Category: News

Kanye West is reportedly back at home more than a week after he was admitted to hospital with exhaustion, the BBC reports. 

According to multiple reports in the US, the rapper left UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles with wife Kim Kardashian and his doctor, Michael Farzam.

The 39-year-old was admitted to hospital last Monday suffering from “temporary psychosis due to sleep deprivation and dehydration”, said .

quoted a source saying he was “home, getting some rest.”

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to a report of a disturbance last week but later said it was a “medical emergency”.

The rapper was admitted to hospital a day after he cancelled his Saint Pablo tour after a series of rants on-stage.

Man of the Match Henrikh Mkhitaryan was delighted with his own and the team’s performance as Manchester United brushed aside West Ham United in Wednesday’s EFL Cup quarter-final tie, accordig to

After starring against Feyenoord, the Armenian captain earned his second star man award in a week – taking 78 per cent of the votes on United’s official Twitter feed – with another positive display in the Reds’ 4-1 victory over the Hammers at Old Trafford.

The summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, who was making his third start for the Reds, received a rapturous applause from the United faithful when replaced by Marcus Rashford late on. And he told afterwards he was pleased with his contribution to a fine overall display from the team to set up a two-legged semi-final against fellow Premier League side Hull City.

“I’m excited for the performance, I’m excited for my performance,” Mkhitaryan said. “We’ve done a good job. We’ve tried our best to win because the last game, on Sunday against West Ham, wasn’t very good for us when we didn’t win. But I think this time everything worked out and we’re very pleased.”

The Reds have often reserved the best form for the cup competitions on home soil having also put four past both Feyenoord and Fenerbahce, as well as knocking out EFL Cup holders Manchester City in the previous round, at Old Trafford. And Mkhitaryan believes the clinical edge was the difference in putting Slaven Bilic’s Hammers to the sword second time around – something the Reds must maintain heading into Sunday’s league game at Goodison Park.

He said: “The last game we couldn’t score our chances, but now we’ve scored our chances so the difference is that. This time we’ve done maybe more than what we have to do and we’ve scored four goals. Maybe we could score more but in the end we stopped on four goals and I think we’ve done a very good game and the transition from defence to offence was great. We have to keep working to be ready for the next game against Everton.”

The 27-year-old was a constant menace to the West Ham defence, setting up a goal apiece for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Anthony Martial, but he acknowledged the team’s efforts and said it was a performance which can allow the Reds to kick on as the busy festive period approaches.

“Sometimes after the game you’re feeling tired but it’s a very good tired because you’ve done everything on the pitch and you’re satisfied with the work you’ve done on the pitch, so I think this is the day that everyone is tired but satisfied,” Mkhitaryan added.

“Of course, it’s always a pleasure to win games because you’re recovering faster, you’re recovering better, you have more fun in the dressing room so it makes you keep the good atmosphere in the dressing room which is what we’re trying to do.”

The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Members States´ Heads of Mission in Armenia

Following the important first steps in the implementation of the agreement on electoral reform between the coalition and the opposition parties, drawing on consultations with civil society representatives, we count on the government to spare no efforts in realising this reform. We appreciate the commitment of the authorities to allow a fair and open competition. We expect the Central Election Commission, the law enforcement bodies and the judiciary to do their best to fulfil this promise. We perceive the presence of political will as a key prerequisite for a fair electoral process.

In partnership with the UNDP and the United States, the European Union has responded positively to the government’s request for assistance in funding implementation of this electoral reform package. EU financial support of up to €7 million will close the identified financial gap and will thus allow for the smooth implementation of the electoral reform agreement. This includes support to election observation. Together with the contributions of Germany and the United Kingdom, European support amounts to 90 percent of the overall financial assistance to the electoral process.

The European Union attaches great importance to the transparency, integrity, inclusiveness and effectiveness of electoral processes. Therefore, we will continue to support the efforts of all stakeholders to ensure full alignment with international standards, including those related to the prohibition of the use of administrative resources and electoral corruption and to ensuring unhindered work by observers and media.

Ensuring free and fair future elections will be crucial for Armenian democracy and for the country’s relations with the European Union. We stand ready to continue to support Armenia on its democratic path based on the future EU-Armenia Agreement and within the larger framework of the Eastern Partnership.

On November 30 the United Nations Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York hosted a dinner in honor of Ban Ki-moon, whose nine-year term as UN Secretary-General will conclude on December 31, 2016. The co-founders of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Vartan Gregorian, Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan expressed their gratitude to Ban Ki-moon in an open letter:

“Dear Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

On behalf of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, we would like to publicly express our gratitude for your unyielding commitment to raising awareness and rallyingsupport forthe world’s most vulnerable people during your term as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

We greatly admire and appreciate your tireless efforts to mobilize and spur action to address humanity’s most pressing challenges. You have brought to life the spirit of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, which seeks to recognize those risking themselves for the benefit of others, in your work to advocate on behalf of the defenseless. Throughout your term of office you have remained steadfast to your goal of making the United Nations the pinnacle of progress, delivering meaningful results that advance women, children and the vulnerable around the world.

