Category: 2020

 15:15,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Stepan Tsaturyan has been appointed deputy minister of high technology industry of Armenia.

The respective decision has been signed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and is posted on e-gov.am.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:28,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. According to the latest data, the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iran has increased by 1,030, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 87,026, the Armenian Embassy in Iran said.

90 more deaths have been registered in the past one day. The death roll has risen to 5,481.

3,105 citizens are in serious condition.

1,730 more patients have recovered, and the total number of recoveries has reached 64,843.

In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global pandemic and named the virus COVID-19. 

According to the data of the World Health Organization, coronavirus cases have been confirmed in more than 210 countries and territories.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:38,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario Doug Ford issued a statement on the 105^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Armenpress presents the full text of his statement:

“I am honoured to extend greetings to members of the Armenian community, and to everyone honouring the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. I want to commend the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee of Toronto for raising awareness of this important event.

Today, we honour the victims of the Medz Yeghern. We mourn those who tragically lost their lives during this dark time in history, and we remember those who were displaced from their homes. This solemn occasion is a poignant reminder of the need to continue building a world free from violence and injustice. I say this to you as Premier of a province that cherishes its diversity and places great value on creating a peaceful and harmonious society”.

Canada’s House of Commons recognized the Armenian Genocide by the resolutions adopted in 1996 and 2004. In 2002 Canada’s Senate adopted an Armenian Genocide recognition resolution.

The Armenian Genocide has been recognized by Canada’s Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia provinces.

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 16:36,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is still among countries having a low burden of foreign debt, but in the current coronavirus-related conditions an increase of the debt is unavoidable, Finance Minister Atom Janjughazyan said at a news conference while commenting on the bill to amend the budget.

“The proposed scenario implies a 324-billion-dram deficit. For funding this 324-billion-dram deficit we are considering all potential options, including the involvement of loan funds from international financial organizations – our partners at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and all our other partners. We are also considering as an option the involvement of debt through placing state bonds from the domestic market. The change of the debt’s volume is unavoidable, both in absolute and relative terms”, he said.

He said the actions they are taking is precisely for this kind of situation.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 16:47,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Despite the current restrictions in Armenia caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), events dedicated to the 105^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be held in the country on April 23-24.

“April 24 is the most sensitive event for the Armenian people, therefore a great responsibility was required from us in order to be able to overcome our physical absence in the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in the context of current restrictions. We didn’t spare an effort and energy, by organizing the events with a logic that all Armenians would be able to ensure their symbolic presence in Tsiternakaberd on April 24”, deputy minister of education, science, culture and sport Ara Khzmalyan said at a press conference today.

He reminded that staring 21:00, April 23, the events will kick off. At 21:00 church bells will ring and the street lights in Yerevan and provinces will be switched off. “We also urge the citizens to switch off the lights in their apartments, and use mobile phone display lights out of their windows, balconies to ensure their symbolic presence in Tsitsernakaberd as a sign of unity”, the deputy minister said.

He also informed that the visits of officials to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial will start on April 24.

Reporting by Angela Hambardzumyan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 17:04,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan sent a condolence letter to the family of American philanthropist of Armenian origin Aso Tavitian, the President’s Office told Armenpress.

The letter runs as follows:

“We have learnt with deep sorrow in Artsakh about the death of American philanthropist of Armenian origin, public figure, great patriot Aso Tavitian.

Aso Tavitian lived with the concerns of the Homeland, had a substantial contribution in cementing the Homeland-Diaspora ties, preserving the Armenian identity in the Diaspora, protecting Armenian interests in different countries.

Artsakh was of special significance for him. With his initiative and direct participation various programs have been realized for years, among which the educational sphere had a key importance. With the philanthropist’s assistance tens of students from Artsakh got a high-qualified education in the world’s leading universities.

Aso Tavitian’s patriotic activity is exemplar and deserves high evaluation.

On behalf of the Artsakh people, authorities and myself personally I extend my deepest condolences and support to all the relatives and friends of the deceased, and wish them endurance and tenacity”.

 17:27,

YEREVAN, 23 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 23 April, USD exchange rate down by 0.14 drams to 479.67 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.09 drams to 516.84 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.12 drams to 6.38 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.75 drams to 592.54 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 431.95 drams to 26379.67 drams. Silver price down by 0.99 drams to 229.94 drams. Platinum price up by 752.44 drams to 11782.21 drams.