Daily Archives: January 13, 2014

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences on demise of Aram Gharabekyan

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սերժ սարգսյանToday President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences on the passing of a famous conductor, RA Honored Worker of Arts, Aram Gharabekyan.

“I was deeply saddened to learn about the untimely passing of a famous conductor, RA Honored Worker of Arts Aram Gharabekyan.

Aram Gharabekyan, who studied in the world’s best conservatories, stood out as a high-quality and unique conductor, was rewarded with many international awards while developing native music art.

I express my deepest condolences to Aram Gharabekyan’s relatives, colleagues and friends” the condolences letter of President of the Republic of Armenia reads.

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Harvard Alumni Club of Armenia has a new President

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On December 27th 2013, the Harvard Alumni Club of Armenia has elected Mr. Martin Galstyan as the President of the Club and Ms. Gohar Gyulumyan as the Treasurer for 2014.
Mr. Galstyan will be taking over the duties from Mr. Samson Avetian, the President of the Club in 2013.
The objective of the Harvard Alumni Club of Armenia is to promote graduate education as well as development of a dynamic civil society in Armenia.
The Club has instituted a scholarship program for students of Armenian descent accepted to Harvard University, and has been actively involved in organizing seminars and lectures on various topics.
Mr. Galstyan currently serves as the Head of Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Armenia and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School (2010). Ms. Gyulumyan is a Senior Economist at the World Bank Yerevan office. She has participated in the Executive Program on Public Financial Management at Harvard Kennedy School in 2005.
The Harvard Alumni Club of Armenia was established in 2006.

Ice, ice baby: Japanese men wearing only pants and bandanas hug giant blocks of ice in a freezing pool to cleanse their souls

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Hugging a giant block of ice may seem a bizarre way to bring good fortune to your new year, but at least these men from Japan can console themselves with the thought that it can’t get much worse.

In in Tokyo yesterday around 100 people took part in the ancient Shinto festival of Kanchu Misogi, a winter purification ritual that is supposed to cleanse the body and soul and bring them closer to mystical spirits which they believe can bring them success.

In temperatures of just 40F (6C) these men stripped down to loincloths and headbands before taking a dip in the freezing water of the pool at Teppozu Inari Shinto shrine while crouching down in order to pray.

The ritual is celebrated across Japan and usually involved participants washing themselves with cold water, but can also involve being covered in snow.

Shinto is less of a religion and more of a way of life, and followers perform many rituals designed to please kame – meaning spirits or powers. This particular shrine is dedicated to Inari, one of the most important kame who brings success, prosperity and fertility.

Shinto has no God or Gods, no founder, no central commandments and allows people to follow other religions.

 

Libyan government minister shot dead in Gadhafi hometown

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A Libyan minister was shot dead in the first assassination of a transitional government official since dictator Moammar Gadhafi was ousted from power nearly three years ago.

Gunmen driving a car opened fire on Deputy Industry Minister Hassan al-Darouei, killing him instantly while he was visiting his hometown of Sirte, a Libyan defense ministry official said.

The official blamed Islamist militants who have been trying to extend their influence in Sirte.

The unknown men fired on the minister near a market on Saturday evening in the Mediterranean city some 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of the coastal capital Tripoli.

State news agency LANA said al-Darouei was shot several times.

Strong earthquake strikes north of Puerto Rico

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A strong earthquake out to sea shook Puerto Rico early Monday, causing minor damage in some places.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 and struck just after midnight about 35 miles (57 kilometers) north of Hatillo.

Puerto Rico’s emergency management agency said there was no tsunami warning and that no injuries have been reported.

 

Corporate jet crash in Germany kills 4

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A corporate jet crash in western Germany on Sunday killed all four people aboard the aircraft, police said.

Witnesses told police that the plane burst into flames after it crashed near the town of Trier.

Authorities are investigating what caused the crash.

Local fire officials told German public broadcaster ZDF that the plane hit a power pole. There was dense fog in the area at the time of the crash, ZDF reported.

The jet had come from England and was scheduled to arrive at a small airfield in Fohren, Germany, ZDF said.

The two passengers and two crew members on the Cessna Citation jet are believed to be German nationals.

 

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Society Should Be Enabled To Monitor Government Activities

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The first Cabinet sitting of 2014 was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister addressed the audience: “Good afternoon, dear colleagues. I wish you all a happy New Year and Merry Christmas. May 2014 bring us new achievements in public service. We are in for a hard work’s year. We have approved per-agency priorities for 2014. My first directive therefore is that you get them through to the public-at-large so that society could monitor the activities of ministries and agencies.

Down to the agenda, the meeting approved a substantiated 100-point program of government activities, as well as 77 priorities for the year 2014. The Government decided that the Industrial Development Fund shall be the main operator of the activities of export-oriented industrial strategy policy of the Republic of Armenia and the Government-approved annual program of State support for activities under the strategy of export-oriented industrial policy.

The Government next established that the Enterprise Incubator Foundation would be the main operator on the activities of the program of State support of the technology center of Gyumri. The decision provides that upon completion of the building at Gai-1 in Gyumri, before registration of the building, the maintenance of said real estate will be carried out by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation. Any such assets acquired with a view to implementing the annual programs of Gyumri Techno Park to a total book value of about AMD70mn shall be donated to Enterprise Incubator Foundation.

The Government approved the concept of a model disability assessment system based on the World Health Organization-drafted international classification of functions, as well as a timetable for its implementation.

The Government agreed to the proposal on signing an agreement between the governments of Armenia and Ukraine on cooperation in the field of seismic protection and a memorandum of understanding between the Governments of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of India on founding a telemedicine network in Armenia.