Author: Maral Takmazian

Russian scientists fully decode COVID-19 genome

Maral Takmazian

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 15:46, 19 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. The specialists of Russia’s Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza have managed to decode the first full genome of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Russian Health Ministry said on March 19, reports TASS.

Acting Director of the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza Dmitry Lioznov stated that genetical research would help scientists understand the nature and the evolution of the virus, which would in turn contribute to the development of a vaccine and treatment methods.

“This coronavirus is new to us, so it is crucial to have an opportunity to determine the pattern of its spread and entry on the territory of our country, and the way the virus changes. This information will help us work out vaccines and antiviral drugs to treat the coronavirus”, he said.

Armenian Virtual Bridge aims to make Armenia an advanced technology hub

Maral Takmazian
Public Radio of Armenia
March 12 2020

     

The Armenian Government today Okayed the Armenian Virtual Bridge program – a project worked out by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry aimed at turning Armenia into a competitive and technologically advanced country.

As a result, 45 Armenian entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to visit the Silicon Valley in 2020 to gain entrepreneurial and business knowledge and skills to present their products correctly, to meet investors and venture capitalists.

Through the program, Armenia gets the opportunity to connect with the world’s leading technology hubs using the potential of the Diaspora.

The most important component of the project is that it will ensure a technological representation in the Silicon Valley. For this purpose, an apartment of up to 250 square meters will be rented in the city of San Jose, where participants will live and work under the Virtual Bridge program.

The government sees this as the best way to make new connections and ensure a permanent Armenian technological presence. Within the framework of the project, 15 startups and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to take a 7-week training at Draper University.

The advantage of this collaboration is that by the end of the course all participants will present their products to Draper Venture Network founder Tim Draper and his team, creating an exclusive opportunity for Armenian startups to attract investment from globally recognized investment companies.

Krisp: Forbes recommends Armenia-made app for remote work amid coronavirus outbreak

Maral Takmazian
Public Radio of Armenia


The Armenia-made Krisp noise-cancelling app has made it to the Forbes top five tools to turn remote work more effective amid coronavirus outbreak in the work.

 Krisp app – an AI-based technology – allows to mute background noise during calls. It is free for 60 minutes free per week. Apple users get 240 minutes free per week.

“You can listen and speak without noise. I have not wrapped my head around how it works yet, but the site states: “World’s Best Innovative Noise Cancellation Technology Powered by Deep Neural Network.” They promise they will not store or send any of your calls; it is all processed on your machine,” author TJ McCue writes.

In 2018, Krisp was named the best product of the year on the International ProductHunt platform.

Most companies have reccomended employees to work from home as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Moscow urges Karabakh conflict parties to show restraint

Maral Takmazian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo. The Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the latest tension on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border.  So, on March 12, during a weekly briefing, answering  the corresponding question, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman  Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow was monitoring the situation in the  Karabakh conflict zone.

“Unfortunately, there was a violation of the ceasefire on the  Armenian-Azerbaijani border, resulting in deaths and injuries. I  would like to express my condolences to the families and friends of  the victims. We urge the parties to exercise restraint, refrain from  using force, intensify the negotiation process, aimed at achieving  settlement by political means, “said Zakharova, while assuring that  Moscow is closely monitoring this topic and, if necessary, makes  comments.

To recall, on March 10 at about 3:30 p.m., a contract serviceman of  the Armed Forces of Armenia, solider Zohrab Sianosyan, born in 1984,  was killed at a sniper shot at Armenian positions located in the  south- eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border.   In this regard, the Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement  accusing Baku of trying to deliberately aggravate the situation on  the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. “Azerbaijan’s periodic attempts to  aggravate the situation on the border with Armenia, to expand the  geography of tension, and not apply existing mechanisms to reduce  escalation, indicate that Azerbaijan’s steps to destabilize regional  security and peace are deliberate. Such actions by Azerbaijan suggest  that the introduction of international mechanisms to reduce the risks  of the Karabakh peace process is an important priority, and the  implementation of existing agreements in this direction is necessary  my conditions for the further strengthening of the peace process “,  the Foreign Ministry of Armenia said.

To note that since the beginning of March, there had been an  escalation of the conflict on the Armenian- Azerbaijani state border.  According to the Armenian side as a result of the shootings, one  soldier was killed and another one was injured.  The Azerbaijani side  also reported the death of two soldiers. The Armenian Armed Forces  also prevented an attempt to sabotage the enemy in the Tavush  direction of the state border.

