19:20,
YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS. The air temperature in Armenia will drop by 12-14 degrees in the period of March 16-18, ARMENPRESS was informed from the website of the Emergency Situations of Armenia.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14
Trend:
The recent statements by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and its assessment of the elections in some countries show again how biased and prejudiced they are, said Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev addressing the first session of the Azerbaijani Parliament’s sixth convocation on March 10, Trend reports.
This shows that this organization is fulfilling a political order, added the president.
“The parliamentary elections held on 9 February became an important event in the life of our country. All elections are important, but the latest were special because they were early elections. The main reason for holding these elections in February was to deepen the reforms and organize the work of the new Milli Majlis without wasting any time. I believe that the elections were successful and there was a lot of interest in them this time. Clear evidence of this is the participation of more than 1300 candidates in the elections. Of course, candidates were able to carry out extensive work, freely convey their thoughts, views and ideas to the voters. Equal conditions were created for all the candidates and there was no discrimination. In fact, the participation of more than 1300 candidates is a manifestation of their confidence in the elections. I believe that in general the electoral process was successful and the results reflect the will of the Azerbaijani people. The key thing is that the Azerbaijani people were satisfied with the elections, as once again witnessed by the events observed after the elections,” said President Ilham Aliyev.
“We invited many international organizations and observers to follow the elections, and the vast majority of them very positively evaluated the period of preparations, the campaigning and the voting day,” he added.
“It is possible to say that the vast majority of observers assessed the elections as yet another successful step towards the development of democracy and stated that the Azerbaijani people freely exercises their suffrage and the election results reflect the real picture. The international observers who declared this, of course, reflected the real state of affairs. At the same time, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and some organizations under its influence, which always approach the electoral process in Azerbaijan through the prism of double standards and bias, have again tried to exaggerate some minor irregularities in order to present them as a major event. No elections are perfect. There were shortcomings this time too and the cancellation of results in four districts shows that Azerbaijan itself is interested in not having such shortcomings. Post-election processes have once again demonstrated that our intention was to enable Azerbaijani people to freely exercise their suffrage and vote for their candidate, thus expressing their opinion and political will. In general, we succeeded in doing that, and the picture observed after the election shows that the Azerbaijani people agreed with the election results. This is the main thing for us,” said the head of state.
President Aliyev noted that the European Union made a very objective statement in connection with the elections.
“It expressed its readiness to work with the newly-elected MPs, the Azerbaijani parliament. This essentially means recognition of the elections. As for the opinion of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, apparently due to the absence of serious incidents, it had to present its report in a somewhat balanced manner this time. However, we have long known that their reports are written before elections. We also know where they are written. In addition, the recent statements by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and its assessment of the elections in some countries show again how biased and prejudiced they are. This shows that this organization is fulfilling a political order,” said President Ilham Aliyev.
The head of state noted that the latest example was the parliamentary elections held in Armenia in 2018.
“As you know, those elections were completely rigged by the then ruling fascist party of the Republicans. I call this party fascist not only because of their ideology and essence, but also because it is enough to look at their emblem to understand that it doesn’t differ much from the emblem of fascist Germany. And the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights gave a positive conclusion on those rigged elections, during which the Republican Party appropriated more than 50 percent of the votes. In other words, it became an accomplice in this falsification, and the events that followed are known to all. After that, this illegal and corrupt regime was overthrown, the deputies allegedly representing them in the Armenian parliament surrendered, raised their hands up and stepped aside with a miserable look. New parliamentary elections were called, and the fascist Republican Party was not able to get into parliament at all. What does this suggest? This suggests that the results of the elections that had been rigged two or three months prior to these elections were evident, but the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights expressed a positive opinion about this rigging. So by citing this as an example, I want to say again that the opinion of this organization does not mean anything at all to us because it is written on the basis of a political order and serves, as it were, a means of pressure for leading circles of some states,” said President Ilham Aliyev.
17:51, 6 March, 2020
YEREVAN, 6 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 6 March, USD exchange rate is up by 0.22 drams to 479.82 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 6.05 drams to 541.96 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.19 drams to 7.04 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 3.55 drams to 623.29 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price is up by 285.43 drams to 25601.93 drams. Silver price is down by 0.65 drams to 265.34 drams. Platinum price is down by 163.49 drams to 13359.41 drams.
16:20, 7 March, 2020
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. On March 6, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Armine Alexanyan, who is on a working visit in the Republic of Cyprus, participated in an event dedicated to Artsakh, which was organized at the initiative of the Armenian National Committee of Cyprus, the Artsakh foreign ministry told Armenpress.
The establishment of a Circle of Friendship with Artsakh in Cyprus, which comprises of members of the Cypriot parliament, City Council, distinguished political figures and scientists was announced at the event.
