The conference, focusing on different aspects of reporting on corruption and crime, will be inaugurated by Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat. The opening ceremony will also include: SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic; CIRCOM Regional Training Project Manager Karol Cioma; Boris Bergant from the European Broadcasting Union-Special Assistance Project (EBU-SAP); Alina Radu, director of Ziarul de Garda; Gerhard Schaumberger, from the Austrian Development Agency; and Claudio Cappon, vice-president of the EBU.

Renowned international speakers, experts in investigative reporting, will cover a series of topics, including technology and advanced investigative techniques in the coverage of corruption and organised crime, as well as editorial policies on investigations into crime and corruption.

Paul Christian Radu, executive director of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project from Bucharest, Romania, will hold a panel on technology and advanced investigative techniques related to reporting on corruption and organised crime. Tony O’ Schaughnessy, an experienced international journalist and trainer, who served as a Current Affairs Series Editor for the BBC and is currently involved with CIRCOM’s video journalism and documentary courses, will focus on “Approaching investigative journalism within a current affairs program series-the editorial decisions to be made.” Marek Wollner, head and host of the investigative program Reporteri CT, broadcast by the Pubic RTV in Czech Republic, will hold a panel on investigative reporting on public television. Finally, Blaz Zgaga, a freelance reporter from Slovenia and a co-author of the three-part investigative trilogy, “In the Name of the State”, focusing on arms smuggling during the 1990s Balkan conflicts, will speak about his investigation.

More than 100 national and international journalists are expected to attend.

The III South, East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days will be inaugurated at 18.00 on May 23, 2012, in the Codru Conference Halls, Chisinau, Moldova.

The I South, East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days took place in Budva, Montenegro (2010), and the second in Belgrade, Serbia (2011).

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1. Conference on Challenges for Media Freedom in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine To Be Held in Tbilisi
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3. Armenia’s Special Investigative Service to Examine New Mar. 1 Film Posted on YouTube

Hovhannes Papikyan, a spokesman for the Constitutional Court, says the preliminary study of applications lasts eight days.

The CC President has instructed the court members to study the applications in accordance with the law and report about the results.

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1. Sefilian Believes Serzh Sargsyan Deceived HAK, Encourages HAK Loyalists to Join Sardarapat
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3. Armenian Chief Election Official Hopes To Stay On

Minister Manuk Vardanyan says he is unaware of the oncoming appointments in the new government. According to press reports, Gagik Beglaryan, who entered the National Assembly on the party list of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), has ‘an eye' on the position.

According to rumors, the government is discontent with the minister.

Manuk Vardanyan says he will be glad to retain the post. The minister says nothing is decided yet; however he does not rule out that he may leave the party.

"If they were displeased with my work, they would say it openly. I have heard any complaints," Mr. Vardanyan told A1+.

during the May 6 elections, the OEK gained 5,51% of votes to be represented by six MPs in the new parliament.

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1. Armenian Coalition Party Denies Loss Of Ministerial Portfolio
2. Wrestling For Authority in Armenia: “Polite” Politics Already Yield To Trash Talk Ahead Of 2012 Showdown
3. A Group of Yerevan Residents’ Efforts Yield First Positive Results

This is the general picture I get when visiting Armenia’s rural communities. Village residents have nothing but complaints to tell the reporter who stumbles into their realm. Turn on the tape recorder, however, and their tune changes – What hardships? What frustration?

Go to the village of Voskehat, in Armavir Marz, and you’re greeted with the same picture.

But the village has one proud boast under its belt – it’s where Catholicos Garegin II was born and where his brother Gevorg Nersisyan serves as mayor.

The village has its host of problems ranging from a dilapidated irrigation system to a school in need of urgent repair. Mayor Nersisyan’s answer is that the community just doesn’t have the resources to tackle these problems.

When we stopped to converse with some residents in the street, they all agreed that conditions in the village could improve if only the Catholicos and his brother would utilize their connections towards the development of Voskehat.

Mayor Nersisyan told us that his brother doesn’t like to intervene or call in favors. The mayor confessed that being the brother of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church doesn’t automatically translate into any practical advantages.

“The Catholicos views all villages and their residents as equals. I petition him on certain issues and if he can, he helps out. For example, I contacted him about paving the road to the school. He tells me to get in touch with him about any problems we might have and I do,” noted Mayor Nersisyan, who had difficulty pointing to even one problem that was solved through the auspices of the Catholicos.

Nersisyan told me that his brother visits the village only occasionally and rarely gets involved in community matters. The Catholicos owns a private residence in Voskehat with walls that are several meters high.

Voskehat has a population of 3,400 that mostly engage in animal husbandry and farming. The irrigation water problem restricts any development of these sectors. Presently, the water is pumped from 19 deep wells and then directed to the fields. If the electricity is cut and the water stops flowing, the fields dry up.

Mayor Nersisyan said that 1.5 kilometers of pipe was laid as part of the Millennium Challenge program at a cost of 20 million AMD. The community covered 15% of the cost. He says there are tens of kilometers of pipe that need to be repaired.

70 hectares of the community 630 hectares of arable land aren’t cultivated. Again, it’s due to the water problem. Then too, only the moderately well off can afford to engage in agriculture.

Mayor Nersisyan said that it costs 60,000 AMD just to till and plant one hectare of land. Add in the costs of fertilizers, pesticides and seed and the whole affair is beyond the scope of most residents.

He told me that the apricot trees never bloomed this year due to the early season temperature changes.

The budget for Voskehat is a tad over 30 million AMD; just enough to pay municipal employees, keep the kindergarten open, and launch a few projects.

This year, Voskehat plans to kick in 3 million towards a 30 million central heating project for the municipal building.

The community has a cultural center which rarely is used as intended.

Ishkhan Muradyan, who worked as a film projectionist in the village, says that nothing is being done to organize arts and crafts, dance, music and other classes to keep young people engaged and active.

“Why was the center renovated if it isn’t to be used,” asked Muradyan.

Mayor Nersisyan told me that the center was renovated by the Social Investment Fund at a cost of 75 million AMD.

Voskehat chipped in 10% from its municipal budget.

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Most despicable are the words and actions of Dashnaksutyun MP Artsvik Minasyan, who financially sponsored the bail for one of the two neo-fascist attackers of DIY and who recently deemed their actions “in accordance with national ideology.” In the same interview with Panorama News Agency, Minasyan targeted the manager of DIY, Tsomak Oganesova, stating that “her kind are destroying Armenian society.” Such statements may be used to justify violent acts against hundreds if not thousands of peaceful, law-abiding citizens. To date, there has been no official call from Dashnaksutyun or the Armenian government to investigate Minasyan or to take him to task: this is unacceptable. In the meantime, Minasyan is violating Dashnak philosophy and continues to issue egregiously homophobic and harmful statements under their banner. The Armenian Parliament and Dashnaksutyun should reprimand Minasyan, ask him to resign or remove him from office immediately for inflaming conflict and endangering lives.

Today on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, AGLA NY stands in unity with our partnering organizations PINK, the Women’s Resource Center, Queering Yerevan, and others to call for tolerance and a renewed commitment to human rights among individuals and institutions, in Armenia and in the diaspora. Most importantly, to the LGBT community in Armenia who are living under dangerous circumstances, we offer our undying support.

Founded in 1998, the Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association of New York (AGLA NY) provides a space for lesbian, gay, bi and transgender Armenian-Americans, their partners and their allies to come together as a community. It is a forum which fosters our visibility and strengthens our cultural and ethnic ties to the queer communities and Armenian communities to which we each belong. The purpose of AGLA NY is also to inform both the Armenian and American communities about issues of importance to LGBT Armenians and Armenian-Americans, as well as the larger American community. For more information, visit AGLA NY at http://aglany.org or email info [at] aglany [dot] org.

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This particular book ''Marble Hall Hong Kong - A Pictorial Review'' also includes other residences associated with Sir Paul including his town house in Caine Road Hong Kong, Chater’s Bungalow in Kowloon and a feature on Buxey Lodge the home of Sir H.N. Mody who was a business partner and life long friend of Sir Paul in Hong Kong.

Sir Paul’s principal home in Hong Kong was Marble Hall and he worked closely with the architects Leigh & Orange at every stage of the development. The book highlights the wonderful architecture and design features of Marble Hall as well as that of his other homes. It also offers a glimpse at some of the rare pieces of the Chater Collection placed by Sir Paul around his home.

Other books planned for publication in this biographical series will highlight his Masonic and philanthropic work, his pastimes and hobbies, his businesses and his personal life.

''Marble Hall Hong Kong - A Pictorial Review'' is offered in two sizes as well as soft cover and hardback. In addition, it is available as an iBook for anyone with an iPhone, iPad or iTouch.

Written and published by Liz Chater through a self-publishing print-on-demand online website, click on this link to go directly to her personal online book store.

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1. 165th Birth Anniversary of Sir Paul Chater in Hong Kong
2. Book on Remaining Graves at Armenian Church, Dhaka-India, Published
3. “Karabakh Chronic 1987- 2007” Published in 4 Languages

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1. VivaCell-MTS: Open Doors Sessions are resumed
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3. VivaCell-MTS Will Cover 150 Armenian University Students’ Tuition Fees

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