Vladimir Zeldin, who has been described as the world’s oldest working actor, has died aged 101.
Russian news agencies quoted his wife, Ivetta Kapralova, as saying he died in a Moscow hospital early on Monday.
Zeldin, whose career ranged from film parts in the 1940s to theatre appearances in recent years, had been due to appear on stage in early November.
Photo: AFP
Turkish police have detained the editor and several writers of opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet amid a crackdown on media after the failed July coup, the BBC reports.
The journalists are suspected of links to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused of plotting the coup, as well as Kurdish militants.
Cumhuriyet is Turkey’s oldest secular paper.
At the weekend, 15 other media outlets were closed and 10,000 civil servants were dismissed.
Those targeted include academics, teachers, health workers, prison guards and forensics experts.
Critics have accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of using an emergency law imposed after the coup attempt to silence opponents. Since then, a total of about 110,000 people have been sacked or suspended and 37,000 arrested.
The government argues that Mr Gulen’s network of followers is so vast that a wholesale purge is needed.
Cumhuriyet editor Murat Sabuncu and eight other newspaper staff were detained on Monday, including columnists Aydin Engin and Guray Oz, state news agency Anadolu reported,
Arrest warrants were also issued for other staff, including Cumhuriyet’s previous editor Can Dundar, who resigned in August after being sentenced to five years in prison for revealing state secrets involving Turkey’s operations in Syria. He fled Turkey when he was freed pending an appeal.
Azerbaijan not only continues to aggravate the situation at the line of contact by periodically violating the ceasefire regime and undertaking subversive attempts, but also resorts to provocations on the information field, the NKR Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry dismissed the claimes of the Azerbaijani side on the use of 60-mm mine throwers, grenades and large-caliber machine guns by Karabakh forces, describing it as “yet another provocative trick” of the rival.
The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army strictly observe the ceasefire regime and never start the attack.
“By spreading such misinformation, the Azeri side prepares ground for future provocations,” the NKR Defense Ministry said.
Manchester United will not finish in the top four unless they start playing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to former England international Owen Hargreaves, reports.
Mkhitaryan was overlooked for the United matchday squad against Burnley by Jose Mourinho for the fifth game running since the domestic schedule resumed two weeks ago.
The Armenian returned to training almost five weeks ago but his prolonged absence has mystified supporters and United have taken a paltry six points from a possible 21 in the Premier League.
United are eighth in the table and seven points off fourth, and Hargreaves insists Mourinho needs to recall Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick if Old Trafford is to host Champions League football next season.
“What are they eighth in the Premier League? You’ve got to play him,” Hargreaves said on BT Sport.
“What he’s tried now so far – he doesn’t believe he’s been given time – hasn’t worked so at some point get one of the best players you have on your team into your team.
“I think the back four is very strong, best goalkeeper in the country. I think you play Carrick, I think you play Herrera to the right, Pogba to the left, Rashford off the left and Mkhitaryan off the right.
“And I think as a team, I genuinely believe it’s a a good a team [as any] in the Premier League. “But right now that team as it is, I don’t think they can finish in the top four.”
Mkhitaryan has not played since he was substituted on his full debut against City on September 10.
AFP Photo/Jonathan Alcorn
AFP – French singing legend Charles Aznavour, one of the 20th century’s most prolific songwriters who remains active at 92, was honored Thursday with a Hollywood star presented by California’s Armenians.
Aznavour, often dubbed France’s Frank Sinatra, said he was “deeply moved” by the recognition.
The star is not on Hollywood Boulevard’s main Walk of Fame but was dedicated by the Armenian community on a nearby stretch of sidewalk.
“I’ve been coming to Hollywood for years and I’ve worked a lot in the United States,” Aznavour told AFP. “America is the land of show business.”
Aznavour was born in France to Armenian parents. Some 1.5 million Armenians died in 1915-17 in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire in what Armenia, several foreign parliaments and many historians describe as genocide.
Turkey strongly opposes the characterization of genocide, calling the episode a collective tragedy in which an equal number of Turks and Armenians died.
“What I find very funny is that Turkey lost something. They don’t have a single great singer and I could have been a Turkish singer, while today I’m a French singer,” Aznavour said.
“Which goes to show that there’s no purpose to genocide as there are always survivors,” he said.
Aznavour has written hundreds of songs in a career that spans more than 80 years, with more than 100 million records sold worldwide.
He remains energetic and said he still feels excitement before crowds. Earlier in October he played Madison Square Garden in New York.
“I feel like I’m meeting my family, whether they’re Italian or Spanish or from elsewhere. The audience is part of my family. The stage is where I’m happiest.”
And he said he is not finished. “I always have 40 songs ahead of me. I write every day.”
On the sidelines of his working visit to the Republic of Belarus, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan held private talks with Head of RF Government Dmitry Medvedev in Minsk.
