President Serzh Sargsyan in Paris met with the President of France François Hollande

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President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the French Republic on a working visit today met with the President of France François Hollande. At the beginning of the meeting, Serzh Sargsyan thanked the President of France for the warm welcome and noted that he was greatly pleased to once again visit friendly France.

The President of Armenia noted with satisfaction that the Armenian-French relations, which are nourished by the close historical relations of the two nations, in last twenty years have been developing steadily, reaching the highest point in their history. According to the President, Armenian-French friendship is so deep, comprehensive and multifaceted that it would be difficult to define it in one or two sentences.

In Serzh Sargsyan’s words, such quality of relations was achieved by our countries thanks to a regular high-level dialogue, including the reciprocal visits of the Armenian and French Presidents, close interparliamentary cooperation, dynamic cultural, educational and scientific interaction, as well as through the regular contacts between the responsible officials from different areas.

The President noted that in recent years in the special Armenian-French relations there has been formed a wonderful tradition of maintaining that high-level dialogue – at least one annual meeting between the Presidents during which the parties discuss issues related to the Armenian-French, as well as Armenia-EU cooperation, urgent regional and global issues.

At today’s meeting too, the Presidents of Armenia and France also discussed in detail all the mentioned above problems.

With regard to the trade and economic relations, President Sargsyan noted with satisfaction the presence in Armenia of a large French business community with leading companies such as Carrefour, Pernod Richard, Orange, Credit Agricole, Alcatel, and Veolia which will soon be amplified by other companies.

The President stressed also the importance of the assistance programs launched this year by the French Development Agency. He underscored that decentralized cooperation is also developing successfully: Over 30 local authorities of Armenia and France have established close partnership relations. In that context, the President of France stressed, in particular, the importance of the Third Convention on Decentralized Cooperation to be held October 15-17 in Valence.

Speaking about interparliamentary ties, the Presidents of Armenia and France noted with satisfaction that friendship groups are working actively in the parliaments of the two countries. It’s been one year since Armenia joined the International Organization of Francophonie; the Armenian-French cultural and education relations are also developing successfully.

At the meeting, President Serzh Sargsyan once again expressed thanks to François Hollande for the continued efforts of the French side aimed at the peaceful resolution of the NK conflict. The Presidents of Armenia and France reiterated that there is no alternative to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship. Serzh Sargsyan noted that Armenia attaches special importance to the personal involvement of the French President in the process.

The parties spoke in detail about the prospects of Armenia-EU cooperation. They agreed that maximum efforts should be made to maintain the tempo and quality of the cooperation, to continue the process of reformation in Armenia. President Sargsyan reiterated Armenia’s commitment to carry on. President François Hollande assured that France – as Armenia’s friend and one of the leaders of the European Union and major international player – will continue to assist Armenia in moving forward her European agenda.

At the meeting, the President of Armenia once again expressed gratitude for France’s significant contribution to the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

To ensure the continuation of the high-level political dialogue established between the two countries, Serzh Sargsyan reiterated the invitation extended to the President of France to conduct a state visit to the Republic of Armenia.

Meeting with member of the British House of Lords Caroline Cox

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Bako-Sahakyan-Caroline-CoxOn 26 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received member of the British House of Lords Caroline Cox and accompanying her individuals.
Welcoming Caroline Cox President Sahakyan noted that her 80th jubilee visit was among the best manifestations of sincere friendship with Artsakh.
For services shown to Artsakh and its people President Sahakyan decorated Caroline 260913Cox(1)Cox with the “Mesrop Mashtots” order.
The Head of the State rated high the input the Baroness has had in our republic’s development as well as objective and fair introduction of the Artsakh issue in various international fora expressing confidence that hereafter Caroline Cox would continue her humanitarian mission with the same zeal.
National Assembly speaker Ashot Ghoulyan, writer and publicist, hero of Artsakh Zori Balayan and other officials partook in the meeting.

Miss Philippines crowned the new Miss World

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Miss Philippines crowned the new Miss WorldA new Miss World was crowned Saturday, and though she competed as Miss Philippines, she hails from the United States.

Megan Young, 23, an aspiring filmmaker, took the top honor at the competition, held in Bali, Indonesia.

