2022 September 5

Daily news wrap-up

Sep/5/2022: __ STARMUS festival brings famous scientists to Yerevan __ Turkey becomes major buyer of Armenian gold __ Artsakh builds water infrastructure __ Iran to build car factory __ Fitch's economic report __ New Academic City __ Anti-corruption busts __ Marutyan vs Marukyan __ Politics __ More
by ar_david_hh

---

15 minutes, 3929 words.

Artsakh is building new water infrastructure to supply capital Stepanakert and regions | VIDEO

▶︎ Last year Stepanakert ran out of water due to an extreme heatwave and loss of infrastructure.

▶︎ They decided to build a $10 million 22km-long canal to deliver water from River Patara to Stepanakert and 2,500 hectares of arable lands. The canal is ready.

▶︎ In addition, when the $20 million Patara Reservoir is built within the next 2.5 years, the delivery volumes are expected to double.

[vdeo,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1130291047893446) [video,](https://youtu.be/fI2X1Da2n98?t=10) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091693.html)

anti-corruption: ex-official at Arabkir Investigative Department is accused of hiding wealth; case reaches the newly established Anti-Corruption Court

ACC: The investigator was required to disclose wealth after leaving the department in 2020. He didn't, so a warning was issued. He was fined after ignoring the second warning. He recently ignored the third warning, so prosecutors launched a felony case in the Anti-Corruption Court. //

This is the second case initiated by the Anti-Corruption Committee that ends up in the Anti-Corruption Court.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091740.html)

enforcement begins: to sell meat, you must butcher it in certified slaughterhouses that have higher safety standards

Authorities: On August 10, the police and Food Safety agency began patrolling markets and roads. They stopped 4,500 vehicles and issued 25 tickets for transporting meat with unknown origins. The sale of 7,000 kg of meat with unknown origins was prevented.

Dozens of tickets were written in meat markets. The checks are being conducted across the country. Almost half of the inspected shops were given tickets for selling unlicensed meat. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091770.html)

Pashinyan visited Emergency Ministry to celebrate Emergency Worker Day

Pashinyan: This might be the last time we are meeting in this format. Efforts are underway to reform this institution and bring it under a new [Interior Ministry](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vxknex/jul122022_news_gambling_will_be_outright_banned/).

Why are we making these changes? Armenia needs modern conditions and higher standards. There should be higher standards for police, military, and rescue workers

Under the new Ministry, the salaries should significantly increase for police and rescue service workers. I consider the post-2018 salary raise for rescuers insufficient. We need to strengthen our social security system.

In exchange for a higher salary, we expect you to be professional and have the education and skills that correspond to the new salary. This process should be continuous because inflation is also continuous. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091737.html) [read,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vxknex/jul122022_news_gambling_will_be_outright_banned/)

STARMUS 6 science festival kicks off in Yerevan with a concert by international and Armenian musicians

[follow STARMUS,](https://mobile.twitter.com/starmusfestival/with_replies) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091699.html)

STARMUS 6: Yerevan's TUMO education center hosted the editor-in-chief of Astronomy.com

David Eicher, an author of 21 books about science and history, gave a lecture on black holes and dark matter. Eicher said that although humanity still has many things to learn, scientific achievements in recent years have recorded significant progress.

Eicher: This is the most exciting time to have a look and try to understand what’s happening in astronomy. Various countries are actively studying black holes, particularly Japan.

We still don't clearly understand what dark matter is, despite it accounting for a quarter of the mass energy of the universe. We know only 5% of what accounts for the universe. //

[more,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091731.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091731.html)

STARMUS 6: Nobel laureate Kip Thorne gives lecture at Yerevan State University

World-renowned gravitational physicist and astrophysicist Kip Thorne spoke about his experience, how he got into science, and how it is possible to attract others to join.

He wanted to become an operator of an ice-breaking vehicle. At the age of 8, his mother took him to a lecture about the solar system, and it attracted him deeply. At the age of 13, he read Russian physicist George Gamow's “One, Two, Three…Infinity” and fell in love with it.

He is working on a second "Interstellar"-like movie and hopes it will be ready in 5 years. “[Interstellar] inspired many people in the world to be interested in science”, he said.

