Armenian News ... A Topalian... British Armenian group to play rare gig in London
British-Armenian group to play rare gig in London
British-Armenian alternative band An Gordonach! are due
make a rare appearance in London on Sunday 22 November .
An Gordonach! , contemporaries of the famous Armenian bands
Entrance is free of charge and the doors will open from 18:00.
arka.am
An Gordonach! , contemporaries of the famous Armenian bands
Lav Eli and Vordan Karmir , are well known in the Vanadzor and
Yerevan underground scenes, most recently as a critical voice of the
Armenian establishment through their album " Crusaders " and single
" Zaruhi ", which offered blisteringly social commentary of
domestic violence, migration, corruption and other issues in the country.
After playing in Yerevan in September 2015 , the first in over 2 years,
domestic violence, migration, corruption and other issues in the country.
After playing in Yerevan in September 2015 , the first in over 2 years,
the band will travel to play in a concert at Tamesis Dock , a floating
venue on the river Thames on 22 November .
The event is aimed at celebrating a variety of genres of underground
The event is aimed at celebrating a variety of genres of underground
musical culture in London and in Armenia. Alongside An Gordonach!.
The gig will also feature the London-based musicians of Chris Jones ,
The Tiger Moths , and Pet Portrait . Finally, the event will be
compèred by up-and -coming British-Armenian comedian
Ara Pasha.
Entrance is free of charge and the doors will open from 18:00.
For more information visit:
https://www.facebook.com/events/167055323642108/
Aerial Yerevan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcTFm-Y00BE#t=11
horizanweekly.com
17 YEAR OLD LOLA OUZOUNIAN STILL MISSING FOLLOWING
Aerial Yerevan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcTFm-Y00BE#t=11
horizanweekly.com
17 YEAR OLD LOLA OUZOUNIAN STILL MISSING FOLLOWING
PARIS TERROR ATTACKS
November 15, 2015
Paris - 17 Year Old Lola Ouzounian is Still Missing following Paris
Terror Attacks. She was at the Bataclan concert hall on the evening
of November 13. French authorities are searching for her.
More than 100 people were killed and many more were injured in an
assault on the Bataclan theater Friday night in Paris. The famous
concert hall in the center of Paris was filled as an American rock
band, Eagles of Death Metal, played there Friday night. Witnesses said
the attackers entered the theater at about 10:40 p.m. Paris time. They
used guns and grenades to kill concertgoers. Hundreds were then taken
hostage before police stormed the building. The gunmen were wearing
explosive devices and blew themselves up when police closed in,
authorities said.
Bombings and shootings occurred at other locations around the city,
including at the national soccer stadium and two restaurants. ISIS
has claimed responsibility for the attacks. At least 129 people were
killed and 99 were critically injured across the city
November 15, 2015
Paris - 17 Year Old Lola Ouzounian is Still Missing following Paris
Terror Attacks. She was at the Bataclan concert hall on the evening
of November 13. French authorities are searching for her.
More than 100 people were killed and many more were injured in an
assault on the Bataclan theater Friday night in Paris. The famous
concert hall in the center of Paris was filled as an American rock
band, Eagles of Death Metal, played there Friday night. Witnesses said
the attackers entered the theater at about 10:40 p.m. Paris time. They
used guns and grenades to kill concertgoers. Hundreds were then taken
hostage before police stormed the building. The gunmen were wearing
explosive devices and blew themselves up when police closed in,
authorities said.
Bombings and shootings occurred at other locations around the city,
including at the national soccer stadium and two restaurants. ISIS
has claimed responsibility for the attacks. At least 129 people were
killed and 99 were critically injured across the city
S AT G20 SUMMIT
16/11/15
YEREVAN--Official Yerevan reacted angrily on Monday after Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev used a summit of the Group of 20 (G20)
nations in Turkey to accuse Armenia of resorting to terrorism in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"That is an unsuccessful attempt to deflect the international
community's attention from direct links that have traditionally
existed between Azerbaijan and various terror networks," Deputy Foreign
Minister Shavarsh Kocharian charged in comments to RFE/RL's Armenian
service (Azatutyun.am).