Miss France, Marine Lorphelin, and Miss Ghana, Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter, were second and third runners up, respectively.

Young was born in the United States and moved to the Philippines at age 10, according to her biography.

The new Miss World is a college student who has appeared on screen as an actress and presenter since she was 15.

Protesters in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, denounced the event.

In an attempt to appease religious concerns, the pageant scrapped the swimsuit competition and replaced it with less-revealing beachwear attire.

 

Family in legal battle to keep their pet TIGERS: Man who rescued big cats from a travelling circus is told they are too much of a public danger

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Borges- the tiger

Family in legal battle to keep their pet TIGERS: Man who rescued big cats from a travelling circus is told they are too much of a public danger

A Brazilian animal lover who rescued two tigers from a travelling circus has become locked in a legal battle after officials told him to give them up claiming they pose a public threat.

Ary Borges saved brothers Dan and Tom from a life of cruelty in 2005 and brought them to his home in Maringa, southern Brazil.

As cubs they slept in his daughters’ beds and ambled about his garden with his other pets, two lions, a monkey, and a pet Chihuahau named Little.

He has since used the brothers to breed an ambush of nine tigers, all of whom now live with Mr Borges and his family.

But now they are fully-grown, wildlife officials say the 700-pound beasts are too dangerous to keep in an industrial neighbourhood of this southern Brazil city and that Mr Borges used them to breed other tigers illegally.

 

Borges -the tiger 2

‘Sadly there are so many animals dying in zoos that have no oversight,’ said Mr Borges. ‘My animals are treated extremely well … we’re preserving and conserving the species.

 

‘We have a great team of veterinarians. We give them only the best, but we’re being persecuted.’

 

It also wants his caretaker license confiscated and to obtain the cats. Borges appealed and the matter is pending before a federal court. The agency declined repeated requests for comment.

 

‘My father would die or kill himself if these tigers are taken away,’ Uyara said. ‘They’re everything to us, they’re my brothers. We’ve lived with them day and night for eight years.’

 

 

 

 

Borges -the tiger 1

Information on defendants on criminal case initiated against judicial bailiffs for abuse

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դատախազությունThe preliminary investigation on the criminal case initiated against a number of employees of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department pursuant to the Articles 178, 308 and 314 of RA Criminal Code for abuse of official authority, swindling money in particularly large amount by official forgery and cheating in Yerevan city investigation department of General Investigation Department of RA Police is in process. Until 25 September 19 persons were involved as defendants, 2 persons are as suspects.

Taking the public interest into consideration the data and charges of the involved persons are presented below:

1. The deputy head of RA Judicial Department, the head of Service of Judicial Bailiffs Armen Movsisyan was accused according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code. Imprisonment was used as pretrial measures.

2. The head of subdivision of Judicial Bailiffs of Central Body of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Armen Avagyan was charged pursuant to the Article 314, the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code. Imprisonment was used as pretrial measures.

3. The head of Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Court of First Instance of Ajapnyak and Davitashen administrative districts of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Armen Mirzoyan was accused according to the Article 314 and the Part 1 of the Article 308 of RA Criminal Code. Imprisonment was used as pretrial measure which was replaced by bail.

4. The head of subdivision of Judicial Bailiffs of the staff of the Court of First Instance of Avan and Nor Norq administrative districts of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Bagrat Arikyants was accused pursuant to the Article 314 and the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code. Imprisonment was used as pretrial measures.

5. The head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Court of First Instance of Arabkir and Qanaqer-Zeytun administrative districts of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Samvel Aleqsanyan was charged according to the Article 314 of RA Criminal Code. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

6. The storekeeper of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Yura Mushkidyanov was accused according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code. Imprisonment was used as pretrial measures.

7. The head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Court of Criminal Appeals Arman Palikyan was charged pursuant to the Part 1 of the Article 308 and the Article 314 of RA Criminal Code. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

8. The deputy head of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Gagik Khachatryan was accused according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code. Imprisonment was used as pretrial measure which was replaced by personal guarantee.

9. The head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Civil Court of Appeals of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Arman Malkhasyan was charged according to the Part 1 of the Article 308 and the Article 314 of RA Criminal Code. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

10. The head of division of staff management in the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Narek Gasparyan was charged pursuant to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 and the Article 314 of RA Criminal Code. Imprisonment was used as pretrial measures.

