20% ahead of September 1.watch, read,in case you missedYesterday's news in English, русский (by Impossible-Ad-). Archive by Armeniapedia. Donate to Armenia & Artsakh hereThe accused are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, even if they "appear" guilty." title="Your Monday news briefing from Armenia. Aug/29/2022.">full image - Repost: Your Monday news briefing from Armenia. Aug/29/2022. (from Reddit.com, Your Monday news briefing from Armenia. Aug/29/2022.)
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24 minutes. 5897 words.interview with military expert Artsrun Hovhannisyan about arms contractsReporter: We obviously don't have access to all the information but can you tell us anything about the acquisition of weapons?Artsrun: We lost a lot during the war, and it's necessary to acquire certain weapons, but there are things that we don't ever need again because their era is over.However, there are "universal" weapons that we will need either way, regardless of the type of warfare will face in the future. We need to import certain drones quickly. It is difficult. We are looking for sources. It's not easy to find good ones.The war in Ukraine is a major hurdle. We had contracts with Russia, and we were already implementing some of them, but these contracts are endangered today because Russia is in no position to sell these modern weapons to others, even to us, because they desperately need them in Ukraine.And it's a question if in the future Russia will be able to supply us with large quantities of quality weapons. This is a big question. The war in Ukraine is changing everything.This is why the government is working with India today. We were trying to keep it quiet but Indian media revealed the recent visits. India is one of the best choices for us. And quite frankly, I don't want any of us to publicly talk about what weapons the army buys anymore. Sure, you may feel excited about prospective deals with India, but the more secret it is, the better.... Artsrun Hovhannisyan about the Turkish-Azeri-Israeli alliance during the 2020 war, and the current developments in UkraineArtsrun: With the help of Israeli and American technologies, Turkey was able to create air superiority for Azerbaijan. Turkey used NATO satellite data, Israeli Hermes 900 surveillance drones, F-16 jets, and E6/E7-class air command aircraft (hovering at an 11km altitude in Turkey) to form a network.In the meantime, Azeris would send an An-2 Soviet-era cheap aircraft. Our air defense would shoot the An-2 down, while the Turkish surveillance network would pinpoint the coordinates of our air defense.The opponent would then send a fleet of Israeli-made kamikaze drones, slightly behind the An-2. They would also use helicopters. A fleet of helicopters would climb less than 1km, fire Israeli NLOS missiles, and quickly land to avoid detection. Bayraktar drones played a small role in all of this.In the end, if a TOR is capable of handling 4 targets simultaneously, the enemy would send 8 to overwhelm it. This scheme was used by NATO in 1982, 1991, 1999, and 2003.Russia and Ukraine don't have this technology. Russia focused on Kalibr, Iskander, Kinzhar, X32, and similar very expensive missiles. Russia's problem is they lack a "network" like the one used against us in 2020. Even if Russia uses its satellites to form the network and use the data to strike strategic targets, as they did in the first few weeks of Ukraine war, that still wouldn't address the tactical-level shortcomings.For example, let's say Russia needs to destroy 1-2 divisions of artillery. Ukraine has positioned them 5km apart, concealed them, keeps them moving around. Russia can't use its Iskanders and Calibers to shoot every howitzer. They would need weapons like Harop, Airstriker, and Spike NLOS. Some of the options are Israeli Spike, American JAGM, and British Brimstone. The latter is being delivered to Ukraine today. You can install those on a helicopter, climb 500 meters, and shoot a target 20km away. Or you can shoot a target 30km away by firing it from a jet flying at a 5km altitude. This is a serious punch. It's beyond TOR's defense range. This is what Russia needs to pick those howitzers and radio locators one by one, and not these giant missiles meant for large strategic targets.But Ukraine doesn't have those missiles and kamikazes in large quantities, either. And under these conditions, with Ukrainian Bayraktars finding themselves all alone without the 2020-esque network, they are unable to suppress Russian TOR and other air defense systems.Russia has a large number of jets, far superior to Ukraine's air fleet. Ukraine occasionally uses jets to strike and retreat. The air is not "busy". Under these conditions, Russia's air defense is capable of detecting and downing a Bayraktar. This is why Bayraktars are not a solution for Ukraine. This is also the reason why Russian air defense's #1 enemy is HIMARS, and not Bayraktar.Now let's assume the following scenario. If both sides have enough jets, they will be the primary tools. The primary targets would be larger air-defense units like S-300, BUK, TOR and OSA. If you are properly concealed or properly move around, the first strike will never be able to totally destroy you.There is a myth that in 2020 we lost the vast majority of our air defense in the first few hours. Even in the case of our improperly concealed units, only 45%-50% of them were damaged on the first day. Moreover, not all of them were fully destroyed, some could be repaired.I would take F-35 or Swedish Gripen over Su-30 any day, but even Su-30 is very important.Anyways, if you're attacking an opponent that has 1-2 squadrons and pilots with at least 2-3 years of training, that's a different game. Any army needs time to go from a peaceful state to a combat state. If your intel detects a threat and you bring the troops to combat state, that means your jets are already in the air, air defense is in firing position, etc. They are ready to take a blow and counter-attack. Your job now is to destroy the Azeri helicopters I mentioned earlier, because if they fire the Spike NLOS missiles, your TORs won't be able to catch them. The Earth is round. You need a jet high in the air to detect and destroy those helicopters. We had so-called experts who mocked and downplayed the importance of jets, and even stopped talking to me for bringing this up earlier. Your TOR can't handle those 6 Spike NLOS missiles. You need to destroy the helicopters that shoot them. Jets are universal weapons. That's why we need them. That's why they are expensive.Now regarding the idea that having only drones would be sufficient. Those 20kg drones alone cannot win the war, they don't solve strategic tasks, you don't win a war just by destroying the enemy's TOR defenses. You need to disrupt the enemy's command system protected by thick concrete walls or soil, destroy large storage facilities, etc. You would need 200-500 kilogram bombs for those. None of the drones are that big. Anything that big is already pretty much a guided missile. In 2020 Azeris were using Israeli-made LORA ballistic missiles for this purpose.But ballistic missiles are expensive, so another option is aero-ballistic missiles fired by jets. It initially flies straight, then climbs up and descends with a much greater force with the help of kinetic energy and speed. Russia's Kinzhal is one of those, fired by MiG-31 jets.If your jets are good enough to neutralize enemy jets, they can start shooting the enemy's drones in the air as well. Jets are a nightmare for MALE-type (medium-altitude long-endurance) drones like Bayraktar. They can shoot Bayraktars 120km away, with Americans already reaching 180km.The most popular and experienced MALE-type drone is the American Reaper. They have been used more often than F-16 jets, but the American military doctrine clearly states that these MALE drones can only be used if the enemy has no jets, or your jets have successfully suppressed the enemy jets.Again, you need to take out the enemy's strategically important command centers and paralyze their logistic network. Drones alone won't do it, you need jets. When before the war I stated that Azerbaijan's acquisition of Bayraktar drones alone is not that dangerous and that a more important thing for us would be countering their combined use, critics mocked me and claimed I was "downplaying" Bayraktars. Wrong. Again, Bayraktar was not the reason they won, we needed to fight against their system, and jets would have been the best solution, even if that hurts your political feelings.but the jets can be easily destroyed while parked at an airport, so let's not waste money on themSorry but this is a childish argument. Do you think an S-300 or HIMARS won't be destroyed if you leave them stationed at their permanent location? If your intel agencies or the army command make a mistake and don't bring the army to combat position in time, if you don't move the jets from the permanent base in the airport, if you don't protect the airport, if you don't move the S-300 to another location, if you don't move your weapons from hangars to a concealed location, then any weapon can be destroyed.You could protect your jets with reinforced concrete hangars. This has been used since the 1940s. The enemy would need expensive missiles to destroy them. You can't park the jets in the open air, next to each other. Today, even small countries with strong aviation are building jet storage and runways next to concrete highways. Our jets could land and refuel under 20 minutes on a separate section on the Talin-Agarak highway. And if the enemy can't shoot them in the air, it will be even more difficult to catch them on the ground. It's not too expensive because the government builds those concrete highways either way.On the other hand, your jets would give you an immense advantage. Let's say your intel warns you that a war will begin in 3 hours. It's usually counted in days, but let's say your intel did a terrible job and learned about the impending war just 3 hours before the attack. Within those 3 hours, do you think it's easier to move your Iskander with all its bells and whistles to another location, or to fly the jets from the airport? Jets can be brought to combat readiness