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Armenian Diane Takvorian named KPBS community hero

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Environmental justice champion Diane Takvorian

Environmental justice champion Diane Takvorian, whose organization has helped empower low-income residents seeking a healthy and sustainable quality of life for their neighborhoods, is the KPBS and the National Conflict Resolution Center’sCommunity Hero for environmental sustainability, KPBS reported.

Takvorian is the executive director of the Environmental Health Coalition, which she helped found in 1980. The coalition’s focus is environmental social justice, defined by the notion that everyone deserves a safe place to live, work and play, said Takvorian, who has been drawn to civil rights issues since her youth.

Takvorian credits her passion for social justice to her own family’s travails that stretch back to the early 1900s. Her grandparents survived the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and came to the United States two years later. Takvorian and her parents lived in Pasadena, where she says she experienced some discrimination because of her ethnic background

Fallen hero Adam Sahakyan would turn 21 today

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An old yard and a small house on Abovyan street in Yerevan– this is where hero Adam Sahakyan spent his childhood and adolescence, surrounded with love and warmth.

August 19 marks the birthday anniversary of 2016 April war hero Adam Sahakyan. The fallen hero would turn 21 years old today.

Born on August 19, 1996, Adam was the third son born to the Sahakyans family. Everything in their house reminds of Adam, even half-dilapidated railings or the 120-year old door of the house. Adam loved his backyard, the environment where he was living, everything that surrounded him. He especially loved the fact that he could end up in the Yerevan downtown after taking a few steps.

Today, something very important and irreplaceable is missing in their yard…

The walls of the warm and hospitable house of the Sahakyan family features Adam’s photos, Adam is everywhere and there is an impression one is about to hear his voice.

Adam was an active, energetic child. As his parents tell, their son was in constant motion, always rushing to get most of his life.

During the school years, Adam already participated in multiple sports and took up a special interest in karate, boxing, swimming and skating.

“He was a sportsman by nature. Athletes have an unwritten law that they never retreat. Perhaps this was the reason he refused to retreat on April 2 and maintained the posts till his last breath,” says Mrs. Gayane, the hero’s mother.

During his studies at high school, Adam took part in an exhibition, after which he made up his mind to pursue the profession of an architectural designer. After leaving school, he entered the Armenian National University of Architecture and Construction with high scores.

Mrs. Gayane showed us the chair where Adam used to sit.

“He came home, wore his headphones and began drawing,” the mother says, pointing to his son’s graphic works posted on the walls that he made during his studies at university. Although the works are not perfect, each piece of work is precious and invaluable to them.

During his childhood, Adam celebrated his birthdays surrounded with his family members and relatives. During the teenage years already, he used to celebrate them with his friends.

The mother thinks back to August 19, 2015, when Adam marked his 19th birthday in the Armenian army. Adam called in the morning to talk to his parents and brother, receiving birthday wishes from them. A taciturn young man, Adam only told his parents he was moving to the frontline positions with his unit. He last celebrated his birthday in the posts with his co-servicemen with whom Adam fought till the very last drop of blood, heroically falling on April 2.

Adam’s parents cannot reconcile themselves with his death until now. However, they feel gratitude when seeing everyone, including strangers, remember their son.

“People at different age groups visit us, telling that they should live a life worthy to Adam’s sacrifice. It is certainly very hard to me; I wish he were here, by my side. However, after thinking hard I realize that Adam, who was full of life, who did not differ from many people and meantime differed, was born to become a hero,” says Mrs. Gayane.

Adam Sahakyan began his military service on 26 January 2015, serving at Jabrayil in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) republic. In the morning of April 1, 2016, he moved to the frontline positions, with the Azerbaijani military launching a large-scale attack towards the Armenian positions on the night of April 1-2. Being in the 112 combat position in Jabrayil, Adam leaded the battle by his unit of 7 servicemen and maintained the position for 4-5 hours, thwarting the enemy and inflicting major losses to them. He struggled to the very last drop of blood and fell in heroic death at 8:00 a.m.