He was joined on stage by American painter-photographer Lia Halloran

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091750.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091750.html)

STARMUS 6: British scientist Chris Rapley is also in Yerevan

In the 1980s Chris Rapley worked on a satellite "SolarMax" to investigate solar flares. He is a climate scientist.

Rapley in Yerevan: The anti-climate-change studies and efforts give results very slowly, so we should not expect quick solutions. People’s thinking about the environment and the climate should change. We must eventually understand that we impact the planet’s environment and the atmospheric layer. We must be more organized in our lifestyles.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091769.html) [read,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Rapley)

STARMUS 6: the festival's co-founder attributes part of STARMUS's success to Armenia

Founder Garik Israelyan: I was inspired in Armenia. A part of the success of STARMUS is thanks to Armenia.

Not many know this, but the man who inspired Stephen Hawking to engage in science was an Armenian. Hawking would later inspire me to become a scientist.

Today the festival is being held in Armenia to inspire the country’s new generation because science and technologies are the future of Armenia. We've been waiting for this day for a long time.

The goal is to make science so popular in Armenia that in 5-10 years, when a scientist is invited, there will be no ասեղ գցելու տեղ։ //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091773.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091773.html)

STARMUS 6: "the festival's goals match the strategic vision of the Armenian government"

Pashinyan: We assisted with organizing the festival in Armenia also because its goals coincide with the strategic vision of the government. That goal is to inspire and educate the new generation of researchers, strengthen and empower the spirit of discoveries.

We decided to raise the science funding by 83% this year. Large-scale reforms are planned in the education sector.

STARMUS puts art and science on one platform, wants to encourage new talents with the engagement of talented people, and makes science closer to a man and a tool of happiness.

This year's festival is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the first landing of MARS-3 on Mars. I should proudly state that Armenian scientist Alexander Kemurdzhian’s Prop-M rover was in the spacecraft that landed in 1981. Mars-3 sent back to the Earth the first image of the surface.

[more,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091781.html) [watch,](https://youtu.be/RR45uQdUTtw?t=48) [read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091775.html)

STARMUS 6: Queen guitarist and scientist Brian May is awarded Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication

Musician Rick Wakeman handed over the award: “It’s really a great honor for me. Brian May: he is the kindest, the nicest person I have ever met.”

Brian May on stage: I did tell the festival organizers not to do such a thing.

First of all, I want to thank Armenia. STARMUS is important. It unites us and reminds us that we all are human.

I was interested in music and astronomy at a young age, but I was told that I won’t succeed in both. But I proved to everyone that they were all wrong. Therefore, I want to share this Medal with anyone who thinks they are not good enough. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091778.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091778.html)

STARMUS 6: poet Diane Ackerman receives Stephen Hawking Medal

The American poet, essayist, and naturalist was awarded the "Science Communication" medal for presenting science and nature through her works.

Ackerman: I am very pleased to receive this award. Thank you for everything you do here. You serve science and art with so much love and pleasure. Thanks to you, the world becomes more beautiful for me. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091780.html)

STARMUS 6: world's top expert on chimpanzees Jane Goodall awarded with Stephen Hawking Medal

You have probably seen videos of primatologist Jane Goodall hugging chimpanzees. She receives a medal for her long-term study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees.

Jane Goodall: Years ago scientists were against my studies, stating that humans are the only rational creatures. But I managed to defend my view which is widely accepted today.

We, the people, are not separate from other living organisms. We are not the only ones having feelings.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091782.html)

STARMUS 6: speakers present their reasons for participating in the festival

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091776.html)

STARMUS 6: video clips from the first day

They also invited famous Russian singer [Andrey Makarevich](https://youtu.be/Ij-zI8PFRWk), who was recently declared a "foreign agent" in Russia for criticizing the government.

[watch,](https://youtu.be/PF09SDRmYqU) [watch,](https://youtu.be/1EChQMRaoPc) [watch,](https://youtu.be/Ij-zI8PFRWk) [watch founder Garik Israelyan's lecture,](https://youtu.be/XNMEeONh3CU)

update: the government plans to establish an Academic City in Ashtarak with new state-funded universities

Context in [September 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/x3fsl1/sep12022_new_academic_city_in_ashtarak/) news digest. The new campus-complex will cooperate with science and research institutes, said Pashinyan during last week's speech.

