2022 July 13

Daily news wrap-up

Jul/13/2022: Your Wednesday news briefing.
by ar_david_hh

---

11 minutes. 2956 words.

today in history

1863: New Yorkers riot after learning they would be drafted to join the Union army in Civil War. They were also angered by the fact that the rich could pay $300 ($5,000 today) to avoid the draft. A major source of tension was the concern that the freed Black residents would relocate to New York and steal their jobs. The rioters trashed the city and killed many Black residents. They were stopped on the 4th day after Abe Lincoln sent a militia. It's considered the worst riot in US history, with 120 dead and 2,000 injured.

1878: Treaty of Berlin. The European powers redraw the map of the Balkans. Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania become independent from Turkey.

1930: The first FIFA soccer world cup begins in Uruguay.

1956: The [Dartmouth workshop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dartmouth_workshop) is the first conference on artificial intelligence. It was a brainstorming session attended by a dozen scientists. The term "Artificial Intelligence" was coined by John McCarthy a year earlier. Prior to that, the "thinking machines" were often referred to as cybernetics, automata theory, and complex information processing.

1977: Amid financial and social turmoil, New York City loses electricity for 24 hours. It leads to widespread looting and fires. Today's news digest is brought to you by Duracell.

2011: UN Security Council Resolution 1999 is adopted, which admits South Sudan to member status of the United Nations.

[article,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_13) [article,](https://www.cnbc.com/2011/02/01/Americas-Most-Destructive-Riots-of-All-Time.html)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan plays the first match with Inter

The Italians visited Switzerland to play a friendly against Lugano. They beat the hosts 1-4. Mkhitaryan played the first half. Here is your boy learning how to kick a ball.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088131.html)

Sevan Startup Summit 2022 has been canceled

Startup Armenia organizes the event every year to invite thousands of startup representatives and investors to camp on Lake Sevan shores.

Organizers: We found a more or less suitable location but due to technical and timing issues we won't be able to organize the event this year. You are welcome to attend the SSSholidays India Goa summit in fall 2022, and the Sevan Startup Summit in 2023. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088162.html)

what is the "Sea of Wine" project?

It launched last year in Yerevan with the help of the EU. The event was attended by the wine industry and government members from the participant states.

The goal is to create a consolidated wine route connecting Armenia, Georgia, Greece, and Ukraine.

Project: We strive to establish the Black Sea region as a wine travel destination and support local businesses. There will be a common label, The Black Sea Wine Glass Member will unite the countries and bring more recognition. We will enhance cross-border cooperation and position the Black Sea region as a single wine tourism destination. //

[Podcast with the program director](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088139.html), [article,](https://icare.am/3978-2/)

Golden Apricot festival guests visited Armavir

The movie festival [is underway](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vszj01/jul62022_news_digest_education_reforms_teachers/) in Yerevan. The guests and the organizers visited the Artashen Winery located in Artashen (Armavir). They planted trees on a symbolic trail.

[article,](https://factor.am/533341.html)

a modern cinematography school will open in Yerevan

The "Yerevan International New Cinema School" will train directors and screenwriters with modern skills. It's a joint project by Golden Apricot, Yerevan Biennale Art Foundation, and the New Cinema School of Moscow.

Golden Apricot rep.: The Golden Apricot festival is underway with many guests. I'm happy that the people who decided to launch the new school are in Yerevan today. The project is in the preparation stage.

Russian school reps.: The schools in Moscow and St. Petersbourg have been operating successfully for several years. They have workshops that compete against each other. They learn how to build the script, shoot, and edit.

I see things in Armenia that are not captured in Armenian movies. An old man walks through a narrow alley between houses. His rhythm is not shown in the film because it's not easy to present it. You can't do it by putting the camera in one place. There is a procedure that will allow you to capture the moment. //

A special training program was developed for Armenia. The admission process will begin soon. The education will last 2 years.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088163.html)

Armenians worked on many of the projects nominated for Emmy Awards 2022

Arno Stephanian is nominated for his Sound Mixing work in Ted Lasso. Here is the long list of Armenians who worked on other successful projects:

[article,](https://en.armradio.am/2022/07/13/a-number-of-armenian-tv-personalities-vying-for-emmy-awards-2022/)

Yerevan residents shut down the construction of a crucial road with complaints about the high level of dust in the air

300 condos are being built in Yerevan right now. That's why the dust is so unprecedented bad this year. A slight wind can turn the sky grey, but the only thing that will rain is dust particles.

