Japan’s Sakurajima volcano due for major eruption within 30 years, say scientists

One of Japan’s most active volcanoes is due for a major eruption within the next 30 years, say scientists who have studied a build-up of magma there, the BBC reports.

The Sakurajima volcano on Japan’s Kyushu island poses a “growing threat”, researchers at the University of Bristol say.

The volcano, located 49km (30 miles) from the Sendai nuclear plant, is also close to Kagoshima, a city of 600,000.

Sakurajima’s last deadly eruption was in 1914, when 58 people died.

The Japanese archipelago, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of fire”, has more than 100 volcanoes. Sakurajima regularly spews ash and there are many small explosions there each year, with the latest eruption being in February.

Aleksander Ceferin named new Uefa president

Aleksander Ceferin has been elected as the new president of Uefa, European football’s governing body, the BBC reports.

Ceferin, head of the Football Association of Slovenia, polled 42 votes at Uefa’s congress in Athens, 29 more than Dutchman Michael van Praag.

The 48-year-old succeeds former France player Michel Platini, who resigned after being banned from all football activity last year.

Ceferin will take on the remainder of Platini’s term of office, until 2019.

Yerevan to host “After Genocide: From Trauma to Rebirth” conference

“After Genocide: From Trauma to Rebirth, A Gendered Perspective”, a conference organized by Women in War (France) in partnership with the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of Armenia, DVV International, and AGBU Armenia, will be held in Yerevan from September 17 to 19.

The conference will bring together over fifty speakers from all over the world to discuss the gendered nature of personal, political and social consequences after genocide.

Feminist thinkers and activists, historians, sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists, and lawyers will share differing perspectives. This project was made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Institute Internationale de la Francophonie, BMZ and other partners.

Armenian Church in Kayseri to reopen as library

The Armenian Church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Virgin Mary) in Caeserea (Kayseri), which has been used as a gym for 40 years, will turn into a library after the completion of reconstruction works carried out by the Kayseri City Hall, reports.

The library will work round the clock and will host 50 thousand books, the report says. The library will have e-books and a document section.

A café-library will also be opened adjunct to the main building. The library is expected to open its doors in fall 2017.

Rooney & Mkhitaryan left out of Man Utd squad for Feyenoord clash

Manchester United have announced their 20-man travelling squad for the Europa League clash with Feyenoord, with Wayne Rooney and Henrikh Mkhitaryan the stand-out names to have been left out, Goal.com reports.

Jesse Lingard, who, along with Mkhitaryan, was withdrawn at half-time of the Manchester derby defeat on Saturday is also absent, while Antonio Valencia is another to have not been included.

Jose Mourinho has already confirmed that Marcus Rashford is all set to start the meeting with the Eredivisie side, while the likes of Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Memphis Depay could also get the nod.

Mkhitaryan, who reportedly has become unhappy at life at Old Trafford due to his role in the team, did not take part in training prior to the squad flying to Rotterdam, while Phil Jones was another who didn’t take part.

Prosecutor General-nominee’s formula of overcoming the “deficit of justice”

 

 

 

The National Assembly started the 10th session with discussions on the appointment of the new Prosecutor General.

Deputy Prosecutor General Arthur Davtyan is still the only candidate. Addresing the lawmakers, he outlined the priorities of the field with a special emphasis on the transparent and public activity of the Office.

Asked to comment on his formula of changing the formula of justice, Arthur Davtyan said: “I see problems here, and I see the solution in the publicity. I often hear opinions and assessments, which contradict the objective information we possess. The information simply needs to be presented so that the public can form an objective comprehension of the events.”

Germany arrests three Syrian men ‘on IS mission’

Three Syrian men have been arrested in Germany on suspicion of being sent by so-called Islamic State (IS) to launch attacks, prosecutors say, the BBC reports.

The men – aged 17, 18 and 26 – were detained after a series of pre-dawn raids in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony on Tuesday.

Police are reported to have seized “extensive material”.

But no concrete missions or orders had so far been found, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s office said.

In a statement, it said investigations so far suggested the three had come to Germany in November 2015 with the intention of “carrying out a previously determined order [from IS] or to await further instructions”.

They are said to have travelled through Turkey and Greece on false passports.

Investigators believe the men had volunteered for the alleged mission – and that the 17-year-old had been trained in handling weapons and explosives.

They were arrested when 200 police and security officers raided several premises including three refugee shelters.

Kurdish Mayors visit St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Kensington, London

Massis Post – The co-mayors of Bitlis and Mutki just paid a courtesy visit to St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Kensington, London. Huseyin Olan (Bitlis) and Ozcan Birlik (Mutki), who are on a working visit to London, met with the Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic church in Great Britain, bishop Hovakim Manukyan, to discuss improving contacts between the Armenian diaspora and Kurdish communities in south-eastern Turkey. The meeting included Ali Gul Ozbek, the mayor of Haringey, as well as others.

Both Olan and Birlik are longstanding champions of better Kurdish Armenian relations and are well aware of the history of Armenians. Over the years they have hosted Armenian guests in their cities, supported exhibitions on Ottoman Armenians, and even a conference on the Armenian Genocide. The city of Bitlis even renamed a street after William Saroyan. These are all ongoing practical steps aimed at addressing Armenian issues and paving the way to a better future.

On the occasion of their visit to St. Sarkis, the co-mayors issued a formal statement inviting Armenians to reengage with their ancestral lands in Turkey, including Bitlis and Mutki

Statement Dated 11 September 2016

Today we are visiting our Armenian brothers and sisters at St. Sarkis Armenian church in London. It is good to see this fine church and members of its congregation in one of the great capitals of the world. There used to be many such Armenian communities in the Ottoman Empire, within the borders of modern Turkey. They lived on their ancestral lands alongside other communities, until 1915, when they were subjected to the first genocide of the modern era. Over a million Armenians were killed by their own government. Modern Turkey still bears the scars of those days, including in Bitlis and Mutki, where we come from. The Turkish republic still denies what happened to Armenians.

We can never reverse the terrible legacy of 1915 but, as the mayors of Bitlis and Mutki, we can express our sorrow and extend our hands of friendship to all Armenians. We want to build new bridges with you, to replace those that were destroyed in the past. The future is in our hands and we can still imagine better days ahead. We hope to see you again in Bitlis and Mutki.

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres suffers stroke

The former Israeli President, Shimon Peres, has been rushed to hospital outside Tel Aviv after suffering a stroke, his office says, the BBC reports.

The 93 year old was fully conscious and in a stable condition at the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel HaShomer, a spokesperson told the Ynetnews website.

Mr Peres had already begun receiving treatment for the stroke, they added.

In January, he spent two nights at the same hospital under observation. Tests showed he had an irregular heartbeat

Armenia supports Alexander Čeferin for UEFA presidency

The Football Federation of Armenia has announced its support for Alexander Čeferin in teh upcoming elections of UEFA President.

“Appreciating the importance of Alexander Čeferin’s program for the development of football, Football Federation of Armenia announces its support for Alexander Čeferin’s candidacy in the upcoming UEFA presidential elections and in implementation of his action plan provisions in case of his election as the UEFA president,” the Federation said in a statement.