Photo: AFP
A US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters has begun a campaign to expel Islamic State (IS) militants from land north of Raqqa, the BBC reports.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is believed to have deployed about 30,000 fighters.
US-led coalition warplanes will support the offensive and Russia has also given its backing.
The SDF did not mention any plan to take Raqqa, the de facto capital of the “caliphate” proclaimed by IS in 2014.
The National Council of the Congress of Western Armenians international NGO has adopted a statement on the creation of an alliance of national minorities with an objective of uniting efforts to fight growing nationalism in Turkey.
The statement notes that under the cover of democracy and peacefulness Erdogan’s Administration has adopted a policy of pan-Turkism.
“The Congress of Western Armenians has intensified the efforts to organize international litigation against Turkey and has initiated closer cooperation with all persecuted and exiled nations of Asia Minor with a view of combining efforts against pan-Turkic nationalism,” member of the Congress, MP Aragats Akhoyan told reporters today.
Member of the Congress, historian Vahan Melikyan added that discussions with the nations have already started and added that under the conditions of the current developments in Syria and Iraq the creation of an anti-Turkish alliance is quite realistic.
The Congress of Western Armenians represents the interests of heirs of Western Armenians, trying to restore their rights and property. Aragats Akhoyan said they’re preparing a package to apply to the European Court.
Horizon Weekly – More than 10,000 people marched in Montreal on May 8 in honour of victims of all genocides of the 20th century. The March for Humanity and Prevention of Genocide (M4H) as held to raise awareness and prevent such atrocities from taking place again in the future.
“One hundred and one years after the Armenian Genocide, we continue to witness horrors around the world. Today, thousands march to raise awareness on the genocides and crimes against humanity of the 20th century,” declared Hrag Jinjian, Chair of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee of Quebec. “It is our duty, as victims but also that of every Quebecer, to fight denial, fight indifference, and force governments into action where help is needed.”
The M4H began at Cabot Square with participants walking towards the Quartier des Spectacles along Sainte-Catherine Street. Among the many participants attending were political figures, including Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Christine St-Pierre, Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, and former Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and Minister of Defense, Honourable Jason Kenney as well as ambassadors, foreign diplomats as well as representatives of Montreal and Laval mayors.
This year event was organized in collaboration with MIGS – Montreal Institute for Genocide and human rights Studies, AGAR (Alliance for Genocide Awareness and Remembrance), CIJA (Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs) and Amnesty International Canada. Returning community participants included members of the Jewish, Rwandan Tutsi, Cambodian, Ukrainian, Assyrian, Lebanese, and Pontian Greeks.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamayn today awarded a number of Armenians, who participated in the elimination of consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
More than 3,000 Armenian citizens participated in the elimination of consequences of the worst nuclear disaster in history, 400 of them have died over the past 30 years because of radiation. More than 2,000 are still under permanent supervision of a specialized medical center.
The numbers were announced today by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.
A group of young people rallied in front of the government building today, urging Armenians to refuse from goods of Turkish production.
Participants of the action inform that the goods imported from Turkey start with the code 869 and advise customers to pay attention to the figures.
Protesters say they have even discovered Azerbaijani goods in Armenian shops.
As a sign of protest, the participants threw Turkish goods into the dustbin.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Armenia April 21-22 at the invitation of Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
The Russian Foreign Minister will be hosted by President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will be followed by a joint press conference.
Sergey Lavrov will visit Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to pay tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.
Head of the Armenian Mission to the OSCE, Ambassador Aram Kirakosyan briefed the OSCE Permanent Council on the violations of the international humanitarian law by Azerbaijan.
The Ambassador noted that Azerbaijan targeted populated areas and civilians, including children and elderly people, in Nagorno Karabakh during the recent large-scale attack. One of the first victims was Vagharshak Grigoryan, 12, who was killed as a result of shelling from Grad system on his way to school, while two other children were injured.
The Ambassador referred to the torture and cruel killing of three members of a family in the village of Talish. He added that servicemen Hayk Toroyan, Hrant Gharibyan and Karam Sloyan were beheaded in a style peculiar to the Islamic State terrorist organization.
The Azerbaijani social media were flooded with photos of tortured Armenians soldiers. The bodies that Azerbaijan returned to the Armenian side with the mediation of the ICRC and the Office of the Personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office had signs of mutilation.
Ambassador Kirakosyan stressed that such barbaric acts contradict the elementary norms of the civilized world, constitute violations of the basic principles of international documents, including the Universal declaration of Human Rights, the Convention of Children’s’ Rights, the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols and amount to war crimes.
Arman Kirakosyan informed that criminal cases have been launched by the Karabakh authorities to investigate all circumstances. He stressed the importance of condemnation of the crimes and the punishment of the perpetrators.
The Energy Ministers of Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Russia met in Yerevan today to discuss the countries’ cooperation in the power sector.
The parties signed a “roadmap” of steps towards forming a North-South energy corridor by 2019, Armenia’s Deputy Energy Minister Areg Galstyan told reporters after the signing ceremony.
The project will allow the four countries to unite their energy systems, improving the level of governance, as well as the efficiency, security and reliability of the energy systems.
Before that, Armenia and Iran plan to commission the 400 kW third power transmission line.
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President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance tango with dancers during a state dinner at the Kirchner Cultural Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Posted by on Wednesday, March 23, 2016
The event started with a dance performance for the guests at the dinner. A couple of dancers performed while Argentine President Mauricio Macri explained aspects of the dance to Obama. The first lady appeared taken with the performance, according to pool notes.
Photos: AFP
Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, has begun its first sea trial in western France, the BBC reports.
Thousands of people gathered to watch in the port of Saint-Nazaire as the 70m high vessel was guided out to sea by six tugs on Thursday.
The €1bn ($1.1bn) ship is being built for the Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise company.
The 120,000-tonne vessel is expected to be delivered to the US-based firm in two months.
The trial will continue until Sunday.
The 16-deck Harmony of the Seas is 362m long – 50m longer than the Eiffel Tower is high.
After completion, it will be able to accommodate more than 6,000 passengers.
About 2,000 crew members will cater for their needs.