Author: Emil Lazarian

Armenia said on Tuesday that four of its soldiers were killed by Azerbaijani fire along the heavily militarized border, the first fatal incident since they began negotiating a deal to end more than 30 years of intermittent war last year. 

Fatal exchanges have been common along the closed, roughly 1,000 km (621 mile) frontier since 1988 when Armenia and Azerbaijan first went to war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, but the situation had calmed amid peace talks in recent months.

Tuesday's incident was the biggest since hundreds died when Azerbaijan retook Karabakh in September, prompting an exodus of the region's ethnic Armenian population.

Armenia's Defence Ministry said in a statement that the four soldiers had been killed and another was wounded at a combat post near the southern Armenian village of Nerkin Hand. Azerbaijan's border service said in a statement that it had staged "a revenge operation" for a "provocation" it said Armenian forces had committed the day before.

"The military and political leadership of Armenia is fully responsible for the incident," it said, adding that future provocations would face more serious measures.

Azerbaijan's Defence Ministry said Armenian forces on Monday evening fired at Baku's positions along a northwestern section of the border, around 400 km (250 miles) from Nerkin Hand. Armenia denied the incident.

In a statement, Armenian ambassador-at-large Edmon Marukyan accused Azerbaijan of "criminal, aggressive behaviour", and said Baku wanted a pretext to attack Armenian forces.

The Kremlin, which is formally allied to Armenia but also has close ties with Azerbaijan, called for restraint on both sides. A Russian peacekeeping contingent remains in Karabakh and its border guards help patrol Armenia's frontiers.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan had a mostly ethnic Armenian population which won de facto independence after a lengthy war during the collapse of the Soviet Union.

But Azerbaijan in September retook Karabakh in a lightning offensive, prompting a rapid exodus of almost all of the territory's 120,000 Armenians, and a renewed push from both sides for a deal to end the conflict.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have said they want to sign a peace treaty, but disagree over issues including precise demarcation of their border and control over several small territorial enclaves.

Azerbaijan also wants a customs-free transport corridor through Armenian territory, connecting Azerbaijan's mainland with its Nakhichevan exclave. Armenia has said it must retain control over any transport links on its soil.

Talks have in recent months appeared to stagnate, with both sides accusing the other of sabotaging the diplomatic process.

(Reuters) 

Groundbreaking of First U.S. TUMO Center in North Hollywood: Los Angeles city officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the first TUMO Technology Learning Center in the United States.

TUMO's Mission and Program: TUMO is a free educational program from Armenia, focusing on maximizing teen learning in 14 areas, including music, filmmaking, robotics, and 3D modeling.

Support for Low-Income Youth: Council President Paul Krekorian emphasized the center's role in providing creative and educational resources to low-income youth, fostering future creative leaders.

Officials' Statements: Mayor Karen Bass and Paul Krekorian, joined by former Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian and TUMO founder Sam Simonian, expressed commitment to empowering Los Angeles' youth with technology skills.

Center's Location and Funding: TUMO LA will be housed in a remodeled three-floor office space at 4146 Lankershim Blvd., with funding from a $23.25 million state grant and $3 million in federal funds.

Additional Funding for Amphitheater: A motion for an additional $2.5 million to create an amphitheater on the building's roof was approved by the L.A. City Council.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD – Los Angeles city officials Monday celebrated the groundbreaking of the first TUMO Technology Learning Center in the United States.

TUMO, originally founded in Armenia, is a free-of-charge educational program that aims to maximize teens' learning by building skills and self- confidence. The program offers educational and training opportunities in 14 different subjects, including music, filmmaking, robotics and 3D modeling.

"The creation of TUMO in the east San Fernando Valley will bring much needed creative and educational resources to low-income youth and teenagers that would otherwise not be exposed to the fantastic learning opportunities that TUMO creates," L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian said in a statement. "This center will shape the next generation of creative leaders that will keep our entertainment industry strong and thriving."

During a morning conference, Mayor Karen Bass joined Krekorian, as well as former Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian and Sam Simonian, founder of Tumo, at the future site of TUMO LA, located at 4146 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood.

"We are committed to empowering Los Angeles' next generation of youth to gain skills that will prepare them for jobs in the technology industry," Bass said in a statement.

She added, "This center will allow Los Angeles youth to maximize their potential by discovering their passions for creative technologies and building the cutting-edge skills essential for navigating the ever-evolving digital world."

According to Krekorian's office, the center is expected to open in December 2024. It be located at an existing three-floor office space that requires remodeling.

The center was made possible through a $23.25 million dollar grant from the state, secured by Nazarian. Additionally, $3 million in federal funds also contributed to the project, thanks to efforts from Krekorian.

Last week, the L.A. City Council approved a motion seeking to allocate another $2.5 million to create an amphitheater on the building's roof.

Nazarian, who formerly represented parts of the east San Fernando Valley, said he was proud to support the TUMO center.

" The TUMO Technology Learning Center focuses on placing teenagers, aged 12 to 18 years, in control of their learning experiences and enabling them to unlock their full potential by identifying their passions and equipping them with the skills necessary to shape their future," Nazarian said in a statement. "This center will create life-changing experiences for our children and build the next generation of leaders for our communities."

Azerbaijan is planning a “full-scale war” against Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Thursday, two days after a skirmish on their border left four Armenian troops dead.

“Our analysis shows that Azerbaijan wants to launch military action in some parts of the border with the prospect of turning military escalation into a full-scale war against Armenia,” Pashinyan said at a government meeting.