Armenian News... A Topalian... New Homes in Karabakh
Message from Misak Ohanian CEO
CAIA on BBC1
New documentary series that CAIA features in – called
The existence/survival issue of Armenian communities is very acute during the last decades in the Middle East, senior expert of the center of Armenian studies of Noravank scientific-educational foundation Vahram Hovyan told a press conference in ARMENPRESS.
“Beginning from the half of the 20th century, the most heated region is the Middle East. Several events took place here, particularly, the Arab-Israeli war, the Lebanese Civil war, the internal political turmoil of Syria and Egypt, the military coups in Turkey, the Arab Spring. The foreign and domestic turmoil of different countries negatively impact the Armenian communities. Their property, cultural legacy, churches, schools are destroyed”, Vahram Hovyan said. In his words, the most dangerous part is that all of this leads to mass migration in the Armenian community circles.
Our compatriots leave their countries in great numbers and attempt to establish themselves in western countries. According to Vahram Hovyan, is 25 thousand Armenians were living in Kuwait before the first Gulf War, the number decreased five times after the war. 300 thousand Armenians lived in Lebanon during the 1970s, today the number is circa 100 thousand. 200 thousand Armenians lived in Syria during the 70s, before the Arab Spring 70 thousand lived there, and after the Arab Spring that number significantly decreased again. Today, an estimated 10,000 Armenians live in Aleppo (based on most optimistic estimates).
Hovyan said after the Revolution the Armenian community of Iran suffered great losses. Prior to the Revolution 300 thousand Armenians lived there, today circa 100 thousand. Iraq is no exception. Before the Arab Spring, only 1000 out of the 20 thousand community remain there. Hovyan says the losses of the Armenian communities in different periods associated with the Arab Spring are great and hard to recover from.
Turkey is no exception also. The reasons include domestic political development, military revolutions, however, according to the expert, Armenophobia also has significant impact.
“Here there were always persecutions and restrictions against Armenians. Armenophobia is of traditional nature in Turkey. All this has led to the decrease of Armenians living there. Today an estimated 60-80 thousand Armenians live in Turkey” , the expert said.
Vahram Hovyan said manifestations of Armenophobia are also present of religious grounds. It happens in countries where Islamic extremism is on the rise.
“Of course, specifically Armenians aren’t targeted, it is directed against Christianity, however Armenians comprise a significant percentage of Christians living in Middle Eastern countries, therefore that harassments also happen against Armenians. As an example – the bombing of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church” , he said.
arka.am
Armenia’s diamond-cutting industry’s output by 2020 expected
Armenia’s diamond cutting industry’s output by 2020 is expected to grow to $350-$400 million a year, according to Gagik Mkrtchyan, an advisor to the Minister of Economic Development and Investment.
Speaking a meeting of representatives of the jewelry industry today he said the ministry is developing a program to boost the sector in 2017-2020.
He said there are some operational problems, related largely to simplification of legislation after Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union; in particular, the harmonization of laws.
"The expected results of the program - is achieving an annual commercial production worth $350-400 million per year by the end of 2020, and creation of six- seven thousand new jobs," - he said.
The meeting was attended by about 20 representatives of the jewelry industry, who spoke about their problems and ways to resolve them.
According to official data, diamond production in Armenia increased by 39.1% in 2015 to 14.58 billion drams ($30.4 million.). In the first ten months of 2016 it doubled to 24 billion drams ($50 million.). In the first six months of 2016 the export of polished Armenian diamonds amounted to 69,500 carats, a 2.3 times increase from the same time span of 2015.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan starred for Manchester United in their 4-0 victory over FeyenoordHenrikh Mkhitaryan starred for Manchester United in their 4-0 victory over Feyenoord
'It was a pleasure to play again and start the game,' Mkhitaryan told BT Sport .
'I try to do my best and it's a very good result.
'It has been difficult to watch the team from the sidelines but you have to have passion and work hard.
'I hope it is a new start for me.'
Goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard and an own-goal from Brad Jones gave Mourinho's side a 4-0 win against the Eredivisie leaders and Phil Jones believes his side's pressing game was key to their win.