Reporter: Why in Ashtarak?

Minister Dumanyan: Ashtarak is the primary choice considering its existing infrastructure and other reasons. As you may know, Ashtarak was once a prominent science hub.

Reporter: Critics say the quality of education could be impacted by the campus's distance from Yerevan. [Ashtarak is 9 kilometers from Yerevan, 8-37 minute drive from Yerevan, depending on the district you live in]

Minister Dumanyan: Do you think the quality would be better if we established it on one of Yerevan's central avenues? The distance doesn't matter here. There are international examples of the best universities not being in a large city.

[read,](https://youtu.be/hjsDWYYGLDE?t=106)

Armenia-Iran

▶︎ An agreement was reached to establish an Armenian Studies chair at the University of Tabriz. The memorandum was signed between the rectors of YSU and Tabriz University. They will organize exchange programs for students and staff.

▶︎ IRS officials met the newly appointed Iranian Consul General in Kapan (Syunik), and Iranian tax officials. They want to expedite cargo transfers at the Meghri checkpoint by exchanging preliminary information electronically and improving the infrastructure for trucks on the border.

▶︎ Iran plans to help establish a vehicle assembly factory in Armenia, announced an Iranian official after meetings with Armenia's Economy Ministry. The goal is to export Iranian vehicles to the EAEU market.

From August 31 [news digest](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/x2lyqe/aug312022_interview_with_economy_minister_194/):

>Iran is ending a yearslong ban on car imports. They hope it can help a chaotic market tormented by monopolies and affordability issues. The import of fully assembled cars was banned in 2018. They have since imported Chinese car assembly kits.

[read,](https://factor.am/549624.html) [read,](https://factor.am/550152.html) [read,](https://factor.am/550137.html)

Azeri army continues to lie about being attacked: MOD

Defense Ministries of Artsakh and Armenia accused Azerbaijan of lying about being attacked on various locations on Artsakh-Azerbaijan and Armenia-Azerbaijan borders. The Azeri MOD did not even bother to include the dates of some of the alleged ceasefire violations, according to the Armenian MOD.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091670.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091671.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091710.html)

Azerbaijan intends to undermine the peace process: FM Mirzoyan

Mirzoyan: Our position has not changed: we find nothing unacceptable in the proposals made by Azerbaijan on March 10. It's another thing that these proposals alone do not address all issues on the peace agenda. We forwarded our additional proposals to the OSCE Minsk Group and we are ready for the continuation of peace negotiations. This was once again confirmed by Pashinyan during the recent meeting in Brussels.

Azerbaijan's lack of desire to try to listen to our proposals gives us a reason to question their sincerity in achieving peace.

Moreover, the repeated false interpretations of the negotiations and the avoidance to implement the agreements make an impression that Azerbaijan intends to undermine the peace process and continue its policy of ethnic cleansing through the use of force.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091661.html)

Armenia's Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan visited Artsakh, drawing criticism from Baku

Azeri MFA complained that the "illegal" visit was made immediately after the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Brussels as a slap in the face.

Grigoryan had visited Artsakh to mark the 31st anniversary of Artsakh's Independence and honor the fallen soldiers.

[read,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/302301/)

Putin and Aliyev discussed the importance of ensuring border stability and unblocking communication routes

The two leaders spoke about the developments in South Cacasus, the importance of ensuring stability on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and the need to unblock communication links.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091669.html)

other diplomacy

MOD Papikyan vists the U.S.

FM Mirozyan will visit Russia to meet Lavrov. Update: they met and discussed Nagorno Karabakh.

Pashinyan will visit a summit in Russia during which he will meet Putin to discuss Nagorno Karabakh.

Ambassador Lilith Makunts met US's Dr. Kathryn Huff from the Office of Nuclear Energy. They discussed AM-US cooperation in civil nuclear power.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091703.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091707.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091764.html) [read,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/243353)

Armenia is invited to EU summit on new pan-European security body called "European Political Community

>Armenia is among the invitees to an EU summit to discuss a new organization uniting the democracies of the European continent

EPC was Macron's big idea to discuss shared interests. Its goal is “stabilizing the European continent”.