Aliyev was among world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama,
invited to the summit in the Turkish city of Antalya that was dominated
by Friday's deadly suicide bombings and shootings in Paris.
They reportedly pledged to tighten border controls, step up
intelligence sharing and crack down on terrorist financing after
discussing ways of jointly fighting against the so-called Islamic State
(ISIS) in Syria and Iraq.
In his speech at the summit, Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has long
been suffering from terrorism emanating from the unresolved Karabakh
conflict. "That terrorism is an integral component of Armenia's policy
of occupation against Azerbaijan," Azerbaijani news agencies quoted
him as saying.
"More than two thousand citizens of Azerbaijan have died as a result
of terrorist acts perpetrated by Armenian terrorist organizations
against Azerbaijan," alleged Aliyev. He went on to repeat his calls
for a resolution of the conflict that would restore Baku's control
over Karabakh and Armenian-controlled territories surrounding it.
Kocharian rejected the allegations, accusing Aliyev of acting
"immorally" in the wake of the Paris attacks. He listed some of
"the numerous facts" purportedly proving Azerbaijan's ties with
international terrorism.
In particular, Kocharian pointed to the well-known participation
of Chechen fighters in the Karabakh war, led by Shamil Basayev, a
notorious warlord who claimed responsibility for a 2004 attack on a
school in Beslan, Russia. At least 331 people, half of them children,
were killed as a result.
"After the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, American
special services recorded 60 phone calls to Baku made by [Osama]
bin Laden," said Kocharian. "In a statement adopted on November 25,
2002, the UN Security Council emphasized the existence in Azerbaijan
of groups linked to Al-Qaeda."
The Armenian official further pointed to reports that hundreds of
Azerbaijanis have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join ISIS.
The bitter accusations come amid continuing efforts by U.S., Russian
and French mediators to organize a meeting between Aliyev and President
Serzh Sarkisian. The mediators have said the Armenian and Azerbaijani
leaders have agreed to meet next month and try to revive the Karabakh
peace process.
RFE/RL Report
2 Armenian Soldiers Killed In Fresh Karabakh Fighting
Tatevik Lazarian
13.11.2015
The Armenian military accused Azerbaijan of again heightening tensions
in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and pledged to strike back hard
on Friday after two Armenian soldiers were killed near Karabakh.
Karabakh's Armenian-backed Defense Army said the conscripts, Vahe
Vanoyan and Mikael Torosian, were fatally wounded late on Thursday
when Azerbaijani troops violated the ceasefire at a southern section
of "the line of contact" around the disputed territory. The army gave
no details of the incident, saying only that it has launched an
investigation.
Armenia's Defense Ministry strongly condemned the truce violation and
accused Baku of ignoring international mediators' appeals. "Despite
being mindful of the fact that this action will not remain without
consequences and the guilty will be punished, Azerbaijan's
military-political leadership is once again opting for an escalation
of the situation," it said in a statement.
The statement said that Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian frontline
positions are "intensifying by the day" despite efforts by the U.S.,
Russian and French mediators to ease tensions on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani frontlines and kick-start the Karabakh peace
process.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to these
accusations. It claimed earlier in the day that the two Armenian
soldiers were killed during a commando raid on an Azerbaijani army
unit.
The incident occurred less than two months after the most recent
upsurge in fighting along "the line of contact" and the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border. On September 23, three female residents
of Armenian border villages were killed by mortar shells fired from
nearby Azerbaijani army positions.
Two days later, four Armenian soldiers died near Karabakh in an
Azerbaijani artillery strike which triggered retaliatory action by
Karabakh Armenian forces. At least four Azerbaijani soldiers were
killed in the following days.
The American, Russian and French diplomats co-heading the OSCE Minsk
Group blamed both warring sides for that escalation and condemned them
for increasingly using mortars and other heavy weapons in their
skirmishes. The mediators also urged Azerbaijan to accept their
long-standing proposal to set up a mechanism for international
investigations of ceasefire violations. The Armenian side has
repeatedly backed the idea.