11. The head of Finance Division of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department, chief accountant Satenik Hovhannisyan was accused according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

12. The head of Supervision Division of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Yeghiazar Sargsyan was accused pursuant to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

13. The head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Court of First Instance of Arararat and Vayots Dzor regions of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department, then from November, 2012 the head of the subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Administrative Court Eduard Hovhannisyan was accused according to the Article 314 of RA Criminal Code. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

14. The head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Court of First Instance of Arararat and Vayots Dzor regions of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Armen Petrosyan was charged according to the Article 314 of RA Criminal Code. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

15. The ex-head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Court of First Instance of Kotayq region of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Mher Gevorgyan was accused pursuant to the Part 1 of the Article 308 and the Article 314. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

16. The ex-head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Court of First Instance of Kotayq region of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Hayk Margaryan was accused according to the Part 1 of the Article 308 and the Article 314. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

17. The head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Court of First Instance of Shirak region of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Artak Gevorgyan was charged according to the Part 1 of the Article 308 and the Article 314. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

18. The head of subdivision of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Court of First Instance of Kotayq region of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs of RA Judicial Department Norayr Melqonyan was charged pursuant to the Article 314 of RA Criminal Code. Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures.

19. On 15.08.2013 a decision was made on involving the deputy head of the Service of Judicial Bailiffs Gegham Grigoryan as a defendant pursuant to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 178 of RA Criminal Code. Search was declared to find out his location. Imprisonment was chosen as pretrial measures.

Signature for not leaving was used as pretrial measures against the suspects Artyom Mamyan and Meruzhan Kyureghyan.

Sandra Bullock hails law limiting paparazzi: ‘Children should not be sold’

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130913084709-nicole-kidman-paparazzi-bike-2013-horizontal-gallery(CNN) — Sandra Bullock is one of the highest-profile actresses in Hollywood and also one of the world’s most photographed moms. It’s hard to pick up a tabloid that doesn’t feature a photo of the Oscar-winner with her adopted 3-year-old son, Louis Bardot. And now Bullock is speaking out in support of a new law that increases penalties for paparazzi harassing the children of celebrities.

“We are fair game, I get it,” Bullock told CNN at her handprint and footprint ceremony outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Wednesday. “Children should be allowed to be children and not be sold. You’re taking a picture of a child and selling it!”

California Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed the bill, which increases the penalties for intentional harassment of a child because of their parents’ employment.

The effort gained momentum after actresses Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner testified before the California Assembly Judiciary Committee in August to support the bill. The pair opened up about the hellish conditions faced by their children as a result of aggressive paparazzi.

Nicole Kidman knocked down by photog

Sandra Bullock on “Paparazzi Bill”

Bullock commends the two on their fight.

“I think it’s brilliant,” she explains.”The girls worked so hard, the attorney worked so hard, and I think it’s a good sign.”

According to a release from the governor’s office, the new law “increases the maximum jail time for harassment of a child or ward because of the person’s employment from six months in the county jail to a year in the county jail.”

It also imposes increasingly stiff fines: For a first violation, a fine not to exceed $10,000. For a second violation, it’s $20,000. For a third violation, it’s $30,000.

The “Gravity” star made a rare choice to bring young Louis with her to a media event, a decision Bullock is quick to defend.

“Today, I brought him out because this was a family day. It was the one exception that I make.”

“And this way,” she continued, “when he’s 16 and he hates me, I can take him to this moment and say, ‘Look, people said really nice things about your mother…’ ”

The current Vogue magazine cover star reveals her son becomes fearful for his own safety and that of his mom when going out.

“When you go to school, or you’re at an airport, the reason he doesn’t like this is because he’s used to people running at him, and he thinks they’re going to hurt mom or hurt him.”

Bullock is thankful for the law and what it will mean as a mother and one of the Hollywood’s biggest stars.

“This’ll be great. This will allow children to be children. … I’m so grateful.”

Winter Olympics host city Sochi hit by flooding

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sochiCNN) — Rain, floods, evacuations and power cuts may have hit Sochi — but an Olympic size effort is underway to ensure the city is ready to host the 2014 Winter Games.

