2021 November 10

Daily news wrap-up

News - Nov/10/2021: Bypass road is ready __ Army fortifies Sev Lich positions __ Yerevan-Baku-Tbilisi railway __ Russia: activate OSCE & 3+3 __ Taxi regulation at airport __ It was salmonella __ "Alcoholic" countries __ Diaspora advisers __ Transport reforms __ Grant: robotics & space engineering
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 12-minute Wednesday briefing in 2908 words.

countries by alcohol consumption per capita

1) Cook Islands 12.97 liters

2) Latvia 12.90

3) Czechia 12.73

Georgia 7.45

Russia 7.29

Armenia 3.77

Azerbaijan 1.38

Turkey 1.18

Iran 0.02 (tourists cough cough party in Armenia cough)

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-countries-by-alcohol-consumption-per-capita/

Tashir Pizza's mass poisoning lab results have arrived

179 people were taken to the hospital last week after eating in multiple locations of the pizza chain.

The water results were clean. Dozens of surface samples tested positive with salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and listeria.

The salmonella was in a sauce, meats, mushrooms, grated cheese, and chicken products; it appears lettuce was a major source. Hospital patients' feces also tested positive for salmonella.

The authorities are also inspecting several food suppliers, including the mayonnaise (Father and Son Avagyan Ltd) and poultry (Kurnikov Ltd) factories to uncover the original source.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067789.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067829.html

Russia’s largest online retailer Wildberries wants to build a logistics warehouse center in Armenia

Economy Ministry: Wildberries has 30 pickup points in Armenia. The cooperation with Wildberries is of particular importance, especially in terms of ensuring the presence of Armenian goods on its platform.

Wildberries: we'd like to open a logistics and sorting center in any free economic zone in Armenia. It'll allow us to shorten the delivery time of imported goods, and simplify the transportation and storage when processing local goods.

Economy Ministry: we reached an agreement with Wildberries to provide e-commerce courses to small and medium Armenian businesses. //

Wildberries operates in 17 countries including Europe. Its annual turnover was 437 billion rubles ($6.1B).

http://arka.am/en/news/business/russia_s_largest_online_retailer_wildberrries_wants_to_build_logistics_warehouse_center_in_armenia/

Yerevan-Tbilisi-Baku railway

Security Council chief Grigoryan: Armenia will gain access to Azerbaijan's railway infrastructure after the unblocking of communication routes. The group is currently discussing cargo routes involving Yerevan-Tbilisi-Baku, and from there to Russia and other countries. //

https://factor.am/439979.html

opinion by analyst Richard Giragosian:

Despite the tensions and insecurity in the first several months after the war, we witnessed two important breakthroughs.

The first was during the New York meeting between OSCE and the MFAs of Armenia and Azerbaijan. It marked the return of diplomacy between AM-AZ. It reduces the risk of resumption of hostilities and paves way for the return of POWs. Armenia has returned all Azeri POWs, but Azerbaijan has not.

The second breakthrough was the resumption of the group tasked with unblocking regional communication routes. It was temporarily suspended by Armenia amid Azeri encroachment in May.

The group reached an important agreement that reaffirms Armenia's sovereignty over road and rail links between Azerbaijan and Nankhijevan. Russia will control the road/rail traffic and customs processes. This is the first phase.

The second phase is much larger. The TR-AM borders will open, the Soviet-era Kars-Gyumri railway will resume [and connect to Azerbaijan]. This will connect Armenia's south to southern Russia via Baku.

The group is also discussing an alternative gas route to Armenia that travels through Azerbaijan. It can serve as an alternative to Armenia's dependence on the only gas pipeline that travels through Georgia. //

https://factor.am/439935.html

ruling party met the U.S. ambassador to discuss the resolution of the Artsakh conflict under the OSCE Minks framework

They spoke about ceasefire violations and the return of POWs.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067835.html

Russia: OSCE Minsk group should return to South Caucasus ASAP

Russian MFA: there was recently a meeting in New York between the co-chairs and Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. OSCE Minsk Group should continue its humanitarian and socio-economic efforts. They are currently preparing meetings in several European cities. The trio should resume the practice of visiting the region as soon as possible.