While there are concerns it can end up replicating OSCE, Charles Michel suggested that leaders wanted an informal and “very flexible” body, resembling the G7 or the G20.

An invitation was sent to South Caucasus republics and several non-EU-member countries located on the European continent as well, but not to Turkey due to objections by Greece and Cyprus, despite Charles Michel's efforts to invite Ankara as well.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091716.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091716.html) [read,](https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220626-is-macron-s-european-political-community-a-realistic-prospect)

Armenian court formally acquits a March 1st, 2008, a suspect who was found by the European Court of Human Rights to have been persecuted under Kocharyan regime

The case is known as "7-ի գործ". The prosecutors asked the court to drop the case against Myasnik Malkhasyan, after a series of rulings by ECHR about the violation of protesters' rights. Malkhasyan was accused of organizing riots in 2008.

[read,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/243408) [read,](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/09/05/ԱԺ-նախկին-պատգամավոր-Մյասնիկ-Մալխասյանն-արդարացվել-է/789007)

as the parliament prepares to resume regular meetings, which MPs had the highest number of unexcused absences previously?

Top-5 from HD: Gegham Manukyan 226, Armen Charchyan 216, Andranik Tevanyan 200, Aspram Krpeyan 199, Ishkhan Saghatelyan 198.

Top-5 from PU: Hayk Mamijanyan 151, Taron Margaryan 150, Anna Mkrtchyan 150, Tigran Abrahamyan 148, Taguhi Tovmasyan 88.

Top-5 from QP: Edward Aghajanyan 66, Gurgen Melkonyan 54, Aren Mkrtchyan 41, Khachatur Sukiasyan 38, Trdat Sargsyan 32, ..., Gayane Yeghiazaryan 0.

Speaker Alen Simonyan had 3 unexcused absences.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091652.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1091652.html)

Speaker Alen Simonyan wins a defamation lawsuit against an opposition activist

In 2020, opposition activist Narek Mantashyan, the head of Alyentrank NGO, was charged with leaking judge Anna Danibekyan's medical records. The charges were later dropped. That's the judge who presides over ex-president Kocharyan's bribery case.

Mantashyan was later arrested and charged with organizing mass riots and using force against law enforcement officers.

Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan sued Mantashyan for alleged defamation over a May 2020 article on an opposition website. The court has sided with Simonyan and instructed Mantashyan to publish an apology on the same website or an equivalent, and pay ֏378,000 in compensation.

Mantashyan did not comment. His lawyers are still reading the verdict.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091729.html) [read,](https://news.am/arm/news/712766.html) [read,](https://factor.am/550245.html) 20220720/narek-mantashjany-azat-kardzakvi-20-milivon-dram-gravi-dimac-45539108.html

your daily rumors & rebuttals

▶︎ Gen. Samvel Babayan threatened to file defamation lawsuits against critics who accused him of "deserting" Artsakh during the war. Babayan, who was the Security Council chief during the war, said he left Artsakh once in November to meet the Armenian leadership to discuss the situation, and that he spent the entire time doing his duties and providing advice to Artsakh president. He urged authorities to investigate the accusations against him, and threatened to file defamation cases "when the accusations are proven to be false".

▶︎ Artsakh government denied social media rumors about an agreement to hand over part of the capital Stepanakert and village Ivanyan to Azerbaijan. The government said that those who spread these rumors are only helping Azerbaijan.

[read,](https://factor.am/549957.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091759.html)

century-old Armenian newspaper "Krunik" (crane bird) resumes regular publication in Russia's Armavir city after a lengthy break

The newspaper's first edition was printed in May 1917, under editor-in-chief Nerses Yertetsyan. The newspaper covered topics about the local Armenian community.

It was shut down during USSR before resuming in 1995-1999. The Armenian community of Armavir has decided to resume the free monthly publication. The first edition will have 999 copies.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091685.html)

deranged husband goes on a slashing spree before turning himself in

Authorities: A 45yo resident of Arzakan used a knife to kill his wife in their bedroom. He then broke into their neighbor's bedroom at 3:30 am and stabbed the couple, who are expected to survive.

