Category: News

Photo: EPA/THOMAS RASSLOFF

 

Russian and Syrian aircraft have stopped airstrikes in Aleppo area from 10 a.m. (07:00 GMT) Tuesday to introduce a humanitarian pause on October 20,  Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday, TASS reports.

“The airstrikes of Russia’s Aerospace Forces and Syria’s Air Force stop in the Aleppo area from 10 a.m.,” the minister said. “The long-term suspension of airstrikes is necessary to introduce a “humanitarian pause” on October 20,” he said.

This will allow “guaranteeing security of exit via six corridors for civilians and preparing for evacuation of those ill and wounded from the eastern part of Aleppo,” he said.

“We turn to the leadership of the countries having influence on the armed units in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop combat actions and leave the city,” Shoigu said.

“By the start of a “humanitarian pause” the Syrian forces will be withdrawn to the distances allowing militants to freely leave eastern Aleppo with arms via two specially created corridors: the first on the Castello road and the second in the area of market Souq al Hai,” he added.

Russia’s military announced plans to organize a “humanitarian pause” in Aleppo on Monday. Thus, the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian army will stop delivering strikes from 08:00 a.m. to 16:00 Moscow time on October 20, Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoi, the chief of the main operations directorate of the Russian General Staff, said.

Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan has applied to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, the European Ombudsman Institute, the International Ombudsman Institute and the leaders of the International Committee of the Red Cross with a request to ensure the safety of Armenians in Syria and provide them with assistance.

In a letter to international structures, the Ombudsman has expressed deep concern over the casualties among Armenians as a result of shelling over the past months and has asked for a practical support on the part of the above-mentioned international bodies.

Photo: AP

 

Pope Francis on Sunday canonized seven new Saints including Argentina’s “gaucho priest” Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, reports.

Know as “Cura Brochero”, the Argentinian who made it his mission to take the Gospel message of salvation to the peripheries, was proclaimed a Saint together with six others in a Mass in St. Peter’s Square.”

During his homily the Pope said “saints are men and women who enter fully into the mystery of prayer. Men and women who struggle with prayer, letting the Holy Spirit pray and struggle in them.”

The others to be canonized were  two Italians, two from France, a Spaniard and a young Mexican martyr, José Sanchez del Rio who died during the Cristero struggle upholding his faith.

Some 80,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square for the occasion, including many flag-waving Argentinians who had made the journey to Rome to see Brochero elevated to sainthood.

Amongst them was also Argentine President Mauricio Macri and his family.

Two of the new Saints are martyrs:  José Sánchez del Río, a 14-year-old boy who was killed in 1928 in Mexico during the “Cristero” struggle which opposed the government’s anti-Catholic and anticlerical policies. Under torture José refused to disown his faith; a handwritten note addressed to his mother and found on his dead body read: “I promise that in heaven I will prepare a place for all of you. Your José dies defending the Catholic faith for the love of Christ the King and Our Lady of Guadalupe”.

The first martyr belonging to the La Salle Order, killed in 1792 during the French Revolution. His name is Salomone Leclercq; he too chose to die in the defense of his faith.

Then there is “Cura Brochero” (José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero), an Argentinean priest “’who smelt of sheep’ and travelled enormous distances on the back of a mule during the 19th century to bring consolation and Jesus’ message of salvation to the poorest of the poor.

The Spanish Bishop of Palencia Manuel González García, founder of the Congregation of the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth, the Disciples of Saint John, and the Children of Reparation.  He was known for his strong devotion to the Eucharist and became known as the “Bishop of the Tabernacle”. He died in 1940.

Father Lodovico Pavoni of the Italian city of Brescia, founder of the religious congregation ‘Sons of Mary Immaculate’ or ‘Pavonians’. During the industrial revolution of the 19th century he set up an Oratory for Christian education and together with his ‘labourer brothers’ he taught the poor and the marginalized trades and religious education in the belief that improving social conditions would  improve the spiritual life, and improving the spiritual life would improve social conditions..

Alfonso Maria Fusco, a priest from the southern Italian city of Salerno, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, commonly known as Baptistine Sisters. Their mission was to evangelize, educate and promote youth, especially those who were most poor, abandoned and at risk. He was particularly close to the impoverished and neglected farmers of the South of Italy after the unification of Italy in 1861.

Finally the French Discalced Carmelite mystic and writer Elizabeth of the Trinity who died aged just 26 in 1906 from Addison’s disease, which in the early 20th century had no treatment with which to cure or allieviate the suffering of its victims. Even though her death was painful, Elizabeth gratefully accepted her suffering as a gift from God. Her last words were: “I am going to Light, to Love, to Life!”

