Author: Karapet Navasardian

Sports: Eduardo Baez Upsets Undefeated Armenian Olympian Narek Abgaryan

Karapet Navasardian
Boxing Scene
Dec 18 2020
By Manouk Akopyan

Published On Thu Dec 17, 2020, 10:47 PM EST

The Freddie Roach-trained Narek Abgaryan had a home-field advantage fighting at the Wild Card Boxing Club against Eduardo Baez on Thursday, but it proved to be all for naught as the 2016 Armenian Olympian suffered the first professional defeat of his career in an eight-round, junior featherweight clash.

“The Dancing Killer” couldn’t use his fleet feet to fend off “El Fantastico” Baez (18-1-2, 6 KO’s), who used a bull-like approach to beat the matador-like Abgaryan (14-1, 6 KO’s) in the Ring City USA co-feature on NBC Sports Network.

Baez won the bout in a unanimous decision with two scores of 80-72, and a third of 79-73.

Abgaryan showed signs of superior class and control in the beginning of the fight, but he was forced to backpedal from Baez’s hard-charging, Mexican Style of fighting and couldn’t muster off much of a meaningful attack countering.

Both fighters clashed heads in the second, but Baez got the worst of it, suffering a cut on the top of his forehead, right beneath his hairline.

The blood flowed down the face of Baez profusely, but that didn’t deter him from a deft and sturdy offensive onslaught that rarely faded.

Baez was the aggressor, but Abgaryan fought smarter and not harder, strategically picking and choosing his shots, and popping in and out of the pocket. It was not enough to get the attention of the judges.

Abgaryan never really dug deep in his pocket in search of a Plan B, as the bout was fought at a similar pace all night.

By the end of the fifth, Baez appeared battered and bruised and was dealing with a cut over his left eyebrow, but not before dealing a left jab and straight right hand.

Abgaryan’s face visibly appeared to don the wear and tear of the fight heading into the seventh, as Baez began cruising to the decision he ultimately earned.

Baez grabbed the bull by the horns in the eighth and final round and brought out a more powerful attack, proving that the energy poured till that point had not zapped him, his spirit was still there, and that he would close the show in style.

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com

​The use of drones by Azerbaijan

Karapet Navasardian
The Nation, Pakistan
Dec 7 2020
 
 
The use of drones by Azerbaijan
     
 
Masud Ahmad Khan
 
 
Azerbaijan and Armenia became a part of the Soviet Union when it formed in 1920. At that time, the control of Nagorno-Karabakh was given to Azerbaijan by the Soviets. After the collapse of the Soviet Union the regional parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh–overwhelmingly Armenian–voted to become part of Armenia. This led to a war between the two countries after which, the Armenians gained control of Nagorno-Karabakh and other areas in the region.
 
The latest conflict broke out on September 27, 2020, when Armenia launched an offensive attack against Azerbaijan and in response a riposte was launched by the Azeri forces. The war started on September 27 and ended on November 9, in 2020, after the Russians brokered a peace deal. According to the deal, 2000 Russian troops will monitor the truce and Azerbaijan will hold on to the areas it has captured while Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh must have returned Aghdam, Kalbajar and Lachin districts to Azerbaijan by December 1, 2020.
 
During the six weeks of the war, the performance of the Azerbaijan forces were exemplary compared to its earlier wars with Nagorno-Karabakh. A study on swift military victories by Azerbaijan forces revealed that extensive and effective use of drones played an upper hand and turned the tables. According to the Washington Post, ‘Nagorno-Karabakh has become the most powerful example of how small and relatively inexpensive attack drones can change the dimensions of conflicts once dominated by ground battles and traditional air power’.
 
Historically, the first pilotless vehicles were developed in Britain and the USA during WW1 but not used during the war. Surveillance and reconnaissance drones were used during the Vietnam War and also as decoys in combat and dropping leaflets. Since 9/11, the US had used drones massively against militants in Afghanistan and erstwhile FATA and killed thousands of members of Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban at large, including high value targets. Drones were also used in Yamen in 2002 under the Bush administration and continued during Obama’s as well. The US increasingly relies on drones to target militants around the world. Even the Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone strike near the Baghdad airport in January 2020.
 
During the six weeks war, the Azeri forces used drones to their best and created havoc in the defences of the Armenian forces. Azerbaijan purchased state of the art drones from Turkey and Israel –Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Israeli Kamikaze respectively. The two drones can carry bombs weighing 15-55kgs. Turkey is considered as the pioneer for the manufacturing and exporting of advanced combat drone technology. The Israeli Kamikaze also proved lethal against Armenia since they are small in size, which makes it possible to avoid detection by ground based radars. Kamikaze was born out of a Japanese incident where their aircraft, loaded with explosives, deliberately crashed on an enemy target during WW2. 3800 Kamikaze pilots died during the war and more than 7000 naval personnel were killed during these attacks.
 