faster, and they can launch a counter-attack faster. They could even prevent a full-scale war if your fleet is powerful enough.Now imagine if we had F-15/18/22/35 instead of Su-30, packed with AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with a 180km range. American army will soon receive AARGM-ER aeroballistic missiles with suppression tech, capable of reaching 400km. Do you understand what that means? It can fire 2-4 missiles at the S-400 air defense without ever entering its range, with the missiles falling at 4 km/s speed. And if this is accompanied by Tomahawk missiles and decoy TALD missiles, then the S-400 won't be able to do anything. F-16 has already been carrying two units of JASSM-ER[XR] missiles. It's the world's longest-range guided missile on a jet, with a 1,400km range.There is no air superiority without jets. They are the primary player. They can be aided by MALE-type drones. Unlike the jets and their missiles, drones can't work under -20C temperature or 10 m/s wind.Jets are often bottlenecked by the intel. American research shows that when the jet is loaded with over 10 air-to-surface missiles, the intel often fails to locate that many targets within 4 hours, so the jet returns with half of the missiles unused. Drones have the opposite problem. They fly long but carry fewer missiles. But that's a topic for another day. The bottom line is that jets are mandatory. Don't even argue against it.1) Every modern weapon we had in 2020, including Su-30, had the same flaw: there were too few of them. We had too few Su-30, Smerch, Iskander, Avtobasa, Ripilent, TOR, etc.2) They were imported too late. The SMERCH is easier to master than TOR, and TOR is easier than Su-30. But we had no time to learn how to utilize them as a network.This is a problem created by catastrophically poor military science in Armenia, and poor military science in our military ally Russia, which we witness today in Ukraine. //watch, watch,Tags: #ArmyReforminterview with General Samvel Babayan about the ongoing non-weapon army reformsContext in August 24 news digest. The MOD drafted a bill about forming a contractor force with an approximately $990/mo salary. Their wages will be subsidized by a $60,000 fee that any conscript can pay to shorten the conscription from 2 years to ~0.5 years.Reporter: You have long spoken about the need to form a professional army. What's your opinion on this bill?Babayan: This topic is one element. Let's discuss broader reforms and understand what we want: a new type of professional army or a salary-centric army? My plan was to completely change the structure of the army and transition to 1-year conscription, in which the conscripts would serve exclusively in training camps. One of our 6 training camps would train the conscript, and after a year, he would either join the professional army for 5 years or become a reservist. After the completion of the service, the person would be summoned every year for 1 week for retraining. In the event of war, he would know which camp to report to. He would have the officers in place. He would supplement the forces and go es to the frontline. This was my offer.This is where the newly proposed $60,000 payment came from. Each professional soldier must earn $1,500/mo, with $5,500 on upkeep. If you don't want to serve the full conscription, you pay this fee and only train for 4.5 months. One person's payment will be enough to hire one professional soldier for 2 years [or 5, depending on whom you ask].Reporter: What about complaints about social injustice, with not everyone being able to pay?Babayan: Those who are powerful enough to avoid conscription were/are avoiding it either way. Now the state wants to make the system more transparent, with the same offer to everyone. If you choose to serve only 4.5 months, you won't hear from us for 5 years, but afterward, we will summon you once a week every year, and you will go to the front lines when a war begins. Now the conscript has to think about whether to accept or decline this offer.Reporter: So if the end goal is to transition to a professional army like the one you've mentioned, is this a good reform package?Babayan: Yes, if that's the goal. They recently launched 3-month reservist drafts: train for 1 month, guard the borders for 2 months. The army is then supposed to pick the best ones for further 6-month training for a professional service, but when it came to this transitional mechanism, it was not implemented properly, and it turned into a "business" of "pay to avoid". We must not let this happen with the proposed system.Reporter: Armenia and Artsakh have a new corridor. The residents had to leave.Babayan: As you know, we were supposed to eventually leave as part of the Nov. 9 agreement. Last year I asked the government to make sure the new road is class-2 and fast enough.Reporter: I think it's 4.7 kilometers.Babayan: The kilometers are not that important. From Armenia to Artsakh the length of the corridor will be approximately 6km. The rest of the road passes through Artsakh-held areas. It's called Berdadzor subregion. My advice was to build new villages and