Russia: it's time to launch the 3+3 advisory platform in the South Caucasus

Russian MFA: as for Georgia's membership in 3+3, we are receiving conflicting messages from Tbilisi. It's up to them. The 3+3 is in the best interests of all countries in the region. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067837.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067836.html

Defense Minister participated in a CIS meeting

MOD Karapetyan is in Moscow for a meeting held between Defense Ministers of CIS republics. They discussed the organization of joint computer command and staff exercise "Regional Security-2022" of the joint air defense system, training of soldiers, joint humanitarian and demining operations, etc.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067842.html https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1067842.html

ceasefire violation on Nakhijevan border

Azeri soldiers on the Nakhijevan border shot the tractor operated by a Khachik village resident. The operator took cover and wasn't harmed. The incident happened yesterday. Prosecutors launched a criminal case under the "ethnic hatred" article.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067796.html

Armenian army conducted engineering work to improve positions near Syunik's Sev Lich

There were rumors about Armenian soldiers installing a new position behind the Azeri positions near the lake, which allegedly led to a brawl.

Goris deputy mayor Karo: there were false reports about a brawl between Armenian and Azeri soldiers yesterday. There were no positional advancements. Our soldiers conducted engineering work to improve our positions, which resulted in some "discomfort". //

MOD Karapetyan visited the lake shores on Monday to observe some engineering efforts on the mountains.

MOD statement: blatantly false information came from Azerbaijan, claiming that 60 Armenian soldiers were encircled and that Russians had to negotiate for their release.

In reality, after we responded to Azeri provocations, they had to ask Russians to resolve the situation. It was due to the active work of the Russian side that the situation was stabilized. //

https://factor.am/439737.html https://factor.am/439984.html

neighborhood news

Azeri war participant cut his veins in front of the local government building due to socio-economic hardship and lack of housing aid.

https://factor.am/439789.html

Turkish lira continues to fall. It's 9.87 per dollar, a new record.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067841.html

Istanbul-based Marmara University refuses to release information about Erdogan's questionable diploma. Some believe that Erdogan did not graduate. A four-year university degree is a prerequisite to holding presidential office in Turkey.

https://turkishminute.com/2021/11/10/versity-refuses-to-release-information-on-erdogans-questionable-diploma/amp/ https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-36436200

A Turkish government member shared a poll placing the ruling coalition at 48.4%:

AKP 38.5% & MHP 9.9%

CHP 25.3% & İyi 12.1%, HDP 9.2%, DEVA 1.7%, Ahmet Davutoglu 1.1%

The ruling coalition had won 53.7% of the votes during the 2018 elections.

https://factor.am/439575.html

COVID stats

10k tested. 1.7k infected. 1.3k healed. 69 deaths. 29.5k active.

Armenia threw away 28,000 AstraZeneca vaccines after they expired

The country had obtained 389,000 Astra doses.

YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL, SON

Prosecutors report: several doctors and medical workers prepared fake vaccine certificates and entered the patients' names in the ARMED database as "vaccinated". Some of the clients were local residents, while others were travelers who needed a negative PCR test result.

The fake cards were sold for $10-$80. There are 20 criminal cases against 15 medics, 9 of whom have been arrested. 310 people had purchased the fake certificates. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067768.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067771.html https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296645/

anti-corruption: the mayor of Qasagh (Kotayk) is arrested for alleged land shenanigans

Investigators report: in 2003, the mayor forged documents to illegally give 11.6 hectares of cemetery lands to a resident. The documents intentionally concealed the fact that the lands contained cemeteries so the transfer could be finalized. It was sold for ֏738K [$1.5k today].

The mayor also conspired with land auction commission members to fix auctions for specific participants, causing ֏43M in damages.

In 2015 the mayor helped a resident to finish the construction of an illegal structure. He attempted to cover it up after learning about a felony investigation in 2020.

The mayor has been arrested and charged. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067769.html

authorities will audit every construction contract worth more than $2 million

State Control Service: we expect state-funded construction volumes to increase soon. To combat corruption, every contract worth over ֏1B will be under supervision. //

SOC has the authority to audit projects that are fully or partially funded by taxpayers.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067791.html

bill: Diaspora Commission is "expanding" with volunteer commissionaires abroad

Zareh Sinanyan: the Premier will appoint commissioners for Diaspora affairs abroad, on a voluntary basis. They will serve as advisors and provide professional consulting on the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation directions.

