Category: 2019

Her family trip to Armenia went great. But only because it came at the right time

Emil Lazarian
Fresno Bee
 
 
Her family trip to Armenia went great. But only because it came at the right time
 
BY JILL SIMONIAN JULY 10, 2019 05:29 PM
 
Those who know me well might remember how adamant I’ve always felt about not taking small kids on big trips. Car rides through the Ridge Route to visit Fresno? No problem! A family road trip to Palm Springs or Santa Cruz? Absolutely! The stress and logistics of taking a several-hour plane ride with babies and/or toddlers to go to some exotic location? Never did it — wasn’t my idea of a good time. (We did take a family trip to Hawaii when my youngest was almost 5 … it ended up being totally doable and fun.)
 
So when my husband proposed that my daughters and I travel with him to Armenia for his yearly medical mission there, I didn’t quite jump at the chance. “How long is the flight? Is it safe? Will I be able to handle myself — out and about, while you’re working — without speaking the language fluently? Most importantly: Can our kids handle the jet lag? Will they even remember the trip itself?” I was not interested to shell out thousands of bucks for a family experience our girls might potentially forget by the time they’re 10. My old-school parenting voice also kicked in: “What business do 8- and 7-year-old children have traveling to the other side of the world?”
 
 
After lots of consideration, my questions and opinions faded. We’ve since taken our 15-hour flight to Yerevan, Armenia and have returned. And I am changed. We are changed.
 
The trip was a perfectly-swift combo of watching my husband’s medical volunteerism, exploring our cultural homeland with cousins, visiting a center for kids with special needs and inhaling freshly-baked Armenian lavash (bread) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had a hunch our experience would be unique, but was blindsided by how swept away I became — by my heritage, by my kids.
 
It was my daughters’ and my very first journey visiting our original roots, and we bonded in a most unpredictable way. The hundreds-of-years-old churches we sang in, the fascinating histories we learned about the region, the local families conquering medical challenges, the joyful fervor of a renewed, old city full of hope and energy instantly opened our eyes and hearts. (And don’t forget that lavash.) We’re ready to go back.
 
Through semi-taxing day trips, we absorbed a deeper understanding about our beliefs, our ancestors, ourselves — which I fully expect to enrich our family life. My kids proved me wrong about still being too young to navigate demands of international travel. I proved myself right for vehemently waiting to tackle a trip like this until now.
 
Friends and followers would comment on pictures I shared via social media — “What a fantastic trip you’re having!” Here’s the truth: We wouldn’t have been able to pull it off if my daughters were not ready for it — if they screamed their heads off on the plane, needed diaper changes, still required naps, etc. The trip was successful only because I refused to bite off more than I could chew, as a parent, before I had confidence we could do it without struggle.
 
This trip grew us up in the exact right way, at the exact right time, because we waited until everyone could handle it. Them. Me. All of us. Don’t let yourself get pressured into vacations if you suspect they might not turn out positive for everyone — including you, moms — because the line between magical and miserable is more delicate than we realize. Timing is everything when it comes to making family memories … especially with kids on a plane.
 
Jill Simonian was born and raised in Fresno and is creator of TheFABMom.com. She is a Los Angeles based TV/media contributor and author of book ‘The FAB Mom’s Guide’ for first-time pregnancy.
 
 

Turkey is a security threat to Armenia, says Armenian FM

Emil Lazarian
MediaMax, Armenia
 
 
Turkey is a security threat to Armenia, says Armenian FM
 
 
Yerevan/Mediamax/. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan has stated that “Turkey is a security threat to Armenia”.
 
“My security concern is Turkey. This is where that security threat comes to Armenia. 27 years of blockade, 27 years of denied justice, denied relations, is creating a serious security threat to us,” Mnatsakanyan said, while speaking at the 16th Batumi International Conference dedicated to the Eastern Partnership.
 
He also stated that 2018 was a year of important progress for Armenia, which concerned solely Armenia and had no geopolitical connections. Mnatsakanyan noted that the situation was not easy to introduce to partners.
 
“So we have been quietly and patiently explaining this to our partners, who have doubts about whether democracy is a geopolitical tool. No one should search for foreign subtext in Armenia’s domestic political affairs, because they won’t find any. Last year I asked this question to my friends in Europe: “Are we not sufficiently democratic to you because we are not sufficiently anti-Russian?”. This is not how we want to think. This is not how we think,” said Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.
 

Armenia is aging: UN experts on the country’s demographic problems by 2050

Maral Chavushian
JAM News
JamNews
Tatia nikoladze

On the bright side, one of the factors is improved living standards

By 2050, the population of Armenia will have aged considerably, Anna Hovhannisyan, coordinator of the programme “Population and Development” of the Armenian UN Population Fund, said at a press conference yesterday on July 11. 

