Let's get one thing straight: The Bible's definition of female roles was ensconced in cultural patriarchy. Even so, I outlined a biblical reassessment of said roles to see if Butker even had ethos here.
The nascent Christian Church emerged within a dominantly patriarchal society where women were predominantly relegated to domestic spheres. This socio-cultural substratum profoundly influenced the Church Fathers, whose hermeneutics of biblical texts were invariably shaped by the prevailing gender norms. Prominent figures such as St. Augustine, Tertullian, and St. Jerome, among others, were instrumental in the formation of early Christian theology. Their writings, replete with the gender biases endemic to their times, have significantly influenced the Church's stance on the roles of women.
St. Augustine, for instance, while acknowledging the spiritual equality of men and women, often underscored the subordinate role of women in terrestrial matters. His exegesis of the creation narrative in Genesis suggested that woman was created as a helper to man, thereby reinforcing the notion of male hegemony. For example, St. Augustine's interpretation of Genesis 2:18, which describes Eve as a "helper" to Adam, has been used to justify the subordination of women. However, the Hebrew word for "helper" used in this context is "ezer," which is also used in the Old Testament to describe God’s assistance to humanity (e.g., Psalm 33:20). This indicates that the term does not imply inferiority but rather a form of partnership and support.
Tertullian’s writings went further, casting women as the gateway for the devil, a perspective that indelibly tainted the perception of women in the early Church. This notion stems from his interpretation of the story of the Fall in Genesis 3, where Eve is tempted by the serpent. However, this interpretation overlooks the fact that both Adam and Eve are held accountable for their disobedience. Moreover, the New Testament offers a more nuanced view of sin and redemption that does not single out women as inherently more culpable or susceptible to sin than men. For instance, in Romans 5:12-21, Paul discusses sin entering the world through one man (Adam) and redemption through one man (Christ), emphasizing collective human fallibility rather than gender-specific blame.
St. Jerome, despite extolling the virtues of celibate women, perpetuated the idea that women were inherently weaker and more susceptible to sin than men. However, St. Jerome's view of women as inherently weaker and more prone to sin is contradicted by various New Testament passages that highlight the active and significant roles of women in the early Christian community. Women such as Mary Magdalene, who is the first to witness and proclaim the resurrection of Christ (John 20:18), and Phoebe, who is referred to as a deacon and a benefactor in Romans 16:1-2, exemplify the important roles women played. Additionally, Galatians 3:28 underscores the fundamental equality of all believers: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse explicitly challenges the notion of gender hierarchy within the Christian community.
These interpretations were not merely reflections of personal biases but were deeply embedded in the historical and cultural contexts of the early Church. The Greco-Roman world, where Christianity initially took root, was a patriarchal society that afforded women limited rights and opportunities. For the Church Fathers, it was nearly inconceivable to envision women as independent agents capable of significant contributions beyond their traditional roles as wives and mothers. This cultural parochialism led to a theological framework that confined women to subordinate roles within the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
The ramifications of these early interpretations have been profound and enduring. For centuries, the Catholic Church has maintained a rigid gender hierarchy, systematically excluding women from ordained ministry and other positions of ecclesiastical leadership. The notion that women were innately suited for specific roles—primarily those involving caregiving and nurturing—became deeply entrenched, perpetuating stereotypes that undermined women's potential as leaders and intellectuals within the Church.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that the early Church also bore witness to women who played significant roles in its development. Figures such as Phoebe, a deaconess mentioned in the New Testament, and other prominent women in early Christian communities, demonstrate that the exclusion of women from leadership was not an immutable doctrine but rather a consequence of later interpretations. These historical examples suggest that the early Christian movement may have been more inclusive than traditionally conceived, and that the rigid gender roles were a subsequent imposition.
In contemporary times, there has been a burgeoning recognition of the necessity to re-evaluate the roles of women within the Church. The Second Vatican Council and subsequent papal teachings have emphasized the dignity and equality of women, advocating for greater inclusion and participation of women in various aspects of Church life. Nonetheless, significant challenges persist as the historical and cultural baggage of early interpretations continues to influence the Church's stance on gender roles.
To advance, it is essential to critically examine the historical context in which the Church Fathers formulated their views on women. By understanding the socio-cultural influences that shaped these interpretations, we can disentangle core Christian teachings from the cultural biases of its early proponents. This will enable a more authentic and inclusive understanding of women’s roles in the Church, one that aligns with contemporary values of gender equality and justice.
So why is Butker's assessment of Christianity and women's roles wrong, even when stripping the issues inherent in Catholicism away? Butker posits that true fulfillment for women is found primarily in traditional roles as wives and mothers, emphasizing that these roles are paramount to achieving happiness and stability. He uses his own wife, Isabelle, as an exemplar, praising her dedication to their family as the cornerstone of his success. Butker’s assertion is rooted in a long-standing tradition within Christianity that venerates motherhood and homemaking. This perspective finds support in certain Biblical passages, such as Proverbs 31:10-31, which extols the virtues of a diligent and wise woman who manages her household with care and skill.
Proverbs 31 describes an idealized woman who is industrious, manages her household, and is respected by her family and community. This passage is often cited to highlight the significant role women play within the family structure, supporting Butker’s view that women's primary fulfillment is in the domestic sphere. Moreover, Titus 2:3-5 advises older women to teach younger women to be "self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." This reinforces the notion that women's roles within the home are divinely ordained and central to their identity and purpose.
However, a comprehensive examination of the Bible reveals a broader spectrum of women's roles beyond the confines of traditional domesticity. For instance, the Bible presents numerous examples of women who played pivotal roles outside the home. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, led Israel and was revered for her wisdom and leadership (Judges 4:4-5). Similarly, Priscilla, alongside her husband Aquila, was a prominent early Christian teacher who played a crucial role in the ministry of the Apostle Paul (Acts 18:26). These examples demonstrate that the Biblical narrative supports a more expansive view of women's contributions, both within and beyond the home.
Moreover, Galatians 3:28 states, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This passage underscores the fundamental equality of all believers in Christ, suggesting that spiritual and vocational roles should not be rigidly confined by gender. It challenges the notion that fulfillment and service to God are exclusively linked to traditional gender roles, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of vocation that encompasses diverse talents and callings.
Butker’s speech, while well-intentioned, risks oversimplifying and idealizing the roles of women by not fully acknowledging the breadth of Biblical examples and teachings. His emphasis on traditional roles may inadvertently marginalize those women who feel called to pursue vocations outside of marriage and motherhood. The Bible supports the idea that women, like men, can be called to various forms of service, leadership, and professional endeavors.
Isabelle Butker’s choice to prioritize her family is indeed admirable and reflects a valid and fulfilling path. However, it is essential to recognize that other women may find similar fulfillment in different arenas, whether in ministry, education, business, or other fields. The Bible does not prescribe a single path for all women but rather provides principles that can be applied to a variety of life circumstances.

16-minute read.

the AM-AZ border delimitation in Tavush is drawn with 1976 maps; village Kirants gains access to lands unreachable since the 1990s; loses 4 properties

On May 15 the border commissions of Armenia and Azerbaijan held a meeting to discuss the continuation of the Tavush-Gazakh delimitation. They confirmed the completed work and agreed to continue.
The statement says that parties are using the 1976 maps by Soviet CoGS [the one that Armenia wanted].
A Protocol was signed on the meeting results. The sides agreed to set the date and the place of the next meeting of the Commissions.
REPORTER: What does this mean?
PASHINYAN OFFICE: The commissions had installed several border posts to locate the coordinates on the ground. These coordinates were taken from the 1976 maps. Now the cartographers have agreed on the border lines between the posts, again based on the same maps. In other words, the reproduction of the border in these areas is complete and signed, and the border is considered delimited in these sections.
REPORTER: Why the 1976 maps?
PASHINYAN OFFICE: It's the map with de jure power at the time of the collapse of the USSR. The Armenian government announced that we were not drawing a new border, but rather reproducing the existing border at the time of the collapse of the USSR.
REPORTER: The commissions' statement says that these 1976 maps went through legal procedures in 1979. What does it mean, and why didn't we use the 1990 maps?
PASHINYAN OFFICE: In 1979 the relevant USSR authority verified the 1976 maps and their legal basis. These maps were used until the collapse of USSR. These are the most recent maps verified by authorized state agencies of USSR.
REPORTER: Not all border posts have been installed in the convoluted section of Kirants. How will this be resolved? Will you build new roads or houses?
PASHINYAN OFFICE: The 3 remaining coordinates of Kirants were pinpointed with the use of a computer and the border posts will be installed later. The rest [another 8 posts in Kirants] are already there. The good news for Kirants is that around 25 hectares of land that have been unreachable for 33 years will be returned to the village. The border resembles the 1976 line. As we said earlier, yes, there is a need to build a bypass road, which can be accomplished in 2-3 months. We will also rebuild the road between H-26 and Acharkut and Kirants, which is an alternative road for Kirants. As for property issues, the volumes are small and the government will compensate in such situations.
REPORTER: What about Baghanis, Berkaber, and Voskepar?
PASHINYAN OFFICE: The most sensitive topic in Voskepar was the fate of the church, and on the Voskepar-Baghanis section, it was the Soviet-era road. Both issues received the best resolution: the road is fully within Armenia and so is the church, and the border line is quite far from the road and the church. As for Berkaber, there were no such sensitive topics.
REPORTER: When will the sides deploy border guards?
PASHINYAN OFFICE: Within 8-9 days, and a bit later in the 3 sensitive areas of Kirants after further clarifications. //
On Thursday, PM Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the May 15 border commission.
PASHINYAN: This is a major success for two reasons: (1) A very important cornerstone was placed for the future development of Armenia as an independent and sovereign state, (2) for the first time since independence, we have an officially delimited border, which will significantly increase the level of stability and security in that section and along the entire border. I'd like to thank the border commission leader Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan and all members, and every member of the National Security Council.
I'll provide further details. As you recall from the May 15 statement, it says the borders are delimited based on the 1976 maps that underwent the legal procedures in 1979. As you know, our principle was to reproduce the existing border with de jure power instead of drawing a new one. To accomplish this, we made a reference to the 1991 Almaty Declaration in the April 19 agreement, and it became the basis for the entire delimitation process. On May 15 we specified the 1976 maps; these are the most up-to-date USSR maps with de jure power.
In USSR, a map could be granted a de jure power by a special state agency that collected maps and legal processes and verified their accuracy and legitimacy before confirming the administrative border of Soviet republics. In the area where these delimitations are taking place, in 1979 this USSR state agency verified the 1976 map and it's the most recent map with de jure power.
This was a very important principle for us. We must accept wherever this border passes through. If we chose to draw new borders, that would create a ground for future military conflicts and escalations. The ongoing process, which should not be underestimated or overestimated, abides by the principle of adhering to the legal border and significantly reduces or eliminates possible escalations. This agreement was a major success.
Berkaber: there were no issues here.
Baghanis & Voskepar: at first we thought that some issues could arise here, around the church and, as the locals say, the "old road". If you've ever been there you have seen this road sign, when you pass Baghanis, the sign warns you that the road is being observed [under Azeri scope] and it was not advised to use this road during tense periods. Now, as a result of border delimitation, this road is not only confirmed within Armenia, but it will be safer for travel as a result of the new circumstances [border guards replacing the militarized armed forces, less dispute = less conflicts]. As for the church, we don't have a problem here because the border passes significantly further away from it.
So to recap, we recorded no problems in Berkaber, Baghanis, and Voskepar because we chose to follow the de jure border line and we did so. Following this principle is also why we will have certain problems in Kirants because we don't want to draw an entirely new border. We must use this principle for the entire AM-AZ border, with no exceptions. Not only we are creating a precedence for delimitation, but also a formula to be used for the future entire delimitation process and to make it predictable. If parties decide to make mutual concessions in certain areas, we could discuss the launch of legislative processes to authorize them, but for now, we have agreed on a principle to be used for the entire AM-AZ border. On each section of the border, we will use the most recent USSR maps that hold de jure power.
MHER GRIGORYAN: On May 15 the border commissions also discussed the Regulation and it appears we have an agreement to reflect these principles in the Regulation. Efforts are underway to prepare the Regulation. Azerbaijan wants to continue the border delimitation with the same framework and algorithm used thus far.
PASHINYAN: We should implement the reached agreements in full within 8-10 days. The border guards were deployed in Baghanis-Voskepar around 10 days ago. They were deployed alongside the installation of the white border markers. They are currently studying the terrain to launch the permanent service there. The same will be done in other sections.
source, source, source, source, video,

the list of properties that fall under the Azeri side of the border in Kirants after the delimitation of the 3 problematic sections

1 house, 1 lodging, 1 trailer-shop that doesn't operate, and 1 garage. The government plans to compensate for them and will build a new section of this road that passes fully through Armenia.
source, source, see the map here,

opposition MP from ARF/Kocharyan faction got fed up with protesters' road blocks in Tavush villages

Gegham Nazaryan, a father of a fallen soldier and an opposition MP who - unlike his colleagues - doesn't always engage in toxic exchanges with the ruling party, decided to visit the border village Kirants, where he asked the road blockers to open it.
He engaged in an argument with a protester from another region who came to Kirants to block the road. The MP complained that blocking the road is what Azeris would want.
The MP also engaged with an activist-reporter from an opposition outlet who was covering the road blockings. The MP accused the reporter of "having bad intentions" and of "manipulations". The activist-reporter accused the MP of having secret ties with Pashinyan during an intense yelling match. "Great speech. You call yourself a journalist?", rhetorically asked the opposition MP.
ARF leaders responded saying their MP was not speaking/acting on behalf of the party.
STYOPA SAFARYAN (pro-West figure): MP Gegham Nazaryan also senses that some forces are attempting to carry out Artsakh 2.0 in Armenia by attempting to derail the border delimitation process. //
In related news. The protesters pressured the mayor of Kirants who gave an interview last week and admitted that the delimitation went much better than he expected. On Thursday he offered to resign from his position during a confrontation with an opposition media outlet reporter who was unhappy about the mayor's positive portrayal of the delimitation process.
longer video, video, video, video, source, source,

Armenian government approves a $2 billion permanent housing assistance program for Nagorno-Karabakh refugees; rollout in stages

SOCIAL MINISTRY: We need to provide long-term housing to allow the forcefully displaced persons to socially and economically integrate into Armenia. The program has three components: (1) Obtaining a house or an apartment with a subsidy, (2) building a house with a subsidy, (3) subsidizing the mortgage if the refugee has already purchased a house.