The Armenian started for only the second time under Jose Mourinho since joining the clubThe Armenian started for only the second time under Jose Mourinho since joining the club
'It was a tough game, especially in the first half,' the 24-year-old centre-back told MUTV .
'But I think we played better in the second half, we were more aggressive in our pressing and we got the four goals. It was a good performance in the end.'
United, who will be buoyed by their performances against Arsenal and Feyenoord, next face West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.
United, and especially Mkhitaryan, will be hoping to kickstart their season against Slaven Bilic's side and take away all three points.
Phil Jones believes United were aggressive in their pressing against the Eredivisie leaders Phil Jones believes United were aggressive in their pressing against the Eredivisie leaders
New documentary series that CAIA features in – called
The Big Food Rescue – its on BBC One at 9.15am every day
between Monday 28 th November - Friday 2 nd December.
CAIA's Elders Club will feature this Monday 28th November
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2016/48/the-big-food-rescue
CAIA's Elders Club will feature this Monday 28th November
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2016/48/the-big-food-rescue
If you miss it you can watch on BBC iplayer.
From Dragon Stones to Kings Bones – Nine 9 Recent
From Dragon Stones to Kings Bones – Nine 9 Recent
Archaeological Discoveries Made in Armenia
26-11-2016
http://www.peopleofar.com/2016/11/26/recent-archaeological-discoveries-in-armenia/
[1]
RFE/RL Report
Pan-Armenian Charity To Rebuild Homes In Karabakh
November 25, 2016
A pan-Armenian charity has raised almost $15.5 million that will be
mostly spent on the reconstruction of war-ravaged communities in
Nagorno-Karabakh and other local infrastructure projects.
The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund received the donations during its
annual telethon broadcast from Los Angeles on Thursday. It raised
$10.4 million during last year's televised fundraiser.
Nearly half of the sum was contributed by several ethnic Armenian
businessmen from the United States, Russia and
Armenia. Armenian-American entrepreneur Antranig Badghassarian made
the single largest contribution: $ 5million. He was followed by
Russian-Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetian, who donated $1 million
In a statement released on Friday, the Hayastan fund said most
proceeds from the telethon will be channeled into Karabakh. It said
they will finance the reconstruction of several local communities that
were seriously damaged by last April's heavy fighting between Karabakh
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces.
The Hayastan fund said the money will also be used for boosting
Karabakh's "emergency and disaster preparedness" and building homes
for local families with multiple children.
"In addition to these initiatives, donor-specified projects as well as
projects within the framework of the fund's core development programs
will continue to be implemented in Armenia and Artsakh (Karabakh),"
added the statement.
Hayastan has implemented over $240 million worth of infrastructure
projects in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh since its establishment in
1992. The fund's current Board of Trustees is headed by President
Serzh Sarkisian and comprises other senior Armenian state officials,
Catholicos Garegin II as well as prominent representatives of Armenian
communities around the world.
In particular, the fund has partly financed the ongoing construction
of a second highway connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Work on
the 116-kilometer-long road link began in 2011 and is now nearing
completion.
RFE/RL Report
26-11-2016
http://www.peopleofar.com/2016/11/26/recent-archaeological-discoveries-in-armenia/
[1]
RFE/RL Report
Pan-Armenian Charity To Rebuild Homes In Karabakh
November 25, 2016
A pan-Armenian charity has raised almost $15.5 million that will be
mostly spent on the reconstruction of war-ravaged communities in
Nagorno-Karabakh and other local infrastructure projects.
The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund received the donations during its
annual telethon broadcast from Los Angeles on Thursday. It raised
$10.4 million during last year's televised fundraiser.
Nearly half of the sum was contributed by several ethnic Armenian
businessmen from the United States, Russia and
Armenia. Armenian-American entrepreneur Antranig Badghassarian made
the single largest contribution: $ 5million. He was followed by
Russian-Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetian, who donated $1 million
In a statement released on Friday, the Hayastan fund said most
proceeds from the telethon will be channeled into Karabakh. It said
they will finance the reconstruction of several local communities that
were seriously damaged by last April's heavy fighting between Karabakh
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces.
