Author: Maral Chavushian

U.S. musician Chris Cornell, who gained fame as the lead singer of Soundgarden and later Audioslave, died on Wednesday in Detroit, his representative said, Reuters reports. 

Cornell’s family would be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause, representative Brian Bumbery said in a statement.

“His wife Vicky and family were shocked to learn of his sudden and unexpected passing,” Bumbery said. “They would like to thank his fans for their continuous love and loyalty and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

Seattle-born Cornell was the lead singer of Soundgarden, one of the leading bands in the grunge music movement in the ’80s and ’90s. In 1991, the band released platinum album “Badmotorfinger.”

Three years later, Soundgarden released “Superunknown,” a mainstream music scene success that earned the band two Grammys after it reached the top of music lists.

The band’s “wild soundscapes combined visceral punk attitude with artistic depth,” his bio said on his website.

He was last pictured by the press was a little over a month ago, at a screening of The Promise in New York with his two daughters. Cornell’s latest single, also called The Promise, had been written for the Christian Bale film.

On 18-19 May, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian will visit Nicosia to participate in the 127th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian doesn not rule out a meeting with his Russian and Azerbaijani counterparts later this week.

“There is a general perception that such a meeting should be organized. When the final agreement is reached and the timetable is clarified, we will inform you,” Nalbandian told Orakarg program of Public TV.

“It is known that Armenia has always been and continues to be a supporter of  negotiations,” Minister Nalbadian said.

“It is also known that it has always been Azerbaijan trying by all means to move the discussions on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue to other platforms, thus trying to avoid negotiations and to refuse meetings organized within the agreed format under the aegis of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, while putting the blame for that on the Armenian side,” the Foreign Minister stated.

The comments come in the wake of Azeri claims that Armenia avoids negotiations, but will have to return to the negotiating table.

Minister Nalbandian blamed Azerbaijan for the failure to implement agreements reached during negotiations, as it was the case with the agreements reached at last year’s Summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg.

“Azerbaijan always rejects the implementation of even minimal agreed steps, while demanding the maximum. Everyone gets the impression that Azerbaijan is not capable of negotiating. However, despite Azerbaijan’s attempts to refuse meetings,  Armenia has always been and continue to be the supporter of talks, as there is no alternative to the negotiation process,” Minister Nalbandian stated.

In a letter dated April 21, 2017 and addressed to the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA-WR), Wyoming Governor Matthew H. Mead has recognized the Armenian Genocide and praised the work of Armenian American grassroots.

“The atrocities of both the Armenian and Jewish Holocausts were unimaginable,” reads Governor Mead’s letter, “but it is important for all to remember – history must not repeat itself.” The letter also recalls a meeting with senior ANCA-WR staff earlier this year, when Executive Director Elen Asatryan and Community Development Coordinator Simon Maghakyan visited Cheyenne, adding that “The work of the Armenian National Committee is inspiring.” Referencing the upcoming April 23 commemoration in Denver, Governor Mead concludes his letter with, “My thoughts are with you as you gather for the Colorado State Capitol Armenian Genocide Commemoration.”

“We thank the Governor of the Great State of Wyoming for standing on the right side of history and adding his voice to the ongoing need to recognize and commemorate the Armenian Genocide,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian. “This recognition is a tribute to the memory of our ancestors and a celebration of the brave work of many Wyomingites who supported the national Near East Relief effort of building and operating 400 orphanages for over 132,000 Armenian children who survived the genocide. Last but not least, this recognition is a testament to the tireless work of our grassroots activists and dedicated staff,” continued Hovsepian.

The news of Wyoming’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide also received praise by elected officials and activists in the Equality State. “I congratulate the Governor for his courageous stance on this moral issue amid lavish anti-Armenian lobbying in Wyoming, which has included all-inclusive junkets to the dictatorship of Azerbaijan by legislators across our nation, who should know better than hobnobbing with bloody dictators that behead Christian Armenians and destroy ancient Armenian churches and Djulfa cross-stones,” remarked Wyoming State Senator Anthony Bouchard. “The Armenian Genocide is an unpunished crime that needs to be recognized and accounted for; Turkey’s ongoing denial of this grave crime, illegal blockade of Armenia and support for Azerbaijan’s genocidal policies against Armenia and Artsakh must end,” continued Sen. Bouchard.