Highlighting the fact that the two countries are first of all bound by allied relations of strategic partnership, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and Dmitry Medvedev stressed the need to take steps to further expand bilateral trade and economic relations, considering that the involvement of Armenia and Russia in the Eurasian Economic Union opens up new opportunities and prospects for cooperation.
The global Armenian community must do more to deliver a successful future for the nation that is economically and socially secure, according to an open letter published today and signed by a group of high profile Armenians around the world.
The letter was issued on the occasion of the 110th anniversary celebrations of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in New York. The signatories include Ruben Vardanyan, Noubar Afeyan, Vartan Gregorian, Charles Aznavour, Lord Ara Darzi, Ambassador Edward Djerejian, the Honorable Dickran Tevrizian, and Samvel Karapetyan, as well as a number of other supporters. Beyond noting the major milestone represented by this anniversary, the letter highlights the critical challenges ahead and the need for unprecedented action and commitment from Armenia and Armenian diaspora communities. The open letter was published in The New York Times, based in the U.S., and the Haiastani Hanrapetuthiun, based in Armenia.
The group called upon “Global Armenians” – those who consider themselves both Armenians and global citizens – to recognize that the Armenian community today stands at a crossroads. Twenty-five years into independence and 100 years after the devastating Genocide, Armenia remains vulnerable as a nation. Through investment and collaboration, this group believes that Global Armenians can play a transformative role in developing a prosperous, secure and peaceful region.
“Armenians around the world must work together to ensure that our Armenia can reach its full potential as a world-leading nation,” said Noubar Afeyan, member of the board of the IDeA Foundation of Armenia and of the AGBU. “This will require an unprecedented commitment from the global Armenian community. We need to invest time, expertise, relationships and money to create and champion initiatives that will drive Armenia into the future it deserves. Delaying action and investment will mean that a vulnerable state remains at risk – and the alternative, remaining unengaged, is indefensible.”
“Many great civilizations in the history of humanity have disappeared into oblivion. Each one of them represents a permanent loss of culture, language and religion for all humanity. We have to keep this in mind as it could happen to Armenians as well,” said international singer and diplomat Charles Aznavour. “This is the goal of our enemies whoever they may be, aided by those who make a profit or choose to turn a blind eye. However the greatest threat comes from within us, and it is through inaction.”
Inviting individuals as well as public and private organizations to join this commitment, the letter asks that institutions dedicated to the advancement of Armenia pool resources to continue the work laid by previous philanthropic initiatives that have built vital institutions and capabilities in the country.
“Armenia needs support from its worldwide community if it is to succeed. While a number of initiatives are underway by various groups that demonstrate a record of success, delivering programs that have impact on the people of Armenia and the Armenian diaspora, there is still a great deal of work left to be done,” said, Ruben Vardanyan, member of the board of the IDeA Foundation of Armenia and of the AGBU. “We ask all Armenians to join with us to advance our country’s culture and infrastructure, and propel Armenia into a successful and sustainable future.”
You can see below the full text of the letter.
THE FUTURE FOR
GLOBAL ARMENIANS IS NOW
Historic Opportunity for Armenians to Unite and
Together Enable Armenia’s Future
This weekend, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the U.S. and the world’s largest Armenian organization, celebrates its 110th anniversary in New York City. Underscoring this milestone is the extraordinary opportunity to reshape the future of Armenia, and to reflect on how every one of us can contribute toward a stronger Armenia tomorrow.
Over the years, AGBU, an organization established to address the challenges facing Armenians both in the homeland and the Diaspora, has fostered socioeconomic initiatives and addressed educational, cultural and humanitarian needs worldwide. We congratulate AGBU on its unparalleled role in preserving the Armenian identity throughout a vast network of Diasporan communities.
Forcibly displaced from their ancestral homeland and dispersed, Armenians living across the world have made major contributions toward advancing their adoptive countries. Long ago, we learned to adapt to our host countries, to be loyal citizens, even as we maintain our common historic identity, language and, through the leadership of the Armenian Church, our Christian faith.
We salute the longstanding contributions of all those individuals and organizations, such as the Armenian Missionary Association, the Armenian Relief Society, the Gulbenkian Foundation and the many others, who have contributed to sustaining the Diaspora through charitable projects.
We also recognize the enormous contributions made toward Armenia’s development since its independence by philanthropists Kirk Kerkorian and AGBU’s Louise Manoogian Simone, among others. Their pioneering work since the early 1990s has helped to build vital institutions and infrastructure.
A quarter century after gaining its independence from the former Soviet Union, the state of the young Republic of Armenia remains vulnerable, as does the state of the Armenian identity globally. Today, we stand at a historic crossroads. While we are certainly aware of our many challenges, we equally recognize the unprecedented opportunity ahead.
