Author: Raffi Khondkarian

 11:31,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. In honor of Charles Aznavour's centennial in 2024, the city of Paris will pay tribute to the late French-Armenian artist and humanitarian by renaming a portion of Ledoyen Square in the Champs-Élysées gardens to Charles Aznavour Garden, the Aznavour Foundation said in a statement.

This particular area will be temporarily closed for renovation and improvement, with the intention of reopening to the public in the spring of 2024.

err.ee, Estonia
Dec 13 2023

Minister of Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said Estonia should take steps to recognize the Armenian genocide during a visit to Yerevan on Wednesday (December 13).

"Estonians owe it to the Armenians to recognize the genocide against their people," Tsahkna said at the meeting with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.  

"In today's world, where there is an aggression against another country in Europe and Russia is deporting Ukrainian children, we must not forget and neglect history and accept this kind of behavior," Tsahkna said in a statement.

The Armenian genocide took place in 1915 when the Ottoman Empire systematically destroyed and deported Armenians, causing the death of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians.

Data from the Armenian National Institute shows 32 countries have recognized the killing of Armenians as genocide, including the USA, Russia and 17 European Union countries, including Latvia and Lithuania.

However, Turkey does not believe the claim and some countries have allegedly not recognized the genocide to keep up good relations.

Last year, representatives of the Association of Estonian National Minorities called on the Riigikogu to recognize the Armenian genocide.

 10:27, 13 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. The maternity hospital of the Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center of the RA Ministry of Health has been equipped with modern medical equipment of European, American and Japanese production. Thanks to the financial support of benefactor Mikael Vardanyan, the maternity hospital already has new neonatal incubators, a neonatal portable ultrasound system, a high frequency neonatal ventilator, birthing, neonatal resuscitation and medical electric-hydraulic operating multifunctional tables, a neonatal electroencephalograph and MRI patient monitoring system. Benefactor Mikael Vardanyan donated 116 million drams for the purchase of 15 life supporting equipment.

 18:43,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS.  Finland will re-open two checkpoints on its eastern border with Russia from Thursday 14 December, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) announced on Tuesday.

According to YLE News, the two checkpoints to re-open are located at Vaalimaa, in the southeast of the country, and at Niirala, in North Karelia.

The remaining six crossing points along the Finnish-Russian frontier will remain closed.

The authorities will close the border again if the situation changes.

The Finnish government closed the entire eastern border nearly two weeks ago in response to a suspected Russian 'hybrid attack' involving increasing numbers of undocumented migrants arriving at Finnish checkpoints.

 10:28, 7 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. An emergency spending bill to provide billions of dollars in new security assistance for Ukraine and Israel was blocked in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as Republicans pressed their demands for tougher measures to control immigration at the U.S. border with Mexico, Reuters reports.

The vote was 49 in favor to 51 against, leaving the $110.5 billion measure short of the 60 votes needed in the 100-member Senate to pave the way to start debate.

The bill would provide about $50 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine, as well as money for humanitarian and economic aid for the government in Kyiv, plus $14 billion for Israel as it battles Hamas in Gaza.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, also voted "no" so that he could introduce the measure again in the future. After the vote, Schumer noted the risks if Ukraine falls, saying it was a "serious moment that will have lasting consequences for the 21st century," risking the decline of Western democracy.

Republicans said it was essential to make their case for tighter immigration policies and control of the southern U.S. border.

"Today’s vote is what it takes for the Democratic leader to recognize that Senate Republicans mean what we say," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in a floor speech earlier on Wednesday. "Then let’s vote. And then let's finally start meeting America's national security priorities, including right here at home."

Even if the bill passes the Senate, it still would need to be approved in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where dozens of Republicans have voted against Ukraine aid, including Speaker Mike Johnson.

"Make no mistake, today's vote is going to be long remembered. History is going to judge harshly those who turned their backs on freedom's cause," President Biden said in remarks at the White House.

Republicans contend that excessive illegal immigration across the southern border with Mexico is a hugely important security concern, and say they want more accountability than they are getting from the Biden administration for U.S. taxpayer funds that go to Ukraine.

The emergency spending bill included $20 billion for border security.

Schumer said on Tuesday he would try to break the impasse by offering Republicans the chance to add an amendment on border policy to the legislation.

No such amendment had been announced by Wednesday evening.

 17:59, 4 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. "Fly Arna" Armenia’s national airline continues its operations, staying true to its promise to provide its passengers with a comfortable and reliable flight experience. The airline has issued a statement about this, denying the news circulating in the media about the suspension of flights in recent days.

“Over the past few days, we experienced technical issues with our reservation system, which temporarily affected our flight booking service. However, we are pleased to announce that the technical issues have been resolved, and our reservation system is now back to normal,” reads the statement.

As a shareholder of “Fly Arna" Armenia’s national airline, ANIF has informed that the company continues its operations.

“During its 1.5 years of existence, Fly Arna has proven that quality, both in terms of services and other operational standards, is central to the company's activities. Today, the company provides more than 125 jobs that includes high- quality personnel trained according to the best international standards. We are confident that the company will continue to be the advocate and pioneer of the implementation of all standards of modern aviation in Armenia,” ANIF said.

 19:21, 4 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS.  The delegation led by the Chief of the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani visits Baku, the Azerbaijani Trend news agency reported.

According to Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, as part of the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet with the Azerbaijan Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, as well as to attend the Azerbaijan Naval Forces headquarters and the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev.