16:28, 5 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accepted the government's resignation on Monday, his office said in a statement, naming Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar as acting prime minister, replacing Alikhan Smailov.
The government members are to remain in temporary charge until new appointments are made, according to Kazinform news agency.
No reason for the move was given.
Smailov has been Kazakh prime minister since January 2022.
16:44, 5 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives visited Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan in the end of January and in the beginning of February this year, ICRC Armenia representative Zara Amatuni told Armenpress.
She said that ICRC visited the captives who are acknowledged by Azerbaijan.
'These are regular visits which are agreed upon with the authorities of the given country,' she said.
The ICRC personnel reviewed the detention conditions and health of the captives and enabled them to contact their families.
A top law enforcement official in Armenia earlier said that 55 Armenians are currently held captive in Azerbaijan but Baku has so far acknowledged only 23 of them.
16:47, 5 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan has vowed to support the families affected in the February 5 explosion in the city’s Erebuni district.
In a statement released on social media, Mayor Avinyan expressed condolences to the families of those who died in the blast.
“I express deep condolences to the families of the victims and I wish speedy recovery to those injured,” he said. “I hope that the investigation will give answers to all questions. I assure you that the city, within its powers, will stand by these families.”
Two houses collapsed in an explosion at 34 Nor Aresh Street in Erebuni district on Monday morning. As of 17:00, rescuers pulled from the rubble two bodies and two survivors. The two survivors are hospitalized.
A is underway.
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17:03, 5 February 2024
YEREVAN, 5 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 5 February, USD exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 404.03 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 5.46 drams to 434.29 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 4.43 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 6.91 drams to 508.84 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price down by 150.01 drams to 26423.33 drams. Silver price up by 7.29 drams to 301.75 drams.
17:42, 5 February 2024
It is noted that speaking at a naval base in Iran’s northern city of Manjil on Monday, Rear Admiral Irani said the joint exercise will be held before the end of the current Iranian year (March 19).
The commander noted that a number of other countries have also been invited to attend the joint drill.
“The war game will be held with the purpose of ensuring regional security and fulfilling common interests,” Tasnim quoted Shahram Irani as saying.
19:01, 5 February 2024
Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Kajsa Ollongren said this in a post on the social platform X.
“The Netherlands Ministry of Defence is readying 6 additional F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to Ukraine. This brings the total number to 24 F-16s. Ukraine's aerial superiority is essential for countering Russian aggression,” she posted.
19:48, 5 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish economy continues struggling with sky-high inflation. The year-on-year headline inflation rate touched 64.86% in January, up from December's 64.77% and more than analyst estimates of 64.52%. It was also the highest figure since November 2022, reports Euronews.
Month-on-month inflation came in at 6.7%, a large step up from December's 2.93%, as well as slightly above market consensus of 6.49%.
It is noted that, however, core inflation for the month of January, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, clocked in at 70.48%, down from 70.64% in December.
21:16, 5 February 2024
The event San Biagio: un Santo, unaStoria, un popolo (“San Biagio: a saint, a story, a people”) took place on 3 February at 10.30 am at the Civic Museum of Bari (Puglia, Italy). It was a conference focusing on Armenian Saints in Italy, particularly about Saint Blaise, (SourpVlas) bishop and martyr of Sebaste.
The event was organized by the Presidency Council Commission on Culture of the Municipality of Barin in collaboration with the Armenian Community of Bari. The event commenced with opening remarks by the president of Commission, Dr. Giuseppe Cascella, the Mayor's delegate for the pandemic emergency, Dr. Loredana Battista, and Dr. Dario RupenTimurian, the representative of the Armenian Community in Bari. Timurian announced next set of conferences dedicated to Armenian culture.
Mr. Timurian read a message from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Italy H. E. Tsovinar Hambardzumyan.
In her message, the Ambassador emphasized that 'the events connecting Puglia and Armenia are always numerous and cover various areas of interest.' She expressed her desire to be present with a message at this event dedicated to the memory of Saint Blaise, whom she defined as 'one of the most famous figures linked to Armenian culture in Italy.' The ambassador recalled the testimony of Saint Blaise's coherent life, his complete adherence to civil and religious values, and the suffering he endured for these reasons, similar to the Armenian people in various periods of history.
In conclusion, the ambassador sent greetings to the speakers. She referred to the families of our compatriots, Timurian and Lilosian, who have lived in Bari for a hundred years, and she mentioned the Armenian citizen prof. Carlo Coppola. Finally she conveyed her regards to the descendants of Father Francesco Divittorio from Rutigliano (near Bari), a Franciscan killed in Mujukderesi (near Marash) on 23 January 1920 while defended 20 Armenian orphans entrusted to him. The representatives of Divittorio family were present at the event together with the mayor of Rutigliano Municipality, Dr. Giuseppe Valenzanowho recalled the life of the martyr and publicly invited Armenian authorities to visit his city.
After the introduction, the illustrious speakers explained to the audience the importance of San Biagio and the Armenian Saints in Italy over the centuries, encompassing religious, historical, artistic, and scientific perspectives.
The first speaker was the prof. Aldo Luisi, a well-known Latinist and professor emeritus of the University of Bari. He discussed the Latin and Eastern hagiographic tradition. Prof. Nicola Cutino analyzed the cultural and popular tradition about Saint Blaise in Puglia and South of Italy. Our compatriot prof. Carlo Coppola, provided a brief overview of Armenian saints in Italy, coveringancient and contemporary times.
The conference was concluded by two reports on the presence of Saint Blaise in Art and Science: Dr. SiranushQuaranta spoke about of Saint Blaise in Puglia and in particular, the frescoed rock church of Saint Blaise in San Vito deiNormanni (near Brindisi). Prof. Dr. Matteo Gelardi, president of the Italian Academy of Nasal Cytology, the representative of the illustrious Italian Society of Otolaryngology, told about the relationships between the otolaryngologist and his patron saints Saint Biagio and Saint Cono.
The meeting, which lasted over 2 hours, ended with a convivial moment open to the over 60 guests in attendance. The attendees had the opportunity to taste the renowned "Panettone di San Biagio" and expressed a desire to delve deeper into specific themes of Armenian culture. Following the success of the event, the organizers are now preparing a new program for the upcoming months.
21:42, 5 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The Secretary-General, in consultation with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, has appointed an independent Review Group to assess whether the Agency is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of serious breaches when they are made.
According to a statement by his Spokesperson, the review will be led by Catherine Colonna, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, who will work with three research organizations: the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
Work will begin on 14 February and an interim report is expected to be submitted to the Secretary-General in late March. The final report, which will be made public, is expected to be completed by late April.
This review is in response to a request made by UNRWA Commissioner-General Lazzarini earlier this year.
21:59, 5 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with his counterpart from the UAE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Kremlin has said Monday.
The presidents discussed the situation around Ukraine and Gaza and agreed on the "further development of friendly relations".