PaperBoy

Devils' Museum in Kaunas, Lithuania, is included in the list of the most unique museums in the world. Three floors have horned creatures from around the world coming in different shapes, sizes, colors and made from different materials. The devils are mischievously smiling, peeking out of the dark corner, showing the evil menace grin or a scree giggle. Some of them can be distinguished from ordinary humans only if you see horns or a tail protruding from the shaggy hair. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/244280/

By the decision of Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), new hybrid currency will be introduced in the country. To learn some details, PanARMENIAN.Net talked to CBA numismatist Gevorg Mughalyan, who told about the advantages of the new money and explained why it will not be worn out in a short period of time. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/241020/

Armenian ARLOOPA information technology company and Shabeeg clothing brand have united efforts to create Armenia’s first ever AR (Augmented Reality) animated educating T-shirts. Armenian King Artashes II depicted on the interactive T-shirts not only looks handsome and modern but also wakes up after centuries-long sleep to tell about the last powerful representative of the Artashesian (Artaxiad) Dynasty. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/242004/

Azerbaijan on Tuesday, July 4 violated the ceasefire on the contact line with Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), using various caliber mortars and even employed a TR-107 rocket engine in the south of the frontline. Artsakh Defense Army opened retaliatory fire to suppress the rival’s attacks. During the incident, two civilians - a 52-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl from Azerbaijan - were killed.This is not the first time Baku’s adventurism results in human losses - including among civilians - and impermissible human rights violations and war crimes in Karabakh, and is certainly not the last time. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/243538/

Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world, lies on the Svalbard Islands of Norway. With a permanent population of over 1,000 people, the former coal mining town is now the cultural and commercial center of the Svalbard Islands, featuring the northernmost ATM, church, museum, post office, radio station, airport, and university in the world. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/243146/

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of Russia, Stephane Visconti of France, and Richard Hoagland of the United States of America), together with the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, traveled to the region in June. The main purpose of the Co-Chairs’ visit was to discuss the position of the Sides towards the next steps in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process after the trilateral ministerial meeting in Moscow (28 April) as well as the overall situation in the conflict zone. The Co-Chairs met with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan (10 June) and with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku (19 June). In both capitals, they also held consultations with the Foreign and Defence Ministers. The Co-Chairs traveled to Nagorno-Karabakh (12 June) to meet with the de-facto authorities, and visited a number of territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, including the Zangelan, Kubatly, Lachin, and Kelbajar districts. In Baku, they also met with the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh. In their talks in Baku, the Co-Chairs expressed deep concern over the recent violations of the ceasefire, resulting in casualties on the Line of Contact, on the eve of their visit to Azerbaijan. They appealed to the leadership of Azerbaijan to avoid further escalation. The Co-Chairs are sending the same message to the leadership of Armenia and de facto authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh. They encouraged the Sides to consider measures that would reduce tensions on the Line of Contact and the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In both capitals, the Co-Chairs called upon the parties to re-engage in negotiations on substance, in good faith and with political will. They underscored that this is the only way to bring a lasting peace to the people of the region, who expect and deserve progress in the settlement of the conflict. The Presidents expressed their intention to resume political dialogue in an attempt to find a compromise solution for the most controversial issues of the settlement. The Co-Chairs will travel to Vienna to brief the members of the Minsk Group on 3 July. They also plan to meet again soon with the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers to discuss modalities of the forthcoming work. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261555.html

