2022 July 25

Daily news wrap-up

Monday news digest from Armenia. Jul/25/2022.
by ar_david_hh

---

12 minutes. 3167 words.

the state will provide free healthcare to over 2,000 athletes representing Olympic sports

Ministry: The program launches on July 24. It will include services with the latest and most expensive technologies, complex tests, and dental care.

The athletes used to receive only ambulatory care at a clinic. They should receive great medical care for injuries, fitness improvement, and being generally healthy and competitive. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088868.html)

COVID stats for the past week

6158 tested. 956 infected. 547 healed. 7 deaths. 1144 currently sick.

BA.5 is the most common Omicron variant in Armenia

CDC: We continue to conduct a molecular-genetic examination of samples of patients who test positive. We have discovered the original Omicron variant (B 1.1.529), the BA.2 (aka "Stealth"), BA.4, and BA.5 (predominant).

Get vaccinated, get boosted, and follow the safety rules. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088920.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088956.html)

private cash flow from Russia to Armenia has reached record levels

2021 | 2022 (in million dollars)

Jan: 40 | 40

Feb: 52 | 82

Mar: 63 | 116

Apr: 64 | 174

May: 72 | 266 (record)

Cash transfers from the US have also increased, going from $46m to $58m in May.

[source,](https://factor.am/537283.html)

economy grew 11.8% in the first half of this year

January: +14.8%

February: +8.2%

March: +6.7%

Q1: +9.6%

April: +8.8%

June: +18.5% (foreign trade +71%, industry +19%)

H1: +11.8%

... in H1

Industrial production +6%

Agriculture -6%

Construction +13%

Trade turnover +11%

External trade +44% (import +49%, export +36%)

Electricity production +15%

Services +27%

Consumer price index +8.1%

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088919.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081523.html) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/144874) [source,](https://factor.am/537185.html) [source,](http://arka.am/en/news/business/armenia_s_foreign_trade_soars_by_44_in_first_half_of_2022_to_over_5_1_billion/)

Armenia wants to establish trade representation in Poland

Economy Ministry hosted the Polish ambassador today to discuss the strengthening of economic cooperation and commercial partnerships.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088911.html)

Armenia will import more wheat from Russia this year

The EAEU has approved Armenia's petition to import more wheat. This year the overall consumption is 377k tons, from which 275k tons will be imported from Russia.

Armenia will also import sunflower oil, barley, and corn from Russia.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1088913.html)

Turkey's special envoy Serdar Kilic visited the Armenian border as part of efforts to normalize AM-TR relations | PHOTO

The delegation visited the historical Ani, museums, and the [Dogukapi border railway checkpoint](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vye1gv/jul132022_your_wednesday_news_briefing/) with Armenia.

Simultaneously, an Israeli company was hired to conduct demining operations on the Turkish side. One person has been injured after a landmine explosion.

[source,](https://factor.am/537087.html) [source,](https://factor.am/537259.html)

Pashinyan and Anthon Blinken had a phone call

They discussed AM-US relations, regional security, AM-TR relations, AM-AZ relations, the unblocking of roads, locating missing persons, and the return of POWs.

Blinken: We welcome your telephone conversation with Erdogan on July 11. We the US is willing to support the efforts to normalize relations.

[source,](https://factor.am/537417.html)

government is relaunching the ["Neruzh"](http://diaspora.gov.am/en/programs/31/neruzh) repatriation program for professionals and tech startups

>The NerUzh Diaspora Tech Startup Program was successfully piloted in 2018 as a means of attracting Diaspora tech and business talent back to the homeland.

>[It] is designed to introduce diaspora entrepreneurs to the possibilities of basing their startups in Armenia and familiarize them with the country’s business practices as well as the local ecosystem.

>The winners of the competition—provided that they present a business plan, company registration in Armenia and a local corporate bank account—are invited to repatriate to Armenia and awarded between $15,000 and $30,000 in funding, as well as mentorship to grow their businesses

The re-branded program is returning after a 2-year break. The Neruzh 3.0 will take place in September in Dilijan, with 60 representatives of 30 startups from around the world. It's being implemented in partnership with the My Step Foundation.