In particular, we want to acknowledge your commitment to embracing the learnings of the past to better inform judgment and action in the future. The Aurora Prize is given annually on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors. In this spirit, we are grateful for your approval of the resolution establishing December 9 as . We are pleased the resolution acknowledges that the prevention of genocide remains a specific obligation under modern international law. Thanks to your work, December 9 now represents an important annual moment for the global community to come together toraise awareness of the Genocide Convention, its role in combating and preventingthe crime of genocide, and thecommemoration of thevictims of mass violence – today and in history.

As your term draws to a close, we join with the many people around the world in thanking you for your commitment to public service, and we hope to play a role in continuing your legacy.

Yours sincerely,

Noubar Afeyan                                              

Vartan Gregorian                                          

Ruben Vardanyan

Co-Founders, Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity”

Hollywood star Tom Hanks has called for support to the Children of Armenia Fund gala to be held on December 9, 2016.

In a video message shared on Children of Armenia Fund’s Facebook page the actor said he can’t attend the gala, but urged others to join it.

“I can’t be there, which makes me a fool, because I don’t pass up meals at Cipriani easily,” he joked.

“My great friend, Andrea Martin, who I love dearly, is taking on the spirit of Armenia itself by organizing this great gala,” Hanks added.

“Please join it, please help out, explore your Armenian roots,” the actor said.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho should start Henrikh Mkhitaryan against West Ham in the EFL Cup, according to Quinton Fortune.

United face West Ham for the second time in four days at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

And Fortune has urged Mourinho to pick Mkhitaryan, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial from the start.

He told : “For me, Mkhitaryan’s got to start. He needs games and brings that extra imagination in there.

“I’ve gone for Marcus Rashford on the right and Anthony Martial coming in on the left, being positive with their pace that will hopefully cause West Ham problems.

“Michael Carrick’s got to come in but instead of two sitters, I would just have one.”

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the $1 million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity were established on behalf of the descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, and in gratitude to those who risked their own wellbeing to help them survive.  At the inaugural awards ceremony, held in Yerevan, Armenia, on April 24, 2016, Marguerite Barankitse from Maison Shalom and REMA Hospital in Burundi became the first laureate.

Barankitse was recognized for the extraordinary impact she has had in saving thousands of lives and caring for orphans and refugees during the years of civil war in Burundi. Consistent with the rules of this unique prize, the laureate selected the following three organizations as recipients of $1 million in humanitarian support: the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de La Grande-Duchesse du Luxembourg, Fondation Jean-François Peterbroeck (JFP Foundation), and the Fondation Bridderlech Deelen Luxembourg.

In a continuing effort to transform the Armenian experience from that of ‘victim’ to dignified, active global citizen, each year’s Aurora Prize ceremony is a celebration of the spirit of shared humanity – and resilience.  This time, that celebration will culminate on May 28, in Yerevan, Armenia.

Known as First Republic Day, May 28 embodies the resilience of survivors who, just three years after the Genocide, declared and sustained an independent Armenian Republic from 1918 to 1920. The ceremony and accompanying events will highlight this journey from death to life, from horror to hope, from tragedy to revival.

The 2017 Aurora Prize finalists will be announced on April 24, 2017, the annual day of remembrance for victims of the Armenian Genocide.  One of these finalists will then be named as the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate at a special ceremony on May 28, 2017, in Yerevan, Armenia. The Laureate and finalists will be chosen by the Aurora Prize Selection Committee from a total of 558 nominations submitted from 66 countries around the world.

Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, observed: “Underpinning the Aurora Prize is a desire to pay tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to help others survive and thrive. It is gratifying that in such a short time this initiative has found resonance and appreciation in communities and countries around the world.”

Ruben Vardanyan added, “On May 28, Armenian survivors dared to declare independence in the aftermath of the Genocide and in the midst of regional tumult. Their plight embodies our conviction that victims very soon became not just survivors but also active, committed members of global society.  The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative highlights the promise of transformation from helpless to hopeful, a possibility that is the right of all people.”

During the month between April 24 and May 28, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will organize a global program of activities to profile the inspirational stories of the 2017 finalists, as well as broader humanitarian endeavors.  The Aurora Dialogues – a series of thought-provoking discussions featuring international humanitarian figures – debuted in Yerevan during the inaugural Aurora weekend. Those dialogues will also be expanded and shared with communities around the world and will also be a major component of the Aurora May 28 weekend, in Yerevan.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Federal Republic of Brazil Michel Temer on the plane crash near Medellin town in Columbia which killed dozens, President’s Press Office reports.

At the this difficult for Brazil times, the President of Armenia expressed condolences and support to President Temer, the friendly people of Brazil and families of the victims, wishing them tenacity and patience.

At the same time, according to the President of Armenia, the very fact that there are survivors in the crash, gives strength to move forward.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan participated in the 71^st regular sitting of the Council of Defense Ministers of CIS participating states in Moscow.

A number of documents regulating the cooperation between the Defense Ministries of the CIS participating states were discussed, key directions of joint work were outlined at the meeting.

Issues related to the joint air defense system, development of communication systems, humanitarian mine clearance, training of military personnel and joint field exercises, implementation of joint educational programs were discussed.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan had meetings with his Russian and Belarusian counterparts.

The Defense Ministers of Armenia and Russia signed the agreement on Joint Group of Forces and approved the 2017 cooperation program.