Statement by Minister Nalbandian at the Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting Dear Federica, dear Johannes, Dear colleagues, Needless to say that approaching the upcoming summit with tangible results will contribute to the future productive cooperation in the framework of the Eastern Partnership. These past two years we have been actively working on the implementation of the provisions of the Riga Declaration and have been able to deliver in almost all mutual commitments relating to Armenia, namely joining COSME and HORIZON 2020 programs, launching negotiations on the Common Aviation Area Agreement, as well as the “Creative Europe”, that we intend to finalize soon. There are also some pending issues that we are looking forward to deal with, including the launching of the Visa Liberalization Dialogue. We count on the clear support of the EU member states in this regard. Within a relatively short time-frame we managed to negotiate the new Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. The completion of the negotiations was announced by Presidents Sargsyan and Tusk in February in Brussels. The text has been initialed and we look forward to sign it at the upcoming summit. Almost in parallel we discussed and agreed on the Partnership Priorities for 2017-2020. These two important documents will guide Armenia-EU partnership in coming years and help us to strengthen our mutually beneficial cooperation. Dear colleagues, I would like to once again highly appreciate the EU’s continued assistance, including through the Eastern Partnership initiative, provided to our country over the years for the effective implementation of the reform process and institutional capacity building in Armenia. We look forward to the continuation of fruitful cooperation in this regard. The parliamentary elections held in Armenia in April were marked by unprecedented high number of international observers, who stated that the elections were well administered, fundamental freedoms were respected, and the results reflected the will of the population. These parliamentary elections had a particular importance for Armenia’s transition from semi-presidential to parliamentary system of governance. I would like to thank the European Commission and European External Action Service for providing us with “20 deliverables for 2020” document that not only offers a good action plan for the coming years but also a new revised architecture of the Eastern Partnership, which is directly linked to the performance of the partner countries within this multilateral framework and more importantly to the political will to deliver on the shared commitments. We also believe that the principle of differentiation offers a unique opportunity to develop a multi-track or multi-layer cooperation, thus allowing us to maintain the integrity of the partnership. Dear colleagues, Looking forward to the upcoming Summit and our cooperation beyond it Armenia remains committed to contribute to the joint efforts in the Eastern Partnership framework. Thank you! Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261553.html

A1+ Company hosted on Monday political analyst Vahagn Saroyan to talk about ongoing tensions along the Line of Contact between Artsahk and Azerbaijani armed forces. Many connect the tense situation with joint military exercises launched by Turkey and Azerbaijan in Nachichevan. Watch the video to know more details Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261551.html

During the regular meeting in the City Hall, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan spoke about the problem of artificial water basins. He instructed the Department of Health, Water constructions” company, the heads of administrative districts and all corresponding subdivisions to keep the artificial basins under tight control and install signboards forbidding swimming in those basins as well as to provide their regular cleaning. “On hot summer days, our co-citizens, particularly children and young people, actively use artificial basins although it has been mentioned many times that it may be dangerous for their health. Thus, explain to them and particularly to their parents that they must not allow their children to swim in artificial water basins,” Taron Margaryan said. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261547.html

“A wonderful orchestra comprised of gifted young musicians… Sergey Smbatyan reminded me of Edvard Mirzoyan,” says composer Giya Kancheli. Yerevan is hosting these days living legend Giya Kancheli, one of the greatest figures in the music world. A festival dedicated to the famous Georgian composer, teacher, People’s Artist of the USSR, will be held in Armenia on June 18-20. “I learnt about the festival from clarinettist Julian Milkis a year ago. I last visited Armenia seven years ago. I am happy to visit your country again. I composed six of my seven symphonies in Dilijan. My first critics were Arno Babajanyan, Edward Mirzoyan, Alexander Harutyunyan and Avet Terteryan,” says Giya Kancheli, who has written music for 70 films and 40 performances. The author is happy to have had the opportunity to work with Sergey Danelia, Robert Sturua, Georgy Tovstonogov and many others. Giya Kancheli’s music is performed by the best orchestras in the world. The composer says music cannot be understood; it can be felt and perceived. “I always compose what I want and feel. This is hard work. But the audience should not feel this torment, people should enjoy the result.” On June 19, the Komitas Chamber Music House will host an evening of chamber music. The solo concert will feature accordionist Alexander Sevastian and clarinetist Julian Milkis. The program includes Kancheli’s works written for the theater and cinema. The festival will end on June 20 with the concert at the Aram Khachaturian concert hall. The State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, soloist Alexander Sevastian and the Brass Quintet of the orchestra will present the works by Giya Kancheli, which will be performed in Armenia for the first time. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261545.html

Gayane Hovhannisyan, head of the intensive Care unit at the Central Clinical Military Hospital, provides information about the health condition of soldiers wounded in a ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan on Saturday. More details can be found in the video below Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261542.html

Armenia’s champion FC Shirak will face Gorica of Slovenia in the first round of the Europa League. Pyunik will compete with Slovan Bratislava and Armenian vice-champion Gandzasar-Kapan will take on Mladost Podgorica of Montenegro, respectively. The first games will be played on June 29. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261540.html