Streets and homes were flooded Tuesday with Irina Rossius, the press secretary for Russia’s Emergencies Ministry, forced to admit that a state of emergency was still in effect, according to Russian state agency, RIA Novosti.

While the local Emergency Ministries branch had denied that a state of emergency had been imposed, “the negative outlook” for Tuesday night has led to a change in circumstances.

Read: A brief history of the Winter Olympics

Will Sochi be most connected Games?

How social will Sochi 2014 be?How social will Sochi 2014 be?

Sochi gets ready to put on a showSochi gets ready to put on a show

It is estimated that 1800 workers are currently undertaking work to clean the city following the evacuations of residents.

While 10 homes in the village of Mirny and some train stations in the Adler district are still flooded, the ministry stated on its website that rescue teams had made progress by pumping out water and allowing some trains to run.

The ministry also confirmed that all 30 residents who were moved from the village of Kepsha have since returned home after the water level drop from 45 centimeters to 5cm.

Flights at Sochi’s regional airports were canceled amidst severe weather, while traffic jams left the roads in turmoil.

Kubanenergo, the local power company, confirmed Tuesday that it had cut off the power in five regions to avoid risking power outages.

Read: Will social media foil Putin’s grand Winter Olympics plan?

The floods come at the worst possible time for Sochi with the International Olympic Committee coordination committee making its final visit to the city before the Games, which start on February 7.

The commission’s chairman, Jean-Claude Killy, will finish his visit on Thursday after holding meetings with organizers and visiting venues.

“The exceptional weather conditions in Sochi have not impacted the visit of the IOC coordination commission that is in Sochi from Sept 24 to Sept 26,” read a statement sent to CNN by the IOC.

“The Commission’s work is ongoing and they have just completed a successful visit to the mountain venues.”

When contacted by CNN Wednesday, the Olympstroy press office insisted none of the venues had been damaged by the adverse weather.

“None of the sports venues in Imeretinskaya lowland and in Krasnaya Polyana have been affected by heavy rainfall,” read a statement.

“All the new Olympic facilities have been built in accordance with strict seismic safety, weather protection and geological protection guidelines.

” All venues have proper mudslide and landslide protection. Service personnel in both mountain and coastal clusters are in place to ensure proper functioning of the facilities.”

 

Zookeeper Killed by Tiger in Germany

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tigerGerman authorities say a tiger attacked and killed his keeper at a zoo in the country’s northwest.

The local fire department said the 57-year-old keeper was killed in the Allwetterzoo Muenster on Thursday afternoon after apparently not noticing he had left one animal behind after he moved a group of tigers into a new enclosure, the dpa news agency reported.

The tiger then attacked the keeper and bit him fatally on the neck. The zoo had no immediate comment and further details weren’t immediately available.

 

Six bus passengers killed and 11 critically injured when double-decker crashes into a train at a rail crossing in Canada

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train collided- a double-decker bus -Ottawa2A passenger train collided with a double-decker city bus in Ottawa today, killing six people and critically injuring 11 others.

Witnesses said the bus went through a closed crossing barrier.

It was Canada’s worst train accident since an oil train derailed and exploded in a Quebec town in July, killing dozens of people.

A number of bus passengers were injured, Ottawa Fire spokesman Mark Messier told CP24 television. Via Rail posted a message on Twitter saying there were no reports of major injuries to passengers or crew on the train.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper posted a message on Twitter saying he was deeply saddened by the accident and his thoughts and prayers were with the families of those involved.

The crash occurred in the west end of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.

 

President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the ceremony of consecration of the Armenian Cathedral in Moscow and opening of the Church compound

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 3791President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan who are visiting the Russian Federation today participated at the ceremony of consecration of the Armenian Cathedral in Moscow and opening of the Church compound.

The ceremony of consecration of the Cathedral was conducted by His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. The ceremony was attended by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill who gave his blessings, the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakian, state and public figures of the Russian Federation, heads of the major Armenian Apostolic Church dioceses from Armenia and abroad, representatives and benefactors.

