Author: Alex Nanijanian

Photo: Getty Images

 

At least 16 people have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery of Kim Kardashian West in Paris in October, officials say, the BBC reports.

Authorities said at the time that the American reality TV star was robbed at gunpoint by at least two men dressed as police officers.

The men entered Kardashian West’s luxury apartment before tying her up and locking her in the bathroom.

They escaped with an estimated €10m (£8.7m; $10.5m) in jewellery.

French police said that traces of DNA left at the scene led to the arrests. The men were detained in early morning raids in the Paris region.

The 36-year-old mother-of-two, who is married to the rapper Kanye West, said she feared she was going to be killed at the time. The star was left badly shaken but unhurt.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan spoke to the about life at so far…

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was his Premier League idol growing up.

He said: “I always supported Henry when he was playing for Arsenal. He is one of my favorite players because at that time I was also playing as a striker as a child. Then I became a midfielder.”
Reflecting on his spell out of the side, Mkhitaryan said: “It’s always a pleasure to play. To play for Manchester United is a dream. I’m always happy to start a game for this team. I’m always trying to do my best for this team.”

“English football is really different to football in other countries. So if you’re playing in Germany, France, England or Spain you have to get used to playing in that league,” Mkhitaryan said.

“In the beginning it was a little bit hard but I keep doing everything that is needed to become a Premier League player,” he added.

“I’ve done hard work and I’ve tried to do everything the manager is asking from me to play in this team and to be useful for the team,” the Armenia international said.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first goal for Manchester United helped Jose Mourinho’s men seal a win over Zorya Luhansk and ensured their progress to the Europa League last-32.

The two teams played out an underwhelming opening period at the Chornomorets Stadium with the best chance of the half falling to Wayne Rooney, who saw his long-range effort saved well by Igor Levchenko.

But three minutes into the second half and United had the lead their performance deserved after summer signing Mkhitaryan drifted past a few players with ease to slot home and score first goal for the club.

And Zlatan Ibrahimovic made sure of the three points with a simple finish as the full-time whistle approached, the Swede running clear at goal before scoring past the helpless Levchenko.

On November 28^th, 2016, 1 postage stamp dedicated to the theme “The Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications. National cuisine” has been put into circulation.

The postage stamp has been cancelled by the President of “Development and preservation of Armenian culinary traditions” organization Sedrak Mamulyan and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of “HayPost” CJSC Haik Avagyan.

The postage stamp with nominal value of 170 AMD has been printed in “Cartor” printing house in France.

The postage stamp depicts an old Armenian traditional festive dish “Telbats Koubati”, which consists of fish with vegetables baked in puff pastry.

Date of issue: November 28, 2016

Designer: Vahagn Mkrtchyan

Printing house: Cartor, France

Size: 30,0 x 40,0 mm

Print run: 60 000

“Turkey was vocal in its support for Azerbaijan during clashes in April 2016 in Nagorno-Karabakh,” the European Commission said in a report on Turkey, published on November 9.

The report also reminded that the 2009 protocols on normalization of relations with Armenia are not yet ratified.

The 100-page review claimed Turkey had regressed in its eligibility to join the bloc.

The highlighted a series of problem areas, including the legal situation in Turkey, which it described as being of “grave concern”.

It warned that a range of measures, introduced by president Recep Tayipp Erdogan following the failed military coup on July 2015 were “not in line with European standards”.

The report slammed Ankara and highlighted “serious allegations of human rights violations” as well as “disproportional use of force” by the security services.

The report added that “the Armenian Patriarchate’s proposal to open a university department for Armenian language and clergy has been pending for several years. Similar demands have been made by different Christian communities who sought to train clergy.:

Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesman has labeled Azerbaijani President’s statements on Nagorno Karabakh settlement as “an attempt to turn the truth upside down.”

Speaking to RIA Novosti today, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said “reasonable compromise on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement is possible,” and suggested that “the region could become an autonomous republic.”

“The statement of the Azerbaijani leader can be judged as yet another unsuccessful attempt to turn the truth upside down and distort the negotiation process,” MFA Spokesman Tigran Balayan said in comments to Radio Liberty.

“It is clearly enshrined in the statements of the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries Aliyev refers to that the status of Nagorno Karabakh should be determined by a legally binding expression of will of the people of Nagorno Karabakh,” Balayan reminded.

“It would be better for the leadership of Azerbaijan to cease deluding itself and misleading its own public. A week ago the leader of Azerbaijan publicly confessed the real essence of negotiations, stating that Baku was being urged to recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh,” the Spokesperson stated.

Speaking to Public Radio of Armenia earlier today Spokesman for the NKR President

The joint sitting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Minister, Council of Defense Ministers and Council of National Security Secretaries was held at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

“Armenia has always been active in improving the collaboration within the framework of the CSTO, deepening the cooperation between the member states, development of mechanisms of coordination of foreign policies, promotion of defense cooperation,” FM Edward Nalbandian said in his opening remarks.

The Armenian FM presented the situation established as a result of Azerbaijan’s April aggression against Artsakh and the agreements reached at Vienna and St. Petersburg summits, underlining Baku’s unwillingness to call them to life.

Edward Nalbandian referred to the Syrian crisis and the need to take immediate steps to normalize the situation. He also spoke about the migration crisis and the fight against terrorism and

During the sitting reference was made to the work of the statutory bodies, intensification of cooperation between CSTO member states within the framework of different international formats, the schedule of political, defense and security consultations planned for 2016 and 2017.

The participants of the joint sitting approved of the “CSTO collective security strategy until 2025,” the final statement of the Collective Security Council session and the statement on the “Settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict” to be considered at the CSTO Collective Security Council later today. About 30 documents were signed upon the conclusion fo the meeting.

At the end of the sitting Armenia handed over the chairmanship of the CSTO statutory bodies o Belarus.

A group of statues of the legendary “Ararat-73” football team players was solemnly unveiled in Yerevan today.

Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, President of the Armenian National Olympic Committee Gagik Tsarukyan, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Hrachya Rostomyan and members of “Ararat-73” – USSR Champion and Cup winner – were present at the opening ceremony.

Yerevan’s chief architect Tigran Barseghyan is the author of the statues erected in the neighborhood of Hrazdan Stadium.

Photo: Reuters    

Pope Francis on Wednesday reflected on his just endedApostolic Visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan and spoke about the importance of Christian Unity and dialogue, reports.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience, the Pope expressed his gratitude for having been able visit the neighboring Caucasian countries, both of which are celebrating 25 years of independence having been part of the Soviet Union for much of the 20th century.

He described the visit as complementary to his visit to Armenia last June and said that by visiting all three nations of the Caucasus which are facing many challenges, he was able to confirm the Catholic communities there and encourage all people in their journey towards peace and fraternity.

“True mission – he pointed out – is never proselytism, but attraction towards Christ, unity in prayer, in adoration and in works of charity”.

In Georgia – he said – our cooperation is naturally with our Orthodox brothers and sisters, and so – the Pope continued – “Patriarch Ilia’s presence at the airport upon my arrival was a very important sign”.

Christian unity, the Pope said, is seen in the blood of so many Christian martyrs of different Christian confessions, especially the Assyrian-Chaldean, “with whom we prayed for peace in Syria, Iraq and the whole Middle East”.

And explaining that Azerbaijan, is primarily a Muslim country, Pope Francis said he was able to participate in an interreligious meeting as well as celebrating Mass with the small Catholic community and encourage it to deepen its encounter and dialogue with all who believe in God, so that together we can build a more just and fraternal world.