At 8:50 someone reported a murder in the nearby village of Balahovit.

20 minutes later a director of a factory reported that one of their workers was stabbed by a man who was formerly employed by the factory.

Hours later a gas station worker reported being robbed by a man with a knife. The suspect left after taking food and cigarettes. He later returned and robbed the gas station again, taking a SIM card, tires, and cash.

The suspect Zorik Melkonyan has turned himself in and confessed. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091653.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091751.html)

woman survives after jumping from Yerevan's Haghtanak Bridge

A young woman stood on the bridge in Yerevan, threatened to commit suicide, and jumped.

The emergency personnel found her in the shallow water under the bridge. She miraculously survived.

[read,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/243405)

ex-mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan will resume his "acting career" 🍿

He will talk politics on stage during a September 19-20 performance titled "The Mayor". Marutyan will resume his acting career while maintaining his political career. The 1,600 tickets sold out the same day.

In the promo clip, Marutyan takes a shot at his political rivals from LHK/Luys party, specifically its leader Edmon Marukyan. The ex-mayor accuses Marukyan of kissing the government's ass, a political attack that's been recently popular among the members of the former regime who portray Edmon Marukyan as a "traitor" for accepting from Pashinyan the title of "ambassador-at-large" (mostly for Artsakh affairs and diplomacy). The ex-mayor Marutyan also expresses frustration for often being mistakenly referred to as "Marukyan". (MaruKyan vs MaruTyan)

Edmon Marukyan's teammate from the Luys faction, Davit Khazhakyan, responded to the ex-mayor's attack.

Khazhakyan: Hayko, people confuse your name because you tried to go from "actor Hayko" to "mayor Marutyan". When Edmon Marukyan was an opposition MP, you were lined up behind the government's ass, with your bow tie, waiting to be given a position.

While Marukyan has remained a political figure since 2012, you decided to change your workplace in 2018, but not your status [of an entertainer].

While you were gladly portraying yourself as a member of the government, we were openly calling you out for your poor decisions as the mayor.

When after the war you decided to abandon your political team and jump from the ship, which you thought was going to sink, we again exposed your true colors.

So our opinion about you hasn't changed: You entered the government's ass in 2018 but didn't exit it voluntarily in 2021, they pushed you out of the ass. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091742.html) [read,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/243401) [read,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/673215/հայկ-մարությանը-խախտեց-լռությունը․-նրա-ներկայացման-տոմսերը-երեք-ժամում-սպառվել-են/)

Yerevan has dozens of new bus stop shelters | PHOTO

Mayor Hrachya Sargsyan: The installation began from Ajapnyak district. We have 10 new shelters, with another 30 coming by the end of the year.

▶︎ Անվտանգության համապատասխան միջոցներ են ձեռնարկվում՝ աջակողմյան մշտական երթևեկությամբ ապահովված խաչմերուկները լուսացուցային համապատասխան ազդանշանով կահավորելու ուղղությամբ: Ագաթանգեղոս-Գրիգոր Լուսավորիչ փողոցների և Արշակունյաց պողոտայի հատման խաչմերուկում միացումն արդեն տրված է:

▶︎ The year will end with the installation of 426 new elevators in apartment condos. 285 elevators have already been delivered. Placement of ads will be prohibited in new elevators.

▶︎ Music schools run by the city will adopt universal standards for exams.

▶︎ Kindergartens will receive new books that promote development.

▶︎ We will revamp the lighting system on the Opera building. There will be a new artistic approach. An auction will be announced soon.

▶︎ An auction has been announced to build a modern washing and sanitation station for the city's bus fleet.

▶︎ We have a tender winner to deliver 15 new trolleybuses. Another 15 will be acquired later.

▶︎ Water treatment plant [will be built on Getar River](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vhnazu/jun212022_news_armenia_wants_to_invest_in/) next year. The plant is being designed at the moment.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091766.html)

a vehicle from Yerevan mayor's motorcade was ticketed in Gyumri for not having proof of technical inspection

The delegation led by Mayor Hrachya visited Gyumri last week to celebrate Gyumri Day. One of the cars received a fine.

The mayor wanted to know if the inspectors in Yerevan are working as well as their Gyumretsi counterparts. Yerevan inspectors plan to ramp up the enforcement after a series of road incidents in which at least one of the parties did not have proof of tech inspection.

[read,](https://factor.am/549950.html)

COVID stats last week

6.7k tested, 2.3k infected, 7 deaths.

... tourism grew, so did COVID

The infections grew by 23% in the last 14 days versus the previous 14-day period. It's growing faster among residents under 2 and above 60.

The CDC says the rise is partly explained by the recovering tourism industry and will continue to grow as students attend classes. We will have the full picture after September 15.

The cases are milder these days thanks to vaccinations and the immunity layer, said CDC.

... vaccination stats

45% of adults are fully vaccinated, 51% have received at least one dose, and 4% are boosted. There are 300-500 daily vaccinations. Get yours if the second shot was taken more than half a year ago, urged CDC.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091721.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091727.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091732.html)

Fitch affirms Armenia at 'B+' | Outlook Stable | GDP estimates upgraded, now closer to government's own projection

The good: Armenia's 'B+' IDRs reflect strong per-capita income, governance and business environment indicators relative to peers, robust macroeconomic and fiscal policy framework, and credible commitment to reform.

The bad: High share of foreign-currency denominated public debt, relatively weak external finances, and geopolitical risks.

The GDP: Fitch has upped its real GDP growth projections for 2022 to 6.4%. Fitch expects growth will average 4.7% in 2023-24.

The Geopolitics: Armenia maintains a cautious approach to managing relations with the West in regard to sanctions on Russia. While authorities are committed to de-risking the banking sector to avoid sanction violations, trade relations with Russia remain sizeable.

The deficit: Tax revenue overperformance owing to strong nominal growth in 1H22, as well as capex under-execution will help reduce the fiscal deficit from 4.6% of GDP in 2021 to 3.1% in 2022 (below the pre-pandemic five-year average of 3.5%). A strong dram reduces debt servicing costs and is net positive for the budget. Fitch forecasts the fiscal deficit to further fall to 2.6% in 2023 and 2.3% in 2024, outperforming the 'B' median of 4.4%.

The debt: 64.7% of gross general government debt was in foreign currency. We project the strong nominal GDP growth and the appreciation of the dram to reduce it to 50.5% in 2020, and 54% in 2023.

[more,](http://arka.am/en/news/economy/fitch_ratings_affirms_armenia_at_b_says_outlook_stable/) https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/302302/

food prices in August 2022 were 12.5% higher than in August 2021

[read,](http://arka.am/en/news/economy/annual_food_prices_up_12_5_in_armenia_in_august_2022/) [read,](http://arka.am/en/news/economy/petrol_and_diesel_fuel_prices_up_6_5_and_37_9_respectively_in_armenia_/)

Armenian exports to Turkey skyrocket; Turkey becomes a major Armenian gold buyer

Exports to Turkey

2018: $2.5m

2019: $2.2m

2020: $0.5m

2021: $0.4m

2022 H1: $20.5m (almost fully raw gold dust)

Armenia's top-3 raw gold buyers in H1 were India ($50m), Turkey ($20m), and UAE ($4m).

Imports from Turkey

2018: $162m

2019: $150m

2020: $99m

2021: $33m (embargo)

2022 first half: $34m (embargo lifted)

[read,](https://fip.am/20227)

who leads the Armenian Premier League?

Here are the standings after the 6th round: Alashkert 12, Urartu 12, Ararat-Armenia 10, Van 10, ...

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091702.html)

Armenia's Samvel Ter-Sahakyan finishes 12th in "Dubai Open 2022" chess

The winner is India's Aravindh Chithambaram.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1091701.html)

archaeologists discover remains of ancient baths during excavations in "Lori Berd" reserve | PHOTO

They now have a clearer picture of sewage, bathroom, and fountains. Mandr-mundr things were also found.

[read,](https://hushardzan.am/archives/27096) [read,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/302299/)

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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/x6t6sq/sep52022_starmus_festival_brings_famous/