Local ANCA activist Ani Gasparyan, a resident of Larimie, Wyoming, also praised the Governor for recognizing the Armenian Genocide: “As our community recalls the murder of 1.5 million people and the loss of the majority of our homeland, it warms our hearts to know that Governor Mead is recognizing the Armenian Genocide on its 102nd anniversary.”

Today’s victory comes after the ANCA-Western Region team drove down from Denver Colorado to the Equality State on the 29th of February and spent the day meeting with senators and representatives to educate them about the Armenian Genocide, Artsakh, the Armenian community, and discuss Armenian-American priorities.  During the visit, Senator Bouchard, who during his recent election campaign connected with the ANCA-WR about his opponent’s junket to Azerbaijan and spoke forcefully against these dirty tactics on the campaign trail, welcomed the ANCA-WR team by connecting them to the Governor’s office and other elected officials.  Before the sun rose the next morning, joined by the Chair of the State Revenue Committee Ray Peterson, the ANCA-WR met with the Governor and discussed, among other topics, the heroic efforts of Wyomingites during the Genocide, Turkey’s continued denial of the mass murder of 1.5 million Christian Armenians and the need for proper recognition, restitution and reparations against this unpunished crime against humanity.

“We extend our deep gratitude to Governor Mead, Senators Bouchard and Peterson, and the elected leaders for their leadership, taking the time to learn about Armenian American issues and supporting the Armenian community of Wyoming and the entire United States, as well as standing by the world’s first Christian nation as it continues to address the ongoing security and economic consequences of the Armenian Genocide,” remarked Executive Director Elen Asatryan.

Following the Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, a solemn Repose of Souls service was offered in memory of the brave heroes who died in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) during the war in April 2016.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the service with the participation of the members of Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin

Services were offered in all churches in the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan attended the Service.

Photo: AFP

French centre-right presidential candidate Francois Fillon has said he will fight on, as he announced that a judge was placing him under formal investigation, the BBC reports.

For weeks, he has fought allegations that his wife was paid for years for work she did not do.

He has now been summoned to appear before the judge, Serge Tournaire, on 15 March.

“It’s a political assassination,” Mr Fillon complained.

Russia continues to take all legal actions to protect blogger Alexander Lapshin, who was handed over to Azerbaijan by Belarus, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, TASS reports.

Peskov reminded that Lapshin holds several citizenships, including that of Russia. “Therefore, we treat him as our national,” he said.

“We continue to legally protect his interests. We are not holding negotiations, but taking all legal measures to defend his interests,” Peskov noted.

Alexander Lapshin, who holds Russian, Israeli and Ukrainian citizenship, was handed over to Baku on February 7 and escorted out of the airport by law enforcement agents.

On December 15, 2016, police in Belarus detained Alexander Lapshin, a popular travel blogger, for his prior visits to Nagorno Karabakh and for his criticism of the Aliyev regime.

The Supreme Court of Belarus considered today Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin’s appeal against the decision on his extradition to Azerbaijan, Lapshin’s lawyer Natalya Shekina told reporters, Sputnik reports.

According to her, the ruling will be publicized at 12:50 (Minsk time) today.

Lapshin was not present at the court hearing today, the lawyer said. She informed that the bloggers life has applied to the General Department of Interior Affairs of Belarus for additional protection. Besides, she filed a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee.

Lapshin, who was arrested for his trips to Nagorno Karabagh (NKR/Artsakh) in the past and his criticism of Azerbaijan, has been detained since mid-December.

offers visitors the 15 best things to do in Armenia’s capital Yerevan.

“The capital city of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It dates back to the 8th century, when the fortress of Erebuni was built by king Argishti I,” the website writes.

“Yerevan is often pegged as the ‘Pink City’ because of the colour of the stones used to build much of the city centre, which is a compact area known as Kentron. This area, amongst others, has been greatly developed over the past decade, resulting in more restaurants, cafés, shops and hotels.”

“The capital city is fast becoming a major tourist destination thanks to its numerous landmarks, extensive nightlife, great museums and lovely parks.”

The best things to do in Yerevan:

1. Go on a walking tour of the city centre

2. Watch the city from the top of the Cascade

3. Window shop on Northern Avenue

4. Have a picnic in a park

5. Splash around in the water

6. Go ice skating

7. Get lost on winding streets and alleyways

8. Learn about the city’s history

9. Shop for local art

10. Hang out at Republic Square

12. Delight your taste buds

13. Step back into medieval times

14. Listen to Music

15. Go to a football match