2022 March 18

Daily news wrap-up

Mar/18/2022: Story behind "American biolabs" in Armenia __ Armenia wants EU's driver exam standards __ Yerevanyan Lake shores to be revamped __ How did agriculture do? __ Developing electric transport __ Education programs __ Happiness index __ Azerb. concerns over IT-shniks __ Polytechnic
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 8-minute Friday digest in 2101 words.

VIDEO: what will Yerevanyan Lake's new recreation area look like?

As you know from [Tuesday report](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/tf1dgd/mar152022_yerevan_to_acquire_trolleys_european/), the municipality plans to clean the shores of Yerevan Lake and build a recreation zone.

A public tender will be organized soon to choose a firm to launch the construction this year. The abandoned չոլ will have an alley, bike lane, benches, toilets, disability access. There will be improvements to the 2.8 hectares of the unkept area between the US embassy and the gas station.

Yerevan official: There will be 300 new trees and 2,100 bushes, watered by a new irrigation network. The lake water will be cleaned and the shores will be reinforced with black soil. An open-air gym will be built.

https://youtu.be/918fccPhaLA www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/03/18/Երևանյան-լճի-աջակողմյան-հատվածում-հանգստի-գոտի-կկառուցվի-նաև-տարածքի-մաքրման-աշխատանքներ-կկատարվեն/684281

Armenia and Russia discussed biological safety threats on CIS territory

The Russian government has long complained about "US-funded biolabs" in the former USSR republics, long before the Ukraine war.

2016

In Armenia, the "concerns" about biolabs began in 2016. The target was Armenian CDC's Reference Laboratory Center, located in Yerevan. The opening ceremony of this center, and its adjacent facility that studies food safety, took place in 2016, attended by US ambassador and Armenian officials. More branches later opened in provinces.

The lab received its $14M funding under Pentagon's Defense Threat Reduction Agency initiative (DTRA), but it's operated by the Armenian ministry. Its task is to reduce the risk of infectious and dangerous pathogens and diseases, and strengthen Armenia's capabilities to track the spread of disease.

2017-2018

The opposition to this lab began shortly after its opening in 2016. Some Armenian figures gave interviews to Russian media to express their concern. The following year, a group of protesters gathered in front of the US embassy.

2019

Armenia agrees to allow Russian experts to enter the lab for safety checks. Pashinyan announced that Russian experts were in the lab to conduct studies.

2022

The topic was largely forgotten until Russia made claims about biolabs in eastern Ukraine.

Protesters gathered in front of the US embassy in Yerevan. Led by Hayk Ayvazyan -- a figure who presents himself as an anti-Nazi and a protector of Christian values -- the group expressed support for Russia's actions in Ukraine. Ayvazyan has been a staunch opponent of the lab since its foundation in 2016.

On Thursday, officials from Armenia and Russia discussed the implementation of a memorandum on partnership on ensuring biological safety, signed in 2021. They also spoke about bio-safety in the CIS territory.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078212.html https://www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/2021/05/06/FMs_Armenia_Russia_meeting/10932 https://eurasianet.org/armenia-to-open-doors-of-us-built-biolabs-to-russia www.civilnet.am/news/654096/կենսաբանական-զենքի-ռուսական-թեզը՝-ուկրաինայից-հայաստան/ https://media.am/hy/verified/2022/03/10/32006/?__cf_chl_tk=FdyGJIn9rbgXo9fqqF1sSv.sg1D_RvqYfKfusMQYfBw-1647616984-0-gaNycGzNBv0 https://fip.am/188 https://armtimes.com/hy/article/143980

Tags: #biolabs

Hello, sugar. Want to have some fun for $100/kilo?

Panic buying was observed in multiple cities in Russia. Shoppers rush to get their hands on sugar:

https://youtu.be/_9bDv4qbkmk

Elderly lady struggling to find affordable sugar. She has hypoglycemia and needs something sweet in her pocket at all times:

https://youtu.be/N6AH-gBWwQw?t=4

A man bought a bag of sugar right from the delivery truck after waiting in line for 2 hours:

https://youtu.be/N6AH-gBWwQw?t=68

Armenian authorities to discuss Teghut mine's problems with Russian operators

Russian VTB bank's Armenian branch owns the Teghut copper mine, located in northern Armenia. It is the 10th largest taxpayer.

VTB Russia was sanctioned by the West last week. Shortly afterward, the mine operator in Armenia informed workers about suspending operations. While there were rumors that the suspension is due to sanctions, the operator said they are taking a pause to fix the waste disposal and pipes.