The [new website](https://neruzh.am/en/) is accepting applications until August. To qualify, the startup must have Armenian co-founders.

High Tech Minister: One of the goals is to create 10 international companies and help them capture the international market.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088939.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088939.html)

prosecutors could press felony charges over the collapse of the road near Hamalir in May

It took a month to repair the busy section of the collapsed road (Leningradyan-Tsitserbanaberd Highway). A nearby condo construction company was accused of violating the code.

Inspectors: We have examined several locations on Tsitsernakaberd Highway. There is sufficient evidence indicating a crime. The findings were sent to prosecutors.

In March 2020, Yerevan's urban development committee approved the construction project. In June 2020 and March 2022, mayors Hayk Marutyan and Hrachya Sargsyan approved and re-approved the illegally-designed project.

The junctions intended for the entrance/exit of the underground floors/garages of the residential buildings were built outside of the boundaries of the lands owned by the project developer.

The construction firm SahakyanShin carried out the works with gross violations of the agreed work plan. They conducted demolition and earthworks outside the boundaries, along the highway.

They also violated a requirement about a 27-degree pit slope, which led to the collapse of the section of the highway.

We submitted documents to revoke the company's construction license. The municipality officials had also failed to carry out their duties, failed to prevent the illegal use of city lands, and aided the illegal activities by approving the project. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088884.html)

Yerevan's "Vernissage" open-air market operator is accused of large-scale tax evasion

NSS: The head of the LLC that rents the Vernissage area conspired with other individuals to evade taxes in 2019-2022.

They charged sellers $2/day for a pavilion but didn't print the receipts, or printed fake receipts showing a lower price tag, to conceal the real revenues. They evaded ֏233.5m in taxes. //

[source,](https://youtu.be/JjF26ziHLIU) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088941.html)

marriage registrations and ceremonies are getting cheaper in Armenia | VIDEO

Justice Ministry provides marriage registration ceremonies for newlywed couples in Hamalir. From now on, the official ceremony and the entry free will cost ֏20k each, down from ֏60k.

Foreign citizens can also apply to register their marriage in Armenia after bringing marriage documents from their country's relevant authorities.

[source,](https://youtu.be/5a6kniD5NlE) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088957.html)

Dan Bilzerian did not get married

He posted a wedding-themed photo of him walking with his girlfriend, and titled it "finally did it."

It turns out Bilzerian attended his friend's wedding in France, where his girlfriend was one of the bridesmaids.

[instagram,](https://www.instagram.com/p/CgbJezyOazL/) [source,](https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/photo-that-convinced-people-dan-bilzerian-got-married-20220725)

Armenian vampires have been spotted in the wild

A Netflix movie will feature Armenian vampire hunter characters from Glendale.

The upcoming vampire action comedy film DAY SHIFT, starring Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg, will feature Nazarian Brothers (played by non-Armenians) as vampire hunters from Glendale.

[original,](https://www.armenianfilmsociety.com/news/netflix-film-to-feature-armenian-vampire-hunter-characters-from-glendale) [article,](https://en.armradio.am/2022/07/25/netflix-film-to-feature-armenian-vampire-hunter-characters-from-glendale/) [trailer,](https://youtu.be/GN_IwBptKi4)

khachkar and tombstone with inscriptions were accidentally discovered while cleaning the territory of a monastery in Artsakh | PHOTOS

Bri Yeghtsi Monastery is located in the village of Hatsi, Martuni. The discovery was made while cleaning the area of weed, as part of efforts funded by the church and Dr. Virginia Davies's "Save Armenian Monuments" project.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088880.html) [source,](https://www.aysor.am/am/news/2022/07/23/%D4%B1%D6%80%D6%81%D5%A1%D5%AD/1990750) [source,](https://twitter.com/ArtsakhOfficial/status/1459144559024295941)

newly built Armenian church opens in Malaga, Spain | PHOTO

The Church sent a delegation to conduct the official Դռնբացեք ceremony and give a blessing. It will have a Sunday school and hold events for the local Armenian community.