An opportunity for the Armenian world to pivot toward a future of prosperity, to transform the post-Soviet Armenian Republic into a vibrant, modern, secure, peaceful and progressive homeland for a global nation.
An opportunity for Armenians not only to have survived Genocide, but to reconstitute and thrive.
An opportunity for Armenia to secure long-lasting social and economic improvement, for our citizens today as well as for our children and the future of our global nation.
Moving forward, we must have a much higher level of sustained commitment from the Armenian community worldwide, whether through social impact or commercial investment, innovation, expertise or active involvement. In the long run, we must aspire to bring Armenia to no less than the same global standards as those of the countries in which many of us in the Diaspora live.
Beyond individual efforts, we want to instigate an unprecedented spirit of partnership and coordination among all Armenian organizations and individuals. We call on all Armenians to engage in pioneering and long-term investment to restore the social, economic, cultural and technological strengths of the nation, with Armenia at its core. At the same time, we urge the government of Armenia to respond to this clarion call by adopting new development strategies based on inclusiveness and collective action.
Individuals, as well as public and private organizations dedicated to the advancement of Armenia, must come together, pool their resources and collaborate to deliver a better tomorrow for the Armenian people. We believe that in order to succeed, we cannot operate in isolation as Armenian citizens or as Diaspora Armenians, but rather together as a united force.
We, the undersigned, are launching this effort with a long-term commitment toward collectively advancing the nation. We welcome all those who can join.
United, we represent “Global Armenians.” And for Global Armenians, the time for bold initiative is now.
Noubar Afeyan (U.S.)
Ruben Vardanyan (Russia)
Gagik Adibekyan (Luxemburg)
Andre Adonian (Japan)
Abel Aganbegyan (Russia)
Father Mesrop Aramyan (Armenia)
Garo Armen (U.S.)
Charles Aznavour (Switzerland)
Lord Ara Darzi (U.K.)
Edward P. Djerejian (U.S.)
Charles Ghailian (U.S.)
Salpi Ghazarian (U.S.)
Vartan Gregorian (U.S.)
Pierre Gurdjian (Belgium)
Artur Janibekyan (Russia)
Samvel Karapetyan (Russia)
Andrew Mkrtchyan (Armenia)
Mikhail Pogosyan (Russia)
Greg Sarkissian (Canada)
Sam Simonian (U.S.)
Serge Tchuruk (France)
Honorable Dickran Tevrizian (U.S.)
Ralf Yirikian (Armenia)
Anahit Adamyan and Mary Vardanyan will represent the country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with their song Tarber(Different). The song and the artists were selected through an internal selection by the creative team of the Public TV Company of Armenia.
“Tarber is about love and music – powers that unite us all despite our differences. Just like that, Mary and Anahit, two exceptional young ladies with different styles and personalities are united through their passion for music,” the Armenian team wrote in the press release officially announcing the act.
Tarber was composed by Nick Egibyan, lyrics were written by Avet Barseghyan. Enjoy the official music video!
“I was very inspired by Mary and Anahit. The song was already creating itself in my mind, when I met them for the first time,” says composer Nick Egibyan. “As soon as we started rehearsing, I realised that the song fits them perfectly. It’s very interesting, how music can unite two completely different artists, with different vocals and styles. I think we have created something very special!”
Lyricist Avet Barseghyan says he had several ideas about the theme of the song, but he knew from the beginning that he should highlight the differences of both artists. “After several discussions with our team, we decided that it would be interesting to present the girls just the way they are. Each of them have their unique style, their personality, and that is what they sing about. Mary is elegant and stylish, while Anahit loves to experiment with new looks and trends. But in the end it is their passion for music that unites them,” says Avet.
Both Anahit and Mary were very excited during the shooting of the music video for the song. Mary: “I am really enjoying this process! We have created two different looks that highlight our differences, our personalities. It was a lot of fun to ‘style fight’ with Anahit on the set!”
“I’m sure people will love Tarber! The music video is very positive and colourful! I can’t wait to perform with Mary in Malta. I’m sure we are going to have a lot of fun and make new friends from all over the world,” says Anahit.
Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan participaed in the regular meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in the Belarusian capital Minsk. The narrow-format meeting of EEU heads of government was followed by a joint photo session, after which the heads of government immediately proceeded to the Council’s enlarged meeting.
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan delivered a speech at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council’s enlarged meeting.
Statement by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan
Dear Heads of Government,
Dear Andrey Vladimirovich, please accept my vote of thanks for hospitality and good organization of the meeting.
We have already considered a number of key issues of the integration agenda in a narrow format. Concerning the items on the plenary session agenda, I wish to state that Armenia is for the adoption of the draft documents agreed for this meeting. However, I would like to dwell on some of them.