... The size of the subsidy varies depending on the geographical location and the size of the family

(1) ֏5 million ($12,900) per family member to obtain housing in one of the 242 towns or villages.
(2) ֏4 million ($10,300) per family member to obtain housing in one of 148 towns or villages.
(3) ֏3 million ($7,700) per family member for all other settlements except Yerevan's 1st and 2nd Zones.
(4) and ֏2 million ($5,200) if you already have a mortgage.

... Conditions to qualify

(a) Families forcefully displaced after 27 September 2020.
(b) Refugees who accept Armenian citizenship.
(c) The living space cannot be smaller than 12 m² per family member.
(d) The property's value cannot exceed ֏55 million ($141,000).

... If you buy a house cheaper than the subsidy amount, you can use the remaining balance to...

(1) buy agricultural land worth up to ֏5 million
(2) renovate the newly purchased house if necessary, worth up to ֏4 million
(3) buy furniture and appliances, up to ֏2 million

... Which forcefully displaced families do NOT qualify?

(a) If they are already a recipient of another housing program that began immediately after the 2020 war.
(b) If one of the family members owned a house or apartment in Armenia as of 2023-09-19 or at the time of application.

... Conditions if you want to receive aid to build your own house

(a) Select one of the preapproved projects/plans.
(b) The construction company must be licensed in Armenia.

... The assistance will stop if

(a) If two family members under the age of 55 are absent from Armenia for >180 days per year unless they leave Armenia to receive education in one of the top 400 international universities, aviation training, or military training.

... The housing assistance will roll out in phases

The first phase will include families with 3 or more children if they want an apartment or 2+ children if they want a house, low-income families, those who already have a mortgage, families who lost a member in war, and creditworthy families who can take out a separate loan amounting 50% of the assistance size.
The second phase, starting 2026-01-01, will include families with 2 children if they want an apartment or families with 1 child if they want a house.
The third phase, starting 2027-01-01, will include everyone else.

... PM Pashinyan about the refugee housing program

PASHINYAN: The working group has done a lot of work to get here, thank you. Spread the word so people will know the details of this assistance program. No one should be forced to visit or call an office to receive basic details.
We have decided not to adopt a "flat" approach; the amount of aid increases based on the family size and the location of the house. We had to exclude the [expensive and crowded] central parts of Yerevan. We also have to ensure a proportional load on the educational facilities.
If the refugee has an active mortgage loan taken in Armenia, let's say taken in 2016, each family member will receive ֏2 million towards that mortgage. So if you have a family of 6 [Nagorno-Karabakh families are often larger than Armenia-based families], you receive $31,000 to pay off your mortgage.
On the other hand, our brothers and sisters from Nagorno-Karabakh who are well-off and already own a house without an outstanding mortgage balance, won't receive assistance because the goal of this program is to help those who don't have a house.

... How much will this cost?

FINANCE MINISTER: There will be up to 25,000 recipient families, and if we use the averages, it amounts to [voice is starting to crackle] ֏500 billion ($1.3 billion) for the housing costs alone. There will be additional expenses associated with this program. Every year, for the next 10-12 years, we will confirm the annual expenditures. So the overall costs will amount to ֏700-800 billion.
PASHINYAN: So that's roughly a $2 billion investment program in Armenia. Also, by becoming citizens of Armenia to take advantage of this housing program, the refugees won't lose any refugee rights or privileges, and they will not lose the ongoing monthly cash [40+10] assistance programs.
FINANCE MINISTER: We have launched a new line in the migration services to handle the expected uptick in applications in the coming months so people won't face long lines. The passport departments in provinces will begin to handle citizenship applications just for refugees; today this is only possible in Yerevan.
video,

EU's EBRD and US's USAID to develop connectivity in the South Caucasus

During the EBRD forum held in Yerevan, the two signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, to further enhance connectivity between Asia and Europe via the South Caucasus.
It's about expanding trade, green energy, investment, as well as transport and digital infrastructure in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

The MoU seeks to enhance the planning, design and construction of critical energy, transport, digital and agricultural infrastructure in the region. It also aims to: improve the efficiency of customs, tariff and border operations; attract private capital investment into the South Caucasus economies for the development of the Middle Corridor; and adopt the highest international standards to promote economic connectivity with Europe and among South Caucasus countries.

source,

other EBRD projects were announced

source,

Lake Sevan is back to 2021 levels after the heavy precipitation in May: VIDEO

OFFICIAL: As of May, the level was 1900.46, which is 2 cm higher than the 2021 mark and 29 cm higher than January 1.
2021 was a harmful year for Sevan because of unprecedented heat waves. In June 2021 there was an evaporation of 153M m³ water, which was a historical high, while the precipitation on the surface was only 4.8M m^3, which was 4x lower than the previous historical low [WTF?]. Also, the river flow was at 40%. As a result of all this, instead of the usual 7 cm increase for June, we observed a 10 cm decline.
This year the conditions have been much better. We are finally back to the May 2021 levels. The rains filled it up from above, and the Arpa-Sevan tunnel from below the rocks. This tunnel has already brought 89M m³ this year, which is 2x more than last year.
Another contributing factor is the reduced reliance on Sevan for irrigation because the agricultural fields are still wet. Last year we had to tap into Sevan starting May 14. This year the government hasn't even summoned a meeting to authorize a release of water.
The 5 largest reservoirs currently hold 605M m^3, up by 240M. Only the Aparan reservoir is lacking. In Ketchut reservoir the water is above the famous "flowers" (margaritka). This is the first time in 5 years that the water is above the margaritkas. When the water rises above margaritkas, it drops down and flows into Lake Sevan. Overall, 90% of the water entering Sevan is wasted by evaporation.
REPORTER: Rains will return starting May 22.
video,

EBRD will provide $10 million to finance the Armenian private sector’s investments in growth, competitiveness, and greener and more sustainable practices

upgrading their production facilities and processes to EU standards. At least 70 per cent of the loans will go to support the green transition. Borrowers will receive incentive grants and technical advice funded by the European Union

source,

anti-corruption: former MP from Gagik Tsarukyan's BHK party is arrested under the suspicion of defrauding several homebuyers through real estate machinations

AUTHORITIES: Ex-MP Aragats Akhoyan's construction companies collected ֏274 million from several prospective apartment buyers in 2010-2014. He pocketed the funds.
source, source, video,

Armenia signs Council of Europe's Bioethics Convention

The Oviedo Convention is the only international legal instrument that defines the principles for the protection of human rights in the field of medicine and biological medicine.
FM Mirzoyan met Marija Burić on Thursday in Strasbourg to sign it.
source,

Armenia will open an embassy in Cyprus

Currently, Armenia’s Ambassador to Greece also serves as Ambassador to Cyprus. The seat of the Cypriot Embassy in Armenia is in Moscow.
In March Cyprus said it would open an embassy in Yerevan.
source,

Belarus leader Lukashenko suggests he and Ilham Aliyev discussed the 2020 war before it began

Lukashenko is in Baku to strengthen the strategic AZ-BY relations.
LUKASHENKO: We are brothers and we have a common vision of the world and where it's headed. I remember our conversation before the 2020 war, your liberation war, when we had a philosophical debate at a dinner table. At the time we came to the conclusion that it's possible to win the war. That's important. It's very important to preserve that victory. I also agreed with you at the time that the most difficult period would come after the liberation of the lands. Today is that difficult period when we have to revive those lands and return people, while others will born there. It'll be difficult to revive these lands in 5-10 years; it requires extensive work. Belarus is ready to help Azerbaijan. //
Nikol should have greeted Putin at the airport to avoid the war.
source,

Luxembourg lawmakers urge government to act for implementation of World Court orders by Azerbaijan

Deputies have unanimously adopted a motion asking the government to act for the implementation of the ICC orders by Azerbaijan.
The MPs urge to demand from Azerbaijan an immediate release of all Armenian prisoners of war, support peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expand the partnership between Armenia and EU, support the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, deepen the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Luxembourg.
source,

ranking member of Armenia's ruling party about EU membership

The MP Khandanyan says Pashinyan has already announced that Armenia wants to deepen ties with the EU as much as possible and that how soon Armenia submits a bid to become an EU candidate will depend on the signals coming from the EU. In general, today the EU is not ready to expand because some EU members oppose it, said Khandanyan. When the EU sends a signal that it's ready, Armenia will "accelerate" the steps, said Khandanyan, adding that Armenia itself has already sent that "signal" that it wants closer integration with the EU.
But first, Khandanyan says Armenia must improve its resilience because the transitional phase will be full of risks. Armenia expects the EU's assistance to improve the resilience [reduce reliance on Russia].
source,

Բրյուսելի հանդիպման արդյունքներով ԵՄ-ն կշարունակի նպաստել ՀՀ տնտեսական զարգացմանը

PM Pashinyan hosted EU's Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis to discuss the implementation of the economic agreements reached on April 5 in Brussels to improve Armenia's resilience.
Pashinyan also called for the EU's assistance in implementing the refugee housing program adopted by the Government this morning.
The EU Trade Commissioner said the EU will continue to assist Armenia's development, including in the areas of energy, infrastructure, diversification of markets, implementation of higher standards, improvement of business environment, etc.
source, other meeting, other meeting,

U.S. Ambassador Kvien is "optimistic about the opportunities offered by Armenia to U.S. and other foreign companies"

A meeting was held at the central bank building participated by Ambassador Kvien and other guests of the EBRD forum that's being held in Yerevan this year.
Ambassador Kvien also highlighted Armenia's high economic growth rate in recent years.
source,

Armenia's membership to EAEU is beneficial for Armenia: Moscow

DEPUTY FM of RUSSIA: I don't know what the Armenian leadership plans to do in the future, but EAEU is undoubtedly a mutually beneficial process. This is reflected in the economic growth figures of Armenia.
source,

Armenian government invites the head of Metsamor nuclear plant to join talks with European Commission officials

The infrastructure ministry and NPP chief met a delegation led by the European Commission's Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation and Development Marjeta Jager.
The European Commission official thanked for the invitation and welcomed the steps by the Armenian government towards the energy reforms in Armenia. They spoke about NPP's operation and future plans.
They discussed the exchange of experience and financial programs.
source,

Armenia and European Commission officials discussed the implementation of April 5 agreements reached in Brussels

The head of the European Commission's Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Adrienn Kiraly was hosted by foreign ministry on Thursday.
They discussed programs to improve Armenia's resilience under the April 5 agreement, the full implementation of CEPA and its expansion.
source,

Moscow released a somewhat misleading statement after the recent meeting between Pashinyan and Putin, according to National Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan

According to Grigoryan, Pashinyan did not "ask" Putin to maintain troops on the borders with Turkey and Iran. According to Grigoryan, Pashinyan asked Putin to remove the Russian guards from Yerevan's airport and AM-AZ border, and when Putin asked Pashinyan if he also wanted to remove them from TR and IR border, Pashinyan said "no", because those guards were installed under a different agreement. Context in Wednesday news digest.
Grigoryan also criticized Russia's attempts to stoke divisions between Armenia and Iran by presenting the EU observer mission as anti-Iranian. Grigoryan demanded Russia present evidence of the EU mission carrying out activities outside of their AM-AZ border monitoring mission. "Iran has already expressed its stance. I don't understand why Russia is attempting to use the EU's Monitoring Mission to cause issues," said Grigoryan.
source,

Armenia's NatSec chief Armen Grigoryan advised Russia to improve its own human rights conditions and freedom of speech before commenting on Armenia's internal affairs

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recently complained about Armenian police using force to clear the roads blocked by pro-Russian party activists. Zakharova also complained that the West wasn't criticizing the Armenian government for it.
NatSec GRIGORYAN: Armenian protesters have been able to fully exercise their freedom of speech during legally organized rallies. Illegal actions are obviously countered by police. Perhaps Russia should first look at itself before criticizing us.
REPORTER: Look at what? Russia doesn't have opposition, how can they oppress something that doesn't exist?
ARMEN GRIGORYAN: Russia should discuss its own kitchen. The developments in Armenia are not related to Russia.... or are they? If these protests are tied to Russia, Moscow should directly say so. If Moscow sees a problem, they must say it directly, and not do so by dragging others like they did in the case of Iran and the EU Mission.
source,

during a meeting in Yerevan, Jordan's foreign ministry expressed concern over the attempted takeover of part of the Armenian district of Jerusalem

The Deputy FM of Jordan met his Armenian counterpart in Yerevan to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues. The parties criticized the attempts to change the status quo in Jerusalem.
source,

Pashinyan and Diaspora Office held a meeting about the iGorts professional repatriation program: VIDEO

source,

monkeys could soon become smarter than you

Are monkeys entering the stone age? Capuchin primates were filmed using tools to dig for food underground, days after an orangutan treated its own wound with plant.
The footage joins a growing number of studies looking into the tiny South American primate's use of stone and stick tools, an emerging field that some research universities now describe as 'documenting the Monkey Stone Age in real-time.'
video,

https://bgodinspired.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715705358.png

Introduction to a Pivotal Moment

Welcome to a fascinating exploration of one of the most significant events in the New Testament: The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This remarkable event marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, symbolizing purification and preparing the path for His divine mission. So, why does this event stand out, and what can we learn from it today? Let’s dive into the living waters of this story and uncover the pearls of wisdom it offers.

Understanding the Context

Before we immerse ourselves in the depths of Jesus’ baptism, it’s crucial to understand the figure of John the Baptist. Described in the Bible as a fiery preacher in the wilderness, John called for people to repent and prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Clothed in camel’s hair and sustenance on locusts and wild honey, John was a symbol of ascetic purity and devotion, baptizing believers in the Jordan River.

Jesus Approaches John

In the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the narrative unfolds as Jesus arrives at the Jordan River, seeking baptism from John. Despite John’s initial resistance, insisting that he should be the one baptized by Jesus, he eventually concedes to Jesus’ request, acknowledging the fulfillment of righteousness. As Jesus emerges from the water, a dove descends upon Him, and a voice from heaven proclaims, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.”

The Spiritual Significance

This divine endorsement at Jesus’ baptism serves multiple profound purposes:

• Identification with Humanity: Jesus’ baptism symbolizes His solidarity with human sinfulness, though He was without sin. It was an act of humility, aligning Himself with humanity’s plight.
• Initiation of Ministry: Marked as the commencement of Jesus’ public ministry, His baptism represents the anointing by God, setting the stage for His teaching, healing, and sacrificial mission.
• Model of Obedience: Jesus’ willingness to be baptized by John exemplifies His submission to God’s will, offering us a model of obedience and righteousness to emulate.

Lessons for Today

The Baptism of Jesus is not merely a historical event; it carries forward lessons of humility, new beginnings, and divine mission. As believers, we are called to remember our baptism as a commitment to live righteously and serve with humility. Furthermore, this story encourages us to seek our own spiritual renewal and readiness to serve God’s purpose with our lives.

Conclusion: Dive into Renewal

The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist stands as a cornerstone of faith, symbolizing the start of the most significant spiritual mission in history. It beckons us to reflect on our spiritual journey, urging us to immerse ourselves in the grace available to us and to rise, renewed and ready, to fulfill our God-given purpose. Are you ready to take your faith to deeper waters? Let the story of Jesus’ baptism inspire you to recommit to your spiritual path and to live out your baptism every day with fervor and zeal. Embrace the waters of renewal and let them guide you toward a life of righteousness and service.
May your spiritual journey be as fulfilling and enlightening as the waters that baptized the Messiah. Dive in!
If you want to want to research more Bible Answers on your own, please try our Bible Answers GPT. It’s easy to get lost in the interesting responses you’ll find… every search is like a new treasure hunt 🙂
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All of us have opinions about the Playstation account requirements for Helldivers 2. Some helldivers don’t care about the change, while others have just lost access to a game they paid for after months of playing it without a PSN account. Letting Sony and Arrowhead know how you feel about this change through steam reviews or other mediums is a good thing! Protesting is the cornerstone of democracy.
However, bombing the original Helldivers and other Arrowhead titles, sending death threats or hateful messages at fellow helldivers, attacking Arrowhead staff, or spreading misinformation is taking it too far. Don’t be a Super Terrorist! Help the game you love become a more perfect Terminid’s nightmare through constructive and non violent means. Be the helldiver you look up to in Ministry of Truth sanctioned motivational posters, not the automaton who wants to see the world ablaze!
Regardless of the color you choose, we all want to see Helldivers 2 live another day. Don’t kill our game to win an internet argument. Damage that’s done now could change the future of all innocent Super Earth citizens.

We’re good financially, we don’t need any gifts right now.
You know that a lot of so-called ministry today is about trying to get money from God. A lot of it is suspect. I wanted to talk about what actually happened to my finances in my walk with God so that you can get past the glittering generalities and understand how things can actually go.
17 years ago, I quit my very secure job to follow my calling into ministry. I had been saved from two certain car crashes by obeying the voice of God, so I had confidence that he would speak to me. I had been seeing visions of things happening in the future, so I was praying for guidance about how to steer through them. That’s when I heard my call.
God didn’t give me the whole road map up front. He didn’t even say I was called to ministry. I only heard, “quit your job, and don’t give them any notice.” This meant no unemployment income. At the time, my wife was not working. We had a $10,000 credit card balance, and I also had a car note and a large student loan. We were in an apartment that was starting to become expensive. I was suffering from chronic colitis and trying to treat it with several expensive supplements. But I knew it was the same voice that had saved me from the car crashes, so I quit.
Setting aside the rest of all of this, my wife found a job right away. But the pay wasn’t enough, so we maxxed our credit card. Eventually we had to declare bankruptcy.
But at the same time, we were experiencing strange financial miracles. I was led in the spirit to pray for the money to pay off my student loans by the end of the year, and it came, and from a most unlikely source. I was led to pay an extra $100 per month to go “month-to-month” on our apartment lease, and this paid off when everyone else’s rent went through the roof. There were times I prayed for money just to get things like ice cream or chocolate, and he would lead me to money that had been left on the ground. Once i was led to fill out a survey, and it won a sweepstakes that we paid the rent with. Sometimes I was led to spend money on things just for fun, which scandalized us. And sometimes I was led to take out money to give to people I met that he would point out, mostly strangers, and they were always shocked by how much I gave them. There were times where I wanted to give an offering to a ministry but was told not to. There were also times when I was led to ask various people for money, with surprising and revealing results. And there were times when people offered me money and I was led to turn it down. We incurred large bills from two emergency hospital visits, but they were 93% forgiven and we paid the rest. I was led to ask a family member to buy us 2 new iPhones outright, and she did it.
The result of all this was that we became free from nearly $100,000 in debt without a payment plan and without a budget.
At a certain point, I was being led to do things that contradicted my theology. Afraid, I decided to follow Gideon’s example and lay down a sort of “fleece” to be sure that these were things that God wanted me to do. I framed them like this: “if you really want me to abstain from this, give me [thing I can’t get on my own] by such a date or I will stop then.” Or, “if you really want me to do this, give me [thing I can’t get on my own] first.” Three times I asked him for amounts of money that were too large for us to get on our own, and twice it came on time. The third time almost all of it came on time, and the last little amount came a little late, and I stopped abstaining from what I had heard in the spirit without any consequences as far as I know. But it seemed like he really wanted to use every opportunity to either give us money or to communicate his will to us. After a surge like this, we would get nothing extra. I also heard there were several things we wanted that he did not want me to buy. So we ended up consuming what he had given for the fleece.
Some of the things I was led to do in the spirit were not cost conscious and seemed extremely frivolous. We were led to eat delivery every night during peak Covid. We bought a big smart tv, the top cable package, and Spotify. I was worried that he would ask us to ask others for money while doing this and that they would be scandalized, but it never happened.
Eventually the unexpected amounts we started getting grew considerably larger. We were being constrained further in where we could go and what we could do, but the money increased to cover those problems.
In addition to debt cancellation, I was healed from a colitis that my doctors couldn’t do anything about. My wife found a new career she thrives in. We had been drifting apart, but are now closer as a couple because there was no room for lies: we had no other place to go, so we had to work out our differences. And I learned how to operate in prophecy. That is only part of the good this path brought me.
It was only when we were years deep in this walk that I began to sense my calling and his plan for our future and the near future of the world.
If God had told me up front that this was his plan, I would have asked to escape it. But God’s plan is not just about me. He wants to help others through me, and through my wife, and through you, and through everyone. If God had told me in advance why he wanted me to quit my job, I couldn’t have believed it. If we hadn’t had to trust him in tight finances, we would turn away from serving him when we got more money. I think that is why this is called a walk with God: we could not get there all at once.
I began to see and hear in the spirit that God has a specific plan in our time that affects our finances. Although we can sometimes ask out of a few of the details of his plan, there can be times when he will not allow you to have more money regardless of what you do. That is when I need to be led by the Holy Spirit rather than making my own plans and getting frustrated when they don’t happen.
My takeaways! Take em or leave em:

• This tutorial world exists so that we can learn how to interact properly with others and with God. Anything else is less important, including money.
  
• The Holy Spirit is jealous and will challenge everything that will try to take the place of his leading, whether that is your theology or your budget or your inhibitions or common reasoning or anything else. God can lead you to do things that your theology tells you are wrong.
  
• God doesn’t do anything without a purpose. If He really is withholding money from you, there is a reason for that, and that is true for whatever else he may withhold.
  
• Similar truth that I learned through ailments: if you trust God with little dangers, you won’t be intimidated by great dangers.
  
• God has a definite plan for the present and near future. It is not always according to our theology. To oppose his plan can lead to destruction.
  
• Shouting that you bind the devil from keeping back money from you doesn’t work if God wants to train you to be faithful with a little.
  
• If God wants to train you, declaring that you loosing money to yourself in the spirit may loose a tiny example amount along with a challenge to show that you have grown. My wife declared that she released an expensive purse in the spirit, and I immediately heard to buy it with our grocery money. That is the kind of challenge you can run into.
  
• In temptation, if you can find the lie, you can win. The temptation to hustle or to take a shortcut to money is based on the lie that God’s way is taking too long. The temptation to resent God is based on the lie that God makes you wait because he does not care about you.
  
• People who try to take shortcuts to these things in ministry get in over their heads. They hustle to make money, and then they have to constantly fundraise and scheme to keep what God wanted them to wait for.
  
• You can’t expect other people to believe a vision you had from God, because it’s a vision of what God wants, with things we don’t want. If it only had things we want, people would believe it. When the vision only has things we want, chances are that it’s a scam.
  
• There comes a point where you can't be led by the spirit any further until you reckon yourself as dead. He will ask you to do things that no one would do unless they had given up hope of any life outside of God’s will. You have to be willing to even suffer and die in God’s will, or you can’t go further with him.
  
• When we were in need, God wanted people to give charitably to us so that he could help them with where they are going. I think maybe He chose this way to do that so that we all have skin in the game, not just him. I also watched most of those people become financially increased after that, so that’s worth noting.
  
• God uses money to free you up so that you can bear more fruit in the world. Jesus said that the Father cleans every branch in him that bears fruit so that it might bear more. If you want money in order to make more money, you’re missing the point of this fleeting tutorial world. But if you are bearing the fruit he wanted with what you have, he will with money free you up to bear more. So if you seek first his kingdom, the money will be added to you to optimize your way.
  

Hey legaladvice,
I've recently been laid off and I'm facing a serious issue with unpaid wages. I haven't been paid for the last 7 weeks, which includes both regular work and accrued vacation pay. From what I can tell, my former employer (based in Toronto) is on the verge of bankruptcy but most likely they won’t declare it anytime soon.
I've already filed a claim with the Ministry of Labour to recover my unpaid wages. Is there anything else I can do to ensure I get what I'm owed? Any advice on how to handle the situation if the company declares bankruptcy? Your insights would be really helpful!

Hey legaladvicecanada, I’ve recently been laid off and I’m facing a serious issue with unpaid wages. I haven’t been paid for the last 7 weeks, which includes both regular work and accrued vacation pay. From what I can tell, my former employer (based in Toronto) might be on the verge of bankruptcy. I’ve already filed a claim with the Ministry of Labour to recover my unpaid wages
Is there anything else I can do to ensure I get what I’m owed? Litigation is an option but I heard small claims court take very long to process cases. Any advice on how to handle the situation if the company declares bankruptcy? Your insights would be really helpful!

15-minute read.