An extraordinary Cabinet meeting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for International Economic Integration and Reforms Vache Gabrielyan introduced the Government Program for 2017-2022, which features large-scale reforms aimed at ensuring Armenia’s sustainable development. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the Program is based on the President’s message, the principles and programs of the pre-election coalition agreement as signed by the Republican Party of Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, as well as a wide variety of progressive ideas circulating in society. The man is the program’s main concern, while the citizens’ initiative and active participation in the reform process is considered to be the key to success. The Government Program is based on the vision of building a safe, fair, free and intelligent Armenia. According to Vache Gabrielyan, each section of the program addresses the problems identified over the past 9 months while the Government tried to diagnose the existing challenges and find practical solutions to them. The Program seeks to build on those initiatives implemented during the past 9 months, as well as outline the complex of those long-term development objectives that the Government is going to implement over the next 5 years within the specified time frames. The Program clearly states the goals and the vision of the Government in foreign policy and security issues, namely to build up closer relationship between free and independent Armenia and Artsakh, as well as to ensure Armenia’s security as a prerequisite for economic development. The Program consists of 4 main sections: public governance and legal system, foreign policy and defense, economic progress and social issues. Each section contains a list of reforms and accurate timelines as proposed by individual agencies to ensure the long term development of our country. “I think that the program of the Government sets itself ambitious tasks. We have clearly formulated what we want to achieve in the economy in the fields of unemployment, minimum wage and exports, as well as in terms of the taxes-GDP ratio. Besides, we have specified those reforms, actions and steps that need to be implemented to achieve that goal,” Prime Minister Karapetyan pointed out. The meeting endorsed the Government Program, which will be submitted to the National Assembly. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261538.html

Members of the Yerevan Council of Elders from the Yerkir Tsirani faction will hold a series of meetings with Yerevan residents to discuss the problems in the Armenian capital. Zaruhi Postanjyan, Marina Khachatryan and Sona Aghekyan plan to meet residents of 12 administrative districts. The schedule of meetings is available below 1. Arabkir03.07.201712:00-14:00 2. Ajapnyak04.07.201712:00-14:00 3. Avan05.07.201712:00-14:00 4. Davtashen06.07.201712:00-14:00 5. Erebuni07.07.201712:00-14:00 6. Kentron10.07.201712:00-14:00 7. Malatia-Sebastia11.07.201712:00-14:00 8. Nor Nork12.07.201712:00-14:00 9. Nork -Marash13.07.201712:00-14:00 10. Nubarashen 14.07.201712:00-14:00 11. Shengavit17.07.201712:00-14:00 12. Kanaker-Zeytun18.07.201712:00-14:00 Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261536.html

On June 19, Vice-Chairman of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) Levon Zurabyan met with EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotr Świtalski. The two men discussed the 2017 parliamentary elections in Armenia and the political situation in the country after the elections, Armenia’s steps towards democracy, EU-Armenia cooperation in that context and other issue. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261534.html

Armenian football champion FC Alashkert will face Andorran Cup winner FC Santa Coloma at the UEFA Champions league first qualifying round. This became known today as the draws for the first and second qualifying rounds were held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon. In the case of victory, Alashkert will face Belarusian champion BATE. The teams competed with each other during the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League. Alashkert won over Santa Coloma 0–0, 0–3. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261532.html

There were nine Armenian nationals in the minibus that crashed into a Kamaz truck in Tula Oblast in Russia on June 18, Arkmenia’s Ministry of health reports. Two of them were children. The injured were taken to hospitals in Stupino and Tula. They were all examined and rendered medical care. Three of them have been discharged from hospital. The Ministry of Health maintains constant contact with the medical institutions of the Russian Federation. There were 20 passengers in the minibus during the accident. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261528.html

