Midfielder of the Armenia national team and “Manchester United” Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been included in the top 20 most highly paid footballers of the Premier League.
ARMENPRESS reports, citing The Sun, Henrikh Mkhitaryan receives 140 thousand pounds weekly, and shares the 18th and 19th places with Mesut Özil from Arsenal, who receives the same amount of money.
Paul Pogba is the most valuable player with 290 thousand pounds weekly.
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate 6252 Honolulu Avenue La Crescenta, CA 91214 Tel: (818) 248-7737 Fax: (818) 248-7745 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.westernprelacy.org PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER LAST DIVINE LITURGY OF THE YEAR AT THE CRESCENTA VALLEY PARISH On Sunday, December 31, 2017, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over the last Divine Liturgy of the year and deliver the sermon at the Crescenta Valley parish. *** NEW YEAR'S DAY PRAYER SERVICE IN PRELACY CHURCHES On Monday, January 1st, 2018, Prelacy Churches will open their doors for a prayer service, offering faithful the opportunity to begin the New Year with collective prayer and to exchange well wishes for a healthy, joyful, and blessed year. We invite our faithful to attend the service and together give thanks to our Lord for the gift of another year. Please contact your local parish for service time. *** SCHEDULE OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES On Saturday, January 6, the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the glorious Birth and Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Within Western Prelacy parishes, the celebration will begin on Christmas Eve, Friday, January 5th, with Divine Liturgy followed by the Jrakalooyts service (lighting of candles). On Saturday, January 6, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated, during which water will be blessed symbolizing the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. On Christmas Eve, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy, deliver the sermon, and preside over Jrakalooyts service at St. Mary's Church in Glendale. On Christmas Day, His Eminence will celebrate Divine Liturgy, deliver the sermon, and conduct the blessing of water at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. On Christmas Day, H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Mary's Church in Glendale. Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, will celebrate Christmas Eve service at the North Hollywood parish and Christmas service at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. On Sunday, January 7, Memorial Day, requiem service will take place at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills "Hall of Liberty" and Forest Lawn Glendale "Church of the Recessional" beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Prelate will preside over the service at Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn. We invite our faithful to participate in these festive and spiritually uplifting Christmas celebrations. *** CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT ARARAT HOME On Friday, , H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, accompanied by clergy members, visited Ararat Home in Mission Hills to spread New Year and Christmas cheer and blessings to the elderly residents. The day began at the Skilled Nursing Facility. The Prelate firstly conveyed his blessings and well wishes to the Ararat Home family and introduced H.E. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, a senior member of the Holy See of Cilicia who was on a visit to the U.S. Archbishop Ohanian greeted the administration and residents and also conveyed his New Year and Christmas wishes. The blessing of the home service followed, after which the blessing of water was conducted, with Mr. Derek Ghoogasian, Ararat Home COO, serving as Godfather of the Cross. Mr. Ghoogasian and Skilled Nursing Facility Executive Director Ms. Margarita Kechichian thanked the Prelate and clergy for their traditional visit and prayers and wished them a happy New Year and a Merry Christmas. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Ghoogasian presented a gift basket to the Prelate, while His Eminence gifted copies of the Prelacy's latest publications to all. Next, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Chapel by Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian, who also delivered the sermon. Fr. Movses spoke of the importance of having our Lord Jesus Christ as the way and truth of our lives, and prayed for the tidings of Christ's Birth to fill the hearts and souls of all with boundless joy. The blessing of water followed, conducted by Archbishop Ohanian. Christmas hymns were sung and faithful received Holy Communion. Clergy members thereafter visited residents in their rooms to offer Holy Communion and prayers. Afterward, clergy members were hosted to a luncheon by the Board and administration. On behalf of the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, wished all a blessed New Year. *** AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA PRESIDENT VISITS THE PRELACY On Thursday, , H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed the visit of Dr. Armen Kiureghian, President of the American University of Armenia, who was accompanied by Mr. Paul Yeghiayan, Vice President for Development. Dr. Der Kiureghian gave an overview of the degree programs offered in various academic disciplines for students from Armenia and abroad, collaboration with international educational institutions, and the university's plans for the future. The Prelate commended the guests for their dedicated service in maintaining the AUA's high level of academic excellence, conveyed his best wishes for continued success, wished both a happy and prosperous New Year and a merry Christmas, and gifted copies of the Prelacy's latest publications. *** PRELATE PRESIDES OVER COMMEMORATION OF THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA On Sunday, December 24, 2017, the eve of the Feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr and first deacon, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. Given that the Feast of St. Stephen is a celebration of altar servers, during the service the Prelate blessed and commended the parish's deacons, stole-bearers, and acolytes. Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan, Parish Pastor. On this day, in all Prelacy Churches prior to the sermon, the hymn dedicated to St. Stephen was sung and altar servers blessed. At St. Sarkis Church, during the singing of the hymn, deacons and altar servers ascended the altar candles in hand and were blessed by the Prelate. His Eminence thereafter delivered his sermon. He congratulated and commended all of the altar servers and noted that a seminar for deacons was held at the Prelacy the day prior which served as an occasion for the renewal of their dedication to serving our church. The Prelate spoke of St. Stephen's virtues, that he was full of wisdom, grace, and of the Holy Spirit, lived an exemplary and honorable life, stood firm against those who condoned him, was a fearless witness for Christ, and became worthy of the heavenly crown for his righteousness and martyrdom. The Prelate urged the altar servers to follow in St. Stephen's ideal example and continue to serve with humility, faithfulness, and courage, to pray and read the Bible and lead a God-pleasing life. *** DEACONS' SEMINAR HELD ON THE OCCASION OF THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR AND PROTODEACON In commemoration of the Feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr and Protodeacon and by the initiative of the Western Prelacy Religious Council, on Saturday, December 23, 2017, deacons, stole-bearers, and acolytes gathered at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall for a daylong seminar held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mradirossian, Prelate. The day began with a prayer service, after which Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Religious Council Chair, delivered opening remarks wishing for a fruitful and productive seminar. The first lecture was presented by Religious Council Secretary Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, who spoke on the past and present role of deacons and the importance of serving with humility and devotion. The second lecture was presented by Vicar General Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, focused on the important role deacons have during Divine Liturgy in particular, and offered practical suggestions for harmonious singing from the altar. The Prelate delivered his message and conveyed his blessings. His Eminence commended all of the altar servers, urged them to continue their service and mission with utmost humility and unwavering devotion in the example of St. Stephen, and wished all a happy New Year and a merry Christmas. The program concluded with "Cilicia" and the benediction. Participants received copies of the Prelacy's newly published "The Divine Liturgy" and "The Word of God" booklets. A lunch reception followed. *** PRELATE PRESIDES OVER CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA On Friday, December 22, 2017, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over a Christmas concert at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena presented by the church choir and conducted by Choirmaster Yervant Keshishian. The concert was organized by the parish Pastor and Board of Trustees. His Eminence was accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General. On behalf of the parish family, Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan, Parish Pastor, delivered welcoming remarks and wished all a blessed New Year and merry Christmas. The program featured group and solo performances of Armenian hymns and Christmas carols in Armenian and various other languages. The Prelate delivered his message at the end of the program. His Eminence blessed and commended the parish family and in particular the choir and choirmaster Deacon Yervant Keshishian for their collective effort and dedication and heartfelt and soulful performance. The Prelate commended the initiative of the concert, stating that it created an atmosphere where we were able to relive in our hearts the Birth of our Lord and took us away from our daily concerns. His Eminence prayed for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to inspire peace in the world, in our family and community life, and in our spiritual life, invited all to praise and thank God all the days of the New Year for His plentiful gifts and blessings, and conveyed his best wishes for a blessed year and a merry Christmas. Next, on behalf of the parish family, Fr. Boghos presented a plaque to Mr. Zaven Boyamian for over 30 years of service as a choir member. The Prelate blessed and commended Mr. Boyamian for his decades of service to the church, from Lebanon to the U.S. The program concluded with "Cilicia" and the benediction by the clergy. A reception followed. *** ARMENIAN ECCLESIASTICAL BROTHERHOOD'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION On Saturday, December 23, 2017, the Armenian Ecclesiastical Brotherhood held a special event at their center in Glendale in celebration of their 20th anniversary as well as of the New Year and Christmas. The event was held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. His Eminence was represented by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian, and Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian. Mr. Avo Kabakjouzian, Brotherhood Chairman, delivered welcoming remarks. Youth presented Christmas hymns and carols and read Scripture passages. Fr. Torkom congratulated the Brotherhood leadership and members on their milestone anniversary and encouraged them to continue their mission faithfully, devotedly, and humbly. Guests viewed a video chronicling the Brotherhood's service over the past two decades. A reception followed. ***
Friday, Yerevan Shrugs Off Azeri Offer Of `Autonomy' For Karabakh Armenia - Eduard Sharmazanov, spokesman for the ruling Republican Party, at a news conference in Yerevan, 14May2017. A senior Armenian official has dismissed as unserious Azerbaijan's latest offer to grant a high degree of autonomy to Nagorno-Karabakh. A top aide to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reportedly said this week that Karabakh could enjoy a greater degree of self-rule than it had in Soviet times if Azerbaijan regains control over the disputed territory. Ali Hasanov said Baku would also guarantee the security of its predominantly Armenian population. "I think that they know much better in Azerbaijan that such statements are groundless and ludicrous," Eduard Sharmazanov, the spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), said late on Thursday. "How can one state give some status to another?" Sharmazanov told reporters. "The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is a de facto independent republic." He argued that people's right to self-determination is one of the principles at the heart of international mediators' exiting proposals to resolve the Karabakh conflict. A framework peace accord originally drafted by the U.S., Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group a decade ago calls for a phased settlement of the conflict. It would start from the liberation of virtually all seven districts around Karabakh that were occupied by Karabakh Armenian forces during the 1991-1994 war. In return, Karabakh's population would be able to determine its internationally recognized status in a future referendum. Armenia's leadership says that this peace formula is largely acceptable to it. President Serzh Sarkisian ruled out Karabakh's return under Azerbaijani rule immediately his most recent meeting with Aliyev held in Geneva in October. The two leaders pledged to intensify the peace process and ease tensions on the frontlines. The Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers met in Vienna on December 6 for follow-up negotiations which they both described as "positive." They are expected to meet again in January. Probe Of Reported Violence In Armenian Trial Still Not Over . Ruzanna Stepanian Armenia - A chaotic scene at the trial of arrested radical opposition members in Yerevan, 28Jun2017. An Armenian law-enforcement agency said on Friday that it is still investigating reports that four arrested members of an armed opposition group were beaten up during their ongoing trial in Yerevan. The high-profile trial stems from the July 2016 attack on a police base in Yerevan that was launched by members and supporters of a radical opposition group. The gunmen laid down their arms after a two-week standoff with security forces which left three police officers dead. Eighteen members of the armed group went on trial in May. Four of them claimed to have been brutally attacked by police officers immediately after a tense court hearing on June 28. During the hearing, two of them were removed from the courtroom after arguing with the presiding judge and security personnel. They as well as two other defendants told their lawyers afterwards that they were beaten up by police officers in the court building's basement before being transported back to their prisons. Although the Armenian police denied the beatings, the Special Investigative Service (SIS) pledged to investigate the allegations. The SIS told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) that the inquiry is still continuing. The defendants' lawyers earlier questioned the SIS's declared commitment to a fair and objective probe. "Do not expect a comment from the police at this point," said Alik Sargsian, the former chief of the Armenian police. "Let other bodies that have a punitive role in this case explain why the inquiry has dragged on so much." Sargsian, who is now a parliament deputy from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), dismissed suggestions that the policemen assaulted the jailed gunmen in retaliation for their colleagues that were killed and taken hostage during the 2016 standoff. Poll Finds Strong Support For Armenian Military Armenia - Defense Minister Vigen Sargsian (R) inspects troops deployed along the border with Azerbaijan, 8Nov2017. The Armenian military remains the most trusted institution in Armenia, according to an opinion poll conducted recently. The Armenian branch of the U.S.