.  But soldiers in Artsakh have proven their illusions are void,” Minister Nalbandian stated.

Elton John and EJAF chairman David Furnish introduced “The Promise” at West Hollywood Park during an Oscar commercial break, The Verge reported.

The 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) Academy Awards viewing party, hosted by Elton John and David Furnish at West Hollywood Park, raised $7 million to help end HIV/AIDS. To no one’s surprise, the yearly event proved to be one of the most star-studded soirées of the night, E!Onlie reported.

All donations on the night were matched dollar-for-dollar by Survival Pictures’ upcoming feature “The Promise” (Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac) which tells the story of the Armenian Genocide at the outset of World War I, accrding to The Wrap.

Terry George (“Hotel Rwanda”) directs, and was on hand to address the audience. With the film fully financed by the late businessman Kirk Kerkorian, all producer proceeds from the first dollar will be donated to organizations including the EJAF. Open Road releases the film next month.

“Proud to introduce Open Road Films and Survival Pictures’ new film “The Promise” at #EJAF25 #KeepthePromise Survival Pictures will also be matching guest pledges made to EJAF via text & live auction purchases during our Academy Awards Viewing Party. Written by Terry George and Robin Swicord and directed by Terry George (Hotel Rwanda), The Promise stars Oscar Issac, Christian Bale, and Charlotte Le Bon,” reads a post on the EJAF Facebook page.

The first batch of humanitarian aid from Armenia has reached the St. Astvatsatsin Church in Latakia.

The humanitarian aid (18 tons, primary foodstuff) was delivered to Syria by an IL-76 aircraft of the Airforce of the Russian Federation.

Minister of Defense of the Republic Vigen Sargsyan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia Ivan Volinkin were at the “Erebuni” airport to see off the plane.

 

On 6 February Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan signed a decree, according to which serviceman of the NKR Defense Army Gor Gareginyan was posthumously awarded with the “For Service in Battle” medal for bravery shown during the defense of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic state border.

Gor Gareginyan was killed as a result of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side at about 11:00 this morning.

On January 23, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved President Donald Trump’s Secretary of State nomination of Rex Tillerson by a party line vote of 11 to 10, clearing the path for approval by the full Senate.

As genocide denialists are calling upon President Trump and his team to guarantee that the Armenian Genocide will not be recognized by his administration, Trump’s cabinet nominees are taking a considered view of this important human rights issues, the Armenian Assembly of America reports.

Responding to a question for the record posed by New Jersey’s senior Senator, Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the Secretary of State nominee, for his part, said: “The tragic atrocities of 1915 remain a painful issue in the relationship between Armenia and Turkey, and it is in the U.S. interest to ensure peaceful and stable relations between the two countries. If confirmed, I will support a full accounting of the historical events and an open dialogue between Armenia and Turkey in the interest of regional stability.”

Additionally, President Trump’s U.S. Representative to the United Nations nominee Nikki Haley responded to Senator Menendez’s question about supporting a U.S. declaration calling the Armenian Genocide as such and whether the failure to do so hereto speaks ill of our values and encourages the continuation of such crimes. She promised: “I will never shy away from calling out other countries for actions taken in conflict with U.S. values and in violation of human rights and international norms.”

Focusing on Turkey’s violations of basic freedoms, Tillerson made it clear that he is “very concerned about many of the measures recently taken by the Turkish government.” He stated: “Religious freedom is a core American principle and an important aspect of international peace and stability. If confirmed, I will work with Turkey to safeguard religious minorities and promote respect for their cultural heritages, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Halki Seminary.”

“The Armenian Assembly greatly appreciates Senator Menendez’s long-standing commitment and leadership on Armenian issues and the questions he raised for the nominee,” stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.  As Tillerson awaits a final vote by the full Senate, more responses to questions regarding U.S.-Armenia relations and the region are anticipated.

“We look forward to working with the new Administration and Congress to further strengthen the permanent bonds between the United States and Armenia as well as expand economic opportunities for Armenia,” Ardouny said.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hilariously ruined Manchester United teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s Korea advert, according to

As part of his Chevrolet promotional duties, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is thanking Korea for watching Manchester United this season.

Standing in the wings, is teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

As the Armenian pumps himself up you can actually see the moment Zlatan decides he is going to cause trouble.

Mkhitaryan meanwhile starts talking and proceeds to thank Korea for the their faithful viewing. But United’s number 22 doesn’t even make it halfway through when the hoardings behind him come crashing down.

Zlatan of course is the man responsible after booting a ball directly at them.

Knowing he’s done wrong, United’s number nine decides to scarper and dodges the ball thrown back at him by his teammate.

Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan has talked to Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova about Hrachya Harutyunyan after mass media raised concerns about the jailed Armenian driver’s health and living conditions.

According to a press release from the Ombudsman’s Office, the parties reached an agreement to arrange a visit of the Commissioner’s representatives to Hrachya Harutyunyan’s place of detention.

Armenia’s Justioce Minister Arpien Hovhannisyan announced earlier that there were problems connected with Hrachya Harutyunyan’s extradition.

PHOTO: MEXICAN RED CROSS / TWITTER

 

An explosion at a fireworks market outside Mexico City has killed at least 29 people, officials say, the BBC  reports.

Dozens of other people were injured as the blast hit the San Pablito fireworks market, about 20 miles (32km) outside the city.

Video from the scene showed a large number of fireworks rocketing into the air as they caught fire.

Dozens of paramedics and police attended the scene. The cause of the explosions is not yet known.

Locals have been told to avoid the area and keep roads clear.

Officials said a number of children were among those who were badly burned, on up to 90% of their bodies.

Fireworks continued to explode after the initial blast, as smoke billowed from the area in thick black clouds.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan had a meeting with the President of Greece, Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

The Armenian Defense Minister expressed gratitude for the warm welcome in Greece and pledged willingness to further intensify and deepen the relations between the two countries built upon a firm historical basis.

Issues related to the development of military and military-technical cooperation between Armenia and Greece were discussed at the meeting. Reference was made to other issues of reciprocal interest.

“The launching of a criminal case against famous blogger Alexander Lapshin and his detention cause serious concern,” Press Service of the NKR Foreign Ministry said in comments to News.am.

Lapshin, who holds Russian and Israeli citizenship,  last Wednesday at the request of the Azerbaijani government over his visits to Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Azerbaijan, where harassment and political persecution against civil activists and journalists on fabricated pretexts have long become a tradition, tries to spread its “standards” of human rights beyond the borders of the country,” the Artsakh Foreign Ministry said.

“Such actions are not only an obvious violation of fundamental human rights, namely, the freedom of movement and freedom of speech, but also a policy of intimidation, which should be adequately assessed by the international community,” the Ministry said.