ABMDR performs 40th harvesting procedure

Stem cell donor Anahit with lab staff and Dr. Andranik Mshetsyan (far right), who performed the procedure

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Yerevan resident Anahit donated bone marrow stem cells on May 23rd to help save the life of her younger brother who lives in the United States. The harvesting of the donated stem cells was the 40th procedure of its kind facilitated by the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR). It was performed in response to a donor-search request made by the National Marrow Donor Program, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, of which ABMDR is a co-op member.

The painless, non-invasive harvesting of Anahit’s donated stem cells took place at ABMDR’s Stem Cell Harvesting Center in the Armenian capital. Thanks to the procedure, the donated stem cells were to be used for an urgent transplant that could help Anahit’s brother survive his life-threatening blood-related illness. 

“Once Anahit was identified as a matched stem cell donor, she did not hesitate for a moment to donate her stem cells,” said ABMDR executive director Dr. Sevak Avagyan. “Anahit immediately checked in at the ABMDR center in Yerevan to undergo the stem cell harvesting procedure that could help save her brother’s life,” he continued. 

From left: ABMDR executive director Dr. Sevak Avagyan, medical director Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan, and the special courier who hand-delivered the donated bone marrow stem cells to the US

Present at the procedure were Dr. Avagyan and ABMDR medical director Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan,

among other medical and lab personnel. As soon as the procedure was completed, the donated stem cells were flown to the United States via a special courier. 

“We are extremely proud to be a co-op member of the National Marrow Donor Program and delighted to be able to provide it with a matched donor for helping save a life in America,” said ABMDR president Dr. Frieda Jordan.   

“Every transplant is a challenge, involving the work of many specialists,” Dr. Jordan continued. “But once the process is set in motion, everyone involved focuses on a single goal, which is to get the donated stem cells to the patient as quickly as possible for helping them survive a potentially fatal illness.” 

Dr. Jordan added, “This year, as we celebrate the 24th anniversary of the founding of ABMDR, I think our motto remains as urgent as ever: ‘Be an angel, save a life.’”

Anyone in good health between the ages of 18 and 50 can register with ABMDR as a potential bone marrow stem cell donor. Given the unique genetic makeup of ethnic Armenians, ABMDR needs to maintain a robust global registry of Armenian donors.




Practical business problem skills in focus of CaseKey 2023–Byblos Bank Armenia partnership

 16:15,

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. More than 200 smart and promising young people selected out of 500 applicantswill get to participate in the CaseKey Business Case Competition 2023, whose title sponsor this year is Byblos Bank Armenia.

This is a unique format that enables participants to get to know a company's business, its culture, and solve an actual business problem.

Now in its third edition, CaseKey serves as a platform for students and young professionals to learn from outstanding specialists and coaches, solve real business problems posed by Armenian companies and come up with solutions for them.

Byblos Bank Armenia, which is marking its 15th anniversary this year, has decided to celebrate such an important milestone with meaningful projects and finance academic and practical educational initiatives.

On the first trainings day on June 10, Byblos Bank ArmeniaCEO Hayk Stepanyan met with the participants and spoke from his own experience in business management and administration.

“The competition is an excellent opportunity for young talents to obtain practical knowledge in today’s fast-paced world. Working on actual business cases will help them gain a competitive advantage in their careers and the knowledge and skills to craft winning strategies. I am positive that every participant will emerge with a deeper understanding of the business world, and we are here for you every step of the way,” noted Hayk Stepanyan.

Founding President of CaseKey Business Case Competition Arshak Karapetyan believes that the partnership with Byblos Bank Armenia symbolizes the sides’ shared commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and driving innovation in the business landscape

"Together, we aim to unlock the potential of young minds, empowering them to become the next generation of change makers. We look forward to a successful collaboration with Byblos Bank Armenia and are excited about the positive impact we can create together. With their invaluable support, we are confident that the CaseKey Business case Competition will continue to be a platform for aspiring youth to thrive and transform their solutions into tangible realities," said Arshak Karapetyan.

Throughout CaseKey 2023, the Bank will provide full support to the participants, help them develop their practical capabilities.

———————–

Byblos Bank Armenia CJSC is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and will introduce a number of proposals and initiatives throughout the year.
The Bank was founded and opened the doors of its first branch in 2007. Today, the Bank has four branches in Yerevan where customers access various banking services and receive financial advice. The Bank provides its customers corporate-retail banking services that meet the highest international standards.

Lawmaker rules out extraterritorial roads, says Armenia will exercise full border control after unblocking

 12:53,

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia must retain authority to exercise customs and border control in case of unblocking of regional connections, a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday.

Asked to comment on Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan’s statement that Armenia will exercise full border control on its side in case of unblocking, Civil Contract Member of Parliament Arman Yeghoyan said that Armenia must have the authority to determine which vehicle, which cargo and how much of any given cargo can enter its territory.

Regarding clause 9 of the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement, which says that Russian border guards shall exercise control over transport connections, Yeghoyan said: “There are Russian border guard posts along the Armenian-Iranian border as well, and in the customs checkpoint, as well as in other parts. And now we must differentiate two issues from one another – a road functioning under or outside Armenian jurisdiction? The Republic of Armenia has said that there won’t be any roads functioning outside of its jurisdiction in its territory.”

“The trilateral statement does not question Armenia’s jurisdiction over its own territory. Even the National Assembly can’t pass a law that would limit Armenia’s jurisdiction over any of its territory,” Yeghoyan said.

Armenia’s unchanged position is that roads functioning in the territory of Armenia must be under Armenia’s jurisdiction. Technical nuances are topics for separate discussions, according to Yeghoyan.

“When a vehicle enters Armenia, Armenia must know for 100 percent what that vehicle is carrying, how much goods it is carrying, when it entered Armenia and when it exited. The Republic of Armenia must know this for 100 percent, secondly, Armenia must have the jurisdiction to determine which vehicle, which cargo, and what quantity of any given cargo can enter the Republic of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia controls its borders, the type and quantity of the goods crossing these borders and the roads in its territory,” Yeghoyan said.

Discussions on how the roads will be unblocked are now underway, the legislator added, noting that the remaining issues such as who specifically will observe the surveillance cameras or who is going to sit in the office are all technical issues.

Azerbaijan wants minimal Armenian control, the lawmaker said. “But this isn’t a matter of their desire. It’s up to us, because international law and order exists. It is up to any state to decide what rules and procedures to apply and manage any road on its territory. And Armenia has said that jurisdiction will not be given up,” Yeghoyan said.

PM Pashinyan congratulates President Putin and PM Mishustin on Russia Day

 13:47,

YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Russia Day.

“I cordially congratulate you and all Russians on the occasion of this meaningful day, Russia Day, which emphasizes the deep devotion of the Russian people to the origins of statehood,” Pashinyan said in a letter to Putin. “The historically rich and time-tested allied relations of Armenia and Russia have reached a new qualitative level over the course of the last thirty years. The active and effective partnership of our countries over regional and international agenda issues emphasizes our common intention to deepen the mutually beneficial relations between our peoples, based on mutual respect and taking into account each other’s interests. I am sure that Armenia and Russia, by consistently developing constructive ties, will continue to progressively develop cooperation in various sectors, including with the purpose of ensuring security and stability in South Caucasus,” the Armenian Premier said in the letter, wishing robust health and vigor to President Putin, and peace, success and all the best to the brotherly people of Russia.

In a separate letter to PM Mishustin, the Armenian Prime Minister congratulated on Russia Day, the meaningful holiday which “emphasizes the determination of the Russian people to build a sovereign and strong state.”

“The relations between Armenia and Russia come from the depths of history. It is our unshakable duty to preserve the inherited strong friendship and brotherhood, in order to continue ensuring the progressive development of the Armenian-Russian allied relations, including through implementing mutually beneficial, promising projects for the benefit of our peoples,” PM Pashinyan said in the letter to PM Mishustin, wishing him robust health and successes, and happiness and prosperity to the Russian people.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 26-05-23

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 17:21,

YEREVAN, 26 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 26 May, USD exchange rate up by 0.12 drams to 386.52 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.90 drams to 415.24 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 4.83 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.81 drams to 478.40 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 258.33 drams to 24210.72 drams. Silver price down by 5.01 drams to 285.88 drams.

U.S. put forward a number of proposals to Armenia and Azerbaijan during foreign ministerial – Dereck Hogan

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 11:10,

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS. The United States put forward a number of proposals to Armenia and Azerbaijan during their foreign ministerial talks in Washington in early May, a senior State Department official has said.

“The peace process is moving forward. The secretary hosted the two foreign ministers in early May to work through some of the most contentious issues including, for example, the distancing of forces along the border, dispute resolution mechanism in the treaty that we are trying to facilitate agreement on, the rights and security of the ethnic Armenians in Nagorno Karabagh. These are a lot of the issues that we were working through,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. State Department Dereck Hogan said at a Subcommittee Hearing in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

He added that the U.S. has offered proposals to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“We put forward a number of proposals that gave the two sides perhaps some bridging language there. So they’ve been taking that back and studying it. Since then we have been working very closely with the European Union. Charles Michel hosted the leaders actually in Brussels just a couple of weeks after we hosted the foreign ministers and then they will be meeting again, the two leaders, the Azerbaijani and the Armenian leaders with the Chancellor of Germany, the President of France as well as the President of the EU Charles Michel to again focus on what needs to be done to actually get this across to finish line. We still have a long way to go and I want to come to Lachin corridor. That’s something that the secretary, that’s something we’ve been pushing very hard on, particularly when it comes to the opening up to the commercial, as well as private vehicles,” Hogan added.

AW: Lusanet Collective, a dynamic duo

The Lusanet Collective with owners Anet Abnous and Lusine Simonyan

Lusine Simonyan and Anet Abnous are the dynamic duo behind the Lusanet Collective. These women are warm, kind and business-oriented with a passion for helping other entrepreneurs achieve their goals. They are driven with a growth mindset, and they not only look out for their businesses but elevate all those that they encounter. 

Abnous, owner of Anet’s Collection, and Simonyan, owner of Miray Collections, are two inspiring business owners with a beautiful new collaboration with the Lusanet Collective. The Lusanet Collective is a stylish brick and mortar store in the heart of downtown Burbank that houses unique pieces of art, jewelry, scarves, as well as perfumes, purses, accessories and candles. The idea behind the Lusanet Collective is to empower artists here in the US as well as in Armenia. Abnous and Simonyan have combined forces for the collective good of showcasing artists and making items available to the public from their store and online offerings.

Lusanet Collective storefront

Abnous and Simonyan met during a networking event. Their mission of empowerment eventually led them to the idea of a collective showcasing other small businesses. Anet and Lucy wanted to give back to the Armenian community and help cultivate the creative work of artists. 

Both women have a deep love for the homeland. Abnous was born in Iran and moved to the east coast before settling in California. She’s an artist and runs her own business. Simonyan came to Minnesota from Armenia as an exchange student when she was 15 years old and continued her journey in California. She has a background in accounting and the arts. They complement each other beautifully with their combined backgrounds in business and art, along with their ability to learn from those around them and spread their mission on social media. Their passion to help others is a huge testament to their love of what they do and what they will continue to establish. 

What they have accomplished with this phenomenal business plan is not for the faint of heart. As in any business, they have experienced setbacks, but always look forward. The venue is aesthetically appealing and welcomes Armenian and non-Armenian visitors to support local and international artists. 

Aleen Khachadourian, Anet’s daughter, warmly greets customers at the Lusanet Collective

Lusanet Collective also hosts events. There have been poetry and music nights, live art performances, fundraising events and art exhibits. Lusanet also hosted Miss Armenia Kristina Ayanian for a meet-and-greet ahead of the Miss Universe competition.

Lusine with daughter Angelina at a wine and paint event at Lusanet Collective

The concept of the Lusanet Collective is empowering because it aims to elevate all who participate as well as give back to the local community and Armenia. It invests in the artist as well as the communities it serves.

Talar Keoseyan is a mother, educator and writer. Talar’s book called Mom and Dad, Why Do I Need to Know My Armenian Heritage? is available on Amazon. Tigran’s Song is available at Abril Bookstore. She has been an educator for 25 years and resides in Los Angeles, CA. She can be reached at


https://armenianweekly.com/2023/05/23/lusanet-collective-a-dynamic-duo/?fbclid=IwAR0TpfZLI6nCMxH6tJvfWjOSsJkHd1jhdKUBNxpVniURd1BUGWITlZKEsr0

Azerbaijan, Armenia close to reach agreement, Lavrov says

MEHR News Agency 
Iran –

TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) – Armenia and Azerbaijan are close to agreeing on an end to a blockade of transport links but more work is needed to seal a peace deal between the warring neighbors, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Lavrov spoke after he brokered a meeting between the foreign ministers of both nations. Russia helped secure a truce to halt a six-week conflict in 2020, but the agreement has not led to lasting peace, and armed clashes are common along the border, according to Reuters.

Armenia and Azerbaijan were due to discuss the unblocking of transport links at a meeting next week, where Russia will also be present.

"We hope the outcome will be positive. The parties are already close to a final agreement," Lavrov said in a statement but did not give details.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday he had agreed to peace talks in Moscow on May 25 with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin mediating, the Interfax news agency reported.

But during Friday's talks, the two nations confirmed that without progress on settling disputes over borders and transport links, as well as improving the security situation in and around Karabakh, "it is difficult to move forward on specific aspects of the peace treaty", Lavrov said.