The commissioners will be appointed in a country where they will be in that moment, they will not be sent from Armenia, they will be people familiar with the local community.

HD MP Vardevanyan: if we don't pay them they will be bad advisers with inaction and lack of responsibility.

Zareh Sinanyan: I disagree. They will be chosen and appointed. This will be a great addition that will dramatically improve the quality of our work in the diaspora. //

The amendment received a green light to proceed in Parliament.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1067794.html

Armenian Genocide bill receives a green light in UK House of Commons

The first reading of the Armenian Genocide Bill, presented by MP Tim Loughton, went through without objections. The next hearing is on March 18. We must recognize to prevent, said Loughton.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067752.html

Los Angeles city hall lit up in Armenian flag colors in honor of war victims

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067759.html

parliament of Luxembourg adopts a resolution urging its gov't not to support EU-AZ cooperation unless they release Armenian POWs.

Grazie.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/225049

gas price will stay the same on January 1

The utility commission revealed that negotiations still continue with Russia for the price of gas at the border, but it won't change for consumers coming January. More in October 21 news.

Armenia pays $165 on the border. Consumers pay almost double, because of upkeep, delivery, and a profit margin. The gas price on the border is expected to rise to meet the contract requirement about Gasprom-Armenia's profit margins, which took a hit due to inefficiencies at the Hrazdan thermal bloc, as we recently learned.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067761.html

government discussed the construction of wind farms in Gegharkunik province

Gegharkunik governor hosted Spanish "Acciona" wind farm company representatives to discuss wind projects.

Acciona: Our wind farm construction program covers 12 communities of Gegharkunik and Kotayk. Design works were done in the past 5 years. We need permission to start next year so they'll be ready by 2025. We plan to install 37 turbines worth $276M with 202 MW power. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067763.html

В Нагорном Карабахе открыли первый православный храм

The ethnic Russian community of Artsakh celebrated the opening of the first Orthodox Church near the capital Stepanakert, located in the territory of the Russian military base.

Community rep. Alexander Bodrov: sadly, not a single Russian church was preserved after Bolshevik destructions. This church, erected in honor of the Nativity of Christ, has a historic significance. //

https://tass.ru/obschestvo/12883761 https://factor.am/439803.html

Yerevan reduces Yerevanyan Lich reservoir levels for repairs

Municipality: there is a mesh that prevents the accumulation of waste and sludge near the exit area. We reduced the water levels to clean up the mesh to allow for unobstructed water flow. The work is complete. The water will return to normal levels within 4-5 days. //

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/225023

the alternative Tatev road in Syunik province is complete: Minister

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan: the Tatev-Aghvano section of the Goris-Kapan alternative road is complete.

Other roads are being built in Tatev-Ltsen [north-west from Tatev], and in the border settlements of Shurnukh, Vorotan, and Bardzravan.

Armenia and Azerbaijan will install [symbolic?] customs and border control points on some parts of Goris-Kapan road

Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan: Azerbaijan has informed us about plans to install customs points on the road. We will do the same, we've been working on it. In any case, the alternative road is ready. We have a new road that can be used by cargo or any other vehicle.

For the settlements located on the Goris-Kapan road, such as Shurnukh, Vorotan, and Chakaten, we're currently renovating the roads that connect to them. They will be asphalted soon.

Public Council chief Safaryan: If I understand correctly, the Armenian side is trying to devalue the Azerbaijani police checkpoints within a 21-kilometer section by installing its own checkpoint as a countermeasure. The road will lose its importance and there will no longer be a need to have a police checkpoint. No one will go through 4 passport checkpoints and pay taxes. Rest be assured Armenians and Iranians won't use this road. The Azeri side is furious that they were unable to achieve any results here.

construction of other major roads are also in progress

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan: the government decided to prioritize the construction of the Sisian-Kajaran road in Syunik. The tender process will begin soon, followed by the launch of construction works in 2022.

Yerevan-Gyumri road's Ashtarak-Talin section will be complete by 2023. There are delays because of the criminal investigation against one of the construction firms [launched after 2018 during the North-South audit]. We need to organize a new tender process to select a new company. We'll design this road to be safer with additional construction works and road signs.

One direction of the Talin-Lanjik and Lanjik-Gyumri section is complete. Both sections will be ready later next year.

when will the new nuclear plant be ready?

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan: we plan to build a new energy bloc by 2036 because that's when Metsamor NPP will close. The construction will take 7-8 years, so it has to begin no later than 2026-2027. //

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/225048 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067871.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067811.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067816.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067822.html https://youtu.be/HF93sxDz-C4?t=79

public transport reforms in Kotayk and Armavir provinces / small communities to get buses

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan: the auction to select transport companies is complete. Koyatk and Armavir will have a new transportation system. Both provinces will have new buses and microbuses, and new routes that will serve every settlement.

At least 200 communities of Armenia do not have any public transport system today. Those that do, are often irregular and inconvenient. Our goal is to be able to provide quality service to all settlements. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067832.html https://youtu.be/No2_7J6KFgY

bill to regulate the quality of taxi service in the airport

The bill drafted by the Government received a green light from the Parliamentary Economic Committee to proceed.

Government representative: we received many complaints from residents about the poor quality of taxi service in the airport. According to the bill:

1) Type-A license will be required for a taxi to take passengers from the taxi pickup area. The license will cost ֏200K/year [$420].

2) The vehicle must meet visual and functional requirements. It must have the "chess" logo and appropriate writings. The color should be white, although we are open to allowing other colors.

3) Light vehicles older than 7 years won't receive the license. There is a $100 fine for violating this rule. //

HD MP Stambulyan: this is an important bill that regulates the field, but we need to address the issue of individual cabbies. We should also remove the requirement for vehicles to be white. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067777.html https://youtu.be/8HxNULx3qOw

update: holiday bill is amended to return January 2 as a non-working day

The bill, aimed at boosting the economic activity, was approved in the first hearing last month. It would keep December 31, January 1, and January 6 as holidays.

The newest amendment preserves January 2 as a non-working day.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067787.html

High-Tech Ministry launches ֏200M grant program for robotics and space engineering

Startups and already established companies can apply. The participants will come up with ideas for solving any of the current challenges in the space, and will work on the potential for commercialization.

https://hti.am/pages.php?lang=1&id=7780&page_name=news https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067856.html

TIME magazine names Armenian "Robin the robot" one of the best innovations of the year

A little girl refused to eat while a hospital so they brought a robot to entertain her. They played games and chatted for 20 minutes. The robot helps hospital patients to cope with stress.

Robin is used in 12 medical institutions of the world, and will be installed in 100 American hospitals next year. "This is an unprecedented success not only for our team but for the whole of Armenia," said founder Karen Khachikyan.

https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2021/6113107/robin-the-robot/ https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1067847.html

the squad has joined the national soccer team for training, ahead of this week's World Cup matches against Germany & Macedonia

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, André Calisir (Swedish-Armenian-Assyrian), Lucas Zelarayán (Argentinian-Armenian from MLS) and Sargis Adamyan (German-Armenian).

Armenia shares 12 points with Macedonia and is currently #3 in the group, only 1 point behind #2 Romania. The top two teams advance to the next round.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067786.html

archaeologists discovered weird stuff (how about a mass sacrifice near Sevan?)

They found bronze rings, bracelets, and beads during excavations in Karmirgyugh (Gegharkunik). This 15-6th century BC tombstone site is known as "Kanagegh".

Archaeologist: the surface side of the tomb was damaged, indicating that someone had attempted to move the plate but couldn't because of its weight, so they broke it. The burglars vandalized several tombs and stole jewelry.

After removing the excess soil, it became clear that the mausoleum has a cromlech (bronze age structure) with a diameter of 14 meters. We believe another funeral was held in this mausoleum and pottery was laid next to the deceased.

It was a group funeral. The main person was laid separately on the back with contracted legs, while 7-8 others were laid near the feet. This was definitely a group funeral, indicating mass sacrifices made in the Lake Sevan basin.

Artifacts discovered in previous years (1980-) are kept in the Erebuni museum. These findings will also go there. Excavations continue. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067781.html

today in history

1483: German theologist Martin Luther is born, best known as a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. [Give yourself a treat, check out Dan Carlin's "Prophets of Doom" podcast.]

1919: the rifle guy Kalashnikov is born

1961: Stalingrad becomes Volgograd

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067750.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/qr5c6b/news_nov102021_bypass_road_is_ready_army/