The construction of the Church compound, which is located in the center of Moscow and built in accordance with the Armenian national architectural traditions, was commenced back in 2006. It comprises the Cathedral, the Holy Cross Church, the diocese office, educational, cultural, administrative and hostel units, reception and festivity halls and a museum. The compound is built with light apricot colored tuff while the Cathedral is built with rose tuff brought from а stone quarry situated in the vicinity of the Armenian capital Ani and is decorated with crosses, bas-reliefs and the Armenian alphabet.

3795The compound through its appearance and bas-reliefs relates to the citizens of Moscow and guests of the Russian capital about the Armenian people, presents momentous pages of our history – invention of the alphabet, adoption of Christianity, our struggle for faith and motherland, the Golden Age, etc. The ornaments and bas-reliefs are harmoniously connected with the scattered over the territory of the compound numerous cross-stones – symbols of the Armenian sculptural art.

After the official ceremony of the consecration of the Cathedral, President Serzh Sargsyan along with the organizers, benefactors and guests watched at the reception hall of the administrative building of the Church “The Armenians in Moscow: Historical Road” exhibition, which was organized by the Russia and Nor Nachijevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, National Archives of Armenia, RF Federal Agency of Archives, the General Department of Moscow Archives, and State Central Archives of Moscow.

The opulent exhibition presents the almost five-century long history of the Armenian community of Moscow starting from the end of the XIV century up to the beginning of the XX century. The exhibition is called upon to enhance the understanding of the role of the Church and community in the life of the Armenian nation and the processes of mutual enrichment of the Armenian and Russian cultures.

The President of Armenia visited also the educational and cultural units, as well as the Church hostel. Later, in the courtyard of the Church he was present at the unveiling ceremony of the Love and Brotherhood memorial fountain dedicated to the friendship of the Armenian and Russian peoples.

‘They were on their last straw of hope’: Moment two fishermen were rescued off Florida coast after EIGHT DAYS at sea

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Bahamian menA normal day of fishing went awry for two Bahamian men after their boat capsized.

Helpless, two men clung to the boat’s hulls for eight days.

A passing freighter spotted the men clinging to the overturned boat. It is believed that had they not been spotted, the men would have died.

Coast Guard rescue swimmer Kyle Stallings said to The Sun Sentinel that the victims were completely waterlogged when found. He said their skin was deteriorating and their eyes were drooping.

The victims’ names were not released on Saturday. They are reportedly 56 and 57 years old.

The freighter that spotted the two stranded men contacted the US Coast Guard. It authorized the launch of an MH-65 rescue helicopter from Air Station Miami, WPTV reports.

The rescued men told the officers that they had consumed seawater, which can speed up dehydration, says The Los Angeles Times.

The men were taken to the DelrayMedicalCenter for treatment. They were not found with life jackets.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is now handling the case.

 

Angelina Jolie to Receive Academy’s Humanitarian Award

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angelina-jolieAngelina Jolie, along with Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin and Piero Tosi, will be honored by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. While each of her fellow actors is set to receive the Honorary Award, Jolie will be presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy’s 5th Annual Governors Awards on Saturday, November 16.
The Humanitarian Award is given “to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.” Jolie is praised for being “an impassioned advocate for humanitarian causes,” and her dedication has also shaped her work in films that tackle global humanitarian issues including “In the Land of Blood and Honey“.
“I’m so proud to win an honorary Oscar this year with @TheAcademy, So much love & joy to u all, thank you! Congrats Martin, Lansbury, & Tosi,” tweeted Jolie, who won an Oscar for her supporting performance in 1999’s “Girl, Interrupted”. She joins past winners including Oprah Winfrey and the DreamWorks Animation CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs has made a statement regarding this year’s recipients. “The Governors Awards pay tribute to individuals who’ve made indelible contributions in their respective fields,” said Isaacs. “We couldn’t be more excited for this year’s honorees.”

 

Hitler’s swastika ring pocketed by an American troop who raided his Bavarian retreat in 1945 expected to fetch £70,000 at auction

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The ring - Adolf HitlerA rare Nazi bling-ring once owned by Adolf Hitler is going up for auction in Maryland next week and is expected to fetch at least £70,000.

The ‘Hitler Ring’ is made of silver and was originally plated with gold, though not much is left after 75 years.

On the ring is a huge swastika that is supported by other swastikas and swords. The piece is crowned by a large ruby and mounted in a silver globe which rests on an elaborate foot, also with a swastika.