The Hayastan fund said the money will also be used for boosting
Karabakh's "emergency and disaster preparedness" and building homes
for local families with multiple children.
"In addition to these initiatives, donor-specified projects as well as
projects within the framework of the fund's core development programs
will continue to be implemented in Armenia and Artsakh (Karabakh),"
added the statement.
Hayastan has implemented over $240 million worth of infrastructure
projects in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh since its establishment in
1992. The fund's current Board of Trustees is headed by President
Serzh Sarkisian and comprises other senior Armenian state officials,
Catholicos Garegin II as well as prominent representatives of Armenian
communities around the world.
In particular, the fund has partly financed the ongoing construction
of a second highway connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Work on
the 116-kilometer-long road link began in 2011 and is now nearing
completion.
RFE/RL Report
Women's Groups Report More Domestic Violence Deaths
November 25, 2016
Anush Mkrtchian
Fifteen women have died in Armenia this year as a result of domestic
violence, a coalition of women's rights organizations said on Friday,
demanding tougher government action against the practice.
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women released the alarming
statistics as it marked International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women. Several dozen of its members picketed
university buildings in downtown Yerevan, holding posters and handing
out leaflets to passersby in a bid to raise public awareness of
domestic violence.
"Unfortunately, girls are more indifferent and even disdainful," one
of the activists told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). "They
probably think that they won't be at risk if they stay away. Guys
listen to us with greater interest or perhaps irony."
At least one man approached by the protesters questioned the wisdom of
their campaign. "I'm not saying that I support violence," he
said. "But if violence happens, it must stay within a family."
Violence against women had for decades been a taboo subject in the
socially conservative and male-dominated Armenian society. It has been
receiving growing publicity in recent years thanks to the activities
of women's rights groups backed by international human rights
watchdogs.
"Spousal abuse and violence against women appeared to be widespread,"
the U.S. State Department said in its most recent report on human
rights practices in Armenia released last year.
"According to local observers, most domestic violence went unreported
because survivors were afraid of physical harm, apprehensive that
police would return them to their husbands, or ashamed to disclose
their family problems," it said.
According to the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, more and
more Armenia women abused by their husbands or other relatives are
coming forward. The grouping reported on Friday a year-on-year
increase in the number of complaints received from abuse victims.
"In the last three years more than 30 women have been killed in
Armenia due to domestic violence," said Garik Hayrapetian, an expert
with the Yerevan office of the UN Population Fund. "I think this
figure is telling enough for us to have special legislation."
Armenia still has no laws specifically aimed at tackling domestic
violence. The Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs as well as
several women's NGOs have drafted such laws in the last few
years. None of them has been enacted yet.
The Armenian Justice Ministry unveiled a similar bill on Friday. A
senior ministry official, Bagrat Ghazinian, said it would seriously
curb the practice if passed by parliament.
"In some cases, a violent incident does not technically contain
elements of a crime and the police are therefore not legally allowed
to do something about it," said Ghazinian. "Our draft will regulate
this issue."
The women's rights grouping disagreed, saying that the proposed law is
not far-reaching enough. "It doesn't cover all types of violence," one
of its leaders, Zaruhi Hovannisian, told RFE/RL's Armenian service
(Azatutyun.am). "We need an in-depth conceptual approach to domestic
violence and we must instill in the public consciousness the notion
that domestic violence is a crime."
November 25, 2016
Anush Mkrtchian
Fifteen women have died in Armenia this year as a result of domestic
violence, a coalition of women's rights organizations said on Friday,
demanding tougher government action against the practice.
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women released the alarming
statistics as it marked International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women. Several dozen of its members picketed
university buildings in downtown Yerevan, holding posters and handing
out leaflets to passersby in a bid to raise public awareness of
domestic violence.
"Unfortunately, girls are more indifferent and even disdainful," one
of the activists told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). "They
probably think that they won't be at risk if they stay away. Guys
listen to us with greater interest or perhaps irony."