Economy Minister Kerobyan: Since maximizing economic growth is very important to us, we will do our best to ensure that the mine is idle as little as possible, especially, given the high price of copper. VTB management will arrive in Armenia soon. There are several scenarios. //

http://arka.am/en/news/business/armenian_authorities_to_discuss_teghut_copper_mine_s_problems_with_vtb_bank_management/ https://asbarez.com/russian-mining-giant-to-suspend-operations-in-armenia/

EAEU bloc expands the import tariff waiver to help individuals who rely on imported goods amid sanctions

Individuals who buy an item from an online store for personal use won't have to pay a customs duty if it's worth under €1,000. The threshold was raised from €200. The amendment expired in October. If it's worth over €1,000 or weighs above 31 kg, there is a 15% tariff.

https://factor.am/488915.html

Armenian tourism operators advertised their services in Moscow

MITT Moscow tourism expo was held in Moscow. Armenia's Tourism Committee and 13 private travel agencies operated a pavilion. Contacts were established with colleagues from Sochi and St. Petersburg.

>There is big interest from Russia to expand cooperation, they are eager to work more effectively with Armenia. We even talked about proposals on Yerevan becoming a hub from where it will be possible to connect with the world

Russians wanted more info about flights to Armenia. It is one of the few destinations where Russian tourists can travel freely. Armenian companies offered gastro tourism, adventure, and culture-related options.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1078202.html

concerns grow in Azerbaijan over the flow of Russian IT specialists to Armenia

President of the Internet Forum of Azerbaijan: There are almost a million IT specialists in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. They are currently looking for the right conditions. According to our information, they more often choose Armenia and Georgia. This can become a threat to us in the future. //

https://factor.am/488833.html

Armenia moves closer to European knowledge test standards for driver's license

Police: Last year Armenia decided to reform how the applicants are tested. The changes to the questionnaire go into effect on April 11.

1) The questionnaire has expanded from 600 to 1,100 questions to reduce repetition.

2) Knowledge exams will have 20 questions instead of 10, and will last 30 minutes instead of 15.

3) You'll be able to take the test in English, Russian, Farsi, and Arabic.

>ՀՀ կառավարության որոշմամբ, որը ուժի մեջ է մտել անցած տարվա հունվարի 1-ից, Հայաստանի Հանրապետությունը միացել է Եվրամիության անդամ-երկրների՝ վարորդական իրավունքի վկայականների ներկայացվող օրինակելի ձևը, վարորդական իրավունքի վկայական ստանալու համար տեսական և գործնական քննությունների կարգը, դիմումատուի առողջական չափանիշները և անհրաժեշտ բոլոր իրավական կարգավորումները սահմանող Եվրապառլամենտի և Եվրախորհրդի ընդունած հրահանգին։

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078216.html

$20,000 bail set for opposition figure who called for the assassination of Pashinyan

Garnik Isagulyan is an opposition figure known for spreading conspiracy theories, like Pashinyan secretly taking a $48M bribe from Turkey. He is accused of making false reports to authorities. His pretrial detention over was replaced with a $20K bail today.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078269.html

Artsakh NSS dismissed rumors about officials moving their families to Armenia amid "imminent war"

Women and children in one of the border villages of Artsakh were temporarily evacuated to another settlement during the shelling that took place two weeks ago. Officials then criticized social media rumors about an "imminent war" and "Azerbaijan moving heavy equipment along the entire line of contact", describing it as an intentional attempt to stoke panic based on false information. There were also rumors that some Artsakh officials moved their families to Armenia.

Artsakh NSS: Not a single family has temporarily or permanently moved to Armenia for safety reasons. One of the family members of an official went to Armenia for education. A few other individuals visited Armenia for medical treatment and work trips, none related to border tensions. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078276.html https://factor.am/488926.html

update: Artsakh's gas pipeline has been repaired

It was damaged under suspicious circumstances two weeks ago. Yesterday we learned that Azerbaijan agreed to repair it after negotiations. The gas will reach residential homes tomorrow.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078279.html

How did Armenia's agriculture do in 2021? Gov't report:

The main efforts in 2021 were towards increasing productivity, better use of water, and promotion of high-tech.

Over 30,000 farmers received financial resources totaling $310M under preferential terms.

The severe water shortage caused a 1.1% decline in the sector, but agri-food exports increased by 17.5%, from $775M to $911M.

Export of fresh goods increased by 60K tons, reaching 206K.

Farmers who own land smaller than 3 hectares will have their water bill subsidized for 5 years if they install a drip-irrigation system.

We approved applications about founding 1,456 hectares of intensive gardens. That's 2.8x more than in 2020.

2.9x more farmers obtained agricultural insurance, compared to 2020.

29K loans were issued within the framework of an interest rate subsidy program. The loans were worth $146M. The subsidies amounted to $20M.

$2M in subsidies were paid to help 342 farmers to lease 776 pieces of agricultural equipment.