The warring sides reported no major armed incidents in October and
beginning of this month. The mediators visited Yerevan, Stepanakert
and Baku late last month. In an ensuing joint statement, they said
that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to meet in
December and try to revive the search for a mutually acceptable
settlement.
RFE/RL Report
16/11/15
YEREVAN--Official Yerevan reacted angrily on Monday after Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev used a summit of the Group of 20 (G20)
nations in Turkey to accuse Armenia of resorting to terrorism in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"That is an unsuccessful attempt to deflect the international
community's attention from direct links that have traditionally
existed between Azerbaijan and various terror networks," Deputy Foreign
Minister Shavarsh Kocharian charged in comments to RFE/RL's Armenian
service (Azatutyun.am).
Aliyev was among world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama,
invited to the summit in the Turkish city of Antalya that was dominated
by Friday's deadly suicide bombings and shootings in Paris.
They reportedly pledged to tighten border controls, step up
intelligence sharing and crack down on terrorist financing after
discussing ways of jointly fighting against the so-called Islamic State
(ISIS) in Syria and Iraq.
In his speech at the summit, Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has long
been suffering from terrorism emanating from the unresolved Karabakh
conflict. "That terrorism is an integral component of Armenia's policy
of occupation against Azerbaijan," Azerbaijani news agencies quoted
him as saying.
"More than two thousand citizens of Azerbaijan have died as a result
of terrorist acts perpetrated by Armenian terrorist organizations
against Azerbaijan," alleged Aliyev. He went on to repeat his calls
for a resolution of the conflict that would restore Baku's control
over Karabakh and Armenian-controlled territories surrounding it.
Kocharian rejected the allegations, accusing Aliyev of acting
"immorally" in the wake of the Paris attacks. He listed some of
"the numerous facts" purportedly proving Azerbaijan's ties with
international terrorism.
In particular, Kocharian pointed to the well-known participation
of Chechen fighters in the Karabakh war, led by Shamil Basayev, a
notorious warlord who claimed responsibility for a 2004 attack on a
school in Beslan, Russia. At least 331 people, half of them children,
were killed as a result.
"After the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, American
special services recorded 60 phone calls to Baku made by [Osama]
bin Laden," said Kocharian. "In a statement adopted on November 25,
2002, the UN Security Council emphasized the existence in Azerbaijan
of groups linked to Al-Qaeda."
The Armenian official further pointed to reports that hundreds of
Azerbaijanis have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join ISIS.
The bitter accusations come amid continuing efforts by U.S., Russian
and French mediators to organize a meeting between Aliyev and President
Serzh Sarkisian. The mediators have said the Armenian and Azerbaijani
leaders have agreed to meet next month and try to revive the Karabakh
peace process.
RFE/RL Report
2 Armenian Soldiers Killed In Fresh Karabakh Fighting
Tatevik Lazarian
13.11.2015
The Armenian military accused Azerbaijan of again heightening tensions
in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and pledged to strike back hard
on Friday after two Armenian soldiers were killed near Karabakh.
Karabakh's Armenian-backed Defense Army said the conscripts, Vahe
Vanoyan and Mikael Torosian, were fatally wounded late on Thursday
when Azerbaijani troops violated the ceasefire at a southern section
of "the line of contact" around the disputed territory. The army gave
no details of the incident, saying only that it has launched an
investigation.
Armenia's Defense Ministry strongly condemned the truce violation and
accused Baku of ignoring international mediators' appeals. "Despite
being mindful of the fact that this action will not remain without
consequences and the guilty will be punished, Azerbaijan's
military-political leadership is once again opting for an escalation
of the situation," it said in a statement.
The statement said that Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian frontline
positions are "intensifying by the day" despite efforts by the U.S.,
Russian and French mediators to ease tensions on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani frontlines and kick-start the Karabakh peace
process.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to these
accusations. It claimed earlier in the day that the two Armenian
soldiers were killed during a commando raid on an Azerbaijani army
unit.
The incident occurred less than two months after the most recent
upsurge in fighting along "the line of contact" and the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border. On September 23, three female residents
of Armenian border villages were killed by mortar shells fired from
nearby Azerbaijani army positions.
Two days later, four Armenian soldiers died near Karabakh in an
Azerbaijani artillery strike which triggered retaliatory action by
Karabakh Armenian forces. At least four Azerbaijani soldiers were
killed in the following days.
The American, Russian and French diplomats co-heading the OSCE Minsk
Group blamed both warring sides for that escalation and condemned them
for increasingly using mortars and other heavy weapons in their
skirmishes. The mediators also urged Azerbaijan to accept their
long-standing proposal to set up a mechanism for international
investigations of ceasefire violations. The Armenian side has
repeatedly backed the idea.
The warring sides reported no major armed incidents in October and
beginning of this month. The mediators visited Yerevan, Stepanakert
and Baku late last month. In an ensuing joint statement, they said
that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to meet in
December and try to revive the search for a mutually acceptable
settlement.
RFE/RL Report
Government Downplays Eurasian Union Woes
Sargis Harutyunyan
13.11.2015
Membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) will earn Armenia
significant benefits, Deputy Prime Minister Vache Gabrielian insisted
on Friday, downplaying the worsening economic situation in Russia and
other EEU members states.
The Armenian government promised such benefits after President Serzh
Sarkisian unexpectedly decided in 2013 to join the Russian-led trade
bloc. However, Armenia's trade with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan has
actually plummeted since the country formally became a member of the
EEU in January.
According to Armenian government data, Russian-Armenian trade
decreased by 14 percent in the first nine months of this year. The
government registered even sharper drops in the much smaller
commercial exchanges with Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Data from the EEU's executive body, the Eurasian Economic Commission,
shows that trade among the EEU member states was down by as much as 26
percent in January-August 2015. The commission expects their combined
Gross Domestic Product to shrink by 3.3 percent this year and barely
grow in 2016.
Gabrielian blamed this grim statistics on the collapse of
international oil prices which has hit oil-rich Russia and Kazakhstan
very hard. "That has naturally had an impact on 2015," he told
reporters. "But it doesn't mean that those factors will remain in
place in the medium and long term and that there are no prospects for
economic growth."
"The [Armenian] authorities never said that as soon as we join the EEU
everything will be fine # The EEU has potential for development and
that potential will eventually manifest itself," he said.
Gabrielian, who coordinates Armenia's day-to-day relations with the
EEU, also argued that the Armenian economy has continued to grow this
year despite the ongoing recession in Russia, a key trading partner.
Sargis Harutyunyan
13.11.2015
Membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) will earn Armenia
significant benefits, Deputy Prime Minister Vache Gabrielian insisted
on Friday, downplaying the worsening economic situation in Russia and
other EEU members states.
The Armenian government promised such benefits after President Serzh
Sarkisian unexpectedly decided in 2013 to join the Russian-led trade
bloc. However, Armenia's trade with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan has
actually plummeted since the country formally became a member of the
EEU in January.
According to Armenian government data, Russian-Armenian trade
decreased by 14 percent in the first nine months of this year. The
government registered even sharper drops in the much smaller
commercial exchanges with Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Data from the EEU's executive body, the Eurasian Economic Commission,
shows that trade among the EEU member states was down by as much as 26
percent in January-August 2015. The commission expects their combined
Gross Domestic Product to shrink by 3.3 percent this year and barely
grow in 2016.
Gabrielian blamed this grim statistics on the collapse of
international oil prices which has hit oil-rich Russia and Kazakhstan
very hard. "That has naturally had an impact on 2015," he told
reporters. "But it doesn't mean that those factors will remain in
place in the medium and long term and that there are no prospects for
economic growth."
"The [Armenian] authorities never said that as soon as we join the EEU
everything will be fine # The EEU has potential for development and
that potential will eventually manifest itself," he said.
Gabrielian, who coordinates Armenia's day-to-day relations with the
EEU, also argued that the Armenian economy has continued to grow this
year despite the ongoing recession in Russia, a key trading partner.
news.am
British company: Armenia has attractive investment opportunities
14.11.2015
YEREVAN. - Armenia has attractive investment opportunities, Sheikh
Assad, President of the British Grange Holdings Ltd, said at the
meeting with Armenia's PM Hovik Abrahamyan today.
The interlocutors discussed the opportunities and programs of
investments by the British company into Armenia's energy sector, the
government representatives told Armenian News ` NEWS.am.
According to Mr. Assad, the company has studied the policy run in
Armenia's energy sector, and found out that Armenia has attractive
investment opportunities. In his words, they are interested in making
investments into Armenia's energy sector, specifically hydro power
generation, and are ready to invest nearly $400 million AMD.
PM Abrahamyan welcomed the readiness of the British company to make
investments, noting that Armenia has a liberal tax field for
investments. The PM also stressed that all the opportunities are in
place for calling into life the investment program of Grange Holdings
Ltd.
14.11.2015
YEREVAN. - Armenia has attractive investment opportunities, Sheikh
Assad, President of the British Grange Holdings Ltd, said at the
meeting with Armenia's PM Hovik Abrahamyan today.
The interlocutors discussed the opportunities and programs of
investments by the British company into Armenia's energy sector, the
government representatives told Armenian News ` NEWS.am.
According to Mr. Assad, the company has studied the policy run in
Armenia's energy sector, and found out that Armenia has attractive
investment opportunities. In his words, they are interested in making
investments into Armenia's energy sector, specifically hydro power
generation, and are ready to invest nearly $400 million AMD.
PM Abrahamyan welcomed the readiness of the British company to make
investments, noting that Armenia has a liberal tax field for
investments. The PM also stressed that all the opportunities are in
place for calling into life the investment program of Grange Holdings
Ltd.
arka.am
NO RISE IN MINIMUM WAGES AND PENSIONS IN 2016, MINISTER SAYS
YEREVAN, November 16. /ARKA/. Speaking at an extraordinary session of
the parliament today Armenia's finance minister Gagik Khachatryan said
the government would not be able to raise minimum wages and pensions
in 2016, although 'it believes that increasing the minimum size of
salaries and pensions in 2016 is socially important.'
The minimum monthly salary in Armenia was risen on the 1st of July
2015 by 5,000 drams to 55,000 drams. Under the government's plan
of activities for 2014-2017 the minimum monthly salary is to reach
65,000 drams.
The minister said in order to raise the minimum wage from 55,000
to 65,000 drams the government would need about 35 billion drams
additionally. 'The government has no such funds," Khachatryan said.
According to him, the Armenian government shares the concerns of MPs
that no rise in the minimum wages and pensions will increase social
tensions. ($ 1 - 481.88 drams).
YEREVAN, November 16. /ARKA/. Speaking at an extraordinary session of
the parliament today Armenia's finance minister Gagik Khachatryan said
the government would not be able to raise minimum wages and pensions
in 2016, although 'it believes that increasing the minimum size of
salaries and pensions in 2016 is socially important.'
The minimum monthly salary in Armenia was risen on the 1st of July
2015 by 5,000 drams to 55,000 drams. Under the government's plan
of activities for 2014-2017 the minimum monthly salary is to reach
65,000 drams.
The minister said in order to raise the minimum wage from 55,000
to 65,000 drams the government would need about 35 billion drams
additionally. 'The government has no such funds," Khachatryan said.
According to him, the Armenian government shares the concerns of MPs
that no rise in the minimum wages and pensions will increase social
tensions. ($ 1 - 481.88 drams).
The Army Chaplaincy Program of the Armenian Church
November 13, 2015
More Than 50 clergymen serve as chaplains to the Armed Forces of the
Republic of Armenia. They organize various programs in the military -
delivering lectures, meeting with soldiers, encouraging and praying
for soldiers before each military exercise. They also visit border
outposts, present educational films, and organize pilgrimages.