There are few Armenian churches in Spain. The country has an approximately 40,000-strong Armenian diaspora.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088900.html) [source,](https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/301705/First_Armenian_church_inaugurated_in_Spain) [source,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenians_in_Spain)

a bypass road is being asphalted in Syunik to connect Kapan to southern villages | PHOTO

This is the section where part of the state highway ended up on the Azeri side after the war. Kapan is to the north, and Chakaten is to the south of the problematic area.

The new 7.5km road will connect Kapan to Chakaten, Shikahogh, Srashen, Tsav, and Sishkert villages (stretching south).

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088942.html) [source,](https://www.facebook.com/armroad.am/posts/pfbid0y7LZWw7ZucpECubqnoUPAhEc7hL8rswv26Ba8XmNq3EAkYH9TGz1jZGzA7dmwsaul)

Armenia celebrated water festival Vardavar | VIDEO

Gyumri filled the fountains across the city ahead of the celebrations and created a separate area for children to play safely. The day began with the washing of statues located in Theater Square. The municipality's water trucks were locked at loaded in the main square.

[Video of the countdown and mass jrotsi in Gyumri.](https://youtu.be/f48uzIDLPL8)

[Photos from Gyumri](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/241328).

[Photos from Vanadzor](https://factor.am/536976.html).

[Video from Aghavno, Artsakh.](https://youtu.be/BGb8HtBN_qg)

[In Kyiv](https://factor.am/536996.html), the Armenian community attended church, watered each other, and received free medical advice from volunteer doctors.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088876.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088892.html) [source,](https://factor.am/536996.html)

this is how Vardavar was celebrated at Yerevan's hockey & figure skating sports center | VIDEO

The ice machine brought a bunch of snow for the children waiting in the backyard. Everyone started playing snowball in the middle of summer.

Parent: Not a single parent is worried about their child catching a cold, lol.

A grown-ass man: We all enjoyed the snowball fight very much 😃.

The public was given the opportunity to watch performances by figure skaters indoors.

[video,](https://youtu.be/QHENl-yzgmY?t=6)

drowning incidents in Lake Sevan have significantly decreased

Emergency Ministry: Years ago we would record 10-14 deaths in Sevan during the swimming season. Last year was 0. This year we recorded 1 drowning after a group used motorboats to enter the lake for swimming.

The rescue teams are working in an enhanced mode, on multiple beaches. The increased effectiveness of our rescuers, coupled with new technologies and awareness campaigns, has contributed to the reduction of deaths.

Most problems are caused by drunk swimmers. People often use water bicycles, travel beyond the warning buoys, and can't come back because of heavy winds.

The majority of deaths are among people who know how to swim. Confident in their abilities, they can ignore safety rules and find themselves in difficult situations.

If you use a motorboat, do not ride it fast in areas close to the beach, where people swim. //

[more,](https://youtu.be/CkIyrOLf9j0) https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088938.html

Yerevan will build and renovate hundreds of new fire hydrants to help the firefighters | VIDEO

Municipality: The capital has around 600 fire hydrants, over half of which haven't been functional for many years, causing issues for firefighters.

We will build 100 new hydrants and renovate another 150. The construction is underway. //

[video,](https://youtu.be/OdGAL0s1i7g?t=11) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088875.html)

speakers were installed in all 12 districts of Yerevan to play morning music synchronously with the City Hall's clock tower | VIDEO

Mayor Hrachya: It's going to [play the tunes](https://youtu.be/lmSlrJOVRIQ?t=8) of the Erebuni-Yerevan anthem once an hour, for a duration of 3-4 seconds, starting at 7 am. The city will wake up early, the workday will begin early.

We got a lot of jokes about the music potentially disturbing the residents. But the thing is, it had been playing for the past 25 days and people only noticed it after my Facebook post. I'm sure not much has changed in their morning routine.

You can also check the time and weather on the newly installed LED display on the roof of the opera building. The old display was broken beyond repair. //

Resident: 7 am is too early for the music.

Reporter: Have you heard the music?

Resident: No. What is it playing?

Reporter: The Erebuni-Yerevan anthem.

Resident: Ohhh. Then it's worth it!

Resident 2: It's akin to Soviet totalitarianism.

Resident 3: We should help business owners to wake up early so they can take care of deliveries from 6 am to 8 am, so the roads won't be clogged with their cargo trucks around 9 am.

[video,](https://youtu.be/ttOCz_A1iqw?t=20), [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088862.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/-vBVQA2INnM) [video,](https://youtu.be/lmSlrJOVRIQ?t=8)

Yerevan will have new bus stops

The city will purchase new furniture and revamp 10 bus stops. The efforts are underway.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/241375)

the sad little soccer pitch next to Yerevan's Vazgen Sargsyan soccer stadium is finally being revamped | VIDEO

HFF: The construction is underway. We are building a soccer school named after Khoren Abrahamyan next to the pitch. It should be ready by October.

The grass will be installed once the building is ready. It will be 105x68, per international standards.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/241384)

Yerevan's Opera and Republic Square buildings will have a new lighting system

The municipality plans to implement "artistic solutions". They are discussing several options before testing them on some of the buildings to see what percentage of you will complain about it.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088948.html)

Yerevan has a new art gallery in downtown | PHOTOS

Co-founder Simonyan: The goal of the Form & Seasons gallery is to discover new talent and make their artistic voice more recognizable in the cultural world.

The emphasis is on sculptures by over 25 artists of various ages. We've noticed that the public generally prefers paintings, so this is an attempt to gradually convince them to appreciate sculptures.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088867.html)

blood donors will receive free tickets to enjoy State Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra: We launched a new promotional program with Yolyan Hematology Center and IDBank. It'll help promote blood donations and classical music. The donors will receive a free ticket for two. Armenia always needs extra blood. //

[Here is how to donate blood.](https://blood.am/eng/blood-donors/information)

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088967.html)

polls: Armenia-Russia-USSR

The collapse of USSR was bad for Armenia: 67% agree, 22% disagree

The living standards were better during USSR: 52% yes

Armenia should continue to be part of EAEU bloc: 40% yes

Armenia should form a union state with Russia, Belarus: 34% yes, 37% no

Share of population who views Russia as Armenia's closest friend: 83% in 2013, 63% in 2017, 35% in 2021.

[source,](https://youtu.be/99_nUsGyZ1g)

Indian migrants in Armenia | VIDEO

2,660 Indians visited Armenia in Q1 2022, around 100 of whom decided to stay.

126 people applied specifically for work: 60 approved, 11 rejected.

Expert: Armenia became an attractive destination starting in 2017 when the visa regime was simplified, allowing Indians to receive a Visa on the border or via e-Visa. A later amendment made it slightly more difficult.

Farhad in Yerevan: We were facing financial hardship before COVID so we decided to give our jewelry to a pawn shop to borrow cash. Two months later we went to repay the loan but the owner claimed the gold was stolen. They told us to contact the police, but we can't, because we are undocumented. We need our gold before we can go back. We moved to Armenia 3 years ago. Our daughter was born here.

Prakash: We don't have documents. I work whenever there is an opportunity: sanitation, labor, etc. Some employers are very nice and even invite me for a dinner, while others can swindle and never pay. I get paid from 2k to 7k per day.

[continue,](https://youtu.be/_n4TJM6ic3k) [article](https://factor.am/536563.html)

Armenia is included in CNN's list of the world's 23 best hiking trails

>Easily overlooked, Armenia has some of the best walking trails in Europe.

>The 11-day [Armenia and the Silk Road trip](http://www.walksworldwide.com/holiday/beyond_the_silk_road.html) takes in some of its finest routes, connecting the UNESCO protected monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat, passing over limestone peaks and through verdant forests, with the opportunity to hike in the wild Geghama Mountains and climb to the top of Aragats, the country's tallest mountain.

[source,](https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/world-best-hiking-trails-cmd/index.html)

Zarni-Parni is gaining popularity among tourists | VIDEO

In this high-altitude place in Lori, you can learn about the history of the region, eat tasty food, and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Czech tourist: Look at these beautiful gorges covered in forests. Czechia is mostly flat. I feel like in a movie right now. The region's story helps reinforce that feeling. //

[see it yourself,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=external&v=725397328777231) [article,](https://factor.am/536739.html)

Armenia's Greco-Roman wrestlers won 4 medals during an international tournament in Poland | VIDEO

67kg Slavik Galstyan won the gold medal after [defeating his Japanese opponent 8:1](https://www.facebook.com/watch/wrestlingArm/). Other athletes won 2 silver and 1 bronze.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088935.html)

Armenia is preparing for World Robot Olympiad

A competition will be organized in Armenia to choose the students who will represent the country. It's co-organized by AYB Foundation and Rostelecom.