To increase the autumn grain harvest, the purchase of high-yield seeds was subsidized. 4K contracts were signed to plant 4K tons of seeds on 13K hectares. A similar process for spring harvest. 70% of the seed price was subsidized. //

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078224.html

Armenia improves its positions in the fight against human trafficking: Deputy PM

Deputy Premier: Armenia has registered significant achievements in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation, thanks to the efforts of a Council formed specifically for this task, NGOs, and the help from our partners in Europe and US. //

The Labor & Social Minister presented the 2021 anti-trafficking report and stated that all 19 actions were implemented. The head of Migration Service presented the remaining challenges.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078227.html

authorities investigated and disciplined hundreds of bad cops last year

Police official: Last year 1,771 officers were investigated and 587 were disciplined, 41 were fired. 5 officers from the new Patrol Service have been fired. //

https://factor.am/488737.html https://factor.am/488745.html

Armenia issues Mkhitar Gosh Medal to senior U.S. lawmaker Kevin McCarthy for his contribution to the 2019 recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Congress

Ambassador Makunts met the lawmaker today to issue the medal.

www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/03/18/Լիլիթ-Մակունցը-կոնգրեսական-Քևին-ՄաքՔարթին-է-հանձնել-«Մխիթար-Գոշ»-պետական-պարգևը/684831

Yerevan is serious about electric public transport

Municipality's transport official: It's obvious by now that we have no plans to shut down the electric public transport. I'm happy about the plans to acquire 10 new trolleybuses.

Yerevan's Elektratransport agency has 43 trolleys in operational condition. They serve 10-20 thousand passengers in 5 routes every day.

Electric transport is currently the most affordable - the fare is ֏50 (10c). In the future, it could go up as we revamp the fleet and acquire new units. Modern trolleys can travel certain distances even if the electricity goes off. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078233.html

Education Minister and UK ambassador discussed joint projects

Minister Dumanyan welcomed the "English Clubs" program in provinces that teaches English to students and retrains the teachers. The minister hopes the program will expand. The British initiative retrained 700 teachers last year, with up to 1,500 more planned for this year.

They spoke about possible cooperation to improve the quality of teaching in foreign languages for medical students in Armenia.

The British ambassador Gallagher invited Armenia to participate in Education World Forum in London on May 22.

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078290.html

Polytechnic University will train new specialists and revamp its infrastructure: Rector

Rector Vardanyan: We are currently in the process of obtaining a license for new educational programs: Space engineering, data science, and blockchain. The existing outdated programs will be reviewed.

The next important reform is the establishment of an R&D complex. The plan is ready. Every scientist will gain access to a proper environment to apply their knowledge and carry out new studies. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078251.html https://youtu.be/eA1Gzm0OUlo

Armenia ranked 1st in the region in World Happiness Report

1) Finland

62) Moldova

80) Russia

82) Armenia (up from 86th)

92) Azerbaijan

105) Georgia

110) Iran

112) Turkey

146) Afghanistan

Armenia was among top-10 countries with the largest gains from 2008-2012 to 2019-2021.

2017-2019: 4.677 points

2018-2020: 5.283

2019-2021: 5.399

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/233217 https://worldhappiness.report/

Armenian Culture Days to be held in Monte Carlo on March 25-27

>There will be a premiere of ballet. The authors of the music are composers Michelle Petrosyan and Aram Hovhannisyan.

>New works will be performed, the Sergey Parajanov Museum, the Gurdjieff Ensemble, pianist Vardan Mamikonyan, soprano Karine Babajanyan and others will perform during the event.

Full: https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1078240.html

2022 World Figure Skating Championships

Ice dancers Tina Karapetyan and Simon Senecal will represent Armenia on March 21-27 in Montpellier, France.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/233237

COVID stats

2822 tested. 52 infected. 149 healed. 3 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078217.html

today in history

1858: German scientist Rudolf Diesel is born, the inventor of the diesel engine.

1940: Mussolini meets Hitler and agrees to join Germany's war against France and Britain.

1949: The first trolleybus enters service in Yerevan.

1965: Alexei Leonov becomes the first person to leave a space station to walk in space.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078188.html https://wtop.com/back-in-the-day/2022/03/today-in-history-377/

top-10 bestseller children's books in February

5) [There are many stars in the sky](https://onlinearmenianstore.com/products/grigor-keshishyan-there-are-many-stars-in-the-sky), by Grigor Keshishyan

4) Շաղգամը, by Khnkoyan Atabek

3) Փիսիկի գանգատը, by Tumanyan Hovhannes

2) Ով է ապրում տնակում, by [Vladimir Suteev](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Suteev)

1) колобо́к

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078200.html

more

The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the 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/thfmr5/mar182022_story_behind_american_biolabs_in/