settle 30,000 IDPs from Hadrut, Shushi, and other refugees.Reporter: That would mean Armenians living east and west of Shushi.Babayan: Yes. Let's not open all the parentheses. Why build new houses in Stepanakert or other villages if we can build them in the region I mentioned? A section of the new road built by Azeris near Mets Shen village has steep curves, so it can't be class-3 as Azeris claim. A proper class-2 means 45 minutes from Artsakh to Armenia, while class-3/4 extends travel by 15-45 minutes.Reporter: What's your opinion about the plans to install new border checkpoints and resume traffic on the AM-AZ border?Babayan: Azerbaijan wants an international highway to connect Central Asia to the Mediterranean via Armenia. Traveling through Armenia would cut the distance by 30%, while road safety would improve from class-5 to class-3.The "corridor" talk is there because they want to ensure the highway will remain operational. They could later export Turkmen and Kazakh gas via Armenia.Today Turkey exports over $30b of goods via Georgia to Russia and Azerbaijan, and over $10b to Central Asia. Azerbaijan's economy will benefit if the road passed through Armenia. Their concern is possible obstruction by Armenia.Reporter: Are we providing guarantees that we won't obstruct?Babayan: You might have heard about the Russia-Kaliningrad trade mechanism provided by the EU. They want to give Russia simplified access.Reporter: Like the one Azerbaijan wants? Russian cargo isn't being checked, is it?Babayan: Of course it is. Russian cargo passes through customs. "Simplified" means the stamp isn't necessary for each transfer. You usually pay the customs duties and pass. We should offer a similar mechanism to Azerbaijan. As long as Azeris don't transfer narcotics and weapons, they need not worry about obstruction. Pashinyan should make this offer during the upcoming Brussels meeting. Simultaneously, Armenia should launch [trade] talks with Iran, India, and Europe. This will be a very interesting project. Maybe then our dear ally [Russia] will [feel jealous and] understand they have crossed the line so they will stop [trying to win over Azerbaijan by appeasing them]. //watch,Azerbaijani regime throws a tantrum after refusal by the U.S. and French ambassadors to visit occupied ShushiAliyev's assistant Hikmet: Today the Ambassadors of France and the United States are not present in Shushi. They have demonstratively ignored our invitation. We evaluate it as a non-recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.U.S. and France, as OSCE Minsk Co-chairs, did not contribute to the settlement of the conflict. They have wasted our time for 30 years. By not accepting our invitation, they again expressed disrespect.Their attempts to revive the OSCE Minsk Group are hypocritical and shameful. The Minsk Group is an organization that committed suicide. //U.S. responds to criticism about skipping Shushi: We believe that through continuous dialogue and engagement, including at the highest levels, we can help achieve a lasting and comprehensive peace. The US embassy staff members have paid many visits and continue to do so in all regions of Azerbaijan, including Aghdam, Zangelan, and Fizuli [the list is notably missing Shushi]. Our staff visits the regions to establish contacts with Azerbaijan on important issues such as security, healthcare, energy, and economic development. //... Artsakh government welcomes the decision by U.S. and France not to send ambassadors to occupied ShushiParliament Speaker Tovmasyan: Welcoming the refusal of the ambassadors to visit the occupied territory, we are once again convinced that the conflict has not yet been resolved and requires an exclusively political solution under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group. //Foreign Minister Babayan: We welcome their decision. It is an important political and humanitarian gesture. Azerbaijan is attempting to collapse the OSCE Minsk Group institute in order to end Artsakh's de facto and de jure international diplomatic status, and Artsakh's documented status as a party to the Artsakh-Azerbaijan conflict.Turkey and Azerbaijan are working together to take advantage of the ongoing disagreements between the West and Russia. They are trying to flirt with Russia, but this is obviously a temporary love game and a tactical move.Their goal is to end Russia's peacekeeping mission in Artsakh. This, by the way, would also be dangerous for the West in the long run. //... In case you missed, on Friday Aliyev regime raised another complaint after the U.S. appointed Philip Reeker to Minsk GroupAzerbaijan went as far as to threaten America's participation in the resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.And after Reeker's appointment, the French OSCE mission wrote: "Congratulations to Philip Reeker on his appointment as Senior Adviser for Caucasus Negotiations and as Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group for the U.S."The French also slapped a tweet: "Did you know that France, along with the U.S. and Russia, has been co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group