The Azeri forces also converted the Soviet An2T multipurpose aircraft in order to fly over Armenian defensive positions. These unmanned biplanes were used as decoys to locate Armenian air defence and artillery positions.
 
In Asia, China is the leading country in the manufacturing of surveillance and combat drones. China recently displayed its ‘Wing Loong-10’ drone at the Nanchang air show. The range of this drone is 2500 miles and it can loiter in the air for 20 hours as well. China also possesses anti-drone technology which jams signals and is considered the best at disrupting the electromagnetic spectrum. India is also developing its indigenous surveillance drone, ‘Rustom-2’. It was tested in October this year and is expected to achieve 18 hours of continued flying at a height of 26000 feet. India purchased armed drones from the Israel Heron in 2018 to carry out standoff cross border strikes against Pakistan.
 
In the recent past, many Indian drones have flown past the LOC and have been downed by the Pakistan army. Now, India’s concern is that Pakistan is likely to get Chinese and Turkish drones which can be used against them. General Bapin Rawat went on the record to threaten Pakistan and said, at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses in Delhi, “The Indian army is capable of using drones to attack hostile targets inside Jammu and Kashmir and across the LOC”.
 
 
According to media reports, Pakistan is getting 4 latest versions of the Chinese armed drones for the protection of CPEC. Pakistan has already developed its indigenous remotely piloted aircraft, Burraq, which was used against terrorists effectively in 2015. The drone is equipped with motion sensors and high resolution cameras for reconnaissance and its primary offensive tool is the laser guided air to surface missiles. Pakistan has another multi-purpose drone, Shahpar, which is capable of flying at an altitude of 17000 feet for up to seven hours. The effective use of drones in the recent conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has changed the future of warfare. Now air support does not have to be called in. Instead, drones can respond quickly as they can loiter for hours.
 
Masud Ahmad Khan
 
The writer is a retired brigadier and freelance columnist.
  
 
 

Lawmakers hold moment of silence in honor of Spitak earthquake, Artsakh war victims

Karapet Navasardian

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 11:22, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Lawmakers observed a moment of silence at the beginning of today’s session in the Armenian parliament in honor of the victims of the 1988 December 7 Spitak earthquake and the Second Nagorno Karabakh War.

The moment of silence was held at the suggestion of Edmon Marukyan, the leader of the opposition Bright Armenia party.

The hearing is convened to debate a draft statement submitted by Marukyan, titled “On Defining an Action Plan for Overcoming the Current Situation in Armenia.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Pashinyan pays tribute to memory of 1988 earthquake victims in Gyumri

Karapet Navasardian

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 12:47, 7 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan paid a tribute today to the memory of the victims of the 1988 devastating earthquake in Gyumri.

The PM laid a wreath at the memorial located in the yard of the Holy Saviour’s Church in the city.

The clergymen delivered prayer at the memorial.

Pashinyan had a brief talk to the residents of Gyumri who were near the Church. The Gyurmi residents expressed their support to the PM.

The ceremony was also attended by Mayor of Gyumri Samvel Balasanyan and chief of staff of the PM’s administration Eduard Aghajanyan.

The Spitak earthquake shattered the peace of Armenia 32 years ago. The devastating earthquake, measuring 10 degrees on the MSK scale, took place in 40% of the territory of Armenia at 11:41 (local time), December 7, 1988. Spitak, Leninakan, Kirovakan, Stepanavan towns, over hundreds of villages and settlements of Spitak, Akhuryan, Gugark, Aragats, Kalinino, Stepanavan were fully or partially demolished during a few seconds.

Edited and Translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Ishkhan Saghatelyan: We are not electing a king or a savior, but an adequate person

Karapet Navasardian
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 5 2020

“If we had remove Nikol Pashinyan from office six months ago, there wouldn’t be a war. If we had removed Pashinyan in the first days of the war, victory would be the outcome of the war,” Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Body representative Ishkhan Saghatelyan stated at Liberty Square during the rally organised by the Salvation Front for Motherland.

In Saghatelyan’s words, Armenia would be in more advantageous position if Pashinyan had been removed even on the day of signing the humiliating document. “Every day of Pashinyan’s rule is a disaster for our people and country,” said the ARFD representative.

Saghatelyan went on stating that with Nikol Pashinyan’s removal, stability and solidarity will be established in the country, the the state interests and the people will be defended, the humanitarian crisis as well as social and economic collapse will be prevented, providing an opportunity to hold free and fair elections.

