Author: Meline Chalian

Remembering Mike Agassi

Meline Chalian
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The author, Andy Armenian (left), and Mike Agassi in 2009 (Photo by Andy Armenian).

BY ADROUSHAN ANDY ARMENIAN

Mike Agassi, the father of tennis star, Andre Agassi passed away on Friday, September 24 in Las Vegas. He was 90.
 
Emanuel Aghassian, an Iranian Armenian, was a boxer and competed for Iran in the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games.

He immigrated to United States in 1952 and later changed his name to Mike Agassi. He loved tennis and his passion was to train and coach his four children, Rita, Phillip, Tamara and Andre and many other rising tennis stars.
 
I had the opportunity to meet Mike Agassi at his home in Las Vegas on several occasions and had long discussions about his youth in Iran, his boxing career, arriving in Chicago and later driving to Las Vegas and his association with Kirk Kerkorian.
 
Mike told me that he came from a poor family, and they used to live near a compound that housed British serviceman. That was where he first saw people playing tennis. As a boy he used to help the servicemen as a ball boy and mark the clay tennis court, which gave him the opportunity to occasionally play tennis.
 
He also mentioned that although he loved boxing, however eventually he saw boxing as an opportunity to get a passport for international travel and a way to immigrate to the United States.

Rest in peace Emanuel Aghassian, Mike Agassi.

Artsakh ombudsman publishes updated version of report on civilian killings by Azerbaijani forces

Meline Chalian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 28 2021

Human Rights Ombudsman of the Artsakh Republic Gegham Stepanyan on Monday published an updated version of the report on the cases of the killing of civilians in Artsakh by the armed forces of Azerbaijan.

The report summarizes the data collected as a result of fact-finding work of the Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office from September 27, 2020 to on the civilian killings by Azerbaijani forces either by targeted strikes or after their invasion of the civilian settlements of Artsakh. Only the cases proved on indisputable grounds are presented. The report provides a brief description on the circumstances of the killing of each civilian, the Ombudsman’s Office said.

According to the data collected till September 27 of this year, the identities of 80 civilians killed by the Azerbaijani military were revealed. 42 civilians were killed from long-range strikes by the Azerbaijani armed forces, including rocket-propelled grenades, shelling, bombardment, and sabotage by subversive groups. 38 civilians were killed in captivity or at least under the control of Azerbaijan from physical violence, stabbing, beheading, close-range shooting and other direct means. Out of 80 civilian victims, 68 are men and 12 are women. 52 civilians were killed at the place of residence, 15 at the public place, 11 at the place of work, 1 person in the Azerbaijani prison. The majority of civilian victims are people over 63 years old.

The ombudsman also recorded the cases of 163 civilian injuries, most of which resulted from strikes that resulted in the deaths of others. The fate of two dozen civilians from the territories occupied by Azerbaijan remains unknown.

The report was prepared in a closed and public version. The closed report adds many photos of the victims before and after their deaths. The public report was prepared without photos, taking into account the cruel and sensitive images in them.

The closed version of the report has been sent to the relevant international organizations, the public version is available here.

38 Artsakh civilians were killed by Azerbaijan by way of physical violence, stabbing, beheading, close-range shooting

Meline Chalian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 28 2021
13:51, 28.09.2021

The Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has published an updated version of the Report on the cases of the killing of civilians in Artsakh by the armed forces of Azerbaijan.

The Report summarizes the data collected as a result of fact-finding work of the Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman’s staff from September 27, 2020 to on the civilian killings by Azerbaijani armed forces either by targeted strikes or after their invasion of the civilian settlements of Artsakh. Only the cases proved on indisputable grounds are presented. The report provides a brief description on the circumstances of the killing of each civilian.