since the 1st of January 1997? The Group provides a forum for negotiations towards a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to ultimately establish stability in the South Caucasus."read, read, read, read, read, read,U.S. Committee on Appropriations recommends no less than $60m in assistance to Armenia and $2m to Artsakh for 2023The Committee recommendation includes not less than $60,000,000 for Armenia for economic development, private sector productivity, energy independence, democracy and the rule of law, and other purposes.In addition, the Committee recommendation also includes not less than $2,000,000 for demining activities in Nagorno- Karabakh.The Committee remains concerned about the humanitarian impact of the conflict in the Nagorno- Karabakh and resulting challenges in the areas of housing, food security, water and sanitation, health care and other human needs.The Committee notes the important role United Nations agencies play in administering such needs. Not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the USAID Administrator, is directed to develop and submit to the Committees on Appropriations an assistance strategy for addressing humanitarian and recovery needs arising from the conflict.The Committee also recommends $30m for Belarus (pro-democracy) and $132m for Georgia (democracy, rule of law).read, read,what did Pashinyan mean by this?Pashinyan's adviser QP MP Arsen Torosyan was asked to comment on PM's recent speech about Ukraine war and geopolitics, in which he said:the government is fighting every day for the independence of the Republic of Armeniathe allies are not always only your allies, but also the allies of those who are against youTorosyan: This is a crucial period for our statehood, so we need to be very broad-minded and not give in to emotions in any way, in order to resist both the regional challenges as well as those connected with the ongoing East vs West conflict.If we make decisions based on facts and realities, we will be able to resist the challenges and avoid new losses. //read, read, read,Russia to Armenia: we are still allies!Russia's MFA: Today we mark the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Armenia and Russia. The joint April 20 statement by Putin and Pashinyan has affirmed the intention to deepen and expand inter-state relations based on the principles set in the 1997 Treaty.We are ready to help Armenia in the future as well to strengthen its defense capabilities and border security, and to build relations with its neighbors.The strict observation of the Nov. 9, Jan. 11, and Nov. 26 agreements is the path to stability in the South Caucasus. The Russian peacekeeping contingent remains a key factor in ensuring security in Nagorno Karabakh.We sincerely value the friendship with brotherly Armenia and are inclined to further strengthen the Russian-Armenian allied relations. //Armenian MFA: We highly value our friendship with fraternal Russia and the peacekeeping mission in Nagorno Karabakh. //read, read, read,Putin and Pashinyan spoke over the phoneThey congratulated each other on the 25th anniversary of the 1997 Treaty and expressed confidence that the Armenian-Russian allied relations will continue to strengthen. They also discussed the implementation of the Nov. 9 agreement.read,new corridor, new roadArtsakh gov't: A new corridor will be used between Armenia and Artsakh starting August 31. It will travel south of the current corridor, through the Berdadzor subdistrict (villages Hin Shen and Mets Shen). The details will be provided soon.In the meantime, the Berdzor corridor is still operational. We will update its status twice a day. //Artsakh gov't: As stated in the Nov. 9 agreement, the new route will retain the status of a corridor. Asphalting is complete on a 4.7km road connecting the route to the Goris-Stepanakert highway. //read, read, read,Pashinyan met the representatives of non-parliamentary opposition partiesThese meetings are held regularly. The parties receive a briefing on various developments and shared their opinion.read,Iran wants to increase trade with ArmeniaAmbassador Zahuri to Iranian outlet: Armenia is a safe and reliable bridge for us to establish trade relations with EAEU and EU. Armenia's preferential tariff system for the export of 7,000 goods to EAEU countries will allow our businesses to be present in those markets.Our exports to Armenia have risen by 37%, reaching $560m, and we plan to bring it to $1b. There are a number of important projects on the agenda of state commissions. //read,Iran launches a new power transmission line to ArmeniaIranian media: Within the framework of more than 2,000 projects related to electricity in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, a new power transmission line to Armenia has been opened. The 90-kilometer Jerez-Meghri line can export 400 kilowatts of electricity. //read,Iran wants to host the next "3+3" meetingThe first meeting between the regional leaders took place last year in Moscow. Only Georgia was absent.Iran's ambassador to Azerbaijan: The first 3+3 meeting was very successful. We hope to host the next one in Iran by the end of this year. //Turkey was hoping to be the host of the upcoming summit.read, read,construction of a $9.4m road begins in the Gyumri-Isahakyan directionThe 15km road connects to a 4th century basilica Yererouk, one of the earliest surviving Christian monuments in Armenia.The ֏3.8b project will also repair several small bridges and other adjacent infrastructure. The government has approved the allocation of half of the funds for the first phase.read, read,dozens of projects worth $8.3m are underway in GyumriThe state and local governments are co-financing the implementation of 53 projects worth ֏3.4b.