-funded Caucasus Resource Research Center (CRRC) interviewed more than 1,600 randomly chosen households across the country in November as part of the CRRC's annual Caucasus Barometer survey. The survey gauged public opinion in Armenia and Georgia on a wide range of issues facing the two neighboring countries. According to its findings released last week, 51 percent of Armenians "fully trust" and another 26 percent "rather trust" their armed forces. The CRRC's previous surveys found similarly strong popular support for the Armenian army, a sentiment that appears to reflect the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The latest CRRC poll shows that the Armenian Apostolic Church and other religious organizations active in the country were the second most trusted institution, with 74 percent of respondents having confidence in them. The poll found much lower degrees of public trust towards the executive and legislative branches of government. In particular, only 18 percent of those polled said they trust President Serzh Sarkisian, according to the CRRC. Public confidence in the Armenian parliament was found to be even weaker. Respondents were also asked questions relating to foreign policy. Two-thirds of them said they approve, in one way or another, of Armenia's membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union. Accordingly, 64 percent described Russia as Armenia's "friendliest" foreign partner. At the same time, 55 percent of those polled voiced varying degrees of support for Armenia's potential accession to the European Union. Armenia Raises Income Tax For High Earners . Astghik Bedevian Armenia - A tax office in Yerevan, 8Nov2017. Armenians earning more than a 150,000 drams ($310) a month will pay higher income taxes under new and comprehensive tax legislation that will come into effect in January. The Tax Code was passed by the Armenian parliament in 2016 amid strong criticism from the opposition and even some pro-government lawmakers. It calls, among other things, for higher taxes on personal income, fuel, alcohol and tobacco. Critics said this will suppress economic activity and lead to more tax evasion. The government denied those claims. The International Monetary Fund also strongly supported the code, saying that it will improve tax administration and lead to a badly needed increase in public spending. In particular, the 800-page code raised from 26 percent to 28 percent the income tax rate for Armenians making between 150,000 and 2 million drams a month. The tax rate for those having higher income is set at 36 percent. According to the State Revenue Committee (SRC), the tax rises will affect 30 percent of the national workforce. In a statement to RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am), the SRC emphasized that the tax rate for the other Armenian workers will be cut to 23 percent. Armenia -- Economist Vahagn Khachatrian speaks to RFE/RL, 22Dec2017. Vahagn Khachatrian, an economist affiliated with the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), again criticized these changes on Friday, saying that they will encourage private employers, who pay the bulk of the payroll tax, to underreport their workers' wages. Khachatrian also alleged that the Armenian authorities are keen to stifle the middle class and even cause it to shrink in size. "This is politically motivated, he said, adding that high earners pose a threat to the government's hold on power. Khachatrian noted that the year 2018 will also see the full entry into force of a Western-backed reform of the national pension system. It will require all employees born after 1973 to pay a higher pension tax. The government's aggregate tax revenue has grown steadily over the past decade. Still, it was equivalent to just over 21 percent of GDP in 2016, a modest proportion highlighting widespread tax evasion and income disparity in Armenia. The government has pledged to raise that ratio to 23.5 percent by 2022 through a major reform of tax administration. Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL Copyright (c) 2017 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc. 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Thursday Recovering what is destroyed with determination and belief: Jirair Reisian on losses of Armenian community in Syria YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Recovering what has been destroyed with determination and belief: Jirair Reisian– Armenian lawmaker of Syria's Parliament, told ARMENPRESS talking about the situation in Aleppo, the recovery process. 2017 was full of difficulties, but also with positive developments. The Armenian lawmaker attaches importance to the liberation of Aleppo in December 2016 which gave hope in the context of having expectations for future positive developments. And so, Deir ez-Zorwas soon liberated which plays an important role for the Armenian people. “Yes, the Armenian complex in Deir ez-Zorbecame a target of terrorism like the other numerous buildings of the city, but we in Aleppo and elsewhere are determined and full of belief to recover what is destroyed. In fact we cannot say that the war is completely over, but there were victories and achievements, and we can state that the situation in Syria gradually improves”, he said. Talking about the situation in Aleppo, Jirair Reisiansaid compared to the previous year the situation was different during 2017. Aleppo was deprived of electricity for a long time, but today, although not the whole day, electricity is provided. The water supply is already in normal process. “There is no water alarm anymore, we hope it will not repeat again. The military incidents in the city are almost over, they are reached to minimum. Life has been brought to its normal course. Of course, there are economic difficulties, but the state and people are united. We can