Hovhannisyan says this is largely due to migration, but also the growth in the quality of medical care is of great importance, thanks to which, life expectancy in Armenia will be longer.

“By 2050, the number of Armenian residents over 65 will double and make up 22 percent of the republic’s population. The number of people over 80 will also grow significantly,” said Hovhannisyan.

Hovhannisyan says that many developed countries face similar challenges, where people are living longer and giving birth to fewer children.

Ministry of health unveils list of paid medical services for children over 7

Kalashian Nyrie
ARKA, Armenia

YEREVAN, July 12 /ARKA/. Armenian Ministry of Health unveiled today the list of paid medical services for children over 7 years old.
On June 27, the government decided to release 1.75 billion drams for provision of free medical services to children less than 18 years old.
The ministry said that the list of free medical services does not include dental services, consultations, as well as laboratory and instrumental studies to clarify the diagnosis in specialized medical centers.
The ministry said the list of diseases to be treated free of charge includes such illnesses as vascular diseases of the brain, heart and aortic surgery, arthroscopic surgery and crushing of kidney stones. In addition,  the parents of children will not have to pay for  the metal structures necessary for surgical operations. -0-

Stepan Gishyan charity repairs classroom and donates digitized telescope to Byurakan observatory (video)

Baghdasarian Karlen
ARKA, Armenia

YEREVAN, July 12,  /ARKA/. The sixth scientific camp in Byurakan is just one of the joint programs implemented by Stepan Gishyan charity foundation and the Byurkan Observatory, the ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE BANK said in a news release. It said the scientific camp has brought together children from various schools across Armenia.

The Observatory is one of the winners of a  grant program announced by the charity foundation in 2018.  In the framework of the joint program, the charity foundation showed assistance not only in the conduction of  the 6th scientific camp at the Observatory, but also repaired and equipped a classroom and donated  a new digitized telescope  to the Observatory.

The head of  Stepan Gishyan charity foundation  Anna Gishyan said that before the repair classes had been  held in the office of Viktor Hambartsumyan, which was smaller and less convenient.

“The repaired classroom can accommodate about 50 children.  The idea was very interesting, since they started this program, which is related to scientific tourism, in 2017 and did everything possible for this segment to develop in Armenia, in particular, astronomy,” she said.

According to Areg Mikaelyan, the director of the Byurakan Observatory after Viktor Hambartsumyan, the program of the scientific camp is multifaceted.

“Not only lectures on astronomy and other scientific fields are held here, but also a lot of interesting games are organized, including intellectual ones. We not only organize visits and excursions to the observatory, but also take our guests to see the nearest sights,” he said.
Stepan Gishyan Foundation was established in 2015 by ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE BANK, France’s Credit Agricole, Credit Agricole National Federation and the Gishyan family.
ACBA was established in 1996 as part of EU’s TACIS program. As a result of a long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation between ACBA Bank and the French Credit Agricole the latter became the biggest shareholder of ACBA in 2006, September. ACBA was restructured, becoming a closed joint stock company and was renamed ACBA CREDIT AGRICOLE BANK.-0-

Separate case launched against slain father of Khachaturyan sisters

Yeghisabet Arthur
Panorama, Armenia
Law 10:52 12/07/2019 Region

The Russian Investigative Committee has singled out into a separate criminal case charges of sexual abuse against Mikhail Khachaturyan, believed to have been killed by his three teenage daughters last year, a police source told TASS on Thursday.

“An investigative group of the Russian Investigative Committee singled out files pointing to Mikhail Khachaturyan’s [purported] crimes against his daughters into a separate case. According to investigators, his actions should fall under articles 117, 132 and 133 of the Russian Criminal Code (torture, violent sexual actions, compulsion to perform sexual actions),” the source said.

When contacted by TASS, attorney Alexey Liptser, who defends Khachaturyan’s oldest daughter Kristina, confirmed this information.

Investigators charged the three Khachaturian sisters with killing their 57-year-old father shortly after his body with multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest was found in an apartment in Moscow on July 27, 2018. When questioned, the young women pled guilty and explained that they had reasons for hostility towards their father, because he abused them mentally and physically for a lengthy period of time.

On August 2, Moscow’s Ostankino court arrested the three sisters on murder charges. A post-mortem psychological and psychiatric evaluation revealed that Mikhail Khachaturyan had suffered from a personality disorder. Experts also established that his oldest daughter had developed a mental disorder as a result of being sexually harassed and abused by her father.

On September 27, Moscow’s Basmanny Court ruled to release the sisters from a pretrial detention facility, choosing a ban on taking certain actions as a measure of pretrial restraint for them.

This measure is similar to house arrest, but the sisters are allowed to leave the house during the day and communicate with close relatives. The sisters will live in different apartments and will not have any contact with each other. They are also banned from using communication devices and the Internet, as well as from talking to the media. 

U.S. House adopts pro-Armenian legislative initiative

Christine Harutyunian
Panorama, Armenia

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a powerful amendment introduced by Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) to block the transfer of U.S. defense articles to Baku that could potentially be used by the Azerbaijani government to act upon its threat to shoot down civilian aircraft operating out of Artsakh’s Stepanakert Airport, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The ANCA-backed amendment, offered to Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, was cosponsored by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Vice-Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA). The House adopted the measure with a vote of 234 to 195.

American-Armenian structures have welcomed the adoption of the measure.

Entertainment: Actress Tinaa Dattaa showered with love in Armenia

Adrine Hakobian
Mid-Day

Published: Jul 12, 2019, 17:00 IST | mid-day online correspondent

Popular actress Tinaa Dattaa recently went to Armenia where her show Uttaran is a big hit and the people over there are crazy over Ichha. She has got unadulterated love and blessings from the people there. Speaking about her overall experience Tinaa says, “I feel blessed to receive so much love. I was so touched this time in Armenia that it made me realise what I have earned in life. I believe am the richest person because am blessed with pure love. Everything fades away, but this love always remains. It also makes me wonder that all over the world how much people love me. How much they care for me.”

Tina had so many life-changing experiences in Armenia but few are definitely special. She met an 84-year-old lady who couldn’t walk or even stand properly. But she was in love with Ichcha. She started crying when she saw Tinaa and just kept giving pecks on her cheeks and saying I love you, God bless u. And then she met a special child who couldn’t even stand and yet had a zest for life. He was extremely happy to meet Tinaa and when he saw her he had a twinkle in his eyes.

Tinaa also met an old man who requested her not to cry as seeing her crying made him cry. Tinaa feels these moments are her priceless possessions in life. She adds, “Uttaran has a new meaning for me after experiencing the unconditional love from fans in Armenia. Such adulation has touched my heart. I felt so rich with love, emotions and blessings. The impact of being an actress has left me speechless and love from all over the world has rejuvenated me and I have to live up to the expectations of my fans. I am truly blessed and grateful to life and my career. Armenia I love you and will be ever grateful for all this.”

https://www.mid-day.com/articles/actress-tinaa-dattaa-showered-with-love-in-armenia/21336171?fbclid=IwAR0iyGajb57L-uyTo1ipvmJPjpNR3ydYIpndCKycOpvOsCjTUbfLlcfnXtc


Sports: Levon Aghasyan: If there were no gross mistakes I would become at least a silver medalist

Adrine Hakobian
Panorama, Armenia
Sport 20:02 12/07/2019 Armenia

At the 30th Summer Universiade underway in Italian Naples triple jumper Levon Aghasyan placed 10th jumping 15 m 73 cm. In a conversation with the ANOC press service Aghasyan summed up his performance at the Summer Universiade.

“I think I performed badly. I made a very gross mistake and wasn’t able to fight for a medal. I failed the first 2 of 3 jumps (he touched the red line as a result of which the result was annulled). The only positive part in all this is if my jumps were scored up I would become at least a silver medalist,” said Levon Aghasyan.

As the source reports, earlier before going to the Summer Universiade Levon Aghasyan had taken part in the Armenian Athletics Championship on July 5-7 where he had registered a 17 m 08 cm result setting a personal record and qualifying for the World Championship in Qatar.


Sports: Mkhitaryan: Armenia loves football and is happy to host U19 EURO

David Nargizian
MediaMax, Armenia
 
 
Mkhitaryan: Armenia loves football and is happy to host U19 EURO
 
 
Photo: Photolure
 
 
The UEFA U19 European Championship kicks off in Armenia on July 14. The host country chose the national team captain, Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan as the ambassador.
 
The player has talked to UEFA official website about his time in the U19 squad, his experience and Armenia’s love for football. Mediamax Sport presents his remarks below.
 
I felt very proud to play for Armenia. It has always been a particular pleasure for me to play in the national team, because we would compete against different national teams and players.
 
It was a very good experience for us at that age, as we wouldn’t play those types of matches every week in our league.
 
It also allows you to understand the exact level you are at when you play against other national teams, and what you have to improve.
 
Zinédine Zidane was my favourite player. He was a Picasso on the pitch, playing incredibly with the ball, creating magic.
 
I never like to praise myself. Whatever I do, I do it with pleasure. So after my playing career, I will start thinking of the things that I can be proud of. The way I created myself, what I have achieved and where I am now – are what I am proud of.
 
In Armenia, everyone loves football and I think people are very happy to host this competition, as it is a great opportunity to watch the future stars of European football.
 
My advice to the players would be to have fun and enjoy every moment, because these kinds of games and competitions could be once in a lifetime. I wish the best of luck to every player.