Whether the dictator ever wore the kitschy item is unknown, but the fact that is was made for him will be enough to drive prices sky high for collectors of Nazi militaria when bidding begins next week.
It is being offered for sale by the Alexander Historical Auctions House in Maryland and comes with documents come with it testifying that it was made for the Fuhrer.

 

HitlerThe ring was crafted by the master goldsmith Karl Berthold who was a fanatical Nazi and kicked Jewish craftsmen out of his business in Frankfurt shortly after the regime came to power in 1933 – long before laws forbidding them from working came into place.

The ring was found at Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s mountain retreat in Bavaria, in 1945 by American troops.

One of the soldiers pocketed it as a souvenir before selling it on. It was owned by several collectors over the years, the last of whom died two years ago and whose grandson is now selling it.

 

Statement by the Chairman of CoE Committee of Ministers, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the European Convention on Human Rights

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399. Comments by Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, on the Enniskillen Joint Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh by the Heads of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Countries 18.06.2013Sixty years ago, on the 3 September 1953, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, better known as the “European Convention on Human Rights”, entered into force. This treaty is undoubtedly the cornerstone of the human rights protection in Europe. Over sixty years, persons within the jurisdiction of the member States of the Council of Europe have benefited from this unique legal instrument. Several landmark judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, guardian of the Convention, have helped to significantly strengthen the rule of law and democracy across the European continent.

As Pierre-Henri Teitgen, one of the founding fathers of the European Convention, pointed out more than sixty years ago, democracies do not go bad in one day; nor can rule of law be put in place overnight. The promotion of human rights is an ongoing process and it is our common responsibility to ensure that the European Convention remains the effective constitutional instrument of European public order that it has become over the years.

That is why the Armenian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe highly values the recent adoption of Protocols No. 15 and 16 to the Convention, which reinforce the ability of the Court to deal with incoming cases and strengthen application of the Convention at national level. No less than 22 member States have signed Protocol No. 15 since its opening for signature at the end of June. The opening for signature of Protocol No. 16 on 2 October will be another important step.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will continue to do its utmost to ensure that the rights enshrined in the Convention are respected and protected across Europe.

World’s loneliest man looking for love: Desperate bachelor wanders the streets for 12 years wearing a sandwich board asking wealthy women to marry him

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Robert DarlingLonely bachelors looking for love often turn to dating websites in the search for a partner.

But Robert Darling has taken things that little bit further – by wandering the streets of New York for twelve years with a sandwich board asking women to marry him.

The unemployed 58-year-old – who admits he is a ‘great conversationalist’  – says he wants a wealthy lady to take care of him.

The New Jersey,resident  spends two hours traveling to Manhattan twice a week on his quest for a soulmate.

His billboard declares he is open to offers and includes his phone number and email address.

Plagued with an unsuccessful love life for forty years, he resorted to extreme measures to find a suitor.

Mr Darling said he has never had a serious relationship and his dating history is sparse.

He said: ‘Give up? Never! I’m just warming up. It’s just a matter of time. I’m very patient and I know great success is just around the corner.’

 

Mugabe orders 300 giraffes, zebras and other animals to be shipped to national zoo to impress visitors during UN tourism summit

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elandHundreds of safari animals have been transported across Zimbabwe to a poaching-prone nature reserve ahead of a UN meeting to make the area appear populated.

The decision to move the animals from a private conservancy in southeastern Zimbabwe to Victoria falls is to ‘repopulate’ the preserve before the United Nations world tourism body’s meeting for the benefit of visiting delegates.

151 wildebeests, 100 impalas, 60 zebras, 25 eland and ten giraffes have been transported for over 400 miles, the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force of independent environmentalists said.

The animals have been released in the five sq mile ZambeziNational Park overlooking the ZambeziRiver and the Victoria Falls.

The decision to hold the six-day summit at Victoria Falls, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, was met with raised eyebrows, as President Mugabe’s recent election victory was marred with accusations of vote rigging.

The UN World Tourism Organization announced on Sunday that it has chosen Zimbabwe to lead its Commission for Africa, the continent-wide group for tourism development for the next two years.

The U.N. World Tourism Organization, meanwhile, advised participants at Victoria Falls that no conference documentation will be distributed on paper to save trees ‘in compliance with the United Nations system’s environmental protection policy.’