state that at the moment the recovery stage is underway. People gradually restore their houses and workshops”, the Armenian lawmaker said. The Armenian community examined and registered the Armenian institutions affected and recovers them in phases. The roads in general are safe. The Armenian life in Aleppo is normally developing, unions, clubs, culture houses returned to their works, but Jirair Reisianstates that these structures were also operating during the difficult times. “The Armenian schools, churches were not closed during the years of war. Now the Armenian centers, clubs started more actively operating, especially when the holidays are coming. The Armenian clubs are active with New Year events”, he said. As for the movements of the Aleppo residents, the local Armenians after the city’s liberation, the lawmaker said there are people who returned to the city, and the return of some people is on process. Our compatriots, who left Aleppo and moved to other cities of Syria, as well as those who were living temporarily in Lebanon, Armenia and different Western countries, now return to the city. The lawmaker expressed confidence that this number will increase within the course of time. Anna Gziryan https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__armenpress.am_eng_news_917776_recovering-2Dwhat-2Dis-2Ddestroyed-2Dwith-2Ddetermination-2Dand-2Dbelief-2Djirair-2DreisianC2A0on-2Dlosses-2Dof-2Darmenian-2Dcommunity.html&d=DwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=Q4QY4cVbJP7kT4gJ9880f4MxqjsyZN2epPx-jji0uTI&s=6A_84e09KJmiq2Zur3Px58EzhHSq7Ctom3HC3ES2t90&e=
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Thursday Constitutional referendum, inter-state scandals, Erdogan aggression's display in US: 2017 in Turkey YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. 2017 was historical for Turkey in a sense that based on the results of the constitutional referendum that country’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan eventually succeeded in changing the country’s governance system from parliamentary to presidential one. Such change will enable Erdogan to govern the country in the upcoming years and concentrate all the levers in his hands. ARMENPRESS tried to identity the most important and key events held in Turkey during 2017. Terrorism on New Year’s Eve 2017 started in Turkey on the New Year’s Eve by the terror attack in the Reina night club in Istanbul on January 1. 39 people were killed and 70 were wounded in the terror attack. The Islamic State terrorist group assumed responsibility for the attack. The author of the terror attack was arrested on January 16. He is to face live imprisonment. Constitutional referendum The constitutional referendum was held in Turkey on April 16 with 51.4% in favor and 48.59% against. As a result the country shifted from the parliamentary system to the presidential one. The referendum aimed at further concentrating the power in the hands of Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development party. After these changes Erdogan can remain in power until 2029. Overall, 18 articles of the current Constitution will change. The main changes will come into force starting from 2019. However, some provisions of the new Constitution started to be applied immediately after its adoption. In particular, the talk is about to allow the country’s president have a party affiliation. During the extraordinary session of the Justice and Development party on May 21 Erdogan after a 33-month pause again returned to the ruling party. Although the opposition announced the results of the constitutional referendum as being fake, the referendum results remained unchanged. Scandal involving ministers The passing year was also distinguished by inter-state scandals involving Turkish ministers. Some European countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and Netherlands banned the Turkish ministers’ entry to their countries. The Turkish political figures planned to visit European countries on the 1st anniversary of the failed military coup attempt in Turkey and meet with the Turkish community representatives. However, the Netherlands on March 11 withdrew the permission to land the plane transporting Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. The Netherlands government announced that they took such a step since Cavusoglu’s visit was “putting the public order and security under risk”. The Netherlands was followed by Germany and Austria which cancelled the speeches of the Turkish ministers and events with their participation. In particular, the speeches of the Turkish President were banned in the German cities of Dortmund, Oberhausen, Cologne and Düsseldorf. Of course, official Ankara strongly reacted to this incident by sending notes of complaint and threatening to cut the relations. Germany withdrew its troops from Incirlik airbase The existing tension in the Turkish-German relations after the adoption of the Armenian Genocide recognition resolution by the Bundestag in 2016 continued this year as well. Already this year after banning the speeches of the Turkish political figures in Germany the tension reached culmination over the issue of the visit of German lawmakers to the Incirlik airbase. Official Ankara again banned the German parliamentary delegation’s visit to their troops in the airbase. In response to the decision of the Turkish side the Bundestag on June 22 adopted a decision by majority of votes to withdraw its troops from the Incirlik airbase. For the first time in history the German army withdrew its troops from the airbase of NATO