Adam Sahakyan was posthumously awarded with the “Military Merit” Medal by Decree of the Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan and the medal of “Valor” by decree of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

April war hero Marat Petrosyan, who destroyed five Azerbaijani tanks, continues military service as commander

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April war hero Marat Petrosyan,

April war hero Marat Petrosyan,

By Hasmik Hakobyan

Marat Petrosyan, participant of the 2016 four-day April War and awardee of the Order of the Combat Cross (first degree) of Armenia, who destroyed five Azerbaijani tanks and one armored vehicle, today continues his service at the Defense Army as a platoon commander.

In an interview with Panorama.am, Marat reflected on the April war, noting that it changed a lot in his mentality, further enhancing the homeland defense idea.

“Seeing a lot of things during the April war, I realized that I must continue my service. When I was offered to continue the military service at the Defense Army, I had already taken such a decision. Having served 8 months already, I am very satisfied with it,” he added.

Marat says that the military path is very obliging, adding that he is proud to wear officers strap.
Regarding the memories of the clashes early in April 2016, Marat finds them both happy and sad, since he cannot forget the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to their Fatherland.

“We have lost our friends, our brothers. Although I do not know them in person, I consider them my friends,” Marat says, adding that the Armenian soldiers taught a good lesion to the enemy at that time. “Fear was not important at that time. We were only thinking about preventing their advancement. Facing a resistance, the adversary was thrown back, suffering significant losses.”
A solider from Stepanakert, Marat, who was called a “master” during the April flare-up, says that he had no experience of firing from anti-tank systems when destroying Azerbaijan’s five tanks and one armored vehicle. Missing his first shot, he hit the target with the second one.

In parallel to his military service, the April war hero is also studying economy at university, meantime practicing sports.

“I spend my free time with my friends. I have no girlfriend; there is no enough time, besides, it is still early for me. I also want to add that I have no accounts at social networks,” Marat jokes.

Although he has destroyed five Azerbaijani tanks, Marat does not consider himself a hero. Only his brother does not miss a chance of being proud of his brother.

To note, Marat’s senior brother David Petrosyan was on his way to winning the semi-final match against his Azeri opponent at the European Kung Fu Championship on May 13, 2017, when he was attacked by supporters of the Azerbaijani athlete. Dozens of men from the Azeri camps lurched at the Armenian team members with poles, chairs, and sticks.

The Defense Army commander recommends the conscripts to demonstrate vigilance. “The most important thing is that they fulfil their service normally and be watchful. They must always remember that their relatives are waiting for their return,” he added.

In conclusion, Marat says that the Armenian soldiers confidently defend the positions and are ready to give a harsher response should the adversary make any provocation.

Bust of Armenian national hero unveiled in Yerevan

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The bust of Armenian national hero and Artsakh Liberation War participant, Tatul Krpeyan, was unveiled in Yerevan on Sunday.

In his speech, Defense Minister of Armenia, Vigen Sargsyan, specifically noted: “They say it is not that important how many days there are in a person’s life: It’s more important how much life there is in each day the man lives. The history of all nations includes such points when the struggle for life was the only alternative to disgraceful defeat. If for many people this was a spontaneous decision made under the pressure of the moment, it was a deeply realized wisdom for Tatul Krpeyan, who chose the profession of a historian after serving in the USSR army and who worked as a history teacher in his native village.”

“We don’t serve justice to Tatul Krpeyan, It is he who tells our generations by his own example that the Armenian land is forbidding, the state is strong and our future is always bright,”he added.

Tatul Krpeyan’s daughter, Aspram Krpeyan, for her part, expressed gratitude to the sculptor Levon Tokmajyan.

The opening ceremony of the bust was attended by Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan, Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan, Education and Science Minister Levon Mkrtchyan, Culture Minister Armen Amiryan and Head of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Movses Hakobyan.

Tatul Krpeyan died on 30 April 1991. He was bestowed the title of national hero in 1996.

Erdogan play hero by confronting US superpower ‘Make U-Turn Towards Russia’

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Turkey u turnTurkey, your friend today your enemy tomorrow,  always survive on muddying the region

One of the geopolitical consequences of the failed coup is that Turkey will ultimately turn its back on the EU and NATO and focus on the East, and Russia in particular; it will also adopt the Asian model of development, with a strong central presidency and a dominant single-party government, according to financial analysts.

The geopolitical and economic consequences of the failed coup attempt in Turkey will be its U-turn from the EU and NATO towards Eurasia, according to the Austrian financial newspaper Wirtschaftsblatt.

The outlet noted how carefully the Turkish leadership has been monitoring the delayed reaction of the West to the failed attempt of the overthrow.

Only on Saturday afternoon, it says, came the comments of EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for the European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.

Its senior NATO ally, the US, was also mute for the first three or four hours.

However, the newspaper notes, Russian President Putin was the first to voice support for Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During their telephone conversation on Saturday, the two leaders decided to put off their planned meeting until early August.

Timothy Ash, an emerging markets analyst at the Japanese banking giant Nomura, has told the newspaper that the events of the last weekend are groundbreaking for Turkey.

“The character and the face of the country will change towards the Asian model of development: a strong central presidency and a dominant single party government, like the one in Malaysia,” Wirtschaftsblatt quotes him as saying.

The analyst also suggested that Ankara will finally turn its back on the idea of EU membership, which de facto was dead after the Brexit referendum in the UK and the earlier Dutch referendum which overwhelmingly rejected the EU association agreement with Ukraine,

The last illusions will be dropped when the Turkish parliament reintroduces the death penalty.  President Erdogan has already announced that this would happen.

Another motive for the rapprochement with Moscow, the newspaper says, is the Turkish Stream pipeline project and the Turkish interest in Russian nuclear power plants.

Additionally, it reasoned, gas supplies from Israel and Iran would help Turkey to position itself as a central hub between the East and the West.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has already condemned the coup attempt in the country. In a telepnone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Rouhani, he said that Iran has always stood behind the legitimate government in Turkey and that it will continue to do so.

California: Armenian man rescues driver from burning car in Video

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Armenian Hero los angelesAn Armenian man is being called a hero after saving a total stranger from a burning car at a shopping center parking lot in Santa Clara, California, USA.

The car was on fire and the driver incoherent. In the meantime, people were watching and some recorded the incident on their cellphone, and only one person jumped in to help, reported ABC7 News.

Aram Harutyunyan, however, realized the seriousness of the situation, and while others moved away from the burning car, he never stopped moving towards it.

Then with one swift move, Harutyunyan grabbed the man behind the wheel, pulled him out and saved him.

It turns out the man in the car was drunk. He may have been revving his engine before the fire started. After that, he just wasn’t able to get himself out.

The car owner is charged with suspicion of driving while under the influence, and arson.

But for Harutyunyan none of that matters. “I wouldn’t leave somebody in a burning car. It’s impossible,” he said.

The sheriff’s department is working on getting him a commendation plaque.

The “Cross of combatant” given posthumously to Armenian Yezidi Kiaram Sloyan, hero of the “War of the four days” 

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5

On the two photographs, the Azeri soldier who exhibited head Kiaram Sloyan on the internet, “distinguished” by Ilham Aliyev

The “Cross of combatant” given posthumously to Kiaram Sloyan, hero of the “War of the four days”

On May 28, President Sarkisian presented Mr. Kialache Sloyan’s father Kiaram Sloyan, a young conscript fell during the “four days of War”, the “Croix du combatant” (1st Order) posthumously his bravery on the battlefield.