According to the data collected till , the identities of 80 civilians killed by the Azerbaijani armed forces were revealed. 42 civilians were killed from long-range strikes by the Azerbaijani armed forces, including rocket-propelled grenades, shelling, bombardment, and sabotage by subversive groups. 38 civilians were killed in captivity or at least under the control of Azerbaijan from physical violence, stabbing, beheading, close-range shooting and other direct means. Out of 80 civilian victims, 68 are men and 12 are women. 52 civilians were killed at the place of residence, 15 at the public place, 11 at the place of work, 1 person in the Azerbaijani prison. The majority of civilian victims are people over 63 years old.

The Human Rights Ombudsman also recorded the cases of 163 civilian injuries, most of which resulted from strikes that resulted in the deaths of others. The fate of two dozen civilians from the territories occupied by Azerbaijan remains unknown.

The report was prepared in a closed and public version. The closed report adds many photos of the victims before and after their deaths. The public report was prepared without photos, taking into account the cruel and sensitive images in them.

The closed version of the report has been sent to the relevant international organizations, but its public version is accessible  .

https://news.am/eng/news/664887.html

Main event dedicated to the Independence Day kicks off in the Republic Square

Meline Chalian

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 20:05, 21 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The main event dedicated to the Independence Day kicked off in the Republic Square of Yerevan. ARMENPRESS reports the event is attended by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Ministers, MPs, foreign diplomats accredited in Armenia and other high-ranking officials.  The state anthem of the Republic of Armenia was performed at the beginning of the event. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected to deliver a congratulatory address on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Independence.

[See Video]
The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the Armenian State Chamber Choir will give a concert program at the event.

Earlier today, high-ranking officials led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited "Yerablur" military pantheon, paid tribute to the memory of the heroes of the 44-day, four-day Artsakh wars. Later, awarding ceremony of representatives of defense, security, culture, education and other spheres took place at the Presidential Palace. During this period, the units of law enforcement agencies marched in different streets of the capital.




24th ARPA International Film Festival to be held Virtually

Meline Chalian


The 24th ARPA International Film Festival will be held virtually from Nov. 21 to Dec. 5

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the Arpa International Film Festival, the signature event of the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art (AFFMA). The virtual festival is slated to run from November 21 to December 5.

It is important to stress that the focus of the festival is to support independent cinema, which has inspired and sustained the festival globally. The ongoing popularity of the Arpa International Film Festival has always depended on the selfless acts and generosity of the community, whose dedication has allowed the festival to thrive for the last 24 years.

The 2021 Arpa International Film Festival Team consists of an experienced and youthful group of professionals from a wide, cross-section of the film industry. Their ideas and creative force are what drives the festival’s production and programming, to give both the filmmakers and the audience the best festival experience possible.

The 24th Arpa International Film Festival is now accepting submissions for feature films, shorts, documentaries, music videos, and more.

We are committed to showcasing all the selected films during the online festival. Submit your film today.

Deadlines

* Regular Deadline: September 28

* Late Deadline: October 19

The AFFMA team during their first in-person meeting as they prepare for the festival. From left: Cammie Jones, Nick Talarico, Hrag Meguerditchian, Sylvia Minassian, Lorena Armine Dilanian, Lori Sinanian, Maral Kazazian, Carmen Libaridian, John Santos. Not pictured: Sonia Keshishian, Jacklin Boyadjian, Lilit Harutyunyan, Berge Kallibjian, Sossi Varbedian, Silva Karageozian, Nelly Harutyunyan, James Ananias, Aleen Khachatourian, Maria Elena Infantino, and Manvel Saribekyan

Subscribe to the Arpa International Film Festival Newsletter to receive the latest event updates.

Donations may be made online, or via mail by sending checks to AFFMA – Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art, 2919 Maxwell St, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art (AFFMA) is a charitable, non-profit, tax-deductible organization registered as a 501(c)(3), thereby making all sponsorships 100 percent tax-deductible.

Nikol Pashinyan comments on the arrival of Covid-19 vaccines sent by France

Meline Chalian

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 19:00, 14 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan made a post on his Twitter page in French on the occasion of sending the first batch of vaccine donated by France to Armenia.

"In confirmation of the Armenian-French friendship, the first 25,000 doses of the 200,000 doses of vaccines donated by France to Armenia in the fight against COVID-19 have arrived in Yerevan’’, ARMENPRESS reports the PM wrote.

