2021 August 30

Daily news wrap-up

News - Aug/30/2021: Natural Sciences in schools __ Rob's March 1st trial __ Army Major arrested over 2020 __ Reservists, VOMA, & MOD meetings __ Aliyev's confession & Erdogan's hand __ Latest fake news __ Cops go hard on fake vehicle inspectors __ Economy ++ __ Yerevan skatepark __ Thermal project
by ar_david_hh

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Your 13-minute Saturday to Monday recap in 3263 words.

Ilham Aliyev: negotiations would have never ended the Karabakh conflict

Aliyev confirmed that he did not intend to resolve the conflict diplomatically, saying that the "behavior of some international players after the war is evidence that the conflict would be impossible to resolve through negotiations."

https://factor.am/410769.html

Armenian army reservists held shooting exercises in 5th Arms Corps

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061960.html

VIDEO: military camp VOMA is conducting training

It accepts both men and women, from Armenia and diaspora. The VOMA abbreviation stands for "art of survival".

https://youtu.be/9gMV9hv9de4

ceasefire violation over the weekend

... wounded one Armenian serviceman near Artsakh's Taghavard settlement. The Armenian side returned fire.

Azeris resumed the shooting on Sunday, near Gegharkunik's Sotk section. The shootout last two hours. Azerbaijan sustained an unknown number of casualties and had to dispatch an ambulance vehicle.

The Armenian side saw the ambulance and suspended the shooting to allow for the evacuation of the wounded. No casualties on the Armenian side.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061862.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061863.html

BBC article on how the Azeri regime attacks the dissident activists living abroad

Выезжают, избивают, похищают. Азербайджанских оппозиционеров преследуют даже в эмиграции.

Activist Hussein Bakikhanov: I was arrested for 15 days after participating in the May 7 protest in Baku. They beat me up and told me either I will leave Azerbaijan or they will make me commit suicide. //

Bakikhanov moved to Georgia and applied for political asylum. On July 12, he was beaten by a group of fellow Azeris in Tbilisi. He released a video shortly thereafter, before dying the following day after "jumping" from a building roof. The Georgian authorities are treating it as "driving someone to suicide".

Azeri activist Avtandil Mamedov does not believe that Bakikhanov committed suicide. He says the latter had big plans for his life.

Georgian authorities remained silent on the incident for two weeks, until other Azeri activists began searching for Bakikhanov after the latter failed to respond to messages for a while.

Bakikhanov was the third victim of such attacks. Belgian police found the body of asylum seeker Bugar P. on January 15, after weeklong search efforts.

Bairamov Mamedov was found dead in Istanbul on May 5. He complained about persecution after painting anti-government graffiti on late dictator Heydar Aliyev's statue.

Full article: https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-58283572

Armenian lang.: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061857.html

Azeri shepherd steps on a landmine after approaching the border to bring back a horse that had crossed the border

The incident happened in Alakhanchali village, near Artsakh's Karvachar district.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/295168/

your daily fake news report

When Azerbaijan closed the Syunik road last week (before opening two days later), Pashinyan used the words Alvezli and Chayzami to indicate that the border closures were done on the Azeri side, and not as a result of a new encroachment in Syunik.

Media outlets belonging to the former regime accused Pashinyan of referring to Armenian villages with Azeri names, and began searching for "deeper meaning" behind it. A fact-checker has found these claims false and manipulative.

A fact-checker found that Chayzami is an area east of village Nor Arajnadzor. The road, on the Azeri side, passes through Chayzami. There used to be a village named Chayzami before the 90s war. It doesn't exist anymore. Similarly named is the area near Armenia's Arajnadzor village reservoir and surrounding areas, as described by locals. Chayzami village has nothing to do with the Armenian villages, says the act-checker, and it is 3.7km away from its Armenian neighbor.

Elvazli is another abandoned Azeri village 2km east of Armenian Vorotan. It's 10km away from Shurnukh and other Armenian villages.

https://fip.am/16737 https://factor.am/410121.html

Defense Minister and U.S. ambassador discussed defense cooperation

MOD Karapetyan hosted ambassador Tracey, the newly appointed defense attache Gregory Pipes, and others. They discussed giving a new impetus to the ongoing AM-US defense cooperation programs.

The U.S. delegation asked about the latest news from the borders. Karapetyan said Armenia prefers a peaceful resolution but it's determined to protect the territorial integrity.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061942.html

Defense Minister Karapetyan and Chinese ambassador discussed future plans for defense cooperation

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061951.html

VIDEO MEME: Defense Minister Karapetyan is shooting targets

He tested new Kalashnikov models.

https://youtu.be/ywXC2WQAs94

Russian peacekeepers held drone detection exercises in Artsakh

The goal is to be prepared to prevent drone intrusions in the Lachin corridor and five other locations of Artsakh. The soldiers trained on how to leave their base, move around, surround the attacker, and prevent attacks.