“Turkey has no place in and should be kept away from the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation process,” Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan has said.

“The only positive impact Ankara could have on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement is the opening of the border with Armenia and ceasing of encouraging Azerbaijan’s provocative and destructive steps,” Kocharyan said in comments to News.am.

The remarks come after some media reports quoting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying that “Turkey could play a positive role in the Karabakh conflict settlement.

“The statement on the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh issue, adopted by the Presidents of the CSTO member-countries in Yerevan on October 14, expresses its support to the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg aimed at the prevention of escalation of situation in the conflict zone, stabilization of situation and creation of conditions for the advancement of peace process. The exclusively peaceful settlement should be based on the three well-known principles of International Law – non use of force or threat of force, the territorial integrity of states and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples,” Shavarsh Kocharyan added.

“The position of the Russian Federation on the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is expressed by the abovementioned statement, not through the distortion of Sergey Lavrov’s words by the Foreign Ministry of Turkey as presented in the Azerbaijani media: a qualification, which previously was ascribed to the Azerbaijani side for its misrepresentation of the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation process,” the Deputy Foreign Minister stated.

Photo: AFP

 

An Iraqi operation to recapture the city of Mosul, the last stronghold of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in the country, has started.

Artillery began firing on the city early on Monday, in a long-awaited assault from Kurdish Peshmerga, Iraqi government and allied forces.

Tanks are now moving towards the city, which has been held by IS since 2014.

The UN has expressed “extreme concern” for the safety of up to 1.5 million people in the area.

The solemn opening of the fourth international conference of Armenian libraries was held at Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository (Matenadaran) at the Mother See of Hoply Etchmiadzin today.

The conference titled “Preserving the past for the sake of future” is dedicated to the 350^th anniversary of publishing of the first Armenian Bible.

The event has been organized by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Ministry of Culture and the National Library.

The opening ceremony was attended by His Holiness Karenin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan.

“The anniversary of  publishing of the Armenian Holy Book is a remarkable opportunity for the Armenian people to once again value their written legacy and the tireless efforts and dedication our devotees have demonstrated to create this heritage. Printing is one of the greatest achievements of mankind, which made it possible for the achievements of human brain to disseminate and reach all layers of society. Printing became one of the favorable conditions shaping the modern civilization,” His Holiness Karekin II said in his opening remarks.

Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan voiced hope that the conference would serve its goals – to support the centers of Armenology, to help libraries register the Armenian printed heritage, to contribute to the long-term maintenance and popularization of the Armenian legacy.

“I hope new routes of cooperation will be found as a result of discussions, new models of digitization and preservation will be offered,” Armen Amiryan said.

The Dresden Symphony Orchestra will present the “Aghet” program dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the German Consulate General in Istanbul on November 13, the Turkish service of reports.

“Aghet” caused tension between Turkey and Germany last year, as the orchestra commemorated the Armenian Genocide centennial in .  Turkey attempted to pressure it and the EU to keep the term “genocide” out of a concert.

The concert was sponsored by European Union’s Creative Europe program. Turkey’s delegation to the European Union demanded the European Commission withdraw 200,000 euros ($224,500) in funding for the concert.

Earlier this month . Accoridng to reports, the pullout was in response to a concert, supported by Creative Europe and performed in April by Germany’s Dresdn Symphony Orchestra in commemoration of the Armenian genocide.

Conducted by Andrea Molino, the Dresden Symphony is joined by musicians from Turkey and Armenia as well as members of the “No Borders Orchestra.”

“Aghet” was initiated by Marc Sinan together with the orchestra from Dresden. Sinan’s Armenian grandmother lost her parents in the events following the deportations that began on April 24, 1915. The guitarist of German, Armenian and Turkish heritage performs the solo part in Helmut Oehring’s piece “Massaker, hört ihr MASSAKER!” (Massacre, do you hear MASSACRE!) for guitar solo, voice, women’s chorus and strings.

Photo: AFP

 

Fourteen members of one family have died in an air strike on rebel-held east Aleppo, volunteer rescuers say, the BBC reports.

Eight children and two women were among the dead, said the civil defence force known as the White Helmets.

The family died in the al-Marja area of the city on Monday.

The White Helmets said another 25 people were killed late on Sunday in a strike on a residential building in the al-Qaterji district.