The father of the young hero said on this occasion to the press that he was “proud to have raised until the age of 18 years a hero.” On 30 May, a class of the village school of Ardachavan (Aragatzodn district), the village of Sloyan family, will be named after this young fighter. The recognition of the entire Armenian people going to this young man and his family sorely tried by the loss of this son. Our joint pain is particularly burdened by the horrible circumstances of the death of Kiaram, a young soldier from the Yezidi community of Armenia, whose head was exhibited on the internet by soldiers of the Azerbaijani army after his beheading. A two-hour flight from Iraq and Syria, the same fanatical prey to the same victims.

Greece: ‘Welcomed Like Superstar’: Putin Most Popular Politician in Greece’s Athos

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May 28, 2016. Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Mount Athos

May 28, 2016. Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Mount Athos

Nowhere in Greece do people love Russia and its President Vladimir Putin so much as in the Orthodox monastic community in Holy Mount Athos, German magazine Spiegel Online wrote.

At the end of his official visit to the country, the Russian leader made a pilgrimage to the holy place, where he was met with excitement and admiration.

“As Putin, completing his visit to Greece, reached Athos this Saturday, the monks welcomed him as a superstar, and even more: as the defender of their faith and a loyal ally of Greece,” Spiegel Online wrote.

The local residents were very happy to welcome the Russian leader, even if his arrival brought chaos to their otherwise peaceful lives. While port police boats patrolled the water, employees of the Russian Security Service wearing glasses and suits carefully watched every street in the area.

“Putin is the only true leader in the world,” says one of the monks, father Efraimos, cited by the magazine. “Whom should he be compared to? Obama? Merkel? There is simply no comparison,” he added.

An episode that occurred later during a liturgy serves as more proof of Putin’s popularity in the local community. The church where the worship took place had only one throne, and it was reserved for the “Russian guest of honor,” even despite the fact that Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos also attended the service.

“For the Greek President there was only a place in the “pew next to mere mortals,” the article said. “Pavlopoulos’ crew tried to persuade the monks to put a second throne next to Putin’s seat, but in vain: in the autonomous republic of Mount Athos these are monks who set the tone and they made it clear whom they consider their favorite guest,” the magazine concluded.

The Russian leader came to Athos for the second time. This time, he visited the holy place to commemorate the millennial anniversary since the first Russian settlement on the Holy Mount Athos.

Despite numerous posters critical of Putin that were seen on the streets of Athens, relations between Greece and Russia remain traditionally good. According to social surveys, the Russian president is far ahead of European politicians in terms of Greek citizens’ feelings towards him.

BREAKING: French train attack hero Spencer Stone STABBED ‘four times in the chest’ and in critical condition

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French train attack hero Spencer Stone (center) was stabbed in Sacramento last night

French train attack hero Spencer Stone (center) was stabbed in Sacramento last night

By CHRIS SPARGO FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

French train attack hero Spencer Stone was stabbed in Sacramento early Thursday
CBS reports that he is in stable condition after being ‘repeatedly stabbed’
He was stabbed four times in the chest
Initially police did not believe that Stone would be able to survive his injuries and began treating it as a homicide
Stone was one of the three Americans who managed to take down a gunman as he opened fire on a Paris train this past August
French train attack hero Spencer Stone was stabbed in Sacramento early Thursday.
Stone was one of the three Americans who managed to take down a gunman as he opened fire on a Paris train this past August.
CBS Sacramento reports that he is in critical condition after being ‘repeatedly stabbed.’

The Air Force Times reports that he was stabbed ‘four times in the chest’ and was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated for injury.
The stabbing happened at 12:45am at the intersection of 21st and K in the city and the crime was so violent that two blocks of the street were shut down reports KCRA.
Initially police did not believe that Stone would be able to survive his injuries and began treating the case like a homicide.
A defense official told ABC that he was trying to protect a friend at the time.
The 25-year-old U.S. airman 1st class was stabbed with a box cutter when he along with Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler took down Morocco-born Ayooub El-Khazaani after he opened fire in August.
He had to undergo surgery to attack part of his hand after the incident.