Armenia, Europol sign agreement to combat cross-border serious organized crime

Meline Chalian

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 17:26,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. On 16 September, Armenia and Europol signed a strategic cooperation agreement to expand cooperation to combat cross-border criminal activities, Europol reports.

The agreement will enable both partners to work on some key areas such as migrant smuggling, cybercrime, drug trafficking, asset recovery, money laundering, organized property crime and trafficking in human beings.

The agreement allows for the exchange of general strategic intelligence as well as strategic and technical information and operational information with the exception of personal data, and will lead to the secondment of a Armenian Liaison Officer to Europol.

The signing of the Agreement on Strategic Cooperation concludes the successful negotiations between Armenia and Europol on how to effectively join forces to fight serious and organized crime. 

Europol is the European Union’s law enforcement agency.




Armenian musicians perform for Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch

Meline Chalian
Sept 15 2021

Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2021 |

The performance taught rotary members about Armenian culture and history.

by: Liz Ramos Staff Writer

Dozens of members of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch watched in amazement as the Golden Gates from Armenia performed Sept. 9 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

The Golden Gates from Armenia is a group of 15 musicians and dancers between the ages of 14 and 25 with the Reunite Cultures Fund, which was a nonprofit founded by Rotarians in 2003.

"The idea of the organization is to give the opportunity for young people to introduce their country in the United States and discuss more about a relationship with the United States," said Vitaliy Bezronlov, the founder and coordinator of the Reunite Cultures Fund. 

The music the group performed gave Rotary members a look into Armenian history and culture. For example, musician Lilit Petrosyan played a qaran and Alex Danielyan and Emil Abrahamyan performed a dance that is done before going into battle. A qaran is an Armenian stringed instrument.

"I thought they were great," said Mark Golub, the program chair for the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch who coordinated the Golden Gates from Armenia's visit. "I'm so glad they were able to come. I hope we can donate to some of their creative work in the future, and I hope we can have them back again."

Some members of the rotary club, such as Carey Leichter, volunteered to host a few performers in their homes.  

Leichter has always enjoyed meting people from other countries and looked forward to getting to know the performers.

"Music is a universal language," Leichter said. "My children are all musical as well, so I thought it was a great way to have the guests be comfortable in our culture and hopefully get a sense of what our family is like."

Lebanese Armenian George Boujikian appointed Industry Minister

Meline Chalian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 10 2021


, 21:44

 1 minute read

Lebanese Armenian George Boujikian representing the Armenian Revolutionary Federation has been appointed Lebanon’s Industry Minister, The National reports.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister designate Najib Mikati formed a government of 24 ministers on Friday, exactly one year after his predecessor Hassan Diab resigned in the wake of a deadly blast at Beirut port

The cabinet includes 12 Christians and 12 Muslims in line with Lebanon’s sectarian politics. The Prime Minister is always Sunni Muslim, the President Christian Maronite, and the Parliament Speaker Shiite Muslim. There is only one woman among the ministers.

Born in 1950, George Boujikian holds a bachelor’s degree in law and political science from the Lebanese University, according to the NNA. He worked as a journalist for MBC FM Radio in London and Lebanese television channel LBC. He was awarded the title of Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Organisation.

Armenian-Indian economic relations have great development potential: Finance minister holds meeting with Ambassador

Meline Chalian

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 14:04,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan received Ambassador of India to Armenia Kishan Dan Dewal on September 10, the ministry told Armenpress.

The minister introduced the government’s 2021-2026 action plan to the Ambassador, as well as the strategy of the reforms of public finance management system.

The Ambassador in turn congratulated the minister on appointment and presented the framework of the issues over which it would be possible to develop the economic cooperation between India and Armenia. He expressed confidence that India is ready to continue the cooperation with Armenia in all possible directions.

At the meeting the officials also discussed issues relating to attracting economic, business investments, developing the economic relations between the two countries and establishing stable partnering ties.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan