Author: Vardan Badalian

Kim Kardashian lead the birthday tributes for megastar Cher’s 71st birthday, the Daily Mail

The 36-year-old reality star posted over 20 times about the Believe hitmaker’s special day all over her social media.

She was not the only one as Jennifer Lopez also took to social media to pay homage to the iconic entertainer.

Also among the stars who hailed the If I Could Turn Back Time singer included Rachel Zoe.

Kim flooded her Instagram page with more than a dozen shots of the woman she dubbed the ‘fashion icon Armenian Queen.’

The super-fan socialite posed a historical retrospective of shots of Cher from the 1970s, showing how the style queen superstar has been something of an inspiration to her, having mastered culminating a hip and evolving image in Hollywood spread over decades.

It’s a huge weekend for Cher, who will stay in Sin City, as she’ll be at the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, where Gwen Stefani will present her with the ICON Award at the Billboard Music Awards.

She’ll also perform live for the first time in 15 years at an award show, as she’s slated to sing her 1999 smash-hit Believe at the proceedings. She told Billboard in a statement she was ‘honored … take the stage to celebrate my love of music with [her] fans’ at the show.

Daily Sabah, Turkey




First clues from the Washington meeting

MAHMUT ÖVÜR @mahmutovur


Finally, the much-awaited meeting between President Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan and the U.S. President Donald Trump took place on May 16.
Despite the negative propaganda campaign that was conducted for days
before the meeting, the picture that emerged following the meeting was
positive in terms of both Turkey-U.S. relations and relations between
the two leaders.

Neither side is willing to cut ties with each other. Even this factor
is a serious failure for the power groups pressing upon Turkey over
the past few years. The groups wishing to isolate Turkey have so far
conducted a large-scale operation to manipulate opinions via the
media.

Interestingly, the same groups have also blockaded Trump within the
U.S. Even though Trump was democratically elected, he does not have
full command over the state yet. All the establishment figures,
including the Pentagon and the CIA, are forcing Trump to implement
older policies while exerting the utmost effort to unseat him. The
meeting of the two leaders took place in the shadow of this blockade.

Another aspect affecting the meeting was Erdoğan's meetings in India,
China and Russia directly before heading to the U.S. The center of the
world is now shifting towards the East. And Turkey is a key country in
this new order due to its position as an energy corridor and the New
Silk Road project that will become the future axis of trade by
connecting Beijing to London.

With his remarks, Trump indicated that he received the message Turkey
wished to convey, which is reminiscent of the words of the late İsmet
İnönü in 1964, "Turkey will find itself a place in the new world."
Trump's emphasis on Turkey's regional and global significance was not
arbitrary. Although there are some missing details for now, several
important aspects stand out when the outcome is considered within this
framework.

First of all, although he does not have full command over the state
yet, Trump displayed his willingness to improve relations with Turkey
while showing that he understands Turkey's concerns about the safe
zone in Syria and the organizations including the Democratic Union
Party (PYD) and the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).

Secondly, by referring to the PKK terror group along with the name of
Daesh, Trump signaled that the PKK might be excluded from the equation
in the new period just like the outlawed Armenian Secret Army for the
Liberation of Armenia (ASALA), which was finally dissolved in the
early 1990s.

Despite this, President Erdoğan's warning regarding the relations
between the PYD, the PKK and the People's Protection Units (YPG) was
necessary, and marked the direction of the steps that will be taken
from now on. It will be no surprise if some major developments with
regard to the PYD and the PKK are seen in Syria in the near future.

The third important subject matter for Turkey was what steps the U.S.
administration would take against FETÖ. However, this subject will
likely be discussed for a long time since it is not easy to take
measures against the coup attempting organization in the presence of
the U.S. establishment. For this, a complete discharge of the former
administration is required. Also, deporting FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen
will remain short of resolving the problem.

The course of events may change unless Trump has an accident. FETÖ can
be rapidly purged not only at the level of leadership, but as an
institution. Since the terrorist group is aware of this, it is
desperately attacking both Turkey and Trump while siding with the CIA.

As for Turkey, there is a wide range of options in terms of creating
new policies in the near future, since Turkey has many opportunities
when viewed through the lens of the progress of the new world, global
opportunities and partnerships instead of considering the relations of
some states with regional groups.


 

“For the first time in the history of mediating efforts, the OSCE Minsk Group had to point out that Azerbaijan is the initiator of escalation of situation at the line of contact and violation of the ceasefire regime,” MP Samvel Farmanyan saidat a parliament sitting today.

According to him, the statement was a ‘forced step,’ considering that Azerbaijan continues to refuse to implement the agreements on investigation mechanisms reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg.

“I believe we should all welcome this statement and I think that the Minsk Group should publish data on the losses incurred by the Azerbaijani side as a result of the ceasefire violations,” he said.

“As we know Azerbaijan conceals the manpower losses from its society, thus misleading its own citizens,” Farmanyan said.

In a released Thursday, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs stressed that “Azerbaijani armed forces fired a missile across the Line of Contact, striking military equipment,” and added that “Armenian armed forces retaliated with mortar fire of various calibres.”

The Co-Chairs condemned “these recent ceasefire violations” and called upon the sides to take all necessary measures to prevent any further escalation in the conflict zone.

System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian has expressed condolences on the passing of Chris Cornell.

“We are extremely shocked and saddened at the news of our friend Chris Cornell’s passing. I was sitting next to you a few weeks ago talking about music, life, kids. Your life and music have made an indelible impression upon mine my brother. And your spirit can only be described as generous and regal. Travel well. Our deep and sincere condolences to Vicky and the kids. And love to all those who share this love and grief,” Tankian wrote in a Facebook post.

On May 16 Aurora Humanitarian Initiative opened the photo exhibition “Capturing Humanity” at Dalan Art Gallery in Yerevan, where a selection of the photos submitted for the Aurora Photo Exhibition are displayed. At the opening of the exhibition the Initiative announced the winners of the Aurora Photo and Short Film Competitions.

Areg Balayan from Artsakh wins the photo competition with the photo “Finally, some rest”. Sargis Bulghadaryan (Armenia) took the second place with “Everyday water issue in Tlik village” photo, while Visarut Sankham (Thailand) took the third place with the photo “Behind Tin Walls”. Aurora Humanitarian Initiative granted special awards to Anahit Hayrapetyan (Armenia) for “Refugee father and son in Artsakh” photo and Ana Caroline de Lima (Brazil) for “Rajashtani boy” photo.

“Provoking, compassionate and impassioned, the images submitted for the first Aurora Photo Contest were compelling. Thought provoking. Having judged many contests over the years, the caliber and quality of the photography submitted was stellar for an award that recognizes issues of acute importance to all of us around the world,” said John Stanmeyer, the chairperson of the Aurora Photo Competition jury.

Aurora Humanitarian Initiative awards US$2,500 to the photographer of the best image. Second and third places receive awards of US$1,500 and US$1,000 respectively.

The winner of the Aurora Short Film Competition is the animated film “The desire” by Maria Fernanda Moreno Beltran (Colombia), “The Youngest Girl in the Minefield” by Aza Andreasyan (Armenia) takes the second prize and “Father” by Yevgeni Vasiltsov (Ukraine) took the third place. As per the professional jury’s decision, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative granted special awards to two participants: Hayk Kbeyan for “Christmas Tree” (Armenia) and Santiago Arcos Veintimilla for “The Skin of Palestine” (Ecuador).

“This competitions has broadened the humanitarian movement initiated by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. We are joined by thousands of talented young people from over 50 countries who illustrated their own vision on the ideas of humanity and gratitude,” said Arman Jilavian, a jury member of both competitions and CEO of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative.  “I thank all participants who helped us to visually reflect our mission and ideas at the eve of the 2017 Aurora Prize Events.”

Aurora Humanitarian Initiative awards US$4000 to the director of the best film. Second and third places will receive US$2000 and US$1500 award respectively. 10 awardees of two competitions get unique opportunity to be present at the 2017 Aurora Prize Award Ceremony on May 28, 2017 in Yerevan, Armenia.

Aurora Photo and Short Film Competitions were launched on December, 2016. 1237 photos from 48 countries and 184 films from 27 countries were submitted for the competitions.

“Capturing Humanity” exhibition presents 28 photos of 23 photographers from 13 countries. It will be open for the visitors until June 6, 2017 at Dalan Art Gallery in Armenia.

Photo: Getty Images

 

Boeing has temporarily halted test flights of its new 737 MAX aircraft due to possible issues with the engine, the BBC reports.

The stoppage came days before the US planemaker was due to make its first delivery of the aircraft to a customer.

But Boeing said it was sticking with plans to begin MAX deliveries this month, adding that production of the jets would continue.

American Airlines, Southwest, and China’s Shandong Airlines are among those who have placed orders.

The MAX fleet is designed to be a more fuel-efficient version and replaces Boeing’s previous 737 model which has been a best-seller for the aerospace giant.

Members of the California Legislature commemorated the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 17, even as the United States of America continues to turn a blind eye to the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians, Massis Post reports.

“We commemorate the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide to remember the 1.5 million souls lost and to celebrate the Armenian’s contributions to California,” stated Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. “Through vigilance and education we can banish genocide to our history books.”

“Armenian-Americans have not only survived, they have thrived and enriched the fabric of our communities. The genocide is about real people and real stories. For me it is about my wife Vanessa and her family, people I love and who are Armenian-Americans,” said Senator Scott Wilk. “By remembering the horror of the genocide we are taking steps to ensure it never happens again,” he said.

System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian, Canadian Armenian film director Atom Egoyan, actress Arsine Khanjyan and American Armenian film director Erik Nazaruan have arrived in Armenia to observe the parliamentary elections of April 2.

“It’s an honor to be here and participate in the elections as monitors,” Serj Tankian told a press conference in Yerevan today.

“We started the initiative “Justice within Armenia” last year because we were afraid of what might happen in Armenia given the Sasna Tsrer situation and given the escalation of tension within the country after years of injustice and years of apathy. We wanted to participate in the election to help create justice within Armenia,” he said.

Born in Armenia, but raised in the US from the age of four, Erik Nazaruan said he feels more and more ‘exiled’ in Armenia.

“We want to understand the mechanism of this voting, to reveal the shortcomings and opportunities. We don’t want to feel like tourists in our country,” he said.

The director added he wants the attitude towards Diaspora Armenians to change. “One does not need to live in Armenia to be an Armenian. Ayvazovsky had never seen Ararat, when he painted it. Kirk Kirkoryan never lived here, but did a lot for Armenia,” he noted.

“We are here for the future. We are here for the time when brilliant young leaders will change the democratic system in Armenia,” Atom Egoyan said.

“We must develop our democratic muscle around our strong old bones. We must not fall victim to tyranny, and most profoundly, self-tyranny and apathy. We are here to observe a prosperous and sustainable future,” Atom Egoyan said. He said that “the decision not to vote in the Sunday election is self-tyranny.

Arsine Khanjyan said 300 observers from the Diaspora will travel to regions of Armenia throughout the day, and visit polling stations in different cities and villages of the country and return to Yerevan in the evening.

Serj Tankian said they do not support any of the political forces running in the elections. “The will of the people is the most important to us in these elections,” he said.

“We are not professional monitors. Our mission as artists is to encourage you to go and vote,” Tankian added.