Yesterday the residents shut down the area between Silikian district and Hakhtanak district (4th village). There is a north-south road construction here. They complain that the construction began a month earlier and ever since they haven't been able to breathe fresh air. The municipality promised to address the issue.

[continue](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/240711)

emergency crews are bracing for wildfires amid 107F temps

The Ministry summoned an emergency meeting to discuss the water sources that firefighter helicopters could use for extinguishing wildfires, and the need to cooperate with local authorities to prevent fires.

They are using drones to monitor risky areas.

[article,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/301478/)

anti-corruption: dirty cop is arrested with a big plot twist

Authorities report: A police captain from Vagharshapat hosted several residents who wanted to buy driver's licenses. He demanded a $350-$600 bribe from each, in exchange for helping them skip both exams.

But there is a major plot twist. The captain defrauded the residents by taking the cash and never providing any help. The ACC has launched a corruption case against the captain. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088169.html)

Azeri war veterans held a rally with demands for the government to take action against the high suicide rate

On [June 2nd](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/v3hysm/jun22022_your_daily_news_digest_military/) we learned about a high suicide rate among Azeri 2020 war participants, and their complaints about the lack of state support. They broke into a government building that day.

Today a group of veterans rallied in front of the parliament building with demands to meet the MPs.

Veterans: Take steps to reduce the suicide rate. We are already aware of 36 incidents but the real number is much higher. My friend also committed suicide but it wasn't revealed. This is driven by the fact that veterans live in poor conditions, have financial hardship, and can't work. What can they do with the 80 manat pension? //

The MPs couldn't meet the protesters because they are on vacation, so the protesters marched toward the president's office.

[article,](https://factor.am/533374.html)

diasporans are helping to manufacture Level 4 helmets and bulletproof vests for the army

Hay Viravor Herosner Foundation: We are cooperating with a company that's delivering the same products to the US army. We transferred the technology here. The staff was retrained to use the same materials and have the same product. The products will be donated to the army.

The helmets and vests are also lightweight, unlike the ones used during the 2020 war. You can't move when you're carrying 20 kilos.

The level-4 kevlar helmets have 35 layers.

The vests have a protective ceramic layer consisting of 61 pieces of ceramic stones. This way it can protect against multiple shots. If it was one large ceramic stone, one bullet could shatter the entire thing.

[video,](https://youtu.be/54R9IhAgD44)

Finance Minister about 2023 budget and debt:

▶︎ The debt is expected to be ֏5.246 trillion. The debt-to-GDP ratio will drop below 60%, to 58%.

▶︎ ֏260 billion to service the debt interests.

▶︎ Steps were taken to change the composition of debt to reduce risks. The share of the Armenian dram has risen, and foreign currency has shrunk.

▶︎ Soon there will be further fundamental reforms in the composition of the state debt.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088152.html)

heads up: the gas cylinder in a gas-powered vehicle must undergo (actual) safety checks starting next month otherwise gas stations won't refill it

Last year the government approved the law to require gas vehicles to undergo safety checks every 2-3 years to reduce the risk of [explosions](https://youtu.be/EI_Dwg1HGmM?t=76). A company was chosen through a tender to create a centralized electronic database that will hold information about safety checks. It will be accessible to the police and relevant agencies.

Infrastructure Ministry: Starting next month, the gas station won't be allowed to fill the cylinder if it hasn't been installed, checked, and certified by a [licensed company](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088173.html). The drivers have a few more weeks to go through the safety check.

As a good old tradition, many drivers have chosen to wait until the last days, so now there are long lines. The certification companies took advantage of this and jacked up the prices. We have no authority to regulate the prices.

Gas stations that ignore the certification requirement will be fined; ֏200k for the first offense. The vast majority of them have already joined the electronic database.

The number of companies licensed to conduct the checks is increasing, and more will be available in provinces soon to address the current gap. The new safety checks will also allow us to finally have statistics about the real number of gas-powered vehicles in Armenia. //

In the past, the cylinders were checked by authorized but not "licensed" companies, with lower standards. If the driver already has an active permit to use the cylinder, they don't need to go through this process now. Once the permit expires, they need to go through safety checks every 2-3 years.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088165.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088173.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/7Aq0WIIsxfo) [video,](https://youtu.be/EI_Dwg1HGmM?t=70)

Yerevan's Seasons Park bans the use of scooters because we can't have nice things without people hurting themselves and others

Park admins: Kids are not safe when people ride the scooters next to them. Let's hope there will be separate lanes for scooters in the future. //

Read the [June 29 digest](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vnq5ww/jun292022_news_foreign_firms_begin_paying_taxes/) for context.

[article,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/301474/)

another settlement is connected to gigabit fiber-optic internet

TEAM ISP has expanded its fiber coverage to include 3,000 residents of Metsamor. It's also available in Jermuk, Kajaran, Hrazdan, village Gnvedaz, and two districts of Yerevan.

Company: Metsamor is one of the largest industrial cities in Armenia with the potential to develop in the tech direction. We hope the presence of a fiber-optic network in the region will serve as an incentive for the formation of a local IT industry.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088166.html)

government will send $80,000 in aid to Armenians and Yezidis living in Iraqi Kurdistan

Some Armenians had to be relocated from various parts of Iraq and Syria to the Iraqi Kurdistan region. There are 250 Armenian families who need humanitarian assistance. Part of the donation will go towards helping refugees living in camps, mostly Yezidis and other minorities.

[article,](https://factor.am/533476.html)

draft bill: citizenship applicants will be required to reside at least 60 days in Armenia to qualify

NSS: We submitted a bill to amend the citizenship law. Citizenship applicants will be required to be Armenian residents for at least 60 days over the span of 2 years to qualify for citizenship.

The Constitution says that ethnic Armenians have the right to become citizens after settling in Armenia, but the law doesn't specify how long is "settled".

The current law was meant to promote repatriation, but the practice shows that many applicants only visit Armenia once to get the citizenship, or visit once every 5 years, and do not carry out pro-Armenian activities. The passport is often obtained for the sole purpose of gaining the right to travel to other countries.

We also learned that foreign citizens have been using falsified church documents about being baptized, so they can qualify for citizenship.

The amended law will require them to spend some time in Armenia, which will strengthen the connection with homeland, promote repatriation, reduce the number of applicants who exploit the system for other purposes, and will give us sufficient time to verify if the person qualifies for citizenship.

[more,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/240716) [more,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088190.html)

Constitutional Court will ask the Venice Commission for advice on whether the new illegal asset forfeiture law is legal

The opposition parties representing the former regime had earlier asked the top court to strike down the new law, which has already been used against several officials accused of possessing stolen assets.

The top court will ask the Venice Commission for help to understand if certain parts of the law are legal.

[article,](https://factor.am/533450.html)

active tourism is developing in Armenia, with a new very long and fast zipline | PHOTO/VIDEO

The Future Resort company operates hotels in Tavush and the Yell Extreme Park in Yenokavan. The latter has a ZipLine, Paragliding, Rope Park, Off-road vehicles, and Horseback Riding.

97,000 tourists visited Yenokavan in 2019. They hope the new infrastructure will bring the number to 250,000.

The government's ANIF fund has partnered with the company to invest in new infrastructure. The construction will end soon.

CEO: Armenia aspires to become a regional center of extreme tourism. We are building a long zipline, new hotel buildings, new kitchen.

The region's longest (and top-10 in the world) zipline will have a ~2.5km length and 300-meter height. You'll travel for 4 minutes at a maximum 120km/h speed. It'll be ready this year.

The $1.6m investment by ANIF is a great example of cooperation between the state and the private sector. It has great social significance because it develops local communities.

ANIF rep.: We are happy to invest in successful and profitable projects. This is an investment in Armenia's tourism and infrastructure.

[video,](https://youtu.be/mYN0TZOYqY0?t=8) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088175.html)

Russia continues to face paper and ink shortage

The government could soon amend the national standards to reduce the use of ink and paper in products, by changing the label dimensions. The producers are lobbying to minimize the type of information they are required to print on the label.

In some regions of Russia, offices have been occasionally using pieces of cardboard from consumer products instead of office paper while communicating with clients. The shortage started after the Western sanctions.

[article,](https://factor.am/533229.html)

Armenia ends the 7-year-long ban on Chinese poultry imports

The food safety agency has lifted the ban on the import of live birds, poultry meat, eggs, feeds, and similar products from China, based on the information published by World Organization for Animal Health. The ban had been in effect since 2015.

[article,](http://arka.am/en/news/business/armenia_lifts_ban_on_import_of_poultry_meat_from_china_/)

UK ambassador visits Syunik and Vayots Dzor

Gallagher observed the results of several UK-funded projects. He highlighted UK's support to Armenia's border regions and wanted to hear first-hand about the challenges that the UK can potentially help with.

The ambassador visited Goris, Kapan, Meghri, Vayk, and Yeghegnadzor.

In Vayk, he met the staff of Vayots Dzor Regional State College who have attended training courses aimed at improving the quality of the online vocational education provided by the college. This initiative was supported by the UK.

He also met participants of paid on-the-job training courses that provide new skills to unemployed people with a focus on young women, IDPs, veterans, and people with disabilities.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088171.html)

EU representative Toivo Klaar visited Armenia

Klaar met Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan and EU's ambassador Wiktorin. They spoke about the Brussels meetings aimed at normalizing AM-AZ relations.

Klaar met Pashinyan and spoke about the efforts to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the implementation of agreements reached in Brussels, and the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088191.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088193.html)

demining operations began on the Turkey-Armenia border, while border residents hope the railway link will reopen to revive the economy

Turkish media: Concrete steps are being taken in the process of establishing relations between Armenia and Turkey. The residents of Kars are eagerly waiting for the reopening of the Dogukapi checkpoint. There are also reports that an Israeli company was hired to conduct demining operations on the TR-AM border; they launched the works near Ibish village 20 days ago but it wasn't reported officially. //

Turkish media: Armenia-Turkiye train brings back nostalgia for people at the border. A former worker recalls the 'busy days' when there was a railway connection between Kars and Gyumri. People are waiting for the Dogukapi [Kars-Gyumri] border crossing to reopen after nearly three decades. From Kars, there is another regional train departing for the Akyaka district, located near the Armenian border.

Ilim Goktas: I worked at this train station for 6 years. Peace and tranquility will come to the region and our economy will revive. We used to import coal, fiber, sunflower, cotton, and iron from Armenia and Russia. In return, we would send livestock to the Soviet Union through this gate.

Businessperson Alican Alibeyoglu: This railway is an old Silk Road that extends to China and Siberia. Opening the gate will contribute to the development of the region. //

Petros Shirinoglu, head of Union of Armenian Foundations of Turkey: The phone talk between Pashinyan and Erdogan took the growing optimism to a new level. The normalization of bilateral ties will pave the way for a positive climate, which will benefit social life and institutional activities. Our society, symbolizing the continuity of the tradition of co-existence of two ancient peoples, passionately backs this process.

[article,](https://factor.am/533186.html) [article,](https://factor.am/533213.html)

/en/turkey/armenia-turkiye-train-brings-back-nostalgia-for-people-at-border/2503327+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

en/turkiye/armenian-foundations-in-turkiye-welcome-growing-momentum-of-normalization-process/2635707

someone fired shots at a journalist's house

Journalist-activist Tehmine Yenokyan's condo door was vandalized by an unknown individual a few months ago.

A few weeks later she heard a gunshot but ignored it. Hours later she noticed a bullet hole in her window. The police found the bullet in the apartment.

A few weeks after the first shot, a similar incident left another bullet hole in her window.

The police arrested her former fiancée. He gave a confession.

[article,](https://factor.am/533462.html) [article,](https://youtu.be/y6BUy-Q0QO0)

in case you missed

Yesterday's news in English, русский (by Impossible-Ad-). Archive by Armeniapedia. Donate to Armenia & Artsakh here

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

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vye1gv/jul132022_your_wednesday_news_briefing/