This year the number of students has doubled, and the girls' involvement in robotics has also increased. 16 teams from across Armenia will compete.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088909.html)

robot attacks a child, breaks his finger | VIDEO

A chess tournament was held in Moscow, attended by a robot player. A 7yo child was playing against it when the bot smashed the child's finger with its metal paw.

The conflict was reportedly caused by the child's failure to wait for his turn before touching the desk. "That's a chess lesson for ya, ya little prick," mumbled the robot before calling Uber to voluntarily get his copper-ass to the nearby scrapyard.

[video,](https://youtu.be/puesJgxZquA?t=8)

Armenia will launch the second imaging satellite by 2024: Minister

High-Tech Minister Khachatryan: The second one will also be an imaging satellite. The launch date will be sometime in 2023 or 2024, I don't have the exact date.

... we want to produce satellites in Armenia

Our main goal is to launch a satellite production in Armenia. It's an ambitious plan, and we must strive to accomplish it.

We are negotiating with various companies to understand what components can be produced in Armenia at this stage. Our Soviet-era capabilities have been partially preserved, we have excellent scientists.

By the end of this year, we will have a control station for the ARMSAT_1 satellite. The efforts are underway. They are delivering the equipment ordered by us. Simultaneously, there will be expert retraining programs. //

[source,](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31959042.html) [source,](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31958586.html)

the first images taken by Armenia's first satellite will be available in the coming days

Partner Satlantis: After the successful launch a month ago and its smooth entering into a sun-synchronous orbit, the satellite URDANETA-ARMSAT_1 is correctly revolving around Earth, and we are proud to state its good health.

The commissioning of the satellite platform is nearing its completion and we are looking forward to the next steps, like the upcoming calibration of the payload and the reception of the satellite images. //

[source,](https://satlantis.com/urdaneta-armsat_1-mission-update/) [source,](https://factor.am/537034.html)

a look back at the previous STARMUS science festival

Read [July 19 digest for context](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/w32hbf/your_tuesday_news_digest_from_armenia_jul192022/) about STARMUS and its founder Garik Israelyan. This year the organizers will hold the 6th festival. Flashback to the first festival:

Starmus 1: 50 years of man in space

It was held in the Canary Islands in 2011. Apollo astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and others appeared on stage with their Soviet counterparts Alexei Leonov and Victor Gorbatko.

Garik Israelian: Many people didn't believe Neil Armstrong would participate in the event because of his rare public appearances. We lost our credibility, people thought we were crazy. And then he came!

Neil Armstrong's last public speech: Let us hope that our grandchildren at our age can look back and say, “The 20th century was a century of advancement and improvement in technology, and the 21st century was a century of advancement and improvement in human character. And that may just qualify us as humans from Earth to sally forth and expand the human presence beyond Earth not to take with us our worst behavior, but rather to be accompanied by our best behavior. //

Alexei Leonov, the first person to conduct a spacewalk, described the early days of the Soviet space program.

[continue](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1088783.html)

the most popular (searched) consumer brands around the world

Country: Overall, Beer, Fast Food

Armenia: Amazon, Heineken, KFC

Georgia: eBay, Brewdog, KFC

Azerbaijan: Netflix, Heineken, McDonald's

Turkey: Netflix, Carlsberg, Burger King

Russia: IKEA, Heineken, KFC

The top smartphone, coffee, and video game brands in every country are Apple, Starbucks, and Epic Games.

[see it,](https://businessfinancing.co.uk/popular-consumer-brands/) [read it,](https://digg.com/data-viz/link/the-most-popular-consumer-brands-in-the-world-visualized-mrcSC2BcaP)

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.

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/w81gfo/monday_news_digest_from_armenia_jul252022/