Armenian defense ministry's mobile medical battalion took part in exercises by the NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine

The exercises, participated by 32 countries and civilian organizations, will last until May 10. The participants will be evaluated under NATO standards.
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Armenian army leadership discussed cooperation with NATO

A delegation led by the newly appointed Deputy CoGS Arthur Yeroyan, who oversaw the recent reforms at Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy, visited the NATO headquarters in Brussels to discuss topics under NATO's Defence Education Enhancement Programme for Armenia (DEEP).
The parties discussed the results of assistance provided to the military education institutions and training centers of Armenia under DEEP, and outlined the new domains of cooperation.
Yeroyan met the Director of the Cooperative Security Division of the NATO International Military Staff to discuss the current AM-NATO programs and the chances of their expansion.
source, source,

Azerbaijan and Turkey comment on the AM-AZ peace process

ILHAM ALIYEV: Azerbaijan and Armenia are conducting delimitation and demarcation of borders. We have reached this agreement without mediators. This once again proves that we don't need mediators that are driven by their own political and economic interests in our region. We won't allow them to pour fuel on fire, we won't allow a new conflict in the South Caucasus. After 30 years of conflict, Azerbaijan and Armenia clearly understand that they want peace in the South Caucasus, which can only be achieved with the normalization of AZ-AM relations.
ERDOGAN'S PARTY: We are closely monitoring the border delimitation process. The installation of a border marker is a symbolic thing but it's still extremely important. Turkey welcomes Armenia's messages about promoting peace and rejecting aggression against Azerbaijan.
source, source,

US foreign minister Blinken is personally deeply engaged in AM-AZ peace process: State Department

REPORTER: Blinken spoke with both leaders over the weekend. Any reason to why he called this – any, like, intel or any concern did he want to convey?
SPOKESMAN: It should come to no surprise to you that this is an area of the world that the Secretary himself is personally deeply engaged on. And over the course of his time as Secretary, he has had regular engagements at regular intervals with both of these countries. And our engagements with both of them are ongoing, and we continue to believe that a peace is possible here. And that’s something that we’re going to continue to work towards.
source, source,

interview with PM Pashinyan about the border delimitation in Tavush and the entire border, threat control, geopolitics

REPORTER: In response to the government's statement that the AM-AZ borders are being reproduced on the ground instead of being drawn anew, the parliamentary opposition claims Armenia does not possess the 1988 documents by the council of ministers of Soviet republics. Opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan made inquiries to the border commission and cadastre committee and he said he was told there was no such document. Therefore, what document is being used for demarcation?
PASHINYAN: Prior to this MP's inquiry, the same party's leader had also made an inquiry to the cadastre committee and received a response that this document was classified, so he was invited to read the document in person. That happened in 2022 I believe. Later, when the delimitation talks began to activate, the cadastre committee transferred those documents - now with a higher classification level - to the defense ministry. So when this MP recently requested the documents from the cadastre committee, they told him they don't have it under their possession (anymore). Armenia has all those documents. Multiple departments are using them for the delimitation process.
Today, critics focus on the delimitation of specific areas of the border, but let me remind you that our goal was to reach a formula that could be used for demarcating the entire AM-AZ border [referring to the April 19 agreement]. You can have separate documents regarding each section of the border, so it was important to reach an agreement around the principles on how to choose and use them. From the multiple stacks of documents, we take the ones that have a de jure connection with one other so we can reproduce the entire border based on legitimate facts. This is why it's premature to pinpoint a specific tree in one area and say this is ours or theirs because each tree has a de jure connection with trees in other regions; we view each tree as part of a larger chain of trees located in other parts of the border. The end goal is to have one legitimate chain of trees so we can reproduce Armenia's legitimate borders.
REPORTER: The opposition complains that this is a partial delimitation, focused on one specific area only.
PASHINYAN: There is no button you can press to delimit the entire border at once. You have to start somewhere. Today we are forming the package that's a prerequisite for the reproduction of the entire border, and this package is based on 1991 Almaty. If you recall, the April 19 agreement states the parties agree to use 1991 Almaty as the basis for the demarcation. You have to start this demarcation somewhere. It starts from Tavush and it must continue and cover the entire border. The April 19 agreement describes the Tavush process as a preliminary process. This will allow us to work together, gain experience, formulate the "best practice" for the process, bring the best practice to parliament for approval, and then use that mandate to continue the demarcation on the entire border.
Armenia and Georgia have been demarcating their border for 20+ years. I've spoken with Georgian PMs and we all agree that this process must be expedited. In the case of Azerbaijan, it's even more important to expedite the demarcation to control possible threats. We are launching it in an area with the highest potential for destabilization. Azerbaijan was demanding the return of 4 villages. In reality, we are not "surrendering 4 villages", we are taking away 4 villages as a card in the hands of Azerbaijan to launch a war. You rightfully criticized me for not doing enough to prevent the 2020 war, so today I'm taking steps to avoid another major war.
In 2020 we could have avoided the war by surrendering 7 regions [adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh], abolishing the governing system in Nagorno-Karabakh, allowing ethnic Azeris to return to Nagorno-Karabakh, and agreeing for Nagorno-Karabakh to be jointly controlled by Armenians and Azeris. When I revealed those conditions after the war, I was criticized for not disclosing them before the war and for not taking the responsibility to make concessions. I responded to those in detail during the War Commission interviews. Today I'm informing you that the ongoing process is a cornerstone to defend Armenia's independence, sovereignty, future development, and the long-term survival of the Republic of Armenia. I informed you in 2021 and 2022 that the "following few years" will be decisive for the Republic of Armenia, and that if we manage to defend our sovereignty and independence now, we will be able to guarantee its long-term existence. That is what's happening in front of your eyes today.
REPORTER: Is there a guarantee Azerbaijan won't end the demarcation process in Tavush and refuse to move further?
PASHINYAN: I can guarantee you that Azerbaijan will not agree to demarcate the entire border if we do not demarcate the areas of 4 Soviet-era Azerbaijani villages. This demarcation provides an opportunity to move forward. We have agreed to use 1991 Almaty as the basis for the demarcation of the AM-AZ border after emphasizing its importance during negotiations in Western (Prague, Brussels) and Russian (Sochi) platforms. In Prague and Brussels, we declared that the 1991 Almaty should be the political basis of the demarcation process. Recently Blinken spoke with Aliyev during which the latter reaffirmed his commitment to 1991 Almaty. On April 19 the border commissions adopted a joint document stating that Almaty is the basis/principle for the demarcation, and as the basis, it will be reflected in the Regulation that's to be adopted by the border commissions. Tens of countries have welcomed the agreement to proceed with Almaty, giving it an international diplomatic context.
REPORTER: What comes after the demarcation of these small sections of Tavush?
PASHINYAN: (1) Deploy border guards in the newly delimited areas. (2) Border commissions adopt the Regulation by July 1. The ongoing preliminary delimitation process will serve as a guide and its experience will be used to form the Regulation. (3) The Regulation will be legally approved by the state. (4) The border commissions meet and agree on the sequence of delimitation and the areas to delimit next. (5) Proceed with new delimitation.
Azerbaijan has been using Armenia's control of these [Soviet-era Azeri] 4 villages on international platforms against us. It's one thing when it's a village and another thing when it's land adjacent to a village; that is a very important nuance. Obviously, we continue to raise the issue of vitally important lands belonging to 31 Armenian villages, plus Artsvashen, which will be part of the delimitation process. When you accept 1991 Almaty as the basis for delimitation, it applies to all territories belonging to Armenia.
REPORTER: The April 19 agreement says you could revoke the 1991 Almaty declaration.
PASHINYAN: That is not what it says. It says if in the future the [larger] AM-AZ peace agreement mentions a new principle, the border commissions' Regulation will be adapted to that. As you know, the April 19 agreement was reached between border commissions, and such commissions do not have the legal mandate to negotiate the peace agreement, which is legally above the border commissions. It basically says that the document (April 19) with a lower status must be brought in line with a document (peace agreement) with a higher status, and not the other way around. The (larger) peace agreement is being negotiated by Armenia, which has already agreed with Azerbaijan in Brussels and Prague and elsewhere to use 1991 Almaty as the basis.
Several border markers have already been installed in Tavush. We were able to identify where to place the markers on the map approximately. But when they use the geolocation devices on the ground to locate the coordinates, there is always some deviation. Maps show borders drawn in a thin line but depending on the map's scale, that thin line has a width on the ground. The line could be several tens of meters wide.
As for the areas that become demarcated, the armed forces [on both sides] will be replaced by border guards. There aren't going to be "army positions".
REPORTER: The critics of the delimitation process say that the school that's being built in Kirants will be too close to the border, it will be visible and unsafe.
PASHINYAN: It's already under the scope and vulnerable today. Some villagers claim Kirants's school isn't currently under scope, but the army says otherwise. The demarcation [and conversion of line of contact into a stable border] will reduce the likelihood of shots being fired at the school. That's the difference.
REPORTER: There is a psychological factor when you can visually see the opponent's soldier.
PASHINYAN: Work has not been done on the ground in this region yet so there are still many unanswered questions until the work begins. As I've said, we have the map but when you try to reproduce it on the ground it deviates a bit [meaning it's still unclear how close the border will be to school]. The experience near Voskepar and Berkaber shows that when you take the map and visit the terrain, it turns out your understanding of the terrain slightly deviates. No matter how accurate your map and the satellite images are, to this day not one instance has been an exact match. This opens up opportunities and risks. If your concern is with visually seeing Azeri soldiers, we can build a wall or trees. Did you feel safe hundreds of kilometers away in Yerevan during the 2020-2022 wars? A stable demarcated border is more important than the visible distance.
REPORTER: Some villagers were in the past given property ownership documents [for lands in Soviet-era Azerbaijan]. What will be their fate?
PASHINYAN: We discuss it every day and it needs a solution. As I've told the villagers, we don't know yet the exact line when you factor in the deviations on the ground after using the devices and the maps. We are talking about "meters", not "kilometers". So theoretically, if in the event issues arise with certain properties, the government will address those issues. The border on the map passes literally next to the village and each meter must be checked.
REPORTER: What activities are planned near Kirants in the coming days?
PASHINYAN: I believe we have 11 points that must be delimited near Kirants. The vast majority of that area isn't even disputed by the residents of Kirants. In the coming days, we will launch the delimitation from those non-problematic areas. As for the remaining 3 points, we will seek solutions, defend our residents' rights, or provide compensation when necessary. We aren't demarcating Kirants, we are demarcating the Republic of Armenia border, so in Kirants we must use a formula that doesn't question the legitimacy of Armenia's border in other parts of the AM-AZ border because this is part of a wider demarcation effort.
REPORTER: Is there a geopolitical context to this border delimitation process?
PASHINYAN: Yes.
REPORTER: Why isn't Russia happy about this process?
PASHINYAN: As I've said in Parliament, when it comes to defending ourselves, we must rely only on ourselves. This is the geopolitical context. In broad daylight, on multiple occasions, the countries and organizations [Russia and CSTO] with defense obligations failed to support Armenia. That is the reality. My administration has adopted a formula for Armenia to defend itself, and that formula is the adoption of a stance that's legitimate under international law. Our expectations and demands must have legitimacy.
To achieve security, Armenia must find a formula to be able to survive in the region without external sponsorship. Journalists never ask me to expand on what I mean by that. They'd rather ask headline-generating questions. That's what it means. I've been talking about the need to prevent Armenia from being a "fortpost" of a foreign state. But did you know that this fortpost-ization can happen not only from external but also internal forces? When I analyze our past, I see how often it's Armenians themselves who willingly positioned themselves as a fortpost, and that includes me. Throughout my whole prior career, I never asked myself how exactly we plan to live in this region if things continue to escalate with our neighbors. How do you plan to live in this region? Under the mentality of escalation and fortpost, you can only survive with a foreign sponsorship.
REPORTER: The church and the opposition say Armenia ends where Armenian soldier stands.
PASHINYAN: Does that mean Artsvashen isn't ours? This is unfair to our army and soldiers. That mentality places all the burden, political and economic burden, on the soldier. The army must be the last line of defense, not the first.
REPORTER: They say it's better to be a fortpost of a foreign state because Azerbaijan wants to destroy you and they'll only demand more. It's treason not to be a fortpost.
PASHINYAN: Let's continue to escalate things while bribing army officials to exempt soldiers from service whenever possible. Let's place all the burden on the poor remaining soldiers. We can't allow this level of disproportionate load on the army. The fortpost mentality places a disproportionate level of burden on the soldier. Now, you could argue that that's not a big deal because our soldier "will be aided by the sponsor state" when the time comes, [wink wink, hints at bad experience with Russia]. Our army should not spend most of its time on the frontline. They must have the opportunity to pull back to permanent bases and be given time to exercise and be professional, but the whole system was built against this logic.
Armenia must control the threats in the region and the desires to destroy us. The way you control it is by adopting a legitimate stance from the perspective of international law and international relations. The army must be the last line of defense.
REPORTER: If you're a fortpost, you have an external guarantor, while the legitimacy is not a guarantor.
PASHINYAN: It turned out the fortpost did not have a functional guarantor. Legitimacy is a MUCH more powerful guarantor than a bad external guarantor. I can guarantee you that the formula of using legitimacy to normalize relations with neighbors is more potent than a bad external guarantor. Legitimacy is even better than a "good" external guarantor because the former allows you to maintain your sovereignty and status as an independent subject, while the latter deprives you of your independence. We have gone through this.
The world is changing, and so are the decisions initially adopted by us [to be Russian fortpost]. We must adapt to global changes. Armenia must choose, but this isn't really a choice because our former choice [Russia] has proven to be unreliable. We made a bad choice that came to bite us. Now we must choose a more impeccable international law and order. This won't be overnight and won't be done by a single move, but this is the strategy we, and our people, have chosen. I made that choice as the representative of the people.
When you hear someone say "we can either be a fortpost or we'll be destroyed", it shows the range of that person's mentality which was influenced by those who wanted you to think that way. I want you to leave that formula behind.
REPORTER: The church is actively involved and is calling for the removal of your government.
PASHINYAN: ...
REPORTER: Your comment.
PASHINYAN: What should I even comment? The Bible says all power comes from God.
REPORTER: Do you not see a problem with the church making such a statement?
PASHINYAN: No. What problem should I see?
REPORTER: That it's a religious institution making political statements.
PASHINYAN: My skin has gotten thicker because I've seen many protests by members of the church.
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ex-Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan inaugurates the launch of his new political party Nor Uzh (New Force), vows to oust Pashinyan administration

The new party's goal is to be "inclusive and involve all segments of society in the development of the state" and to have free courts.
On foreign policy, Marutyan's party is in favor of a balance between West and Russia. They support Western values and strong ties with the EU but want to "maintain friendly relations with Russia". Marutyan did not reveal how he plans to balance it but said he has "experts" on his team.
In August Marutyan will organize street protests against the new public transport pricing system.
Marutyan refused to give an opinion regarding the ongoing border delimitation in Tavush but said the #1 priority right now should be the removal of the Pashinyan administration.
Marutyan believes Kocharyan and Serj should leave politics, but he doesn't see a problem with cooperating with other members of Kocharyan/Serj parties "as long as they want to help develop Armenia."
MARUTYAN: We have no road to pass with individuals with a record of enriching themselves and their friends.
REPORTER: In other words, you don't plan to cooperate with the former forces?
MARUTYAN: Let's separate leaders from parties. For example, when I became the mayor of Yerevan, everyone else [his subordinates] was an employee of the former regime. I urged them to leave corruption behind and move forward together. I proved with my experience that it's possible, that you must focus on removing the leaders only. Pashinyan's QP, on the other hand, was trying to fire "old regime" employees without a reason. That led to my first confrontation with QP. [Does this explain Pashinyan's complaints about "internal sabotage from the system"?]
REPORTER: Would you cooperate with [Serj's] HHK today?
MARUTYAN: HHK used to have thousands of party members. Today many of them have quit. Do you believe they [those who quit] think the same way as they did before? It is possible to bring them to a new field. Everyone needs to work so we can build the country together. I invite them to join us, even if not our party, to work together.
source, source, source,

update: Robert Kocharyan's MP son's bodyguard is arrested after reportedly punching a journalist in the face in the backyard of the parliament building

Context in Tuesday news digest.
source,

reforms have made it easier for businesses to import civilian items marked under "dual use": VIDEO

Auto shops have long had difficulty importing vehicle parts because some of them are marked as "dual use", meaning the parts could possibly be used for civilian or military purposes. Many ordinary components, such as car thermometers, were caught in the broad net. This field has been refined to minimize unintended impacts on civilian industries.
In the past, companies had to obtain permission from a specialist before importing these parts, and it had to be done for each import even if it was the same product imported from different sellers.
To obtain the specialist's opinion quickly, companies had to pay ֏60,000 ($155). Importers grew to hate the customs agency for this. To address the issue, the authorities created a database of dual-use items to avoid surprises, but that didn't solve the problem.
The customs agency then decided to make more radical changes and established a new department that uses software to monitor businesses' requests in real-time to check if the item falls under dual use, and whether there is a need for a specialist assessment. The obviously civilian items, like music players, are cleared instantly.
The new system went into effect in April. Around 75% of the submissions have been cleared instantly without a need for a time-consuming intervention by a specialist.
video,

the number of registered workers in Armenia (as of February of each year)

2018: 523K
2019: 569K
2020: 625K
2021: 622K
2022: 660K
2023: 699K
2024: 734K
Largest sectors by the number of employees:
Trade and auto repair: 126K
Education: 124K
Manufacturing 87K
Top private sectors with the highest wages:
IT: ֏1.1M ($2,800)
Finance & insurance: ֏854K ($2,200)

... the average monthly nominal salary in thousand drams (as of February)

2018: 167
2019: 177
2020: 192
2021: 198
2022: 227
2023: 284
2024: 307
source, source,

Armenians of Aleppo are studying Eastern Armenian: VIDEO in Western Armenian

The school libraries are full of books in Eastern Armenian, making it easier for students to understand and speak in both.
video,

Armenia and Iran discuss more direct flights to develop tourism and exchange of experience

source,

a new era begins

Yerevan Zoo officially marks the opening season on May 1. A bus will take you from the Yeritasardakan subway to the Zoo for free. Bring your kids to watch lions, snakes, traditional dances, and grown-ups wearing bootleg Mickey Mouse costumes. IT WILL BE FUN.
video, video,

In the labyrinth of India's civil services lies a pinnacle of prestige and responsibility – the Indian Administrative Service, commonly known as IAS. For countless aspirants, the journey towards this esteemed designation is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and a deep-seated desire to serve the nation. Let's embark on a journey to understand the essence of IAS and explore the path that leads to it.
IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service, a cornerstone of India's bureaucratic apparatus. As the premier administrative service in the country, IAS officers wield significant influence and responsibility in shaping government policies, implementing developmental programs, and ensuring efficient governance at various levels.

The Role of an IAS Officer: Catalysts of Change

IAS officers are more than just administrators; they are catalysts of change and pillars of governance. Their duties encompass a diverse array of responsibilities, including:

• Policy Formulation and Implementation: IAS officers actively participate in formulating and executing government policies and programs aimed at fostering socio-economic development and public welfare.
• Administrative Leadership: They hold key positions in government departments, districts, and ministries, leading administrative teams and spearheading initiatives to address societal challenges and promote inclusive growth.
• Community Engagement and Service Delivery: IAS officers serve as intermediaries between the government and the public, addressing citizen grievances, promoting community participation in governance, and ensuring the effective delivery of public services.
• Crisis Management: During times of crises, be it natural disasters or public health emergencies, IAS officers play a pivotal role in coordinating relief efforts, mobilizing resources, and mitigating the impact on affected communities.

The Path to IAS: Navigating the Civil Services Examination (CSE)

The journey to becoming an IAS officer begins with cracking the Civil Services Examination (CSE), conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The CSE comprises three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination: A screening test consisting of objective-type questions to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination.
2. Main Examination: A comprehensive assessment comprising nine papers, including essay writing, general studies, and optional subjects, designed to evaluate candidates' knowledge, analytical skills, and writing abilities.
3. Personality Test (Interview): The final stage involves a personal interview to assess candidates' suitability for a career in civil services, including their personality traits, communication skills, and overall demeanor.

Embarking on the journey to IAS requires not only dedication but also expert guidance and strategic preparation. For aspirants in Coimbatore, PM IAS, the best IAS academy in the region, stands as a beacon of excellence and opportunity.
With a proven track record of success and a team of experienced faculty members, [Insert Name] offers comprehensive coaching and personalized mentoring to help aspirants navigate the complexities of the Civil Services Examination with confidence and clarity.
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey towards realizing your dream of becoming an IAS officer? Take the first step towards success by enrolling at [Insert Name] today. Your path to IAS begins here.
In conclusion, the journey to IAS is not merely a career path; it's a calling to serve the nation and make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions. Understanding the significance of IAS and the dedication required to achieve it is the first step towards embarking on this noble journey of public service and leadership.

https://bgodinspired.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1714457398.png

Introduction: A Mesmerizing Event in Christian History

The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven is not just a miraculous event documented in the Acts of the Apostles; it is a cornerstone of faith, symbolizing hope, promise, and the eternal presence of Christ with His followers. This momentous occasion, occurring 40 days after the resurrection, marks the conclusion of Jesus’ physical time on earth and the beginning of His spiritual governance over the kingdom of Heaven and Earth. Dive into the story to discover its profound significance.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Before His ascension, Jesus made a compelling promise to His disciples, a promise that holds a beacon of hope and guidance for believers. This was no ordinary promise; it was the assurance of the Holy Spirit.

• “And while staying with them, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” (Acts 1:4–5)

The anticipation of this gift was meant to embolden the disciples and prepare them for the extraordinary ministry that lay ahead.

The Majestic Ascension

Imagine the scene: the disciples gathered around Jesus on the Mount of Olives, a place rich in symbolic significance, witnessing a sight beyond human comprehension—Jesus being enveloped by a cloud and lifted up into heaven.

• As they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)

This remarkable event, while leaving the disciples in awe, did not leave them without guide or purpose. It signified the transition of Jesus’ physical presence to a spiritual omnipresence, reassuring them (and us) that He is always with us, guiding and comforting.

The Angels’ Message of Hope

Just as the disciples were trying to comprehend what had happened, two men in white—angels—stood by them, delivering a message that turned their astonishment into mission-driven resolve.

• “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

This prophecy not only assured the disciples of Jesus’ eventual return but also motivated them to spread the teachings of Jesus with renewed vigor and hope. It underscores a promise of reunion and eternal life.

Conclusion: The Ascension as a Call to Action

The ascension of Jesus serves as a pivotal moment in Christian faith, symbolizing not an end but a glorious beginning. It reminds us of Jesus’ omnipresent guidance, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and the assured hope of His return. Let this story inspire us to live with purpose, spreading love and the teachings of Christ in anticipation of His return.
Reflect on the ascension of Jesus. How does it inspire you to live your faith more fervently? Share your thoughts and let us embrace this journey of faith together.
If you want to want to research Bible Stories on your own, please try our Bible Stories GPT. It’s easy to get lost in the stories 🙂
Source =

Date: 04/29/2024

Reading time: 8 minutes, 1681 words

🪖 Military

Azerbaijan informs about the injury of a serviceman as a result of a mine explosion

Azerbaijani serviceman injured as a result of a mine explosion in Azerbaijan. The incident took place on the border with Armenia, Azerbaijian mass media report.

Armenpress

Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” to NATO - Secretary General Stoltenberg is in Kyiv

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Kyiv on April 29 for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the state of the war and the future of NATO’s support to Ukraine. He recognized that serious delays in support have translated to serious consequences on the battlefield. "It is not too late for Ukraine to prevail," he said.

Armenpress

🏛️ Politics & Government

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the plans to hold a meeting between Mirzoyan and Bayramov in Almaty

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeihun Bayramov, will meet in Kazakhstan. However, the date of the meeting is not specified.

ArkaAm

Armenian MP touches upon the necessity of a military agreement between Armenia and Iran

Anna Grigoryan, Armenian National Assembly deputy, member of the Standing Committee on Defense and Security Affairs, emphasized the need for a military agreement between Armenia and Iran to solve common security problems. She expressed her conviction that the potential for the development of relations between the two countries is very high.

Armenpress

President Vahagn Khachaturyan receives Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure

The President of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, received the Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Gnel Sanosyan. The minister presented to the president the progress in implementing projects in communication, energy infrastructure, and other sectors.

Armenpress

Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister meets with World Bank Group Executive Director

Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan received Eugene Rhuggenaath, the World Bank (WB) Group Executive Director representing the constituency of countries that includes Armenia. He outlined planned reforms in the fields of education, healthcare, and the capital market.

Armenpress, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister presents planned reforms in a number of important spheres to head of WB group of countries

35 border posts installed on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

As of April 29, 2024, more than half of the planned works have been carried out: 35 border posts have been installed. The work of the expert groups of the two countries continues.

Armenpress, As of April 29, 35 border posts were installed on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, 35 border markers installed, Armenian Government says

Astana will not act as mediator in upcoming Armenia-Azerbaijan talks in Almaty

Kazakhstan will not act as a mediator in the upcoming negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Almaty, TASS reports. The upcoming negotiations will be held exclusively between the parties, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Armenpress, The Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations will be bilateral, not through Kazakh mediation. official Astana, Mirzoyan and Bayramov will meet in Almaty, Armenian Foreign Ministry confirms plans to hold Mirzoyan-Bayramov meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan will not act as a mediator in the meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan will not be a mediator in Armenia-Azerbaijan talks in Almaty, Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs to meet in Almaty

Armenian Foreign Minister highly appreciated the meeting with Chairman of the Consultative Assembly of Qatar

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan highly appreciated the meeting with the Chairman of the Consultative Assembly of the State of Qatar Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanim. The economic and transport connection was emphasized during the meeting, the Armenian Foreign Minister said.

Armenpress, Prospects for Armenia-Qatar relations based on pursuit of economic development and prosperity - Mirzoyan, Yerevan and Doha discuss expansion of participation of Qatari companies in Armenian projects, Armenian FM briefs Chairman of Qatar’s Consultative Council on Crossroads of Peace initiative

Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan to meet in Almaty

Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty, says Armenian MFA Press Secretary Ani Badalyan. The ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet at the suggestion of Kazakhstan.

Armenpress

Blinken welcomes Armenia and Azerbaijan’s agreement to use the Alma Ata Declaration as a basis for border delimitation

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on April 28. They discussed issues related to the agenda of Armenia-US bilateral relations, the meeting held in Brussels on April 5.

Armenpress, .Armenian PM and US Secretary of State discuss Crossroads of Peace and Armenian-Azerbaijani border delimitation, Blinken urges Aliyev to release those unjustly detained in Azerbaijan, Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia, Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone

25 real estate, 5 means of transport, deposits: what does Prosecutor's Office demand to confiscate from Robert Kocharyan

Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan presented what the Prosecutor's Office demands to confiscate from the second President of the Republic of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, and 7 persons related to him in the lawsuits regarding confiscation of property of illegal origin. The requested confiscation includes 25 units of real estate, 5 means of transport, deposits and securities more than $4 million.

Armenpress

We would like to see recognition of Armenian Genocide by Brazil, Ambassador says

Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Brazil Armen Yeganian said in an interview with Correio Braziliense. He stated that the non-recognition of the Armenian genocide sent a very dangerous signal to other perpetrators. The Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide and many other crimes against humanity could have been avoided if the international community had learned a lesson from the genocide, Ambassador Yeganan said.

ArmRadio

European Commission Director General to visit South Caucasus

European Commission Director General for Neighbourhood & Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman, will travel to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan between 30 April and 4 May. He will discuss the next steps for the strengthening of EU-Armenia relations.

ArmRadio

Blinken, Turkish FM meet in Riyadh amid Gaza efforts

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fidan and Blinken met on the margins of the meeting of the Contact Group on Gaza.

Armenpress

Israel concerned over possible ICC arrest warrants related to Gaza war – Reuters

International Criminal Court could be preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials. Israel's foreign minister warns of a "wave of severe antisemitism" The court can charge individuals with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Armenpress

Democracy Watch: Assault on opposition activist, attack on the media, controversial land deals and procurements by ruling party members

Opposition activist Samvel Vardanyan was assaulted by masked men on April 15. The head of police shares a close friendship with Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The fact that the two police officers left the detainee unattended in the police car ahead of the assault raises suspicions of government orchestration.

CivilNet

In 2023, the number of crimes in Armenia increased by 15% to over 40,600

Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan spoke at a session of the parliamentary committee on state-legal issues on Monday. She also stated that 8,645 persons were arrested, of whom 7,160 were released from custody. The year-on-year crime rate was up 8.1%, while the disclosure rate dropped by about 15%.

ArkaAm

💵 Economy

Industry provided a significant part of economic activity in Armenia in Q1 - EDB

A considerable part of Armenia’s economic activity in the first quarter of 2024 was secured by the industrial sector. Industry (+30.4% y/y) continues to provide a significant part of economic activity. Armenia's economic growth for 2024 is projected by the government at 7%.

ArkaAm, A significant part of Armenia's economic activity in the first quarter was provided by industry. EDB:

🎭 Culture

Digital Julfa Network is launching a pan-Armenian centre in the metaverse, on the Fastexverse virtual platform

Digital Julfa Network will launch its first centre in the metaverse, on the Fastexverse virtual platform. The initiative aims to revive and give a 21st Century perspective to the 300-year-old rich commercial and cultural heritage of New Julf a. Armenian companies will be able to use innovative trading methods such as tokens and cryptocurrency. The network is to attract partners not only in the business world, but also to bring together the Armenian intellectual force.

Armenpress

Antelias, the Armenian nation’s beating heart

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia hosted a conference dedicated to studying the continuous nature of the Armenian genocide and the issue of Artsakh. Researchers, intellectuals, and activists gathered at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon, to share their analyses and debate topics. Tigrane Yegavian: The challenges are existential in nature, and dialogue as it stands seems unrealistic.

CivilNet

⚽ Sport

Davit Martirosyan, the Secretary General of "Pyunik" FC passed away

Davit Martirosyan, the Secretary General of "Pyunik" FC and a sports journalist, has passed away prematurely. Davit was widely respected in the football community known for his boundless kindness and unwavering dedication to his beloved profession.

Armenpress

Eurovision 2024: Armenia’s Ladaniva holds first rehearsal in Malmö

Armenia’s Ladaniva held the first rehearsal at the second semi-final. The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place in the Malmö Arena on Saturday 11 May. Armenia will perform in the second Semi-Final.

ArmRadio

Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia

Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28.

PanArmenian

Date: 04/28/2024

Reading time: 0 minutes, 73 words

🏛️ Politics & Government

Pashinyan and Blinken discussed issues related to the peace process and border demarcation

Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Issues related to Armenia-US bilateral relations, the April 5 meeting in Brussels, as well as the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process were discussed. The PM also highlighted the implementation of the agreements reached in Brussels on April 5.

CivilNet

🎭 Culture

“Armenia Eterna” square inaugurated in Franco da Rocha, Brazil

“Armenia Eterna” square has been inaugurated in the city of Franco da Rocha, Brazil. An Armenian khachkar (cross-stone) has been installed in the square.

ArmRadio

Date: 04/27/2024

Reading time: 1 minutes, 251 words

🪖 Military

Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes

The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush.

PanArmenian

🏛️ Politics & Government

Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan.

PanArmenian

Ararat Mirzoyan congratulates Netherlands counterpart on National Day

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia congratulates his Dutch counterpart on the occasion of National Day, the King’s birthday. Ararat Mirzoyan: 'Looking forward to further enhancing our agenda with joint Armenia-Netherlands and Armenia-EU initiatives'

Armenpress

No conditions for talks with Kiev at this time — Kremlin

No conditions exist for talks between Moscow and Kiev at this time, says Kremlin spokesman. "Everybody knows full well Ukraine’s stance on rejecting any kind of negotiations," he says.

Armenpress

Post installed on the border is the cornerstone of Armenia's territorial integrity - Prime Minister

Nikol Pashinyan addressed the border delimitation process in the Tavush region during his speech at the Levon Kalantar State Drama Theater in Gavar. The Prime Minister noted that these decisions were made to fix the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia.

Armenpress

Dina Titus submits bill on sanctions against Azerbaijan to US Congress

Dina Titus, a member of the US House of Representatives, presented a bill to Congress for the review of sanctions against Azerbaijan. The U.S. must take a strong stand against the genocide of Armenians, Titus said.

Armenpress, Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals

Armenian Foreign Ministry sends congratulations to South Africa on Freedom Day

Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulates South Africa on 30th anniversary of Freedom Day. Armenia keen to deepen its cooperation with South Africa based on shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights and international justice.

Armenpress

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addresses message on the occasion of Citizen's Day

Nikol Pashinyan has addressed a message on the occasion of Citizen's Day, the PM's Office said. The message reads as follows: "Dear people, dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia"

Armenpress

Donations to Armenia:

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Sorry if this isn't entirely coherent, or even reasonable. Disclaimer: I'm a 21yo man without meaningful biology, sociology, or psychology knowledge. Please make sure you read everything before commenting.

TLDR: We should dare to defy the usual construction of masculinity in almost every possible way.

Content Warning: Some references to Christianity, and some swearing.

One widespread belief is that men are tough, and I believe it could be dangerous if left unchecked.

This manifests in many ways, such as (there's no order to the list):

1. First, rough and tumble play is seen as something completely normal among children for whatever reason, and while I'm not 100% against it, I believe it should be discouraged, and in the situations it happens, it should always be controlled by someone else, as there's risk of harm, and one cannot guarantee boundaries will be fully respected. And those teenagers, 20-somethings, and older men who keep doing that are plainly immature.
2. Men, as well as women, are expected to set boundaries around themselves, which is perfectly fine, but men also encouraged to test others' boundaries, which is definitely a bad thing, because, once the boundary is crossed, what happens next? It could be a harmless argument, or a harmful fist-fight, or even the death of whoever crossed said boundary. So, I propose that being very conscious of others and "walking on eggshells" could actually be beneficial as there's much less risk of harm. But don't mistake that for being a doormat. Ask about others' boundaries since day one without testing them.
3. Playfully insulting, something woefully common between men, is wrong because there's the risk of emotionally hurting someone, as well as escalating into a fight, and I actually am 100% against it, because, again, not testing boundaries is much better than hurting someone or getting yourself hurt because of it. I believe we should instead compliment with honesty, and, we should point at others' flaws in the most kind, tactful, and honest way, with genuine desire for others' improvement, as opposed to cruelly joking about them.
4. Competition is not wrong, as long as there is an explicit or implicit beneficial purpose behind it, such as improving oneself or improving something, as opposed to what many young men often do, one-upmanship, which can not only damage both parties physically, but also emotionally, and it doesn't lead to self-improvement most of the time.
5. Hierarchy in a friend group shouldn't exist, yet it's so normalized among men (as well as women) to the point it's nearly subconscious. There's no point in setting a hierarchy of power because, first, it leads to the unhealthy competition I described above, second, constantly comparing oneself to others leads to a lack of self-esteem, which, at worst, can lead to suicide, and finally, we're not damn apes.
6. While seeking to protect and provide are noble goals, these are not the only things a man should strive for. The "men act, women are" social construct is the lynchpin of most men's lack of self-worth, and we. Should. DESTROY IT! Destroy that god-forsaken social construct and we all will be better! Men should be taught they have inherent value and virtues outside of their actions. We must remember to love our neighbors as ourselves. All men and women should strive to demonstrate good qualities through actions, for an example, look no further than the ministry of Jesus Christ.
7. Men shold not overwork themselves to solve everyone's problems, as well as their own, while all alone. Men should be told they can't and shouldn't deal with everything alone, and that it is good to ask for help and recognize their weaknesses. While self-reliance and being reliable are noble goals, when left unchecked, they are the root cause of most men's mental health problems. Men need to know their limit, and their beloved ones should not shame men or lose respect for them for failing to be a "rock", they should instead agree to share the burden, and it could be better if they discourage him from being their "rock".
8. We should normalize men crying. I can't stress this enough. Men's mental health is in a crisis and one of the leading causes is that they are shunned for expressing their feelings. We, as a society, must teach boys from the day they are born to identify their emotions, including both anger and sadness, and healthily expressing them, the same way girls are taught, and never shame them for doing so. While there might be some biological differences, please, for the love of God, DO NOT fall into genetic determinism and treat them like separate species. We should bridge the gap, not widen it.
9. Both men and women should know there is a time for empathizing as well as a time for solving problems, and that those two are NOT mutually exclusive. I believe that when someone else is mad or sad, regardless of either party's gender, one should first listen and empathize to where is the other coming from, without any judgement, then, if and only if they ask for it, offer advice if possible. If the problem can't be solved, cry about it together, it might strengthen the relationship, whether romantic or platonic. And, if possible, kindly offer to solve their problem, because, again, everything cannot be dealt with alone, and dealing with others' problems is a hallmark of caring.
10. There's nothing wrong with neither catharsis nor solving a problem, but I believe that catharsis should come before trying to solve the problem, as excess emotions might cloud one's judgement while dealing with it. Also, compartmentalizing is something few people can actually do without the feelings resurfacing at some point while dealing with the problem. To put it one way, instead of bottling one's feelings up, empty the whole bottle before dealing with something.
11. I believe that being honest and upfront about one's doubts, insecurities, and anxiety will help remove unnecessary pressure to suceed at something, and that faking confidence is harmful because it is not only dishonesty, but also because once failure happens, the punishment for it is greater because of the excess pressure. Sadly, men are expected to be confident even at the worst times, which can make someone unable to perform something, then get punished for it.
12. "Men bond shoulder to shoulder, while women bond face to face", it is not inherently wrong, but we should do better. I'm OK with sharing interests and doing stuff with other people, but if the "friendship" consists of only that, then it is not a friendship. Plus, interests don't match easily, look no further than every loner ever. So, in order to include those without shared interests, men could learn from women how to form friendships by sitting in front of each other, getting to know each other, sharing feelings over a cup of tea, instead of befriending someone by standing next to each other in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu classes that not everybody is willing to take. But, if neither approach succeeds, remember, quality is better than quantity with inter-personal relationships.
13. One widespread stereotype is that men can have a friend and not even remember their name, and I'm all against it. Friendship needs effort on both parts to succeed, and one necessary effort is getting to know each other for who they are, not only for what they do. The so-called "bromances" are the way to go, because they have the intimacy, the willingness to share deepest feelings, the kindness, the empathy, the compassion, the caring, and the love everyone needs, on top of the optional shared activities. The stereotypical male friendship where they can allegedly not even see and talk to each other for ten years and remain friends, for me, is bullshit. If you don't actively care for your friend, is he even your friend?

But not everything is wrong with men.

1. Confidence and bravery in the face of adversity is something we all should aspire to, as long as it's genuine.
2. We all should be able to solve both our problems as well as others' problems, there's nothing wrong with that. But, again, we should recognize our limits, and not be ashamed to seek help.
3. Helping the weak is the cornerstone of compassion, and I believe we all should help those who struggle without judgement or some kind of selfishness.
4. Being physically strong is a noble goal, but there's no problem in opting out of it, especially in our 21st century society.
5. Status doesn't matter. Comparing oneself to others should be out of a desire for self-improvement, as opposed to standing higher on a pointless hierarchy.
6. Work is not bad, but remember that one can be productive without having a job, such as taking care of the kids in a family.

Notice how I didn't directly mention men in these? That's because being good as a person is not gendered. There is no distinction in being good as a man or as a woman, because, despite the apparent differences, we all are equally human.
We can make men better by embracing their strengths and fixing their weaknesses, I wish being expressive, meek, gentle, soft, conscious about their limit, empathetic, and nurturing were more appreciated in men, but we need a HUGE societal change for that to happen, yet slowly but surely, it's happening.
I might one day make a similar post about women, with lack of accountability being one of my main concerns.
Now, I'll get off my high horse and run away before you throw the kitchen sink at me.

16 minutes.