💲 Alikhanyan puppet theater and its roof are being renovated. It's apparently the first puppet theater in South Caucasus.💲 Aslamazyan Sisters expo building will be renovated.💲 22 streets will be renovated.💲 etc.read,almost every company in Armenia is hiring today, but we have many unemployed citizens who don't want to work: Economy MinisterKerobyan: Most companies have a severe shortage of workers while we have many unemployed residents who aren't applying for work. People often mistakenly believe this is due to low salaries, but that's not the case. When you see that the offered salary is close to 2x the average salary, then questions arise.Not long ago a young man named Marat approached me on the street and spoke about his difficult life and his experience in the war. He has 3 children and can't make ends meet. He asked for assistance.The day before this encounter I was at a meeting with JCA [Jewlery Company of Armenia] founder Gagik Abrahamyan, who spared no effort to complain about the inability to hire and train workers even with a great salary. After a short training, workers earn 400k-800k clean.So I offered Martin to contact JCA and help secure a job for him, which could help resolve the financial hardship. Martin reluctantly agreed to give me his contact information, which I proceeded to share with JCA.JCA has informed me today that Martin has turned down two offers to visit them. Stories like these are common. //read, read,Gagik Tsarukyan uploaded the video animation of the proposed Jesus statue and surrounding infrastructureHe recently bought land on Mt. Hatis from a local municipality and launched the construction of a road, but the government instructed him to stop until the inspectors can decide wheater the construction will endanger historical monuments located on the mount.Today Tsarukyan shared the design of the proposed project. It shows a cascade-style alley with 1,700 steps leading to the top of the hill where Jesus's headquarters are expected to be. There is an aerial ropeway and buildings that are presumably going to be museums and possibly hospitality businesses.Jesus will, for some reason, look like a Western European man. Opportunity lost.watch, watch,how much water has been drained from Lake Sevan for agricultural purposes?The lake levels remain 6cm below last year's mark. For better visualization, 13 million m3 equals 1 centimeter of water. Here are some drainage stats in million m3 :2008: 3602012: 3202014: 2402017: 2702018: 2102021: 2272022: 103 (as of August)Preferably the intake should not exceed 60, or a maximum of 170, but they usually approve emergency withdrawals to irrigate tens of thousands of hectares and generate energy.This is all peanuts compared to the volume of water that evaporates each year: 1.1 billion m3.... California will install solar panels over canals to reduce evaporation and fight drought, a first in the U.S.The $20m pilot project named "Project Nexus" will use 8,500 feet of solar panels over several sections of Turlock canals in Central California.The goal is to reduce water evaporation and generate renewable power.watch, read, read, California, read,Yerevan's Nor Arabkir (Molokan) Park reopens after renovation | VIDEOOfficial: Years ago it was transferred to a private entity on a 50-year lease. The park was left abandoned for years. In 2018 we promised to "return the parks to the public". This renovation is a great example.We removed 200 truckloads of trash. The city's green department planted new trees and will continuously monitor the park from now on. It has a new irrigation and lighting network.We have a shortage of trees in Yerevan. Their numbers have dwindled over the years. This is part of the effort to address the issue. We plan similar projects in various neighborhoods. //read, watch, watch HD, read,you could soon enjoy modern arts in place of ad billboards in the Yerevan subwayMetro's ad billboards are sometimes left empty for lengthy periods. The Mayor wants Metro to install paintings from the Modern Art Museum while they find ad clients.read,cops trolled an alleged mafiosoThe police raided the office of լավ տղա "Bdoi Davit" who owns the Aura nightclub in Artashat. They literally named the operation "Bdoi Davit, did this REALLY need to happen?"Someone had tipped the police about illegal stuff in the building. The cops reportedly found guns and narcotics, to everyone's surprise.read,Gor Karapetyan wins the gold medal during juniors' World Judo ChampionshipHe had earlier defeated