In her speech, the Deputy Foreign Minister presented the priorities of the foreign policy of Artsakh and the realities in the Republic. She also briefed on the steps towards the establishment of foreign relations at different levels, stressing the importance of the format of parliamentary diplomacy in expanding the involvement of Artsakh in international processes.
Armine Aleksanyan underlined the role of the Groups and Circles of Friendship with Artsakh operating in a number of countries in raising awareness of Artsakh, as well as in creating favorable conditions for the establishment of bilateral relations in various fields.
In this context, the Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the importance of establishment of the Circle of Friendship with Artsakh in Cyprus, which will allow to focus the efforts on strengthening and developing the cooperation between the two countries at the institutional level, as well as contributing to raising awareness of Artsakh and promoting the interests of the Republic in Cyprus. շ
Armine Alexanyan highlighted the importance of the active involvement of the Diaspora in the implementation of various development programs in Artsakh, as well as its efficient contribution to the establishment and expansion of foreign relations of the Republic.
Earlier in the day, the Deputy Foreign Minister, accompanied by head of European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy Kaspar Karampetian and the representatives of Armenian National Committee of Cyprus, met with Archbishop Khoren Doghramadjian, the General Catholicosal Vicar of the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus of the Armenian Apostolic Church as well as the leaders and representatives of Cypriot-Armenian organizations. They mutually stressed the importance of holding meetings in such format as a good opportunity to have discussion on issues of Pan-Armenian significance.
Deputy Foreign Minister also visited the Nareg Armenian School and met the leadership and the students of the school.
Armenia airlines issued a statement on Monday about cancellation of flights from Yerevan to Tel Aviv. As the company detailed in its statement, the decision came amid the recent developments with the return of bought tickets as well as the travel alert issued by Israeli authorities.
The cancelation will affect all flights scheduled by March 22 inclusive. The source added that a full refund will be granted to all passengers who have canceled their flight.
Published : Friday, | 6:03 AM
More than 200 people jammed the meeting room and spilled into the adjacent hallway at Thursday night’s Pasadena Unified School District board meeting to support a proposed new bilingual Armenian charter high school in the city. If approved, the school would be known as Melkonian High and be the first of its kind in the western United States.
It was the first public hearing about the school and just an informational forum, with no decision on the proposal’s fate on the agenda.
The next step will be for PUSD staff to evaluate the charter petition of Melkonian’s founders and prepare a recommendation on whether the board should approve or deny that petition.
Another public hearing would then be held.
Petitioners are hoping to open the charter this coming Aug. 17, with 250 students in grades nine through 12, drawn from all over the region. They are also hoping the school board will make a decision by its next meeting, on March 26 – though that’s a time frame that school-board Vice President Scott Phelps indicated could be particularly problematic from among the proposal’s many challenges.
In all, 16 speakers made public comments on the Melkonian proposal Thursday night, with 13 speaking in favor, most to rousing applause when they concluded their two minutes at the microphone.
But while the crowd was tipped heavily in favor of the proposal by a large turnout of Armenian residents, the plan does not figure to get nearly as widespread support in other sectors.
One woman who opposed the plan received brief, muffled boos from the crowd after she asked, “Why does I have to be a separate charter? What can’t (students) be absorbed at Blair?”
Board members, meanwhile, generally expressed support for the concept of the proposed school – but acknowledged that making Melkonian a reality is a whole other matter, against a backdrop of the PUSD’s recent closure of five schools amid falling enrollment and financial struggles.
“That’s the big cloud hanging over this,” said board member Lawrence Torres.
Board member Michelle Richardson Bailey made similar comments, saying that opening a new charter school so soon after closures could “lack empathy for the families” of students from the closed schools.
“I do want to support you,” Bailey said, gesturing toward the crowd, “but there’s just so much that is challenging.”
While not taking a definitive stand on the charter proposal, Bailey also said that if the Armenian program were “absorbed into our existing high schools, I would embrace it.”
The proposed school, in the context of the closures, prompted another speaker to label the plan “an insult.”
Board member Roy Boulghourian, himself of Armenian descent, indicated his general support for the proposal’s concept – saying that, beyond the cultural benefits and prestige of bringing an Armenian school to the city, it would also help reverse the PUSD’s falling enrollment and “bring more money in.”
Phelps, meanwhile, called the proposed school “a historic opportunity” for Pasadena schools. But beyond the possibly bad optics of opening a new school following the recent closures, Phelps indicated he feels some “concerns” and “discomfort” with the issue of charters, generally.
“There are a number of issues that would have to be resolved,” he said. “We do have a unique opportunity, but there are so many issues. In good faith, you have to see if those issues can be worked out.’’
Among those issues, he said, “The unions are going to have to be at the table.”
Arsine Shirvanian, one of the founders of the Melkonian plan and one of the speakers at Thursday’s meeting, gave Pasadena Now some details of the proposal – which she described as “a bilingual Armenian high school as well as a school that will teach other global languages and have an approach of global studies of culture and heritage.’’
Shirvanian stressed that the proposed school would be a “dependent” charter, rather than a so-called independent – “meaning that we’re under the umbrella of PUSD, they stand to benefit from us financially.’’
“They get a portion of our ADA (Average Daily Attendance money) in their general fund and they also get a special education fund for each student that registers in our school,’’ Shirvanian said.
She also stressed that Melkonian would be a big step toward reversing enrollment declines – saying 200 students, many from private schools outside of Pasadena, have already pre-registered.
Shirvanian told Pasadena Now that’s she’s received a generally “very positive” reception from school board members, but acknowledged she is aware of the challenges the board faces.
“They are little hesitant because they’re closing schools currently and they’re saying, well, how is that going to come across?’’ Shirvanian said.
“But what we addressed to them is that, first of all, we are a high school. Number two, we are bringing students from outside PUSD from private schools that would never come to PUSD. Number three, we are doing dependent, so that we could financially contribute to the challenges that we have. So it’s a win-win situation for everyone if politics is put aside.’’
Regarding staffing and teacher-union issues, Shirvanian said, “We would collaborate with the administration, the HR of the PUSD, to come together to a mutual understanding where we would benefit from the collaboration and would get the right teachers in.’’
“They’re right now struggling with many layoffs and they have many teachers with the highest payroll and benefits, and as a new charter school, we can’t carry that kind of a weight,’’ Shirvanian said. “So we want the teachers union and PUSD to be sort of understanding of that and help us to kind of find our wings and fly.’’
The location of the proposed school would also have to be figured out.
“Wherever they allow us to make MHS home,’’ Shirvanian said. “There are many sites (around PUSD). We’d leave it up to them. … We want to collaborate with them and find the most effective solution to co-exist.’’
School board President Patrick Cahalan pointed out the process is still in its early stages – and, like Phelps, thought an August launch of the proposed school might be a bit optimistic.
“The real conversation will occur when we have the staff recommendation and the board discusses the ramifications and impacts on the district,’’ he said.
16:19,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. Armenian foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan commented on the spread of coronavirus in Iran.
“Spread of coronavirus in neighboring friendly Iran is concerning. Armenia took preventive measures to stop the spread of virus and works very closely with our good neighbor Iran to jointly overcome this hazard”, the FM said on Twitter.
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan✔
@ZMnatsakanyanSpread of Coronavirus in neighboring friendly #Iran is concerning. #Armenia took preventive measures to stop the spread of virus and works very closely with our good neighbor #Iran to jointly overcome this hazard.
216
3:26 AM – Feb 24, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy
Number of people infected with novel coronavirus in Iran has risen to 64, number of those killed is 12.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Head coach of Armenian Greco-Roman wrestling squad Eduard Sahakyan named the athletes who will represent Armenia at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Budapest.
Gevorg Gharibyan (60 kg), Slavik Galstyan (67 kg), Maxim Manukyan (87 kg) and Davit Ovsipyan (130 kg) will represent Armenia.
Artur Aleksanyan (97 kg) and Karapet Chalyan (77 kg) have qualified to the Olympic Games.
Ruzan Mantashyan captivates SemperOpernball audience in brilliant performance of Tatiana's aria
13:12, 8 February, 2020
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian soprano Ruzan Mantashyan has captivated the audience at the SemperOpernball 2020 festival in Dresden with a dramatic performance of Tatiana's aria (Tatiana's Letter) in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin opera.
The highly anticipated concert featuring many world-renowned artists took place February 7.
Speaking to ARMENPRESS after the concert, Mantashyan said: “I am happy that the performance took place and reached its logical and triumphant end”.
After the performance, Yerevan Komitas State Consevatory lecturer Margarite Sargsyan shared a video of Mantashyan’s performance on Facebook, and praised the soprano. “This was truly brilliant. Well-done….This is our school,” she said.
Other musicians who performed at the concert included violinist Pavel Milyukov, soprano Yulia Muzichenko, pianist Alexander Kashpurin, and tenor Yusif Eyvazov, the Azerbaijani singer involved in the controversial developments around Mantashyan’s scheduled appearance in the concert prior to the event.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN (Armenpress)—Nurhan Yusupovich, a 105-year-old Italian citizen, wants to acquire Armenian citizenship, Head of the Passport and Visa Department of the Police of Armenia Mnatsakan Bichakhchyan told Armenpress.
“Nurhan was born in 1915 in Western Armenia. Now, he is 105-years-old and is an Italian citizen. He wants to get Armenian citizenship,” Bichakhchyan said, adding that they made exclusions and received the necessary documents from his house. “We wish him longevity and health.”