Elections to the local self-government bodies were held in ten communities in Armenia on June 18. According to the country’s Central Electoral Commission, Republican Majit Amoyan was elected headman of Metsadzor village (Aragatsotn marz) and Gevorg Avagyan won his contender from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun in Saghmosavan village (Aragatsotn). Republican Karo Karapetyan won his rival [Vazgen Ghazaryan] from the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) in Surenavan community (Ararat marz). Nonpartisan Armen Khlghatyan was re-elected as Head of Taronik community (Armavir marz) while nonpartisan Gagik Matevosyan was re-elected in Nor Hachn community (Kotayk marz). Former head of Proshyan village Atur Muradyan won his nonpartisan rival in the same community. Republican Davit Davtyan, the former head of Bayandur community in Shirak marz, was the only candidate in the constituency. He polled 214 votes. Republican Artur Matevosyan was re-elected in Karmrakar village while Avetik Seropyan in Hovit village. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261523.html

Azerbaijan escalates the situation along the border with Artsakh every time it needs to divert public attention from something. “The country [Azerbaijan] has serious economic problems: oil prices have gone down, one of the largest banks has gone bankrupt, therefore they are escalating the situation,” says Taron Hovhannisyan, an expert on Azerbaijani studies and expert for razm.info website. He says tensions are always expected, and Armenia should always be ready for resumption of hostilities. The expert says it is wrong that people in Armenia call Azerbaijanis “sheep” and announce that they can reach Baku at any moment. Likewise, Azerbaijanis believe that they can win the war. The situation on the border with Azerbaijan is controlled by Armenia, and the equilibrium is maintained,” the expert said. Garik Harutyunyan says the Armenian side always responds to Azerbaijan’s military operations. The experts have observed a tendency to underestimate and overestimate Azerbaijan. “They are not sheep, they are arming themselves with knowledge and weapons. We need to do the same. This is the only way,” Mr Hovhannisyan said. Military actions always start suddenly and it is difficult to predict whether escalations will grow into full-scale war or not. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261521.html

92 percent of Armenia’s population belongs to Armenian Apostolic Church; the attitude of the society towards the religious minorities is negative, states 2015 report published by the U.S. State Department on religious freedom. Though the Constitution ensures freedom of religion, the report of the U.S. State Department on the section relating to Armenia reads, “Religious minorities are perceived as a threat to the state security.” What’s more, political figures, media outlets also show discrimination towards religious minorities, calling them “sects” or “enemies of the state”. In one of the recent reports published by the Council of Europe, secondary schools were singled out as places, where discrimination and stereotypes are formed towards the religious minorities. Does the society in Armenia really display discrimination towards the religious minorities? Another issue of Kiraki (Sunday) program touched upon this issue. Videos by Vanadzor “Lori” and Gyumri “Tsayg” TV companies. The program hosted theologian Vardan Khachatryan and President of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia Avetik Ishkhanyan. Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261519.html

During a conference titled “Electoral Developments in Armenia: Lessons Learned and Steps Ahead” held in Yerevan on June 15, 2017, the head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski, announced that the recent parliamentary elections “were not perfect.” Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/242123/

There are many benefits to being supported by a strong social network. Moreover, a study says that more friends can actually make a person healthier. The research published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine in 2015 showed that social relationships impact not only our mental but also our physical wellbeing. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/242113/

Three Armenian doctors, who departed for South Sudan to temporarily substitute Aurora Prize winner Tom Catena, an American physician, who has been practicing in Gidel in the Nuba Mountains since 2008, returned to Yerevan on June 10, 2017. Dr. Tom, as the locals call him, spends all his time at the Mother of Mercy Catholic Hospital to care for the more than 750,000 citizens of Nuba amidst ongoing civil war. Upon their return, Hayk Hovhannisyan, Armine Barkhudaryan and Gevorg Voskanyan shared impressions about their mission. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/241774/

In April 2015, four British women, the Coxless Crew team, got into a boat under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to start a nine-month journey across the Pacific Ocean. Before arriving in in Cairns in north-east Australia, they covered 8,446 miles to support women who have had to face adversity and overcome life changing events. Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/241788/

2017 Altibox Norway Chess continues in Stavanger, Norway. Armenia is represented in the tournament by Levon Aronian. In Round 4, Aronian is facing Magnus Carlsen, a Norwegian chess grandmaster and the current World Chess Champion. The chess super tournament, has managed to gather the world’s top 10 best players for the 2017 edition. You can follow the game live below Source: http://en.a1plus.am/1261291.html