At least one man approached by the protesters questioned the wisdom of
their campaign. "I'm not saying that I support violence," he
said. "But if violence happens, it must stay within a family."
Violence against women had for decades been a taboo subject in the
socially conservative and male-dominated Armenian society. It has been
receiving growing publicity in recent years thanks to the activities
of women's rights groups backed by international human rights
watchdogs.
"Spousal abuse and violence against women appeared to be widespread,"
the U.S. State Department said in its most recent report on human
rights practices in Armenia released last year.
"According to local observers, most domestic violence went unreported
because survivors were afraid of physical harm, apprehensive that
police would return them to their husbands, or ashamed to disclose
their family problems," it said.
According to the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, more and
more Armenia women abused by their husbands or other relatives are
coming forward. The grouping reported on Friday a year-on-year
increase in the number of complaints received from abuse victims.
"In the last three years more than 30 women have been killed in
Armenia due to domestic violence," said Garik Hayrapetian, an expert
with the Yerevan office of the UN Population Fund. "I think this
figure is telling enough for us to have special legislation."
Armenia still has no laws specifically aimed at tackling domestic
violence. The Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs as well as
several women's NGOs have drafted such laws in the last few
years. None of them has been enacted yet.
The Armenian Justice Ministry unveiled a similar bill on Friday. A
senior ministry official, Bagrat Ghazinian, said it would seriously
curb the practice if passed by parliament.
"In some cases, a violent incident does not technically contain
elements of a crime and the police are therefore not legally allowed
to do something about it," said Ghazinian. "Our draft will regulate
this issue."
The women's rights grouping disagreed, saying that the proposed law is
not far-reaching enough. "It doesn't cover all types of violence," one
of its leaders, Zaruhi Hovannisian, told RFE/RL's Armenian service
(Azatutyun.am). "We need an in-depth conceptual approach to domestic
violence and we must instill in the public consciousness the notion
that domestic violence is a crime."
armenpress.am
LOSSES OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES IN
LOSSES OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES IN
MIDDLE EAST ARE GREAT, HARD TO RECOVER 21.11.2016
The existence/survival issue of Armenian communities is very acute during the last decades in the Middle East, senior expert of the center of Armenian studies of Noravank scientific-educational foundation Vahram Hovyan told a press conference in ARMENPRESS.
“Beginning from the half of the 20th century, the most heated region is the Middle East. Several events took place here, particularly, the Arab-Israeli war, the Lebanese Civil war, the internal political turmoil of Syria and Egypt, the military coups in Turkey, the Arab Spring. The foreign and domestic turmoil of different countries negatively impact the Armenian communities. Their property, cultural legacy, churches, schools are destroyed”, Vahram Hovyan said. In his words, the most dangerous part is that all of this leads to mass migration in the Armenian community circles.
Our compatriots leave their countries in great numbers and attempt to establish themselves in western countries. According to Vahram Hovyan, is 25 thousand Armenians were living in Kuwait before the first Gulf War, the number decreased five times after the war. 300 thousand Armenians lived in Lebanon during the 1970s, today the number is circa 100 thousand. 200 thousand Armenians lived in Syria during the 70s, before the Arab Spring 70 thousand lived there, and after the Arab Spring that number significantly decreased again. Today, an estimated 10,000 Armenians live in Aleppo (based on most optimistic estimates).
Hovyan said after the Revolution the Armenian community of Iran suffered great losses. Prior to the Revolution 300 thousand Armenians lived there, today circa 100 thousand. Iraq is no exception. Before the Arab Spring, only 1000 out of the 20 thousand community remain there. Hovyan says the losses of the Armenian communities in different periods associated with the Arab Spring are great and hard to recover from.
Turkey is no exception also. The reasons include domestic political development, military revolutions, however, according to the expert, Armenophobia also has significant impact.
“Here there were always persecutions and restrictions against Armenians. Armenophobia is of traditional nature in Turkey. All this has led to the decrease of Armenians living there. Today an estimated 60-80 thousand Armenians live in Turkey” , the expert said.