member state and transported to the airbase of Jordan, which is not a member of NATO. The last German troops left Turkey in September. Establishment of new party by Meral Akşener 2017 was significant in the Turkish political life by the establishment of new political party: famous Turkish politician, former defense minister Meral Akşenerestablished the Good party. It’s worth mentioning that hundreds of former members of the Nationalist Movement party joined the Good party who were not satisfied with the current policy of the nationalist party, in particular, with the fact that the Nationalist Movement party closely cooperates with Erdogan and the political force led by him. Meral Akşeneris expected to be Erdogan’s main rival in the upcoming 2019 presidential election. Erdogan’s dictatoriship demonstrated in Washington D.C. Erdogan, who constantly violates the fundamental human rights and freedoms, tried to “export his policy” to the United States. In particular, on May 16 the whole world witnessed how Erdogan’s security details attacked peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C. who were complaining against Erdogan’s policy. As a result of the attack a number of wounded people, including Armenians were hospitalized. The video of the attack shows that Erdogan personally gives the order for the attack. The Washington Mayor and Police Chief on June 15 announced declaring arrest warrants for 12 supporters of Erdogan. Two Turkish citizens involved in the attack have been immediately arrested. During the December court hearings they pleaded guilty for the attack. The world’s biggest prison for journalists Like the previous year, this year as well the restrictions on fundamental human rights and freedoms continued in Turkey. During 2017 dozens of local and foreign journalists have been arrested. It’s not a coincidence that Turkey was ranked 155th among the 179 countries in the Media Freedom Index 2017 of the Reporters Without Borders organization. The organization again recognized Turkey as the “world’s biggest prison for journalists”. Araks Kasyan
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Thursday President of Artsakh awards athletes who achieved outstanding results YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. A solemn ceremony of awarding Artsakh athletes with prize money who achieved outstanding results in various national and international championships and competitions in 2017 took place in the Artsakh Republic President's Residence on December 28. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Artsakh President’s Office, the Head of the State characterized the year of 2017 the one of serious achievements in the sports field for our republic with Artsakh athletes registering victories and winning medals in world, Europe and the Republic of Armenia championships. "Today we can state that our republic has fully-formed sports schools ready to deal with problems they face. Small Artsakh, indeed, has occupied its well-deserved place in the international sports arena, and our victories are the conspicuous examples of it. Healthy, physically strong, educated, ambitious and patriotic youth are our people's pride and dignity, reliable defenders of our state, the biggest potential of the country's natural development and reinforcement", underlined Bako Sahakyan in his speech. President Sahakyan wished all the awardees new achievements adding that the attention the state focused on physical culture and sports development would further on bear continuous and ongoing character.
Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey Thursday Azerbaijan looks for OSCE's help over Karabakh conflict Armenian 'aggression' remains major threat to Azerbaijan, says foreign ministry spokesman Features archive By Ruslan Rehimov BAKU, Azerbaijan The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Minsk group should ensure an Armenian withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabkh, Azerbaijan said Thursday. "Armenia's aggression and their occupation of our soils remain the major threat to the security of Azerbaijan," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hikmet Hajiyev said. The Minsk group was formed to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Hajiyev called on the group to enforce a UN Security Council resolution demanding Armenian forces end their occupation of the Azerbaijani territory. Nagorno-Karabakh was seized by Armenian secessionists as the Soviet Union broke up in the late 1980s. Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 29
By Elchin Mehdiyev – Trend:
Azerbaijani MPs condemned Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili’s recent proposals during the plenary meeting Dec. 29.
Kvirikashvili suggested that in force majeure situations, goods from Armenia should be supplied to Russia through Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He said that in force-majeure situations, this route can be used not only by Armenia, but also by Turkey and other countries. The Georgian opposition sharply criticized the prime minister's proposal.
Addressing the meeting, MP Rasim Musabayov expressed dissatisfaction with the idea of creating a transport corridor between Georgia and Armenia.
Speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov stressed that Azerbaijan supported Georgia during the most difficult days.
"Probably, someone wants to break this alliance," Asadov added.
Asadov stressed that the Azerbaijan-Georgia Working Group on Inter-Parliamentary Relations will be instructed in this regard and the issue will be considered.
