By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comWhen a group of young Armenians spontaneously gathered in Yerevan’s Liberty Square 10 days ago to challenge the planned increase of electricity rates, no one expected their protest to reverberate around the world.

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comSince his passing on June 15, thousands of journalists have highlighted Kirk Kerkorian’s amazing business accomplishments and substantial charitable contributions. However, these journalists had never met this great man, as he rarely gave interviews to the media.

For Presidential EndorsementsBy Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comNow that over a dozen candidates have announced their intention to run for President in 2016, Armenian-Americans are wondering whom to support in next year’s elections.

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comIn a lengthy article titled, “10 members of Congress took trip secretly funded by foreign government,” The Washington Post disclosed last week the scandalous details of an all-expenses paid trip to a conference in Azerbaijan by 10 lawmakers and 32 staff members in 2013. Former top aides to Pres. Obama -- Robert Gibbs, Jim Messina and David Plough – also attended the conference as guest speakers.

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comOn my way back from the Centennial events in Yerevan last week, I stopped in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to attend the inauguration of an unprecedented exhibit of Armenian artifacts rescued by Russian ethnographers from Western Armenia during the Genocide.

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comArmenians experienced unforgettable days last week during the Centennial commemorations of the Armenian Genocide. In many respects, Turkish denialists' much-feared ‘Tsunami’ became a reality! While Armenians around the world were busy organizing commemorative events in recent years, their efforts were amplified by some unexpected developments, including Turkish President Erdogan's irrational rhetoric and reaction.

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforiaCourier.comA couple of years ago, when Armenians throughout the world began making plans for the Armenian Genocide Centennial, they had two major concerns: What kind of events to organize that would be most appropriate for this solemn occasion? And, how to conceal their plans from the Turkish government so it would be unable to undermine or disrupt them?Little did Armenians know that inadvertently Turkish leaders would end up being ...

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comGiven the candidness of Pope Francis, it was not surprising that he clearly acknowledged the Armenian Genocide during the Pontifical Divine Liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on April 12.The only person who was clueless about the Pope’s true intentions was Mehmet Pacaci, Turkey’s Ambassador to the Vatican, who had bragged to the Turkish press two weeks ago that he had convinced the Pope to reject all Armenian ...

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comWhile Armenians criticize Turkey for genocide denial and other massive violations of human rights, it is just as important to blame all non-Turks who conduct business as usual with Turkey, thereby encouraging Turkish officials to continue their outrageous behavior.For example, right now, leaders of many countries are shamelessly preparing to go to Gallipoli on April 24, to commemorate the Turkish victory a Century ago, ...

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comI reported last month that the Americana shopping center in Glendale had banned three Armenian vendors from selling genocide-related T-shirts from their rented carts.