One of the prominent figures of Armenian Diaspora, Russian investment banker Ruben Vardanyan is an important entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founder of “100 LIVES” project which is one of the most remarkable events of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We talked to him about his observations about Istanbul and his new projects.

State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, SOCAR made a long-term contract to supply gas to all the churches and monasteries in Georgia.

Spiegel newspaper claimed that the discussion about the Armenian Genocide draft in Bundestag is postponed for now. It was also claimed that Erdoğan laid down some conditions (3 billion Euros from Brussels, provide convenience for receiving visa, declaring that Turkey is a safe country and invitation for EU summits) for stopping the refugee traffic.

Zoryan Institute’s subsidiary, the International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies made a written statement about Switzerland-Perinçek Case. In the statement, it is emphasized that Grand Chamber did not give sufficient weight to Perinçek’s racist motives.

In Perincek-Switzerland Case, ECHR Grand Chamber ruled by a majority of ten judges against seven that Switzerland had violated Perincek’s freedom of speech. Switzerland-Armenia Association, which started this process by opening a lawsuit against Perinçek, reacted to EHCR’s decision.

ECHR Grand Chamber ruled by a majority of ten judges against seven that Switzerland had violated Perincek’s freedom of speech. The Second Chamber of ECHR ruled the same in 2013 and Switzerland took the case to Grand Chamber.

One of the most prominent genocide researchers in the world, Ronald Grigor Suny was in İstanbul for “Critical Approaches to the Armenian Genocide Conference” that is organized by Sabanci University. We made an interview with Suny; he shared his evaluations on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and his views on the events in Kurdistan from the perspective of the Armenian Genocide.

The governorship of Istanbul hasn’t found commemoration marches in Istanbul “convenient”.

An order of restriction (confidentiality) on Ankara bombing investigation is taken. According to this order, the attorneys cannot access the documents and information in the investigation file if there is no exceptional circumstance. Similar restriction orders were taken on the cases of Suruç and Diyarbakir bombings.

Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK), The Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) and Turkish Medical Association (TTB) declared that they will be on strike on October 12 and 13 after the bombing.

IHD (Human Rights Association) released a preliminary report concerning the suicide bomb attack on October 10. According to the report, the official authorities haven’t performed their duties and the right to life and assembly is violated.

It turned out that EU countries sent security warnings to their representative offices in Turkey and the security measures were tightened one week before the attack in Ankara Train Station.

Two explosions hit the rally organized by occupational organizations and unions. Ministry of Health stated that 97 people are killed and 246 people are injured.

“Discrimination in Education Report” that is prepared by Migrant Rights Group (MRG) and Tarih Vakfı (History Foundation of Turkey) is released. According to the report, the education system has a religious and nationalist approach. Students with different religious beliefs and ethnicities struggle with the discriminatory practices. The report shows that the incentive scholarships that were given to the minority schools last year can only cover a small percentage of the minority schools’ expenses. The report also points out the status problem of minority schools.

In the past few days, a report that was covered as “shocking news” in Azerbaijan media occupied the agenda in Armenia. According to the report that was covered by almost all media organs of Azerbaijan, Martirosyan, an Armenian dissident activist, found asylum in Azerbaijan. When an insight was gained concerning this issue, it turned out that there are different reasons for Martirosyan’s asylum.

2015 Hrant Dink Awards were presented last night at the ceremony that was held in Istanbul. Women rights activist Samar Badawi from Saudi Arabia and Kaos GL Collective that has been fighting for LGBT rights in Turkey for 20 years received the awards.

Today is the 61st birthday of Hrant Dink. The 7th of the International Hrant Dink Award, which is presented every year on September 15 in memory of Hrant Dink, will be presented in Istanbul Convention Center tonight.

Engin Dinç bore a testimony as a suspect 9 years after the assassination of Hrant Dink. In 2007, the year that Hrant Dink was assassinated, he was the chief of Provincial Intelligence Office of Trabzon and now, he serves as the head of Police Intelligence Department.

Bilgi Merkezi Research and Publishing donated 1000 Qurans in Armenian (500 in Eastern and 500 in Western Armenian) to Armenian Patriarchate in Kumkapı.