Vahram Hovyan said manifestations of Armenophobia are also present of religious grounds. It happens in countries where Islamic extremism is on the rise.
“Of course, specifically Armenians aren’t targeted, it is directed against Christianity, however Armenians comprise a significant percentage of Christians living in Middle Eastern countries, therefore that harassments also happen against Armenians. As an example – the bombing of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church” , he said.
arka.am
Armenia’s diamond-cutting industry’s output by 2020 expected
to grow to $350-$400 million
November 25 2016
Armenia’s diamond cutting industry’s output by 2020 is expected to grow to $350-$400 million a year, according to Gagik Mkrtchyan, an advisor to the Minister of Economic Development and Investment.
Speaking a meeting of representatives of the jewelry industry today he said the ministry is developing a program to boost the sector in 2017-2020.
He said there are some operational problems, related largely to simplification of legislation after Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union; in particular, the harmonization of laws.
"The expected results of the program - is achieving an annual commercial production worth $350-400 million per year by the end of 2020, and creation of six- seven thousand new jobs," - he said.
The meeting was attended by about 20 representatives of the jewelry industry, who spoke about their problems and ways to resolve them.
According to official data, diamond production in Armenia increased by 39.1% in 2015 to 14.58 billion drams ($30.4 million.). In the first ten months of 2016 it doubled to 24 billion drams ($50 million.). In the first six months of 2016 the export of polished Armenian diamonds amounted to 69,500 carats, a 2.3 times increase from the same time span of 2015.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is hopeful for a 'new start' at Manchester United
following his impressive display in Feyenoord victory
By Jonathan Spencer
By Jonathan Spencer
25 Nov 2016
Following Manchester United's 4-0 win over Feyenoord, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is looking for a fresh start at the club after starring on Thursday night.
Mkhitaryan started for only the second time under Jose Mourinho since joining for £26m from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and the Armenian shone in a lively display for United.
The out-of-favour midfielder is hopeful that Thursday's performance can kickstart his career at Old Trafford.
Following Manchester United's 4-0 win over Feyenoord, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is looking for a fresh start at the club after starring on Thursday night.
Mkhitaryan started for only the second time under Jose Mourinho since joining for £26m from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and the Armenian shone in a lively display for United.
The out-of-favour midfielder is hopeful that Thursday's performance can kickstart his career at Old Trafford.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan starred for Manchester United in their 4-0 victory over FeyenoordHenrikh Mkhitaryan starred for Manchester United in their 4-0 victory over Feyenoord
'It was a pleasure to play again and start the game,' Mkhitaryan told BT Sport .
'I try to do my best and it's a very good result.
'It has been difficult to watch the team from the sidelines but you have to have passion and work hard.
'I hope it is a new start for me.'
Goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard and an own-goal from Brad Jones gave Mourinho's side a 4-0 win against the Eredivisie leaders and Phil Jones believes his side's pressing game was key to their win.
The Armenian started for only the second time under Jose Mourinho since joining the clubThe Armenian started for only the second time under Jose Mourinho since joining the club
'It was a tough game, especially in the first half,' the 24-year-old centre-back told MUTV .
'But I think we played better in the second half, we were more aggressive in our pressing and we got the four goals. It was a good performance in the end.'
United, who will be buoyed by their performances against Arsenal and Feyenoord, next face West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.
United, and especially Mkhitaryan, will be hoping to kickstart their season against Slaven Bilic's side and take away all three points.
Phil Jones believes United were aggressive in their pressing against the Eredivisie leaders Phil Jones believes United were aggressive in their pressing against the Eredivisie leaders
![["Armenian Diocese of the UK"]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v5pFzw5aR4jYbPh1g7YZ7z0UHbyD6aFkjjqlZwOdjHJFUtBVaWOhF6V_BsHiTR3g_hKQHfU3rlq9nUtsgYgaa-Uqejt2oCJqINp9V40X5S-ekxvrnUxqoMNI4XY7E=s0-d)