The six-day general assembly was formally opened by the two countries’ presidents, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Michael Sata of Zambia.

The two host nations automatically take over the presidency of the U.N. tourism organization during the summit, which is expected to be attended by about 1,200 delegates from governments and tourism enterprises worldwide.

 

Melbourne makes it three years in a row as world’s most liveable city

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melbourne-bayMelbourne made it three years in a row as the world’s most livable city, according to the 2013 Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Livability Survey.

The top cities and indeed much of the rankings remained similar to last year, with Australian and New Zealand cities landing five of the top 10 spots. Canadian cities made up another three of the top 10 positions.

Vienna came a close second while Canadian cities Vancouver and Toronto stayed at third and fourth; Calgary tied with Adelaide for fifth place.

The top spots are mostly “mid-sized cities in wealthier countries with a relatively low population density,” said the EIU.

At the bottom of the list, due to ongoing civil conflict in Syria is Damascus — dropping 10 rankings.

A total of 140 cities were surveyed under five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Scores in each category and sub-category are compiled and weighted to give a total out of 100. 100 is considered ideal and 1 intolerable.

The report noted a few major changes. Madrid dropped five spots to 44th due to “unrest and protests,” but remains in the top tier of livability. The Slovakian capital of Bratislava moved into the top tier (a score of 80 or above), now at 63rd place in the ranking.

Tehran, Douala (Cameroon), Tripoli, Karachi, Algiers, Harare, Lagos, Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Damascus (are at the bottom of the list with conflict responsible for many of the lowest scores, the report stated.

Top 10 most livable cities (unchanged in 2013 from 2012):

1. Melbourne, Australia, 97.5

2. Vienna, Austria, 97.4

3. Vancouver, Canada, 97.3

4. Toronto, Canada, 97.2

=5. Calgary, Canada, 96.6

=5. Adelaide, Australia, 96.6

7. Sydney, Australia, 96.1

8. Helsinki, Finland, 96.0

9. Perth, Australia, 95.9

10. Auckland, New Zealand, 95.7

 

Dozens killed in Bolivia prison fire, brawl

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bolivia-prisonA prison brawl and fire left 29 inmates dead and dozens injured in eastern Bolivia, state media reported Friday.

The incident at Palmasola prison in Santa Cruz started with a battle between two groups.

A child was among the fatalities, state-run ABI news agency said. At least 50 people were injured.

Bolivia allows children to legally live with incarcerated parents.

President Evo Morales expressed sympathy and solidarity with victims and their families. He demanded an investigation into the incident, which authorities described as the deadliest prison violence in Bolivia.

State media reported that the fire started early Friday with a confrontation between two groups of inmates. One group attacked the other with sharp weapons and firearms, and set two liquid gas cylinders on fire, sparking an explosion.

At least 100 additional troops were dispatched to reinforce security inside the prison, according to state media.

The prison is a maximum security facility.

 

Backstage at the Holocaust survivor beauty pageant: Israel hosts beauty contest for 16 women who survived the Nazi genocide

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Miss Holocaust Survivor Beauty Pageant in Israel1Commemorating the atrocities committed by the Nazis is usually a sombre duty, not a cause for joy.

But at the Miss Holocaust Survivor Beauty Pageant, the emphasis is firmly on celebrating the remarkable women who survived the genocide of the Jews.

The 16 contestants at the event in Israel, all aged over 70, showed off their mature beauty as they competed to take the crown as the nation’s most striking senior citizen.

The pageant, held in the town of Haifa, was held for the second time on Thursday, following on from the success of last year’s inaugural edition.

It is organised by the International Christian Embassy, an evangelical group that supports Israel, in collaboration with a charity for Holocaust survivors.

The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the women involved by bringing a touch of glamour to their lives.

While the contestants are certainly encouraged to look their best in sparkling ballgowns, officials say the event is meant to celebrate inner beauty as well.

The winner of this year’s pageant was Shoshana Colmer, 93, who was brought up in Czechoslovakia before being imprisoned in Auschwitz.

She still bears the identity number which was branded on her skin by the Nazis.

Critics claim the pageant exploits vulnerable elderly people by putting them on show for entertainment.

 

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