Maestro Constantine Orbelian, General Director and Artistic Director of the National Opera and Ballet Theater of Armenia, will be among the featured conductors and artists at the globally renowned Isrotel International Festival of Classical Music, which will be held from January 3 to 6 in Eilat, Israel, Asbarez reported.
“It is an extraordinary honor to be a part of the Isrotel International Festival of Classical Music, especially given the fact that we’ll be celebrating its 20th anniversary this January,” Orbelian said.
The Isrotel International Festival of Classical Music, also known as the Isrotel Classicameri Festival, is an initiative of the Isrotel Hotel chain in Eilat, and will be held in cooperation with the Raanana Symphonette Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Omer M. Wellber. On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the festival will offer a multifaceted program combining beloved classical masterpieces and innovative new music. The festival will host acclaimed soloists, ensembles, and conductors from Italy, Armenia, the United States, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, Poland, France, Russia and Switzerland.
Representing the Republic of Armenia, Maestro Orbelian will participate in the festival along with a number of Yerevan Opera House soloists, comprising Suzanna Melkonyan, Julietta Aleksnyan, Gevork Hagobyan, Armen Badalian, and Hovhannes Ayvazyan.
Other famed artists participating in the festival include Italian pianist Davide Cabassi, soprano Anna Skibinsky, Russian pianist Tatiana Larionova, duo mandolin from Spain Yaki Reuven and Marie Carmen Simon, Polish folk ensemble Dikanda, Bulgarian Kaval player Theodosii Spassov, conductor Yaron Gottfried, singer and video artist Ofri Brin, and the Sesame band — an Israeli ensemble of Balkan, Gypsy, and Middle Eastern music.
The Isrotel Classicameri Festival is dubbed “Masterpieces of the Classical Repertoire in a Cross-Borders Merging,” reflecting the event’s rich musical and thematic diversity. “A key aspect that sets the festival apart is that it functions as a marvelous platform for showcasing a veritable mosaic of cultures and musical traditions — thus celebrating cross-border synergies and providing audiences with deeply rewarding artistic experiences,” Orbelian said.
The festival will open on January 3 in the grand hall of the Royal Beach Hotel in Eilat, with the participation of Israeli singer Ofri Brin. The program will offer a combination of Brin’s electronic pop and soul music with masterpieces by Sibelius, Holst, and Schubert under the baton of Keren Kagarlitzky.
On the second day of the festival, two major concerts will be held. The first will feature the great young conductor Omer M. Wellber and the award-winning Italian pianist Davide Cabassi, in a program in which Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 will be performed. The second concert, “The Songs of Naomi Shemer,” will be a nostalgic journey featuring the works of the Israel Prize laureate. Participating in the concert will be Omer M. Wellber (accordion), Michael Anochin (contrabass), Rami Freiman (percussion), and singers Einat Aronstein, Goni Canaani, and Suf Sela. The concert will be moderated and accompanied on the piano by David Sebba.
The two main concerts on the third day of the festival will pay tribute to the lush intersection of cultures and traditions linked together through music. At the “Gala Opera – From Yerevan with Love,” the Raanana Symphonette will host Maestro Constantine Orbelian and the soloists of the Yerevan Opera House under his direction. The concert will perform beloved arias and duets from major operas, alongside gems from the Armenian folk repertoire. The evening will continue with a layered musical encounter devoted to the deep connection between music and dance. The “Dancing” concert is dedicated to folk dances that have found their way to concert halls: from ballroom and folk to street dancing. Under the baton of David Sebba, the evening will be accompanied by the Raanana Symphonette Orchestra, including violinist Nitai Zori, the Sesame band, and the Polish band Dekanda.
The festival will conclude on Saturday, January 6, with a jubilant concert in which Maestro Orbelian and the Raanana Symphonette will host the festival’s artists.
Also on January 6, Maestro Orbelian will appear as a guest on the “Cultural Shabbat” program, for a conversation with television broadcaster Yoav Ginai, Omer M. Wellber, David Sebba. and Orit Fogel-Shafran. During the program, Maestro Orbelian will reminisce about his 20 years of musical collaboration with the late opera giant Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
In addition to its major concerts, the Isrotel Classicameri Festival will feature a complement of thematic concerts and musical encounters, performed by conductors, soloists and ensembles from across the globe.