Azeri, Croat, Serb, Uzbek, and Dutch opponents. Karapetyan had earlier won silver in the European championship.read,Women's European Chess Championship continuesArmenia's Maria Gevorgyan overtakes Azerbaijan's Mammadzada and currently trails the leader by 0.5 points.standings,auditioninig begins for Junior Eurovision song contestThe public TV has organized a process to select Armenia's representative. This year the international competition will be held in Yerevan's Hamalir complex in December, thanks to Armenian singer Malena's victory last year.Hundreds of young singers from Armenia and the Diaspora applied for auditions. The jury has chosen 30 for the next phase. The winner will be named soon.read,this music organizer wants you to do your research before exercising "cancel culture"The multi-genre international InDrive Music Fest is scheduled for October 23 at the Hamalir complex. The organizer has revoked the invitation of Russian singers Andro and The Limba.It started after the fans complained that several singers representing Russian music label Atlantic Records Russia were also invited. This music label is reportedly associated with "anti-Armenian" singers JONY, Hamali, Navai, and Emin Agalarov.Hamalir director: [Canceled singers] Andro and Limba aren't Azeris, but considering the fact they are associated with the anti-Armenian label, we asked the music festival organizers to cancel their participation.Festival organizer: Andro and Limba haven't been part of Atlantic Records Russia for a while now because the label pulled its license from Russia after the war in Ukraine. Moreover, most of Andro's friends are Armenians who have done a lot for Armenia and Artsakh.But somehow, some people found a "link" and exaggerated the false information, leading to their cancellation. People are so busy reading stuff on the internet these days, they have become blind. They don't understand what they share on social media. This cancellation is a major financial loss for us. We plan to sue some of the peddlers for spreading fake news and defaming us.The whole country listens to Azeri music every day, but they had to cancel these two. Azeri singer Elman is regularly #1 most listened in Armenia. //read, read,National Oncology Center organizes regular visits to provinces to provide free cancer screeningsHealthcare Ministry and the NOC organized a forum in Syunik to allow experts to share their experiences. Simultaneously, the NOC staff provided free screening to hundreds of locals. "The population should have access to quality professional advice and treatment regardless of the place of residence."read,COVID stats last week6.1k tested, 2.1k infected, 1.8k healed, 7 deaths.read,judge approves the arrest of 3 suspects accused of negligently causing Surmalu fireworks blastContext in Friday digest. The judge has authorized the pretrial arrest of the property lessee and two people (all business owners) who stored the firieworks, but did not arrest the deputy director of the parent company Երևանի պահածոների գործարան. His employment has been terminated.... government drafts a resolution to provide material support to the victims of Surmalu blastLabor Ministry: An aid program has been developed for the families of victims who died or sustained injuries. The size and other details will be published after receiving opinions from relevant departments. //read, read, read, read,inspectors are checking the safety of hundreds of amusement park rides in ArmeniaEmergency Ministry official: We have a total of 212 amusement rides listed as potentially hazardous industrial structures. 134 are located in Yerevan, and 78 in provinces.As of today, most of them have passed the inspection and received the approval to operate. The law requires them to undergo technical safety inspections once a year. //read,police issues citation to fishers who used illegal fishing techniques in Yeghegis riverCops were on a regular patrol when they came across a pair of fishers in an area known as "Vanki dzor" near River Yeghegis. The fishers had illegal electrical equipment designed to catch fish, nets, and two dozen fishes. They confessed.read,rangers tranquilized a bear cub to rescue him | VIDEOThe "FPWC" nature protection NGO has found several traps installed by poachers in Yeghegis (Vayots Dzor). One of them trapped a baby bear. The cables were suffocating the animal. Rescuers came in time.rescue operation,how much are the parents spending on back-to-school supplies ahead of September 1?Shoes, clothes, and school supplies. Most parents expect to drop ֏70k-֏100k per child. Many parents say that's not enough to buy all the supplies.A consumer advocacy group advised the parents to purchase only the clothes and basic supplies for now, and to wait until mid-September to purchase the rest because the sellers usually raise the prices by >20% ahead of September 1.watch, read,in case you missedYesterday's news in English, русский (by Impossible-Ad-). Archive by Armeniapedia. Donate to Armenia & Artsakh hereThe accused are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.
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