MNA/PR

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/200928/Azerbaijan-Armenia-close-to-reach-agreement-Lavrov-says

Biden’s ‘lax’ stance has Christian group begging Congress to step in

May 19 2023

A Christian advocacy group submitted a letter to the U.S. Congress this week urging action to help Armenians still cut off in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

"Washington’s lax approach has only emboldened Azerbaijan, who since December has been holding 120,000 Armenian Christians hostage in an attempt to extract concessions from Armenia in the long-delayed, oft-promised talks to normalize relations," Robert Nicholson, president and CEO of Philos Project, wrote in the letter. 

"It's done nothing to relieve pressure on the beleaguered people of Artsakh."

The Philos Project submitted the letter to the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Friday, addressing Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas, and ranking member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. 

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars in the past 30 years over Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but home to a large Armenian population in the Caucasus Mountains. Tensions have spiraled between the two ex-Soviet neighbors over the blockade of the only road giving direct access to Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia.

The Philos Project made an appeal, alongside Armenian-Americans and other advocacy groups, directly to Biden for action to help the stranded Armenians, but the administration has provided only a "muted response," the group said. 

"Instead of acting decisively in response to a clear crisis, one that many see as the unfolding of a second Armenian Genocide, the U.S. government has, by all appearances, treated the situation as business as usual," Nicholson wrote. "The President has been markedly silent, failing to acknowledge the current crisis even when issuing an anniversary message on the Armenian Genocide of 1915."

Nicholson noted that following his previous letter to President Biden, the State Department replaced the senior adviser for Caucasus negotiations, which created "an unfortunate setback." 

One of the longstanding concerns surrounding the conflict is Turkey’s involvement, seen to back the Azeri position. The day before the talks occurred with Blinken, Turkey closed its airspace to Armenian aircraft in a perceived response to a monument, a move the Philos Project argued "could easily be viewed as an attempt to further pressure the Armenian side and maximize Azeri leverage." 

A ceasefire brokered in 2020 by Russia between Armenia and Azerbaijan following a particularly violent clash left Armenia vulnerable to the political ambitions of longtime adversary (and U.S. ally) Turkey, which now seeks to use Armenia as land access to trade with Azerbaijan. That access also provides Turkey a stronger foothold in the Caucuses, bordering Iran and just a little south of Russia. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this month hosted the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan for face-to-face talks, and Blinken claimed the ministers made "tangible progress." The secretary claimed a deal between the two nations to end the blockade was "within sight, within reach," but Nicholson said that no announcement materialized. 

A ceasefire brokered in 2020 by Russia between Armenia and Azerbaijan following a particularly violent clash left Armenia vulnerable to the political ambitions of longtime adversary (and U.S. ally) Turkey, which now seeks to use Armenia as land access to trade with Azerbaijan. That access also provides Turkey a stronger foothold in the Caucuses, bordering Iran and just a little south of Russia. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this month hosted the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan for face-to-face talks, and Blinken claimed the ministers made "tangible progress." The secretary claimed a deal between the two nations to end the blockade was "within sight, within reach," but Nicholson said that no announcement materialized. 

"Negotiations toward peace made under these conditions are bound to foster resentments that will be their undoing in the long run," Nicholson argued. "America can do better." 

In response to a Fox News Digital request for comment on the blockade earlier this year, the Azerbaijan Embassy in the U.S. sent a "fact sheet" addressing "baseless claims on ‘closure’ of Lachin road and ‘humanitarian crisis’ faced by ethnic Armenians" in the region. 

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"As repeatedly stated by Azerbaijan, no restrictions have been applied to movement on the Lachin road for humanitarian purposes," a statement from the embassy said. "However, the Armenian side and the illegal regime created by it in the territories of Azerbaijan prevent the movement of local residents in order to abuse the situation."

In response to a Fox News Digital request for comment, the State Department pointed to Blinken's comments made following the May 4 negotiations. McCaul did not respond by time of publication. 

Peter Aitken is a Fox News Digital reporter with a focus on national and global news. 


Police receive report on attempted kidnapping of Prime Minister’s son

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 16:42,

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS. Police received a report on May 17 that an attempted kidnapping targeting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s son Ashot Pashinyan took place on Wednesday, a police spokesperson confirmed to ARMENPRESS.

“The police have received a report with that content. The documents will be sent to the Investigative Committee,” a police spokesperson told ARMENPRESS when asked to validate the newspaper reports.

The Armenian Times newspaper reported that Ashot Pashinyan suffered injuries in the attempted kidnapping. 

The attempted kidnapping happened near Ashot Pashinyan’s residence in Yerevan, according to the report.  

Ashot Pashinyan managed to escape.

According to the report, the kidnappers were members of an NGO called Call of Sons. They reportedly forced Ashot Pashinyan into their vehicle and drove off. At one point, when the vehicle stopped, the PM’s son jumped out of the vehicle and was hit by a car which was travelling behind, also belonging to members of the same organization.