G7 nations urge Azerbaijan to comply with obligations and allow refugees to return to Nagorno-Karabakh

They called on Azerbaijan to fully comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law and encouraged appropriate steps to ensure the safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees to Nagorno-Karabakh.
G7 states reiterated the importance of the commitment to the Alma Ata 1991 Declaration through which Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
They called for the re-opening of AM-AZ and AM-TR borders.
source,

Armenian government welcomes the statement by G7 nations

Armenia's foreign minister emphasized the importance of using the 1991 Almaty Declaration to promote peace in the region.
source,

Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a preliminary agreement to delimit parts of the Tavush border

Joint statement here.
The map published by the press indicates that Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached a preliminary agreement to delimit the border stretching between Baghanis and Voskepar and that Azerbaijani forces will not cross into the Armenian highway in this section.
Going further south, between Voskepar and Kirants, this second most talked-about area will be excluded from this delimitation phase and the Armenian forces will maintain control over the hilly curvy road. This is the area where the Armenian road crosses the border multiple times. After PM Pashinyan's recent meeting with local residents, one resident claimed that Pashinyan told them that they are negotiating with Azerbaijan to keep Azeri forces behind the river, which is in line with the map presented today.
Going further south, the Azeri village Kheyremlu will protrude and cover part of the Armenian road passing near the Armenian village of Kirants. During the recent meeting with residents, Pashinyan informed residents that building a bypass road won't be a problem here.
Going further down, the border will be delimited near Berkaber. The Azeri village on the other side of the border has already been under Azeri control for decades.
REPORTER: The AM-AZ border commissions have released a joint statement about a preliminary agreement. What can you tell us about this?
GOVERNMENT: The commissions reproduced on the map the borders that existed during the period of the Soviet Union in this section, and in the next step, these borders should be clarified and expressed on the ground as well, and this will be an unprecedented event. For the first time, there will be a demarcated state border between our countries, in the section of the four villages.
REPORTER: What year of maps is this process based on?
GOVERNMENT: The most recent topographical maps with a legal base of the USSR period. The important detail is that according to the statement issued by the border Commissions, the borders that existed at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union have a legal basis and are being restored. It is also important to record that the Commissions agreed that in the entire process of border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, they will rely on the 1991 Alma Ata Declaration. This principle should also be recorded in the Regulation of the border delimitation process, which will be agreed upon between the parties in the coming months and will undergo the necessary internal processes, including the approval process in the parliament.
REPORTER: The issue of enclaves/exclaves is also mentioned in the joint statement of the Border Delimitation Commissions, what does that mean?
GOVERNMENT: The Commissions agreed that after the approval of the Regulation, they will agree on the order of delimitation of the remaining sections of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, and in this context, they will also address the issue of enclaves/exclaves. Armenia cannot renounce this issue, because Artsvashen is a part of the sovereign territory of our country. We are going to de jure substantiate the existence of the Artsvashen exclave/enclave in the delimitation process, and the government of the Republic of Armenia has such substantiations, after which the actual delimitation process around Artsvashen will be carried out. What kind of political solution will be given to the issue after being recorded is a different question. In the delimitation process, the existence of the exclave/enclaves must first be substantiated de jure.
REPORTER: After the border delimitation, the armed forces will withdraw in the area of the four villages and give way to the border guard troops. When will this happen?
GOVERNMENT: It should happen soon, without artificial delays.
REPORTER: As a result of this process, will any village in Armenia be deprived of roads?
GOVERNMENT: No. In the section of Kirants village, a few hundred meters section of the road outline will be changed, which is not something difficult and will be implemented in a few months. But this is not the only road for Kirants. The Kirants-Acharkut-Ijevan road will be repaired, maybe rebuilt as well. Kirants also has an alternative road, and practically there are no major problems.
REPORTER: And Voskepar won’t have road problems?
GOVERNMENT: No. At this stage, areas that have the potential to cause such a problem are not being delimited.
REPORTER: As a result of this border delimitation process, Azerbaijan will come close to the villages of Kirants and Voskepar in a number of areas. How will the security of these villages be ensured?
GOVERNMENT: Azerbaijan is already very close to those villages and they are under direct fire. Yes, as a result of this process, the border guard service of Azerbaijan will get closer, but their villages and ours will be separated by a delimited state border. This is a key factor and let's not forget that the border protection will be carried out by the border guards of the Republic of Armenia. In addition, there are many details of providing security, which will also be discussed and detailed in the near future.
full, joint statement, source, source, source, source,

NGO chief Daniel Ioannesian: It will be a major success if this agreement reached between border commissions is implemented

IOANNESIAN: This is one of the rare cases where state interest trumps populism.
source,

prominent members of the ruling party respond to the border delimitation agreement

The opposition's stance on Tavush delimitation has been clear: it's capitulation and treason. Ranking members of the ruling party responded to the new agreement:
MP KHANDANYAN: The border commissions have agreed to rely on the 1991 Almaty Declaration, which is recorded as a fundamental principle of the demarcation process. It should continue to be the main political condition in the further process of state border delimitation.
MP KONJOYAN: This is the first time we're going to have a demarcated section of the AM-AZ border. The clear recording of the border will become a decisive and legitimate factor aimed at protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia.
MP ALEXANYAN: Having a delimited and demarcated state border with Azerbaijan based on the Alma Ata Declaration can become the basis of long-term peace and stability for the region, and Armenia will continue to steadily move in this direction. Expect the known forces to receive a metodichka [from Russia] to launch a new whining campaign.
MP GRIGORYAN: Azerbaijan was previously refusing to accept the 1991 declaration as the basis for this process. They were also previously refusing to rely on the de jure situation at the time of the collapse of the USSR, in other words, the most recent de jure topographical maps of USSR.
source, source, source, source, source,

Ambassador of Iran comments on the delimitation agreement

AMBASSADOR: Armenian authorities have informed us that an agreement was reached on the basis of the internationally recognized border, on the basis of the Almaty Declaration. We have been informed that the road passing through this region [Voskepar] is not part of this agreement.
source,

EU's special representative Toivo Klaar about the border delimitation

KLAAR: Encouraging news today regarding the work of the AM-AZ border commissions and the start of a delimitation process based on legal documents and the 1991 Almaty Agreement. EU fully supports the process of negotiations and the aim of a comprehensive and lasting settlement.
source,

I see two very positive and encouraging developments in the agreement by border delimitation commissions: Republic Party leader Aram Sargsyan

SARGSYAN: (1) Problems are being resolved not by the use of force, but by negotiations, professional commissions, and demarcation. (2) It relies on the 1991 Almaty Declaration, which is supported by Armenia, the EU, and the US, and opposed by Azerbaijan and Russia.
source,

interview with Pashinyan's chief of staff about the border delimitation

REPORTER: What does this agreement mean?
HARUTYUNAN: This is an outcome of very hard work. If we are able to implement the agreement, we will have an unprecedented situation in AM-AZ relations. It creates a civilized platform where specific documents and agreements can allow us to clarify and reaffirm the AM-AZ state border. Negotiations are always better than aggression. Since there was a tension created by the media around these 4 villages, we decided to make an offer and choose this path, and the parties agreed. We have long insisted that the delimitation must be based on de jure documents so you can use the same thing to demarcate the entire AM-AZ border from north to south with the same logic. The basis of our agreement are the latest legal topographic maps that hold de jure power, that were created by Soviet authorities with relevant power. We have worked very long to use Almaty as the basis. We raised this during various formats and meetings. I'm very happy that it is fixed as the main principle.
REPORTER: What about enclaves/exclaves?
HARUTYUNAN: As we've said before, Artsvashen is legally part of Armenia. We have documents proving that. Armenian government acknowledges that the Constitution and law require us not to ignore any territory belonging to Armenia, so the exclave topic is on the table. Similarly, if Azerbaijan claims it has exclaves controlled by Armenia then they must prove it by presenting de jure documents.
REPORTER: The armed forces will retreat to give way to border guards. When?
HARUTYUNAN: Within a reasonable timeframe after the commissions and departments reach an agreement. We will first discuss various security issues concerning neighboring areas.
REPORTER: Will the Armenian villages lose roads?
HARUTYUNAN: There is a small section in the Kirants direction, a few hundred meters, which has an easy terrain and our experts can resolve that issue within several months. Additionally, we will repair or rebuild the existing secondary road in that section - the Kirants-Acharkut-Ijevan.
REPORTER: Will there be a problem in Voskepar road?
HARUTYUNAN: No. All the concerns that the residents of Voskepar raised during the meeting with Pashinyan have been heard, and that road is not part of the delimitation process at this phase.
REPORTER: How will you organize the protection of nearby villages if the border gets closer?
HARUTYUNAN: The line of contact is already very close to their homes. These villages have been in the line of fire. The conversion of the line of contact into a state border will make it safer. Because of modern technologies, living hundreds of kilometers away without a stable border is more dangerous than living near a stable border. This topic is often manipulated by those who oppose the delimitation process.
REPORTER: What does Armenia gain from this process?
HARUTYUNAN: Armenia gains (1) a stable border, (2) confirmation of the Almaty Declaration as the main principle, (3) a civilized platform for discussing and reaffirming the borders, (4) the basis for using jure documents that will allow us to demarcate the AM-AZ border from top to bottom, (5) Armenia stands on its legitimate territory by returning the 2.5 villages to Azerbaijan.
REPORTER: The Friday agreement says parties agree to later continue to demarcate the rest of the border. So is this the beginning of a lengthy process?
HARUTYUNAN: This is going to be a long and complex process. Armenia is committed to the peace agenda.
source,

Armenia offered its services as a potential facilitator between Israel and Palestine

FM Mirzoyan visited Saudi Arabia earlier this week. ArabNews outlet interviewed him.
ARAB NEWS: Mirzoyan expressed his support for a two-state solution and ceasefire in Palestine. In December last year, Armenia joined Saudi Arabia and more than 150 other countries in the UN General Assembly in voting for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. If necessary, and if asked, Mirzoyan said Armenia would be ready to act as a potential facilitator between the two sides.
MIRZOYAN: Armenia has always supported the two-state solution, and Armenia is strongly against the violence and targeting civilian populations. Armenia had very recently been on the receiving end of such violence. So we are strongly against violence against civilian populations.
ARAB NEWS: Armenia’s commitment to helping war-affected civilian populations has gone beyond mere words and condemnation. Last month it sent 30 tonnes of food and medicine to displaced Palestinian civilians sheltering in Rafah. Armenia regretted seeing tens of thousands of innocent victims of the escalation of hostilities in Gaza, said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a press briefing during a visit to Egypt to discuss aid deliveries. Armenia is embarking on diplomatic ties with several nations and multilateral bodies, including the EU, as it shifts away from its historically strongest ally, Russia.
FM MIRZOYAN: The people of Armenia have European aspirations and it is becoming more and more strong on the background of the frustration that Armenian people had in terms of Armenian-Russian relations, but not limited to that. Armenia is really deepening, significantly deepening, its relations with the US, with the EU. They are our main partners in our democratic reform agenda. Now they show a strong willingness to support Armenia, to strengthen Armenia’s economic resilience. We are starting with the EU a new path of close partnership and, so far, none can say for sure where this path will lead the two sides.
full article, source,

PM Pashinyan hosted the delegations of German KfW and Fichtner

With Fichtner he discussed the development of infrastructure and renewable energy in Armenia.
With KfW he discussed energy topics and the possibility of implementing new projects. KfW said it is ready to support Armenia in the implementation of new projects.
source,

U.S. government accuses Azerbaijani state-run news agency of spreading "disinformation"

Context in April 18 news. Armenia denied Russian-Azeri claims that a military topic was discussed and a document was signed during the April 5 meeting in Brussels. Russian and Azeri outlets circulated a "fake document". Armenia, US, and EU had already denied such rumors, but the US denied it again on Friday by calling the document "pure disinformation".
STATE DEPT: The Brussels meeting with the EU and Armenia focused solely on Armenia’s economic resilience as it works to diversify its trade partnerships and address humanitarian needs, and support for Armenia’s ongoing reforms, including in areas such as democracy and rule of law.
ARMENIAN GOV'T: The complete agenda of the topics discussed in Brussels is set out in the joint press release distributed following the meeting. Any statement made outside the agenda of the press release is false.
source,

Azerbaijani regime arrests a journalist after a regime-run outlet accuses him of receiving financial grants from West

Imran Aliyev from media outlet "Meclis" was arrested at an airport, becoming the 4th journalist to be arrested in a week, and one of two dozen since late 2023.
source, source,

Baku's French Lyceum stops its activities amid the worsening of France-Azerbaijan relations

The French school says the decision was driven in part by an order from the Education Ministry of Azerbaijan, but also in part by a decision of the school’s founder.

The Lyceum allowed French-speaking foreign citizens in Azerbaijan as well as Azerbaijani citizens to study in French, with the school’s graduates able to go on to study in French higher education institutions

Paris recently recalled its ambassador for consultation after the Aliyev regime's hostile conduct. The French Lyceum, which has operated since 2014, will stop its activities.
source, source,

we still consider Armenia as an ally: Kremlin

LAVROV: We are still allies, and not just on paper, because there are still those in Armenia who understand the importance of Russia for the defense and economic development of Armenia, and this includes Pashinyan who recently gave a speech at Parliament and emphasized the importance of AM-RU relations. I hope he will soon meet Putin and hold an honest discussion.
source, source,

Kremlin confirms the recent "leak" by a ranking CSTO official: CSTO and Russia do not recognize Armenia's territories and therefore cannot protect it

Armenia requested military-political assistance from CSTO and Russia after the Azerbaijani army encroached several kilometers into Armenian territories and stood near the outskirts of the town of Jermuk in 2022. They encroached far beyond the immediate line of contact, beyond the "small hills and bushes" that could be argued as "disputed" by some.
Western states immediately recognized it as a clear violation of Armenia's territorial integrity and demanded the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces.
An anonymous ranking CSTO official recently made it clear that CSTO didn't help Armenia because Azerbaijan considers those territories disputed and as long as Armenia and Azerbaijan do not agree around their borders and resolve it themselves, the CSTO won't help Armenia.
Russia's foreign minister Lavrov essentially repeated the CSTO official's statement on Friday: "երբ ասում են, որ ՀԱՊԿ-ը չի կարողանում որոշել, թե որտեղ է գտնվում իր պատասխանատվության գոտին Հայաստանում, Հայաստանն ինքը դեռ չի որոշել:"
Մոսկվան պնդում է՝ Երևանը ինքը չի կարողանում որոշել ՀԱՊԿ պատասխանատվության գոտին ՀՀ տարածքում:

... Pashinyan's chief of staff responds to FM Sergey Lavrov

ARAYIK HARUTYUNYAN: That is illogical and we regret to hear this. Under that logic, if Japan attacks Russia in the area where they have not demarcated their borders, and the Japanese army reaches all the way to Vladivostok just as Azerbaijan did to Jermuk, and if Russia requests dear CSTO for help, should we tell Mr. Lavrov to go clarify his borders with Japan? It's regrettable that this unacceptable falsehood is used by official Russian figures. This is unacceptable for us. Some of our "analysts" began to repeat this falsehood; stop this anti-Armenian propaganda.
source, source, source,

Nagorno-Karabakh's pro-Russian parliamentary parties express concern about the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers

PARTIES: The process of the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping troops from the territory of the occupied Artsakh Republic is very concerning for the 150,000 Artsakh citizens who were displaced from their homeland months ago under the real threat of genocide.
For the legitimate authorities elected by the people of the Republic of Artsakh and factions of the parliament, the issue of dignified return has been and continues to be a priority, and the guarantee of our fundamental rights and security is of cornerstone importance.
The people of Artsakh became trapped by the provisions of the November 9 declaration and believed in the assurances of the Russian top leadership to ensure its security. We are forced to record with pain and regret that the fate of the people of Artsakh became a secondary issue for all the parties that signed the Nov. 9 agreement, due to which Artsakh was completely depopulated in September 2023. //
The parties want the Russian government to launch a dialogue with them ASAP to discuss the reasons for withdrawal.
full,

satellite images confirm that Azerbaijan has completely destroyed the Armenian church known as "Green Chapel" in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh: PHOTOS

This is a violation of an order by the UN World Court instructing Azerbaijani authorities to preserve the cultural heritage of the indigenous Armenian population.
Armenians built Green Hour in 1847. It was damaged during the 2020 war. After the war, the Russian Orthodox Church promised to repair it but it has since been fully demolished, sometime between 28 December 2023 and April 2024.
source, source, source,

ex-State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, illegally kidnapped and jailed by Azerbaijan, has launched a hunger strike

Ruben Vardanyan demands the release of himself and other Armenian captives held in Baku. The hunger strike began on April 5, following repeated requests by Vardanyan and counsel to provide a fair and transparent trial in a timely manner in line with international legal standards.

Suspiciously his hunger strike began, his family’s regular phone calls with him have been cut off, in clear violation of all international norms. The original trial slated for January was extended without cause to May.

source,

Armenia and South Africa discuss diamond & jewelry trade

Economy ministers of the two states also spoke about agriculture, winemaking, and possible joint projects.
source,

Armenia's economic activity grew by 16.3% in February, driven by industrial and trade growth

source,

«Թքեմ Նիկոլի ու իրա կնգա երեսին»

Yerevan municipality dispatched inspectors to remove food sold illegally under open air on the sidewalks of central districts of Yerevan. The sidewalk sellers were informed earlier that it was necessary to move to a designated area. Not everyone was happy.
SELLER: Shame. I spit on the government's face. I have two sons protecting the border. I dare you to write me a citation. Try it if you're a man.
REPORTER: But we saw flies sitting all over the fish you're selling on the sidewalk.
SELLER: I'm a veteran. Shame on you. I spit on Nikol's face. Go fine actual criminals. Sasun Mikaelyan is my friend. Do you want me to call him?
INSPECTOR: Come on, father. Sasun Mikaelyan would tell you not to break the law.
SELLER: Whaaaaaat? You better go after the talanchi instead.
INSPECTOR (to reporters): We patrol every day and urge them to stop but there are some who violate the law regularly. The people you saw today were warned 100-150 times and had their stuff confiscated 10-15 times already. You saw how they sold fish in the open air on a sidewalk under everyone's feet. Their excuse is that they have to do this to make a living, but we have offered them employment with high wages in the city departments; we are hiring. If they don't want to work for the city, they can sell their products in one of the 26 legal markets in the city. Why should they be more privileged than law-abiding sellers? We don't enjoy doing this forcefully but our warnings were ignored.
source, source, source,

anti-corruption: SSS has uncovered inefficient spending of ֏208 million after Pashinyan's visit to several "poorly built" schools that ended with the firing of several governors

source,

Yerevan's public kindergartens will provide extended hours of care even if only one child requests it: city

There will be a $12/mo fee for that. Around 100 kindergartens already operate with extended hours. This allows parents to pick up their kids after work.
Kindergartens will also offer additional paid club memberships for extracurricular activities (foreign language, dance, etc.). The extra fee will help pay the tutors' salaries, which have increased by up to 30% this year.
video,

Armenian national pavilion officially opens at Venice Biennale: images and article

source,

for the first time in one billion years, two lifeforms were caught merging into one organism: scientists

This rare event occurred between a marine algae and a bacterium in a lab. For perspective, last time this happened, the Earth got plants.
Primary endosymbiosis happens when one microbial organism engulfs another. It then begins to use the swallowed organism as an internal organ.
The host provides it with nutrients, energy, and protection. When the swallowed microorganism can no longer survive on its own, it becomes an organ for the host.
This endosymbiosis has only happened three known times. All of these instances were a major breakthroughs for evolution.

... the first event

It was 2.2 billion years ago. A single-celled organism swallowed up a bacterium and eventually became the mitochondria. Its formation allowed for complex organisms to evolve.

... the second event

About 1.6 billion years ago, more advanced cells absorbed cyanobacteria. One thing led to another, and it gained sunlight-harvesting abilities and led to the birth of plants.

... the third event

With this latest endosymbiosis event, it’s possible that the algae is converting nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia that it can use for other cellular processes, and it needs the help of the bacterium.
source, source,

Basic meaning of sugo
According to Tagalog.Com the word "sugo" means delegate, messenger, ambassador, emissary, and envoy. All these English words carry the same basic meaning - SENT. A "Sugo" therefore is a sent one.
The word "apostle" means one who is sent. In Greek, it is the word apostolos a delegate; an ambassador of the Gospel; messenger, he that is sent. For Soriano to claim that he was a "sugo" meant that he was claiming apostleship.
Too late to be an apostle
Eph 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
Here we read that the church of God is likened to a living and spiritual building or a temple. Notice the building words "built", "foundation", "chief cornerstone", "whole building." It's a living building because it involves growth ("grows").
So, the church is likened to a building. Notice the position of the apostles or the sugos --- they are foundational. They lay, through their teachings and writings, the foundation which is Christ.
The church's construction, so to speak, began 2000 years ago. Right now, even as I write, it is still being built.
Let's say for the sake of illustration that each century represents a storey added to the church. The church by now (2024) would be around 20 storeys high, at least.
Since the apostles' or the sugos' ministries were foundational, a sugo or an apostle would be down back there in the 1st century. No one lays the foundation of a building on the top storey; foundations are laid first. They are at the base (1st century) not on top (2024).
We still have the teachings of the sugos
We still have the teachings of the sugos preserved for us in our Bibles. All we have to do is read and study it. Do we have sugos and apostles? Yes, read the Bible. They still speak to us through it.
Conclusion
For Soriano to claim that he was a sugo was too late in the game. Did he emerge in the 1900s to lay the foundation again? The Church's sugo or apostles were back down there in the 1st century.

Got an infinite loading screen so I decided to use it to write down the tips. Tried to categorize them for easier reading:

• Lore
  • Managed Democracy is a cornerstone of advanced civilization.
  • Don't worry -- stims have zero addictive properties!* *Study paind for by Permacure. Permacura: put your life in our hands.
  • If an enemy ever attempts to engage in diplomacy, SHOOT THEM. We mustn't believe their lies.
  • The Ministry of Science is responsible for continuous scientific progress, augmenting our moral superiority over our enemies with technological superiority.
  • Remeber to fill in your C-01 permit before any act that could result in a child.
  • Super Earth has many holidays, but the most important is October 26th -- Liberty Day!
  • The Ministry of Prosperity managens Super Earth's economy and ensure a steady flow of resources to the most deserving.
  • The Ministry of Humanity maintains healthy, productive voters by managing education, healthcare, social grading and gene management.
  • Super Earth recommends spending at least 2.4 seconds per mission enjoying the scenery. A happy Helldiver is a deadly Helldiver.
  • Every citizen is equally important to the war effort, but Helldivers are the most important.
  • The Ministry of Defence is responsible for the defense of Liberty against all enemies, human and non-human, realized and potential.
  • The Ministry of Unity ensures that all of mankind is united as one by protecting us from internal threats, such as deviant behavior and expression of dangerous ideas.
  • Helldivers travelling the galaxy might come across ancient ruins and other curiosities. Just remember: Only a traitor is curious about alien artifacts!
  • Don't worry, if you fail an objective, you will NOT be sent to a freedom camp. This is merely a dissident rumor.
  • The Ministry of Truth is responsible for keeping all citizens well-informed and mentally equipped to withstand our enemies' vile propaganda.
  • If you notice a squadmate sympathizing with an enemy, report them to your Democracy Officer. Thoughtcrimes kill!
• Gameplay
  • Choose your loadout carefully to ensure your squad has all the resources it needs. Democracy depends on it!
  • When the mission timer runs out, the Super Destroyer will leave low orbit and you'll lose access to stratagems and reinforcements.
  • If the enemies just keep coming, find out where they're coming from and unleash hell. Big hive? Destroy! Bot factory? Destroy!
  • Don't go it alone -- join a squad on order to unleash maximum libreration!
  • On a mission alone and dying to have someone liberating by your side? Use an SOS beacon to call in a fellow Helldiver.
  • Rare Samples only available on more challenging missions.
  • If a squadmate dies during a mission, make sure you pick up their dropped samples. There will be time for mourning later!
  • Each faction presents unique challenges. Mix up your gear and try new tactics!
  • If at first you don't succeed, dive, dive again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.
  • While the Helldiver training program is undeniably infallible, you can always repeat your training from the game menu.
  • The Super Destroyer can only stay in low orbit for a limited time -- watch that mission clock!
  • You have a limited amounts of reinforcements available in a mission. If you run out they will be replenished slowly on a timer.
  • Mission difficulty is determioned in part by the types of enemy units in the area. Make sure you bring the appropriate weaponry!
  • Armor isn't just for looks -- heavier armor makes you more resilient to attacks but slows you down and affects your stamina.
  • The Galactic War is a united effort. Only by working together can we ensure planets don't fall to the enemy.
  • Missions and filled with unexplored points of interest. Check them out -- you never know what you might find.
  • Unhappy with who you are? Change your appearance and voice in the customization chamber. It's that easy!
  • Make sure to pick up your fallen squadmates' sample containers. They're critical for our collective scientific progress!
  • More challenging missions yield greater rewards!
  • Want to show off how firmly you support capitalism? Spend medals on a Warbond!
  • See a planet that's on the brink of falling under enemy control? Rally your fellow Helldivers and mount a defense. Every mission counts!
  • Collect medals to progress your Warbond. No rush though -- Warbonds can be completed at any time.
  • Watch out for alien storms. Super Earth scientists have officially classified many of them as dangerous. And freaky.
  • Place markers on the map to help your squad navigate.
• Stratagems
  • All stratagems have their strengths and weakbnesses. Choose your Stratatagem loadaout to best fit the mission and your squad coimposition.
  • Eagles are fast-response strike craft, with much shorter call-in times than Orbital fire support.
  • For budgetary reasons, Hellbombs require manual arming. But don't stick around unless you're looking for a spot on the wall of martyrs.
  • Remeber that armored enemies require heavy weapons. Bring appropriate equipment for your selected difficulty.
  • The closer you are to the edge of tghe map, the steeper the angle of incoming orbital bombardments. Physics!
  • Use the Eagle Rearm stratagem during calmer periods to ensure you have those Eagle Strikes available when you needs them.
• Combat
  • Kill bugs before they get close. Remember, nothing protects your personal space better than bullets.
  • Tired of missing your target? Use First Person View (FPV) to make long-distance shots.
  • Difficult terrain inhibits your movement. Best practices recommend avoiding Snow, Mud, Water, Shrubberies, and Lava. For a complete list, see Manual Section D.198-2.
  • Friendly Fire isn't.
  • Your stance ahas a significant impact on accuracy. The S.E.A.F. manual lists the following stances in order of least to most accurate: Moving < Standing < Crouching < Prone.
  • As a last resort, you can use melee attacks to fend off enemies. Remember: death is better than cowardice!
  • Most weapons have different fire modes or functions -- hold Reload to access them.
  • It pays to be a straight shooter -- angled fire might glance off your target or even ricochet into your squadmates.
  • Arm injuries reduce your ability to handle recoil and will cause your aim to sway more.
  • Reloading discards the remaining rounds in your magazine.
  • When your stamina is depleted, your sprint speed is slower and you accuracy is worse.
  • Use Stims to heal your injuries and replenish your stamina -- or that of your fellow Helldivers, in a pinch!
  • Most enemies have both weak spots and armored spots. The S.E.A.F. traning manual recommends aiming for the weak spots.
  • Being prone makes you less susceptible to explosions. When in imminent danger, dive!
  • You can pick up active grenades and toss them away before they explode. Give it a try, it's fun!
  • Weapons like pistols and submachine guns can be used with one hand -- perfect for when you need to carry object in the other hand.
  • Hold a grenade before throwing to "cook" it. Time yor throw for an air-burst detonation! (Note: waiting too long may lead to unintended death.)
  • Diving to the group can be a life-saver, but it also makes you an easy target for melee units.
  • When you're up against the bots, remember the 3 Cs: Cover, Courage and more Cover.
  • Nine out of ten doctors agree that a wound to the chest will make you bleed out if unattended.
  • Hellpods have basic steering capabilities. Try to drop in on your enemies!
• General
  • Don't panic.
  • Don't drink and drive.
  • When in doubt, don't think -- simply shout "For Democracy!" and charge head-first into your problems.
  • Remember: Freedom!
  • Don't die!
  • Pay attention to these tips. They've been carefully calibrated to ensure your success.
  • Did you know tips are shown during these transition sequences?

LMK if I missed something.

Red Lobster, a cornerstone of American casual dining for decades, finds itself at a critical juncture. The iconic restaurant chain, famous for its Cheddar Bay Biscuits and endless shrimp specials, is grappling with significant financial pressures and is reportedly considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This article delves into the factors contributing to Red Lobster’s current situation, explores the potential implications of a Chapter 11 filing, and examines the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for this seafood giant. https://showbizsphere.co.in/red-lobster-might-consider-bankruptcy/