Author: Serop Khederlarian

Budapest (12/8 – 33) Mahmadzohir will theoretically be eligible to run for president in 2027. In Tajikistan, only the president is permitted to enjoy an unfettered public profile. An intriguing exception to this norm is emerging, however, with another figure amassing huge levels of apparent popularity and prominence. This person too is a member of the ruling family. Ismoil Mahmadzohir, who turned 26 last month, is the grandson of President Emomali Rahmon. His mother, Firuza, is one of Rahmon’s seven daughters. He attended the Elite British Prep School Queen Ethelburga’s College and is the CEO of IM Group. Mahmadzohir – a visually…

Berlin (21/08 – 50) A small community of bird enthusiasts in Astana have been setting ecological trends, advocating for ethical observation practices and environmental responsibility, and fostering camaraderie through shared sightings and insights. Ruslan Urazaliev, researcher and photographer, Kulyanda Tulebaeva, birdwatcher and photographer, and Vera Voronova, the executive director of the Association for Biodiversity Conservation of Kazakhstan (ASBK), shared their experiences supporting the city’s avian residents. Astana’s rough climate does not deter avian species, making it an unexpected winter haven for colorful birds like bullfinches, goldfinches, and snow buntings. As winter wanes, migratory birds stop in urban parks to recharge…

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement stating that Armenia and Azerbaijan must reach a humanitarian consensus in order to ease the suffering of people in Nagorno-Karabakh. The statement says that despite persistent efforts, the ICRC is not currently able to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population through the Lachin corridor or through any other routes, including Aghdam. It noted that under international humanitarian law, sides must allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need. This includes medical supplies and essential food. The organization is calling on the relevant decision…

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that his administration is trying to take steps what would overcome the distrust between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said he’s never heard Azerbaijan refuse to engage in talks about the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh during negotiations, but on the other hand the public statements made by Azerbaijani representatives don’t show such willingness. At the same time, Pashinyan stressed that he doesn’t understand the positions voiced in Nagorno Karabakh on ruling out discussions and talks with Azerbaijan on this matter. Pashinyan also noted that there are some in Nagorno Karabakh…

Wearing peaked black headdresses and long robes, a procession of Armenian priests is led along the stone streets of Jerusalem’s Old City by two suited men in felt tarboosh hats with ceremonial walking sticks. Quietly, apart from the tapping of the sticks, they file into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for prayers. Nowadays, Jerusalem is at the core of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. But Armenians have been here since the 4th Century, when their country was the first to adopt Christianity as a national religion. They have a share in the Old City’s holiest Christian sites and…

Paris, Washington (13/7 – 50) Kenes Rakishev (Keñes Hamitūly Raqyşev) aka Kenges Rakishev is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, former special envoy for Kazakhstan, head of the Kazakh boxing federation, a family man, and most importantly, a man of success. Under Kenges Rakishev’s leadership, the Kazakh female and male boxing squad leaped considerable forward and secured the top ranking in the recent boxing championship putting Kazakhstan boxing squarely in the top ranking in the world. A total of 21 medals were won by the Kazakhstan’s boxers – a tally of six gold, seven silver and eight bronze – and all were honoured…

Armenia can and should build an effective scheme of peaceful coexistence with its neighbors. Gurgen Arsenyan, an MP from the ruling majority “Civil Contract” Faction of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, stated this during Monday’s debates at the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations on the draft law of Armenia on ratification of the agreement between Armenia and Georgia on mutual visa-free travel for the citizens of the two countries. According to the MP, the aforesaid document will enable the citizens of the two countries to cross the border of one another’s with just internal ID cards. In turn,…

There is an important consensus that the process of unblocking begins with the re-use of the Yeraskh-Horadiz railway, which, I believe, is important because it is concrete and understandable what the conversation is about; the conversation is about the railway. Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, who is also the chairman of the commission on border delimitation with Azerbaijan, told reporters this on Wednesday. “I believe there is a final understanding that regulations should be under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the countries through whose territory the railway runs; that also is a very important and fundamental agreement. I will…

A group of students from the Department of Armenian Studies at Fresno State University (USA), accompanied by the head of the department, Professor Barlow Ter-Mkrtchyan, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial. Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the director of the institution Harutyun Marutyan met the guests and presented the history of the creation of the memorial complex. He also mentioned three khachkars installed on the territory of Tsitsernakaberd at the end of last year in memory of the Armenians who became victims of pogroms organized by the Azerbaijani government in the cities of Sumgayit, Kirovabad (Gandzak), Baku. Marutyan…

As reported, Iran exported commodities worth $478 million to Armenia in 1401, while the figure was $294 million in 1400. Liquefied natural gas, iron and steel rods, bitumen, light oils and related products, unalloyed iron and steel products, bituminous mineral oils, floor coverings, liquid cream, linear alkylbenzene, and rebar were Iran’s major products exported to Armenia in the past year. Iranian Labor and Social Welfare Minister Solat Mortazavi has said Tehran and Yerevan are determined to use all their capacities to expand economic ties. Mortazavi made the remarks in a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Narek Makratchian in Yerevan in…