“A leader kneeled in front of Turks, a failed leader, surrendered to Turks,  can not defend the interests of our people,” Saghatelyan stressed, adding Pashinyan may seek a way out of the ongoing crisis through organizing snap elections, while  clinged on power, he will falsify the results.

“Let us state that no option is acceptable for us. There is one way out and that is for Nikol to go,” said Saghatelyan.

Speaking of Vazgen Manukyan, the united opposition’s candidate for the post of the prime minister, Saghatelyan pointed to the latter’s experience and capability to bring solidarity and peace.

“Over the past 30 years, two cases of consolidation of opposition forces took place in Armenia. The first was in 1996 and the second is now. In both episodes, the consolidation took place around Vazgen Manukyan. We are not electing a leader, a king or a savior for us, but an adequate person, an interim government responsible for crisis prevention and capable to overcome the challenges our country faces,” said the ARFD member.



Opposition forces set December 8 deadline for Pashinyan to step down

Karapet Navasardian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 5 2020

The opposition forces set a December 8 deadline for PM Nikol Pashinyan to hold discussions with his team and resign, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Body representative Ishkhan Saghatelyan stated outside the residence of the prime minister.
Saghatelyan stressed that Pashinyan is living his last hours in the residence. 

“We have no preconditions but one demand – Nikol should go and that is all. Two issues can be discussed with him – the date and the time of his resignation. We can also promise he will not face physical threats from the people. If Nikol refuses to resign until 12.00 on December 8, we will start disobedience campaigns throughout Armenia. If he fails to go, we will remove him,” Saghatelyan stated.

To remind, the participants of the nation-wide rally organised by Salvation Front for the Motherland headed to the residence of Prime Minister on Saturday to present their demands to Nikol Pashinyan. The march was led by Vazgen Manukyan and other leaders of the opposition.


More than 55,000 residents of Artsakh already back home – government says

Karapet Navasardian

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 11:21,

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. More than 55,000 residents of Artsakh who had evacuated due to the war have returned to their homes as of November 30, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Development of Artsakh Zhirayr Mirzoyan told ARMENPRESS.

Earlier today the Russian military said that more than 23,000 people have returned to Artsakh. Asked to clarify, Mirzoyan said these 23000 are the residents whom the peacekeepers have recorded and this number is included in the 55,000. He said the 23000 residents were escorted by the Russian peacekeepers through the Goris-Berdzor-Stepanakert road.

“Many others had returned on their own before the Vardenis-Karvajar road was shut down. Russian peacekeepers weren’t deployed here at that time. Therefore those returning weren’t registered,” Mirzoyan said.

Speaking about the accommodation of the returning refugees, Mirzoyan said that all hotels and other buildings in Stepanakert are currently full. He said the government is renting village homes and providing them to residents who were forced to move from territories that have come under Azeri control.

Meanwhile, reconstruction in the heavily bombed Stepanakert City continues.

Reporting by Van Novikov; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian intelligence chief visits Moscow

Karapet Navasardian

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 15:29, 1 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Director of the National Security Service of Armenia Armen Abazyan is departing for Moscow on a visit, the NSS press service told ARMENPRESS without elaborating.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine 94.1% effective

Karapet Navasardian

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 21:07,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. U.S.- based ”Moderna Therapeutics”, co-founded and chaired by Noubar Afeyan, has announced that its vaccine against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is 94.1% effective.

“We will continue to work on actions initiated by several regulating bodies in the world”, the company said in a statement.

The company also said that it will apply for US and European emergency regulatory approval of its coronavirus vaccine so that it can be recommended for widespread use.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian showbiz stars ask international bodies to exert pressure on Baku to release POWs

Karapet Navasardian

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 14:45,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. A group of prominent Armenian artists organized a demonstration at the Charles Aznavour Square in downtown Yerevan, calling on all international organizations to exert pressure on Azerbaijan to release the Armenian prisoners of war and return the bodies of the fallen troops without delay, as well as not to allow Baku to forcefully march the Armenian POWs at a military parade in Baku – something numerous media reports claim could potentially happen.

Acclaimed actor Hrant Tokhatyan delivered remarks at the demonstration, asking everyone to raise this issue intensively and more actively.

“The more our voice of protest reaches the international bodies, perhaps the sooner we will be able to solve the issue of our guys. Let’s start,” he told the crowd.

The artists said they will gather once again at 12:00 on November 29 to hold a procession where each of them will hold a photo of an Armenian POW currently held in Azeri custody.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan