In the study of ancient civilizations Armenia often remained on the sidelines, as if she had not been involved in major historical turnovers. The researchers’ interest was almost always confined to the territory of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. But, naturally the “factor” of Armenia could not be excluded in the formation of ancient civilizations. There is much evidence to prove it. Nevertheless, for one reason or another Armenia, yet, was left out from the list of possible leaders.

Whatever has been happening in Azerbaijan for the past 40 years is associated with Heydar Aliyev. Sometimes it seems that Heydar has lived always; he founded the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, established the Soviet regime and overthrew it, not to mention his presidency. And because the works of such magnitude must not be forgotten, there is a holiday in the neighboring republic: the day when national leader Heydar Aliyev came to power in Azerbaijan. On July 14, 1969 Heydar Aliyev was elected the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan and according to newly-made Azeri historians and hangers-on, the history then started from a new sheet.

Information security was in the focus of discussions over the past week. Armenian bloggers have created wiki.hayqpress.com internet resource as an alternative to largest internet encyclopedia – Wikipedia. The created resource provides unbiased and neutral information on Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

Armenia is welcoming guests from various countries, with travel agents summing up the results of the first half-year.

On July 2, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan met with OSCE MG Co-chairs, Ambassadors Bernard Fassier of France, Robert Bradtke of the U.S. and Igor Popov of Russia as well as Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk, who arrived in Yerevan after visiting Artsakh Republic. The parties exchanged views on the situation at the line of contact between NKR and Azerbaijani armed forces. Minister Ohanyan hailed the mediators’ endeavors for achievement of a peaceful and acceptable settlement to the conflict.

Weightlifting: Taiwan hosted 2nd World University Weightlifting Championships, where Armenia was represented by three sportsmen. Aghasi Aghasyan (weight class 77kg) won the champion's title, lifting 316kg in snatch, clean and jerk combination and surpassing his nearest competitor Nien-Peng Chiang (Taiwan ) by 33kg. Rubik Mamoyan (weight class 62kg) won a gold medal in snatch, lifting 120kg, but failed in clean & jerk. Meanwhile, Vardan Davtyan (weight class 94kg) won bronze medal, lifting 358kg in snatch, clean and jerk combination.

The 1988 events in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, shocked the entire Armenianhood. Dozens of people were slaughtered, majority of them after tortures and severe beatings. Over 200 apartments were robbed and burnt. Thousands of refugees remained homeless. This year changed the lives of many people. 27-year-old Manvel Yeghiazaryan was not an exception…