They learned how to detect drones and exchange secure communication with the command.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061944.html

Pashinyan and Putin discussed the Artsakh conflict

..., the situation on ARM-AZE borders, and the implementation of Nov 9 and Jan 11 statements.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061822.html

MFA Ararat Mirzoyan's statement relating to International Day of the Disappeared:

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2010, condemning forced disappearances. The victims of disappearances are deprived of all human rights.

I'd like to raise awareness once again about the fact that Azerbaijan illegally holds Armenian POWs and civilians while denying holding dozens of them, despite evidence to contrary.

Azerbaijan also ignores the ECHR rulings about providing information about POWs, and violates the Geneva conventions by not returning them. //

Talks about the Human Rights Watch's report that described war crimes by Azerbaijan. He issued words of gratitude to EU countries and individuals for the adopted resolutions that condemned Azerbaijan and demanded the unconditional return of POWs.

Full: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061907.html

authorities charge an army Major with abandoning the crew on the battlefield during the 2020 war

Investigators report: to save his own life, the Major leading an artillery division displayed inaction, which led to serious consequences. He is charged under felony Article 375.4 [up to 13 years]. He will be arrested. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061854.html https://www.arlis.am/documentview.aspx?docid=83394

government plans to include soldiers' families in the upcoming 2020 war investigative group

A closed-door meeting was held between QP MP Alen Simonyan and the families of fallen or captivate soldiers, to discuss details.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061946.html

government plans to "learn lessons" from 2020 war and develop an army with 5th generation weapons, emphasizes the need to investigate the war to draw conclusions

It was added as an amendment to Pashinyan's 1363-Ա decree that was part of the 5-year plan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061958.html

VIDEO: Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Malatya (modern day Turkey) hosted the first liturgy since the 1915 Genocide

The church has been in ruins for a century and was recently renovated by a local organization HAY-DER, to allow liturgy, baptism, and wedding ceremonies.

https://www.aravot-en.am/2021/08/30/288354/ https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061922.html https://en.armradio.am/2021/08/09/holy-trinity-armenian-church-in-malatia-to-host-first-liturgy-in-decades/

Erdogan responds to Pashinyan, calls for "constructive steps" to restore AM-TR relations

Erdogan had earlier made reconciliatory remarks, calling for the establishment of peace in the region. Pashinyan responded saying he will evaluate the message and respond to positive signals in a similar manner.

Erdogan responded to Pashinyan's response, saying Turkey is prepared to gradually restore relations with Armenia. "The region needs a constructive approach for lasting peace and coexistence. The history of the recent past should not be a source of hostility. Prospective, realistic approaches should prevail instead of one-sided accusations. Even if there are disagreements, relations with neighbors should be developed on the basis of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty," said Erdogan.

He promoted the 3+3 platform again, which proposes regional cooperation between Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, and Iran. He called for the construction of railways and roads between the states.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061874.html https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/pcucim/news_aug272021_cybersecurity_group_reservists/

EU's Foreign Affairs & Security rep. Josep Borrell congratulated MFA Mirzoyan with the appointment:

Armenia is an important EU partner. Our relations have significantly intensified since 2018. The entry into force of the AM-EU comprehensive cooperation agreement on March 1, 2021, was another important step.

The implementation of this agreement is central to our bilateral relations, and we will look forward to continuing to work together on areas of mutual interest, including democracy, strengthening institutes, environment, jobs, and education.

I want to reaffirm the EU's readiness to contribute to a comprehensive settlement and establishment of trust in the region after last year's war. We will continue to aid the Minsk Group. We're also ready to help with the border delimitation and fighting COVID.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061842.html

Kocharyan & Co's March 1st trial resumes in the Appeals Court

Prosecutors are challenging the Lower Court's verdict that had freed the suspects (Rob, Yuri, Seyran, Grigoryan), who are accused of abuse of power and involving the military against civilians in 2008.

The suspects were initially charged under Article 300.1, a law that critics had long argued was intentionally weakened by the former regime in a way to give themselves a "loophole" to escape responsibility in the future. The Constitutional Court recently found that law unconstitutional and freed Kocharyan & Co.

Prosecutors argue that "people who committed a crime should not simply walk away", and decided to re-charge them, this time under Article 309.3, saying that the existence of Article 300.1 had made it legally impossible to charge them under 309.3 initially, but with 300.1 now out of the way, it's possible to pursue 309.3 charges. They want the Appeals Court to strike down the Lower's verdict and send the case back to Lower Court.

Today the Appeals Court decided to allow Yuri Khachaturov to cross the border.

Kocharyan asked the judge to either eliminate or reduce the size of his $4 million bail.

The trial continues.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061904.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061910.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061930.html https://youtu.be/pwu2mPJnq9Y https://youtu.be/4IxWn7DUMoM

the galactic bottle wars

The SIS is investigating last week's fights in the parliament. Several people were called to testify.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061921.html

👉 would you like your receipt? 👈

IRS released an educational video to remind you that by asking the cashier to print a sales receipt, you are contributing to tax collection that can help arm the military and build schools.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061845.html

anti-corruption: authorities uncover fake vehicle inspection fraud worth ֏98 million

NSS reports: our Shirak investigators found that two certified vehicle inspection companies, between 2020 and 2021, bribed multiple vehicle owners with free gas and coupons, in exchange for a piece of inspection paper usually given to the vehicle owner by a bank.

The companies, now with this paper in their hand, pretended that they inspected the vehicles. They submitted the paper to authorities to receive compensation from the state budget, causing ֏98 million in damages. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061957.html

Education Ministry signed a memorandum with French ambassador Jonathan Lacôte to expand the French Language in Armenia

Advanced French language classes have been taught in 10 Armenian schools since 2012. Beginning in 2021, it will expand to include 6 more schools, said Minister Dumanyan, while praising Armenian-French historic and cultural ties during the meeting.

Ambassador Lacôte said that this expansion is not only quantitive but also qualitative because high schools will join for the first time. He said these schools will be able to establish ties with their French and Francophonie counterparts.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061945.html

university admission stats in Yerevan

72% of 4403 applicants were admitted. 14% will not pay tuition.

Most popular universities: Yerevan State University, Economics, Polytechnic, Medical, etc.

Most popular majors: informatics and applied mathematics, medicine, legal, economics, design, architecture.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061933.html

is our children learning natural sciences?

Education Ministry: the average math score was very low across the country. It was only 10.6 points (out of 20) in Yerevan.

We developed new standards in general education. It's being experimented in Tavush province before the wider rollout. The emphasis is on significantly improving natural sciences and math.

Besides the new standards, all Tavush schools have been equipped with natural science labs and computers. The labs will increase the efficiency of what's being learned. //

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061933.html

VIDEO: disability should not prevent wounded soldiers from reintegrating into society

The government is paying businesses $1,000 to revamp their facilities for disability access and $200 routinely to hire disabled soldiers.

https://www.facebook.com/armgovernment/videos/4439115756144880

COVID stats

4671 tested. 275 infected. 373 healed. 7 deaths. 8964 active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061892.html

275,000 vaccinations

176k first and 99k second dose.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061887.html

Sputnik-V lands in Armenia with 15,000 additional doses

DID YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE? DOES ELON MUSK EVEN KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061959.html

economists discuss the latest numbers

While the GDP fell by 3.3% in the first quarter (-35% YoY), things looked different by the end of the first half.

Economist Tatul Manaseryan: last year was bad. This year's political developments also had a negative impact, but we're seeing positive developments, especially in agriculture.

We expect >6.5% economic growth this year, which is lower than the 8% drop of last year, but we don't rule out a larger recovery.

We expect increased expenditures in the science field in the coming years. Infrastructure investments are very important, too. Armenia must aim for energy independence through renewables, considering its geographical position. //

Economist Aram Safaryan: almost every sector of the economy grew in the first half of this year. The trend is positive, with June being better than May. The EAEU membership helps with economic development.

Russia and Kazakhstan have already reached pre-pandemic levels and are on a stable development path. We expect big growth by the end of this year, followed by more modest growth in 2022. //

Economist Ashot Tavadyan: Armenia's exports grew 23% in the first half, mostly due to favorable developments in the world. Exports to Russia grew 35%, and doubled to Kazakhstan.

47% growth in export of non-ferrous (գունավոր) metals, as a result of copper price increasing from $6,600 to $9,500.

Alcohol exports declines compared to 2019, with another big drop in light industry exports and tourism.

The government should guide the prospective investors and make some reforms. For example, VAT is too high in Armenia at 20%, while it's 18% in Georgia. Income tax is 22% in Armenia and 20% in Georgia. The same about profit tax. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061929.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061932.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061937.html

Armenia and Ukraine will cooperate to attract investments

The government-attached "Enterprise Armenia" foundation has signed a cooperation memorandum with the Ukrainian analogy "UkraineInvest".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061954.html

General Prosecutor Davtyan will participate in the 6th Eastern Economic Forum

The goal is to make legal reforms to make the country more attractive for investors.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061949.html

Gyumri hospital obtains modern equipment to monitor fetus's health during pregnancy

The "GE Voluson S 10" ultrasound device will help detect fetal defects. It's part of a new diagnostics department in Gyumri hospital.

Things that were only possible in Yerevan will now become available in Gyumri, preventing the need for 20 patients to travel to Yerevan every month.

The center will soon obtain a breast cancer detection device.

https://factor.am/410424.html

you need more nerves for this next news

Healthcare Minister Avanesyan hosted Leon University professor and famed surgeon Aram Ghazaryan. They discussed efforts to obtain resources for the recovery of small nerves. A cooperation memorandum will be signed in a month.

Doctor Ghazaryan is the first and only surgeon in the world who has been able to իրականացրել զույգ վերին վերջույթների փոխպատվաստում ուսային հոդերի մակարդակից. He's been donating his time to help Armenian patients since 1988.

https://factor.am/410346.html

who can participate in the upcoming bicycle tournament on Lake Sevan shores?

Last week the government approved the financing of the "Prime Minister Cup" bicycle tournament to promote a healthy lifestyle, reduce pollution, and bring the bicycle culture to the masses. The participants, divided into three groups, will travel from Shorzha (east of Sevan) to the peninsula.

The participants will be given a free ride from Sasuntsi Davo railway station, and will return the same evening from Sevan railway station.

Participants must be amateurs and bring a doctor's note of approval. They will bring their personal (non-motor, non-pro) bicycles and helmets.

The 40km ride is consisted of one phase and begins at 1:00 pm. The top-20 cyclists will receive money. Everyone else gets a t-shirt and certificate of participation.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061919.html

VIDEO: Yerevan city announces open tender to revamp the area surrounding Opera building

Landscaping designers are welcome. The goal is to increase green and pedestrian areas, make them disability-friendly, have a new garbage bin and bench design.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061903.html

PHOTOS: Yerevan will soon have a new skateboard park in Circular Park

The construction is almost done. "I am sure it will soon become a favorite place for many", said Mayor Marutyan.

https://factor.am/410467.html

PHOTOS: Yerevan towed away some interesting-looking street vendor vehicles for selling food without a license

No love for taco trucks.

https://factor.am/410501.html

PHOTOS: state funds are being used for thermal insulation of apartment complex buildings

It's the first time the federal and local authorities are cooperating in this field, with feds paying up to 70% of the installation cost. The changes have already led to many residents paying lower energy fees.

UN Climate Change official Harutyunyan: the goal of this joint project between the UN and Nature Ministry is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Armenia, as an energy importer, is interested in being more energy-independent.

We studied where the energy is consumed and where the pollution comes from, and found that the biggest culprits are apartment complex buildings. This project solves multiple problems: reduce the need for energy, reduce pollution, address social issues. //

UN and the government cooperated in 2020, making it possible for federal funds to be used for thermal revamps. In the first year, 125 buildings from 14 settlements had allied for installation. The construction began on 55 buildings.

The priority is given to old buildings that were designed without thermal losses in mind, and those that house low-income residents.

The insulation is applied on roofs, walls, and basement; new doors and windows; new lighting system. The result is a 50% reduction in heating costs and a 20% increase in apartment value. [huh?]

It was initially planned that the government would take a loan for this project; the European investment bank was involved. Later, the government decided to treat this as a priority and allocate state funds, while involving local municipalities to co-invest: 25% United Nations, 55-70% Feds, 5-20% Local.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061878.html

more garbage bins will be installed across nature zones in Armenia

It's to reduce river and forest pollution, said Minister Romanos. The first batch of bins has arrived in Sevan and Dilijan parks. The settlement closest to the nature zone will handle the trash collection.

https://factor.am/410363.html

parts of Stepanavan-Privolnoye-Georgia road is being renovated

https://factor.am/410556.html

==Armenia will send 56 athletes to participate in the first "Olympics" held between CIS republics

The athletes will compete in dozen sports, between Sept 4-11 in Russia's Kazan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061897.html

Armenian soccer team studies the VAR system ahead of World Cup matches

The relatively new VAR system allows the referees to use technology to avoid making errors. In this 2022 World Cup, it will be used from a certain point forward. The Armenian team will play with VAR in the next three matches.

An Armenian referee met the players on Sunday to discuss the system.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061865.html

Armenian soccer team departs to North Macedonia ahead of World Cup match on September 2

Henrikh Mkhitaryan metthe team in Skopje. Armenia is leading the group with the number of points!

Armenia 9

Macedonia 6

Germany 6

Romania 3

Iceland 3

Likhtenstyan 0

... but there are many more matches to come. Plenty of opportunities to fk it up 💪

Sept 2: Macedonia v Armenia

Sept 5: Germany v Armenia

Sept 8: Armenia v Leichtenstein

Oct 8: Iceland v Armenia

Oct 11: Romania v Armenia

Nov 11: Armenia vs Macedonia

Nov 14: Armenia v Germany

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061891.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_Group_J

VIDEO: new small soccer stadium is being built in Armavir

The Soccer Federation chief visited the site to see the progress. The new stadium will replace the Soviet-era one that lacked standards.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1061876.html

end of report

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports

Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/peqfjm/news_aug302021_natural_sciences_in_schools_robs/