I think we all equally share the approach that the international activity, which goes in line with the formation of foreign policy of the EEU, the deepening of the Union’s economic relations with third countries and key integration associations, is above all intended to promote the modernization of the national economies of the Member States and enhance their competitiveness.
In this context, I would highlight the need for consistent efforts with the specialized agencies of the UN system, as well as toward outlining the scope of interaction with the European Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other organizations.
We believe that the ongoing talks with China, Israel and Serbia, in particular, need to be broadened through the launch of substantive consideration of the expediency of negotiations with other countries.
Taking into account the work on the conclusion of a possible the free trade zone agreement the Republic of India, it seems reasonable that the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council should also consider the question of starting talks over the EEU-India track in December, 2016 without linking it to the issue of cooperation in the multilateral EEU-SCO format.
I believe it to be in our common interest to conclude a relevant agreement with Iran. We believe that there is an opportunity to simultaneously work on the scheme ensuring the implementation of an interim agreement in parallel with the EEU-Iran negotiations on conclusion of a free (preferential) trade agreement.
We believe that the expansion of international and multi-format cooperation must be based on real premises and structured so as to take into account the actual willingness of third countries to establish cooperation with both individual EEU-member States and the Eurasian Economic Union, as a whole.
Dear Colleagues,
Considering the differences in the regulatory frameworks of member States, we fully share the approach that focuses on ensuring the legitimacy of the turnover of goods across the EEU customs territory through the introduction of a traceability mechanism.
Given the importance of the issue and its complexity, it is important to build further work proceeding from the belief that it should not lead to additional tax and customs encumbrances, higher prices for goods and services and, at the same time, would not adversely affect the member States’ investment attractiveness and macroeconomic indicators.
This mechanism needs to be introduced in such a way that its activation would not lead in any way to the opposition of one of the pillars of our Union – the free movement of goods. Therefore, we are ready to actively cooperate with the countries in a bid to work out the problems existing in this regard.
I believe that the joint efforts to implement the agreements reached today will allow significant progress on the integration path. The Armenian side is ready for close cooperation with all partners.
Thank you.
***
The enlarged meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council discussed and approved a number of documents. In particular, the Council approved the unified budget for 2017 and the 2015 budget performance of EEU bodies.
The meeting highlighted the need for closer cooperation with third countries, as well as deepening of economic and trade relations between the Member States. In particular, the speakers emphasized that a number of countries have shown interest in cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union in various formats, and appropriate steps are being taken to that effect.
The meeting participants congratulated the prime ministers of Armenia and Kazakhstan for assuming the office of head of government and attending the proceedings of the Council for the first time.
Jose Mourinho has suggested Henrikh Mkhitaryan needs time to adapt to English football, but the Manchester United manager has backed his signing to become a “top player” for the Reds.
The Armenian has not featured since the Manchester derby in the Premier League on 10 September and that is partly due to him suffering an injury just prior to the recent international break in October.
Mourinho confirmed during Friday’s press conference at the Aon Training Complex that Mkhitaryan is no longer injured, telling reporters that he is working hard on his fitness behind the scenes.
“He is not injured,” the manager said. “Sometimes I confuse the word ‘fit’ in the English language. Sometimes you can say that it is ‘not injured’, but you could also say that you are in great condition and ready to compete. That is different for me as we use different words in Portuguese for the different situations. Mkhitaryan is not injured, he is training with the team 100 per cent.
Asked if it takes some players longer to adapt to the English game, Mourinho continued: “I think so, yes. Some players find it very easy whereas others need more time. They need time to feel the intensity, the aggression, the game without the ball and the competitiveness.
“The realities are often different, particularly in terms of the competitiveness. It doesn’t matter who you are against, you have to play at the highest level otherwise you will not be able to do it. Micki needs time to become the top player he knows he can be.”
Mourinho expressed his confidence in Mkhitaryan when expanding on the topic that dominated Friday’s press conference, pointing to two of his former players at Chelsea and Real Madrid who required time to blossom in their new surroundings. “I think Micki will work here for sure,” he said.
“I don’t like to speak about players from other clubs because I don’t want to be misinterpreted, but I don’t think he’ll mind. A player who had a problem to play when he first arrived was Willian. He went through a process and then, after a few months, he became a top player. Then, when we won the championship, he was phenomenal and still is. That is just an example.
“Similarly, Di Maria had to learn a lot about his game when he came into Madrid from Portugal. Sometimes this is what happens. It happens with defenders, but it is often easier for them to adapt than attackers. Some go straight to success and others it takes more time.
“In Micki’s case the process was interrupted by injury, which does not help the process of evolution. Being out for a month meant he has had to go through the process of getting match-fit, then once he has that he needs the competitive level to do it. We believe him and, sooner or later, there will be no problem.”