RE-APAGA, Armenia’s first Electronic-Waste recycling campaign, initiated by UWC Dilijan College student, Cedric Solms, kicked-off in the resort town of Dilijan, Armenia.  The mission of Re-Apaga Charity Foundation is to set Armenia as a role model of sustainability in the world by eliminating Electronic-Waste, raise public awareness of its harmful environmental effects and help create Armenia’s first Electronic-Waste dismantling and recycling center to contribute to economic development and job creation.

The campaign has gained support from: UWC Dilijan College, Shirak Tours, Dilijan Mayor’s Office, the German Embassy of Armenia, Dilijan Community Center, and Solms Consulting, providing a range of opportunities for the greater Dilijan Community and many UWC Dilijan students who have joined the campaign.  Among the newly elected Board of Trustees of Re-apaga are philanthropist Veronika Zonabend and the German Ambassador to Armenia, Matthias Kiesler.

“We are sure that this joint collaboration will become a critical platform for establishing a more environmentally sustainable Armenia as we aim to free the country from the most harmful trash: Electronic-Waste while creating job opportunities for a sustainable 21^st century Armenia,” said Re-Apaga founder, Cedric Solms, a second year student from Germany, currently studying at UWC Dilijan.

According to Earth 911:

✓     The United Nations reports 20-50 million metric tons of Electronic-Waste are discarded annually.

✓     Mobile devices growth is 5 times greater than the Earth’s population growth: More than 7.2 billion mobile devices are being used, while there are less than 7.2 billion people on the planet.

✓     The UN University estimates indicate global Electronic-Waste volumes will increase by as much as 33% between 2013-2017.

“This pioneering campaign, spearheaded by a group of UWC Dilijan students, underscores the very essence of a UWC educational philosophy — uniting people and nations to build a sustainable future, “ said Veronika Zonabend, founding partner and the Chair of the Board of Governors of UWC Dilijan College in Armenia. “Our young students have identified the problem of harmful Electronic-Waste in Armenia and suggested an innovative solution, which reflects the results of educational approach when theoretical knowledge is implemented into the practice. This is an important initiative for the whole society and we are eager to support similar initiatives”.

Following the first meeting of the Re-Apaga Board of Trustees, it was decided to expand Re-apaga in Vanadzor and the entire Tavush Region seeing a tremendous need in educating Armenia’s youth about the importance of sustainable development for the country’s prosperity in the 21^st century.  In addition to initiatives in raising public awareness, the Board voted to create Re-apaga corps – groups of volunteers to carryout the collection of e-waste and help to create the first Electronic-Waste dismantling and recycling Plant in Armenia.

In its efforts to raise public awareness for social change on Electronic-Waste problems across Armenia and initiate wider youth involvement, Re-apaga launched, with the help of Dilijan Community Center, its first online creative writing contest for 12-18 year-old change-makers and “Future leaders of the great Armenia”. The contest sought to gain insight from the youth on such issues as making Armenia a role model of sustainable development, ways to discard Electronic-Waste, and even challenged them to offer plans for an environmentally sustainable Armenia if they were elected president.  Top essay winners will be awarded prizes for offering the best solutions for Electronic-Waste recycling and leading Armenia towards zero Electronic-Waste status.

Re-apaga will disseminate informational videos and presentations to local businesses, schools and the general public.  In addition to collecting and storing the Electronic-Waste, Re-apaga will initiate collaborations between the public and private sectors to instill Electronic-Waste collections and ultimately establish a recycling center for proper dismantling and recycling of the collected items.

Borussia Dortmund would not be open to re-signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the future, according to CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told .

Nuri Sahin, Shinji Kagawa and Mario Gotze have returned to Dortmund in recent years, but when asked by kicker whether there would be potential for Mkhitaryan to return in the future, Watzke replied: “No.”

In the summer, Dortmund also sold Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich and Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester City.

“We need to cope with losing two world class players in Hummels and Gundogan and also Mkhitaryan,” Watzke said.

Mkhitaryan left Dortmund for Manchester United this summer following a season in which he scored 23 goals in all competitions and set up a further 32, but his departure caught the club by surprise, with a contract renewal expected to be agreed.

During the months leading up to his transfer, parts of the media claimed that Mino Raiola, his agent, persuaded the 27-year-old to leave Dortmund, but Watzke defended the agent.

He said: “In Mkhitaryan’s case it was the player’s decision. Raiola is intelligent, and he’s a brute. He has a certain business model, but we knew that already when we sat down because of Mkhitaryan. You know what you have with him. Raiola acted correctly.”