On November 8, a meeting took place at the Navasartian Centre in
London. The speakers were Father Movses Sargsyan and the Armenian
Defence Ministry spokesman Mr. Artsrun Hovhannisyan.
Father Movses has been in London three months to serve in the Diocese
of Great Britain and Ireland as a priest at St. Yeghiche Armenian
Church. Before coming to London he had served in the Armenian army for
more than 6 years. He is the deputy spiritual leader of the Armenian
Armed Forces and at the meantime carries out spiritual duties for the
Defence Army of Artsakh. After returning to Armenia he will continue
his service there.
The second lecturer Mr. Hovhannisyan has been serving in the Armenian
army since 1997. He became Defence Ministry Press Secretary in 2012.
He has a degree in history and has also the military rank of major.
The meeting was opened by Fr. Shnork Baghdassarian, who introduced
November 13, 2015
More Than 50 clergymen serve as chaplains to the Armed Forces of the
Republic of Armenia. They organize various programs in the military -
delivering lectures, meeting with soldiers, encouraging and praying
for soldiers before each military exercise. They also visit border
outposts, present educational films, and organize pilgrimages.
On November 8, a meeting took place at the Navasartian Centre in
London. The speakers were Father Movses Sargsyan and the Armenian
Defence Ministry spokesman Mr. Artsrun Hovhannisyan.
Father Movses has been in London three months to serve in the Diocese
of Great Britain and Ireland as a priest at St. Yeghiche Armenian
Church. Before coming to London he had served in the Armenian army for
more than 6 years. He is the deputy spiritual leader of the Armenian
Armed Forces and at the meantime carries out spiritual duties for the
Defence Army of Artsakh. After returning to Armenia he will continue
his service there.
The second lecturer Mr. Hovhannisyan has been serving in the Armenian
army since 1997. He became Defence Ministry Press Secretary in 2012.
He has a degree in history and has also the military rank of major.
The meeting was opened by Fr. Shnork Baghdassarian, who introduced
the speakers and talked about the army's unique role and importance.
The theme of Fr. Movses's illustrated lecture was `The Armenian Army
Chaplaincy'. He began his lecture with historical references to the
Armenian Church's position on homeland defence. The Armenian Church
has always stood by the side of the army to protect the homeland,
inspire them by words and deeds, by spiritual and material support
during the history. When there was a loss of statehood, the Armenian
Church took up a leadership role and often led the national liberation
struggle. The Armenian clergymen have blessed the troops before a
decisive battle and have often been present sometimes even
participating in combat operations. The clergyman having Christ's
victorious Holy Cross in one hand and in the other the sword has
always been at the soldier's and commander's side.
Fr. Movses also talked about the Armenian Army Chaplaincy's function,
structure, mission and implemented measures. Mr. Hovhannisyan gave an
extensive and informative lecture on `The Armenian Armed Forces
Functions and their Further Development'. There were many questions
from the audience, who received full and reasonable answers.
The theme of Fr. Movses's illustrated lecture was `The Armenian Army
Chaplaincy'. He began his lecture with historical references to the
Armenian Church's position on homeland defence. The Armenian Church
has always stood by the side of the army to protect the homeland,
inspire them by words and deeds, by spiritual and material support
during the history. When there was a loss of statehood, the Armenian
Church took up a leadership role and often led the national liberation
struggle. The Armenian clergymen have blessed the troops before a
decisive battle and have often been present sometimes even
participating in combat operations. The clergyman having Christ's
victorious Holy Cross in one hand and in the other the sword has
always been at the soldier's and commander's side.
Fr. Movses also talked about the Armenian Army Chaplaincy's function,
structure, mission and implemented measures. Mr. Hovhannisyan gave an
extensive and informative lecture on `The Armenian Armed Forces
Functions and their Further Development'. There were many questions
from the audience, who received full and reasonable answers.
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