NPR News: 02-21-2024 6PM EST
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Day: February 21, 2024
Adrine SaradjianADRINE SARADJIAN
Born on April 16, 1925, Athens, Greece
Adrine Saradjian, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and relative, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024, after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 28 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic church, located at 500 S. Central Ave., Glendale.
She is survived by her:
Son, Khachik and Dr. Artemis Saradjian
Son, Vahe Saradjian
Daughter, Julia Saradjian
Grandson, Armen and Meline Saradjian and children, Eric and Emily
And all Sarajian, Vartanian, Borzakian, Ghevian, Sakhkalian, and Nersissiants families, relatives and friends.
Memorial lunch will follow at Phoenicia restaurant, located at 343 N. Central Ave., Glendale
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ARS Sepan Chapter.
President Emmanuel Macron of France on Wednesday vowed that his country will continue to develop and expand military cooperation with Armenia, a move that has been criticized by Baku, which has accused Paris of threatening the peace process.
“We will continue to develop cooperation in the field of defense. France has given its consent to the supply of defense equipment and France will continue in the spirit of its commitment in this area, aiming to prevent any escalation,” Macron told reporters on Wednesday during a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is visiting France.
He added that France also continued its humanitarian commitment to displaced Artsakh Armenians by providing 29 million euros in 2023.
Macron pledged that France will continue to support the development of relations between the European Union and Armenia decisively.
France’s military pledges and the delivery of French weapons to Armenia has further soured relations between Baku and Paris, yet it has not deterred French officials from pledging their country’s support for Armenia.
During the press event on Wednesday, Macron went on to call the attack last week by Azerbaijani forces against Armenian positions in Nerkin Hand, that killed four Armenians soldiers, “disproportionate.”
“France regrets the disproportionate response by Azerbaijan, which resulted in four deaths and injuries on the Armenian side,” Macron said.
He also said that last week’s attack in Syunik proved “that the danger of escalation remains real.”
“France will continue to support efforts aimed at a just and stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. France is convinced that this can only be achieved if international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders are respected,” Macron added.
“I want to reiterate once again that you can count on France’s support for Armenia, its independence, territorial integrity, democratic process and its aspirations for peace,” Macron said, adding that he and Pashinyan would discuss the ongoing peace talks during their meeting.
The French leader also called on Azerbaijan to implement the decision of the International Court of Justice on November 17, 2023, according to which Azerbaijan must ensure the safe and unimpeded return of those who left Nagorno-Karabakh after September 9, 2023, and wish to return.
“We call for the implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice on November 17, 2023. According to this decision, Azerbaijan must ensure that those who left Nagorno-Karabakh after September 19, 2023, and wish to return, can do so safely, unimpeded and expeditious manner,” Macron said.
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative announced that a special series of events will be held from May 8 to 10 in Los Angeles, CA. The events, including the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony and the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum, are being organized in partnership with The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA.
The events are co-chaired by Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, and Co-Founder and Chairman of Moderna, and Dr. Eric Esrailian, UCLA professor and Chief of the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases. Dr. Esrailian, also an Emmy-nominated film producer and entrepreneur, led the efforts to establish The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA in 2017.
“We are honored to join forces with The Promise Institute for Human Rights to support outstanding humanitarians and human rights defenders putting themselves at risk to help others,” said Dr. Afeyan. “Over the past eight years, Aurora has fostered a global network of like-minded individuals committed to this important work, and we look forward to the events in Los Angeles to further elevate the voices of grassroots activists everywhere and show the world the power of each individual to bring about positive change.”
“The 2024 Aurora Prize events in Los Angeles will offer guests and participants a chance to express their appreciation to those who selflessly help others in need. People will hopefully come away inspired to channel that gratitude into action, join us in this global movement, and contribute to our common cause,” said Dr. Esrailian, co-chair of the events. “By shining a light on the best of humanity, which often emerges in the darkest of times, we intend to raise awareness – both in the US and around the world – of ordinary human beings whose sense of compassion and justice motivates them to do extraordinary things.”
The 2024 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Laureate will be announced during the Aurora Prize Ceremony, with the Laureate selected from the Aurora Humanitarians shortlisted in September 2023. The prize award will enable the Laureate to continue the cycle of giving and supporting grassroots humanitarians and organizations that give a second chance to people in need.
The Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum and other events will bring together leading experts in the field for insightful discussions on a range of topics including gender justice, women’s empowerment, global health crisis and education.