President of Artsakh holds working consultation in Hadrut town

Maral Takmazian
 

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 15:58,

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan convened today a working consultation with the participation of responsible officials of the regional administration and community heads in the Hadrut regional center, the President’s Office told Armenpress.

Issues related to the social and economic development of the region were on the discussion agenda.

Minister of State Grigory Martirosyan and other officials were present at the consultation.

Archaeologists discovered children’s skeletons at Artanish excavation site

Maral Takmazian
Panorama, Armenia
March 9 2020
Culture 18:53 09/03/2020Armenia

Human remains unearthed in June 2019 at Artanish archaeological site are kept at the stores of Armenian “Service for the protection of historical environment and cultural museum-reservations” SNCO. As Panorama.am learnt from the press service of the SNCO, the excavations were conducted jointly with RA NAS Archaeology and Ethnography and Geological Institutes.

The group excavated two two burial chambers – one of which was a mass burial site. Anthropologist Hasmik Simonyan, member of the excavation group, informed that the mass grave site was of particular significance where around 30 human skeletons were discovered.

Anthropological remains dating back to 7-6 BC contain also children’s skeletons. In Simonyan’s words, one of the skull comprising of 30 fragments has been recovered. 14 skulls were partly recovered, three of which belonged to children.

As the Anthropologist added, the follow-up discussions will spread light on the excavated site of the mausoleum, specifically the gender and age details of the human remains as well as the burial ritual. The excavation group plans to resume the works in Artanish this year.

Reporter sues Armenian politician for offensive remarks

Maral Takmazian
Panorama, Armenia
March 2 2020

Reporter Taguhi Aslanyan has filed a lawsuit against Chairman of the Armenian Public Council Styopa Safaryan for offensive remarks.

The journalist demands that the politician make an apology and provide compensation for non-pecuniary damage.

The case has been assigned to judge Zaruhi Nakhshkaryan.

The initial court hearing in the case is scheduled for March 1.

The journalist’s legal representative in court is lawyer Lusine Virabyan.

The move comes after the Public Council chairman restricted the access of some reporters to an event.

When the reporters of the media outlets not invited to the meeting did show up to the event, started asking him questions and invited him to their editorial offices for an interview, Safaryan responded angrily: “Work hard to improve yourself. We have invited only the professional [reporters]. Don’t send me invitations neither to saunas nor to your places or homes. You are not my wife to invite me to a place, only my wife can invite me to somewhere.”

No coronavirus cases in Artsakh so far, officials say

Maral Takmazian

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 18:05, 2 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Artsakh is taking precautionary measures to prevent the novel coronavirus infection in the country.

Minister of State Grigory Martirosyan and Healthcare Minister Arayik Baghryan toured the medical facilities of Stepanakert and Shushi to review the hospital conditions and capacities.

Hospital executives told the officials that the clinics are fully equipped.

Minister Baghryan said they are in constant contact with authorities of Armenia over the matter.

So far, no coronavirus cases have been reported in Artsakh.

The Artsakh authorities are considering a special facility meant for isolation of patients in the event of recording cases of the COVID19.

The Minister of State called on healthcare authorities to continue the heightened actions and the awareness campaign for preventing the disease among the general public.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

New projects of JHM Foundation and TUMO center in tech education presented to PM Pashinyan

Maral Takmazian

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 20:34, 6 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received founder of JHM Foundation, benefactor Lysa Grigorian and CEO of Tumo Center for Creative Technologies Marie Lou Papazian.

 As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the guests presented to Pashinyan the pending projects and events in the sphere of tech education among children and youngsters, particularly in Gyumri and other cities of the country. They mentioned that investors now have trust in the Government as a result of which such projects are brought to life and new initiatives emerge.

PM Pashinyan showed interest in the ideas and initiatives presented to him, noting that the Government highlights the activities of JHM and TUMO. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that TUMO has become Armeni’s brand in the international arena and the Governemnt expresses support to the expected projects. Nikol Pashinyan added that TUMO’s programs are in line with the vision of future of the Government, as well as with Government’s priorities for education. According to Nikol Pashinyan, they are aimed at re-modeling of specializations for fitting them with market demands. “It’s important that your projects are not just acts of charity but investment in the future”, Pashinyan said.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan