44th FIDE Chess Olympiad: Armenian team beats Andorra in second round
17:58,
YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian national team beat Andorra in the second round of the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad underway in Chennai, India.
The Armenian team won Andorra 3:1.
Manuel Petrosyan and Robert Hovhannisyan made victories.
In the first round the Armenian team also beat Madagascar 4:0.
11:12,
YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS. Despite the expected negative impact on the Armenian economy from the Russian economy – Armenia’s main trade partner – the economic activity index grew around 12% in the first half of 2022, and the flow of capital and tourists were a positive “shock” for the economy.
The government continues to predict 7% growth for the year, with the possibility of surpassing it in case of preserving the current pace.
Services ensured most of the growth – 26,9%.
“We have rather positive dynamics in other branches also, with the exception of agriculture,” says Eduard Hakobyan, Director of Macroeconomic Policy Department at the Ministry of Finance.
“The expectations of economic developments were pessimistic but factually we have a situation when positive risks materialized and we have high economic growth. How did this happen? All professional forecast institutions predicted around 2% economic growth for Armenia in the beginning of the year. We have the Russian-Ukrainian conflict with all its negative consequences, with deep decline expected in Russia, which, certainly, should’ve impacted the Armenian economy. Russia is an important trade-economic partner for Armenia with several connections: export and import, tourism flows, remittances and foreign investments. We had negative expectations from this perspective. But starting from the fourth month we saw rather impressive growth in all directions. Both in exports to Russia, remittances from Russia, foreign investments and tourism, with the latter being the key. These developments led to capital and tourism flows, which is so to say a “positive shock” for the economy. We have rather impressive developments in 4-5 directions, especially in the service sector, tourism-related sectors, accommodation, hotels, restaurants, also real estate, the financial system and transport. I am speaking about people and capital. People moved to Armenia, some companies relocated here, people brought certain capital flows with them. In addition, a foreign currency flow to Armenia is also happening which has developed additional demand for services sector. Therefore, we are having such high growths.”
Asked about the impact on the Armenian economy if in fact the 6% decline predictions for the Russian economy come true, the expert said: “We haven’t had a shock like that in the world. All assessments, including ours, show that Russia is the key factor which is impacting our economy. 1% change of economic growth, drop or increase, is impacting the Armenian economy. This was always the case, both during the global crisis and in 2014-2015 when the first sanctions were imposed on Russia. But the situation is different today because its transfer routes are working oppositely. The changes of the growth that would bring negative consequences are mostly positive.”
Speaking about inflation, Hakobyan said that compared to other regional countries the inflation in Armenia is actually the lowest.
He said that back in February-March international organizations were predicting 2 or 3% growth for Armenia. “But current developments show that all international organizations are starting to revise their expectations higher. For example, the IMF recently made a statement on 5% growth when it had previously assessed 1,5% growth for Armenia.
Chef Megha Kohli tells us that her travel pursuits usually involve packing her bags, starting her car, and whizzing away, covering a lot of ground—with her favourite travel partner, her dad.
Megha Kohli in Armenia.
Chef Megha Kohli tells us that her travel pursuits usually involve packing her bags, starting her car, and whizzing away, covering a lot of ground—with her favourite travel partner, her dad. The executive chef at Cafe Mez and The Wine Company loves to explore regional flavours and has often incorporated what she has picked up on her escapades into her culinary creations. In this interview, the Central Delhi-resident tells us about her travel experiences, her luggage essentials, among other such things. Excerpts…
On the earliest travel memory…
The first memory of travelling somewhere was with my dad and other family members. My dad is very fond of travelling, especially driving. All of us—my mother, dad, brother, and I—would be in the car and we would first decide to go to a destination, and then end up seeing many other places around the same area. Till today, travelling for me, my brother, and my dad is never really about the destination but always about the journey. We like to be on the go. We stay at one destination—say for a day—and take off for another place the next day.
On the types of experiences she seeks while travelling…
I love travelling by car—it means I am in control of my trip. I can stop if I feel something interesting is happening, to speak to the locals, or to just pluck fruits and vegetables if I cross a field. I like talking to people. I love experiences that help me learn something about the world, other people, their lives, and definitely about food—something I can bring back with me.
On the latest travel memory…
Last year in August, I went to Spiti Valley with my father. My dad had to visit for some work, so I decided to tag along. I would call it the best five days of my life. My dad and I have really similar personalities. We were listening to music in the car… It was beautiful. The drive was tough because of the terrain but with every turn, the view would change, it was such an unexplored territory. I have never seen terrain like that before. We drove from Delhi to Shimla, Shimla to Spiti, then to Chandra Taal Lake, and then back to Manali. We did that in four and a half days.
This is one of the trips where I did not pay much attention to the food. I just switched off and enjoyed the time with my dad. I relished momos, Maggi… basically typical mountain food. It was not a food trip at all.
On the last food trip…
I am very passionate about regional Indian flavours and I think every place has something to offer. But the last food trip I had was to Armenia. I went there with a friend and fell in love with the food. It was a mix of varied flavours and influences. Every meal was like a revelation—the cheese, the fresh produce, the way they cook their meals. I ended up incorporating a lot of what I had produced in my menu at Lavaash By Saby and now at Cafe Mez.
On her travel essentials…
A good pair of shoes, comfortable track pants, a jacket, my earphones, and a portable charger so that I do not stop taking pictures if my phone battery dies. Also, a notebook and a pen because I am constantly taking notes—if I like a dish, I write down the flavours.
"On July 28, at around 12:00 noon, the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have opened fire with rifles of different calibers at the Armenian military positions located in the eastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border," reads a statement released by the Armenian Defense Ministry.
Spokesman of the Armenian Defense Ministry Aram Torosyan informed that the fire of the Azerbaijani units has been silenced by the retaliatory actions of the Armenian side.
Also, the Armenian Executive assured that there have been no casualties on the Armenian side.
Last July 4, it was Azerbaijan who denounced an attack by the Armenian Army on the common border.
The Azeri Ministry of Defense indicated in a communiqué that "positions of the Azerbaijani Army in Kalbajar were subjected to gunfire", before detailing that the event took place "in the settlement of Zarkand, in the region of Basarkechar".
Armenia and Azerbaijan had a confrontation in 2020 for the control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory with a majority Armenian population which has been the focus of conflict since it decided to separate in 1988 from the region of Azerbaijan integrated into the Soviet Union.
Hostilities between the two nations lasted six weeks and left thousands dead. They finally ceased when the two countries reached a Russian-brokered cease-fire agreement allowing Russian peacekeepers to settle in Nagorno-Karabakh for a period of five years.
This September, STARMUS, the international festival of science and music founded by Garik Israelian and Brian May, will take place in Yerevan, Armenia. More than 50 speakers will gather together at this sixth STARMUS celebration, including Nobel laureates, astronauts, scientists, authors, and iconic music stars, to enhance and promote science communication and music.
Co-founder of Queen, musician, singer, songwriter, astrophysicist, and stereoscopist, Dr. Brian May has just confirmed his presence in Armenia at the beginning of September, 2022. Best known as the guitarist of the rock band Queen, and for his international hit songs composed for the band including "We Will Rock You", "The Show Must Go On", "Tie Your Mother Down", "I Want It All", “Too much love will kill you”, "Hammer to Fall", "Save Me" and "Who Wants to Live Forever", Dr. May is also an astrophysicist and science communicator. In 2020, he was ranked the Greatest Guitarist Of All Time by Total Guitar Magazine.
Brian May played a significant role in the Rock Aid Armenia campaign in 1988 (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbqrKju8z6lKQqxvELtB1kw) when he personally invited many world-class musicians (such as David Gilmour, Tony Iommi) to join the project to support Armenia, but until this time he has never been able to visit.
Dr. Brian May met Dr. Garik Israelian, one of the world's leading astrophysicists, from the Institute of Astrophysics of Canary Islands, in 1998. Years later, Israelian helped May to complete his PhD thesis and earn his PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London in 2007.
The friendship between May and Israelian led to the collaboration with an Armenian duduk legend Jivan Gasparyan. In 2005 they had a once-in-a-lifetime performance together at the 46664 concert in honor of Nelson Mandela held in Tromso, Norway (30min+, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw2mjmW4q3I).
Brian May worked with Montserrat Caballe on a unique version of Queen’s "Is this the world we created” for her album “The Island of Christianity: Armenia & Artsakh” (www.caballearmania.com).
In 2011, Brian May and Garik Israelian initiated STARMUS – a daring and unique new form of collaboration between art and science. The concept of science popularization along with the sharing of music gave rise to a fascinating global festival that has brought together some of the most brilliant minds on the planet. Its aim is to inspire and educate the next generation of explorers and regenerate the spirit of discovery. Since then, in all 5 festivals have been held (In Spain, Norway and Switzerland) and the 6th will take place in Armenia in September, 2022 (starmus.com/Armenia).
The founders have published 3 Starmus books that include all the lectures and highlights of the first three festivals.
Brian May will be in Armenia for STARMUS VI festival this fall to perform from the main stage. STARMUS VI Armenia will also host world class musicians such as Rick Wakeman, Serj Tankian, the band Sons of Apollo, Andrey Makarevich, and Tigran Hamasyan.
STARMUS https://starmus.com
YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/starmusfest
STARMUS VI՝ https://starmus.com/Armenia
This September, STARMUS, the international festival of science and music founded by Garik Israelian and Brian May, will take place in Yerevan, Armenia. More than 50 speakers will gather together at this sixth STARMUS celebration, including Nobel laureates, astronauts, scientists, authors, and iconic music stars, to enhance and promote science communication and music.
Co-founder of Queen, musician, singer, songwriter, astrophysicist, and stereoscopist, Dr. Brian May has just confirmed his presence in Armenia at the beginning of September, 2022. Best known as the guitarist of the rock band Queen, and for his international hit songs composed for the band including "We Will Rock You", "The Show Must Go On", "Tie Your Mother Down", "I Want It All", “Too much love will kill you”, "Hammer to Fall", "Save Me" and "Who Wants to Live Forever", Dr. May is also an astrophysicist and science communicator. In 2020, he was ranked the Greatest Guitarist Of All Time by Total Guitar Magazine.
Brian May played a significant role in the Rock Aid Armenia campaign in 1988 (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbqrKju8z6lKQqxvELtB1kw) when he personally invited many world-class musicians (such as David Gilmour, Tony Iommi) to join the project to support Armenia, but until this time he has never been able to visit.
Dr. Brian May met Dr. Garik Israelian, one of the world's leading astrophysicists, from the Institute of Astrophysics of Canary Islands, in 1998. Years later, Israelian helped May to complete his PhD thesis and earn his PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London in 2007.
The friendship between May and Israelian led to the collaboration with an Armenian duduk legend Jivan Gasparyan. In 2005 they had a once-in-a-lifetime performance together at the 46664 concert in honor of Nelson Mandela held in Tromso, Norway (30min+, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw2mjmW4q3I).
Brian May worked with Montserrat Caballe on a unique version of Queen’s "Is this the world we created” for her album “The Island of Christianity: Armenia & Artsakh” (www.caballearmania.com).
In 2011, Brian May and Garik Israelian initiated STARMUS – a daring and unique new form of collaboration between art and science. The concept of science popularization along with the sharing of music gave rise to a fascinating global festival that has brought together some of the most brilliant minds on the planet. Its aim is to inspire and educate the next generation of explorers and regenerate the spirit of discovery. Since then, in all 5 festivals have been held (In Spain, Norway and Switzerland) and the 6th will take place in Armenia in September, 2022 (starmus.com/Armenia).
The founders have published 3 Starmus books that include all the lectures and highlights of the first three festivals.
Brian May will be in Armenia for STARMUS VI festival this fall to perform from the main stage. STARMUS VI Armenia will also host world class musicians such as Rick Wakeman, Serj Tankian, the band Sons of Apollo, Andrey Makarevich, and Tigran Hamasyan.
STARMUS https://starmus.com
YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/starmusfest
STARMUS VI՝ https://starmus.com/Armenia
https://www.facebook.com/StarmusArmenia
https://www.instagram.com/starmus/
Tabriz, IRNA – Ambassador of Armenia to Iran emphasizing the need to increase his country’s trade volume with Iran, said that efforts are made to increase Iran-Armenia annual trade volume to one billion dollars.
Ambassador Arsen Avagyan in his Friday evening meeting with the governor-general of East Azarbaijan province said that Iran’s neighboring provinces with Armenia have great importance for his country, and requested the governor-general for establishment of a consular office in Tabriz.
“We are ready to have face to face meetings between the two countries merchants and businessmen and we invite West Azarbaijan province merchants and officials to visit Armenia’s Syunik province," he said.
Ambassador Avagyan further reiterated that Aras border river is of significant importance for both Iran and Armenia and to ease the emerged environmental worries one of the mines has been shut down till required moves will be made to eliminate the environmental hazards.
He said that East Azarbaijan is the closest transit route for Armenia and buying the manufactured goods in that province is among Armenia’s priorities.
The governor of East Azarbaijan province, for his part, emphasized that that province is quite ready for boosting trade with neighboring countries, including Armenia, and said that one of the basic policies of the 13th Government is increasing interactions with neighboring countries, and the provinces have the required authorities for the purpose.
Abedin Khorram added that Tabriz and East Azarbaijan province play major and particular roles in various economic, cultural, and social scenes in Islamic Republic of Iran.
He said that increased trade and business between the two provinces of East Azarbaijan and Syunik is quite favorable for Iran.
Khorram also referred to the supreme scientific status of East Azarbaijan province in Iran, announcing that province’s readiness for establishment of a joint science and technology park, which can be turned into a regional export hub.
He said that the Aras River is of great importance for Iran and therefore, we expect Armenia to take major steps to control the entry of mining sewage water into it.
The governor said that the private sector of that province is active in various fields of foodstuff, industrial products, steel industry, machineries, and high quality technical and engineering services, which can be used in various economic and development projects of Armenia.
Given the massive swell in interest throughout the region, it’s no wonder that Rosa Linn has climbed to #4 on the Spotify Global Viral chart. “SNAP” is also #55 on the Billboard Global 200, just ahead of songs like “Un Rattio” from Bad Bunny” and “Another Love” from Tom Odell.
Even as she picks up momentum in Latin America, Rosa Linn is maintaining her foothold in Europe.
In her third week on the Official Charts in the United Kingdom, she shows no signs of slowing down.
“SNAP” has jumped to #26 this week — up from #43 last week. The only other Eurovision 2022 song still in the Top 100 is the U.K.’s own entry “SPACE MAN” from Sam Ryder, which is down at #71 this week (having dropped from #64 last week).
Rosa Linn’s viral TikTok song continues to rack of views on the platform, where it’s been used on more than 360,000 clips, garnering millions of likes.
Different versions of the song — including a hugely popular sped-up clip — have helped propel the song into TikTok and Instagram feeds around the world.
Rosa Linn’s success carries a David versus Goliath feel. Whereas many Eurovision 2022 artists have big corporate labels, she’s part of the smaller and more independent Nvak Collective. Founded by Eurovision 2015 alum Tamar Kaprelian, Nvak discovers, nurtures and champions young singers, songwriters and producers. They obviously have good ears.
Speaking to the BBC, Rosa said: “I’m from Vanadzor, in Armenia, which you probably don’t know where it is in the world, and I’m so, so happy. As a child I’d dream about this.”
Are you over-the-moon excited for Rosa Linn? Which language should she release the song in next? Let us know down below!
July 30 (Reuters) – Azerbaijan on Saturday accused Armenia of shelling its positions near the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, which the two neighbours have been fighting over intermittently for 30 years, Tass news agency said.
The Azeri defence ministry said it had returned fire after Armenia used artillery to attack troops in the Lachin and Kalbajar regions to the west of the enclave.
Separately, Armenia's defence ministry denied the charge, Interfax news agency said.
The dispute over the region, a mountainous territory inside Azerbaijan controlled since the 1990s by ethnic Armenians, flared in 2020 into a six-week war in which Azeri troops regained swathes of territory.
The two sides agreed to work on a peace plan after Russia brokered a ceasefire but periodically accuse each other of firing shells across the border.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke separately with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday to try to nudge the former Soviet republics toward peace. read more
By Laman Ismayilova
Azerbaijan and Turkiye are jointly filming TV series about the Second Karabakh War, Azernews reports.
In his statement, First Deputy Culture Minister Elnur Aliyev told Report.az that the filming is being carried out in cooperation with the famous Turkish studio Bozdag Film.
The first deputy culture minister pointed out that the series is initially planned to consist of eight episodes.
"The work is nearing completion. I don't want to run ahead of the story, but I can say that the first series is expected to be released this year," said Elnur Aliyev.
The first deputy culture minister noted that the name of the screenplay is already known.
"But it is too early to announce the name of the series because it is not certain. The series is the result of cooperation between Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Turkish and Azerbaijani actors will be cast in the series. We will try to make it a symbol of our cooperation," he said.
The first episode is expected to be broadcast on Victory Day (November 8).
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan and Turkiye reached an agreement on cooperation in the film industry in 2021.
Azerbaijani Culture Minister Anar Karimov and Turkish Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Ahmet Misbah Demircan discussed the production of joint films and series dedicated to Azerbaijan's victory in the 2020 second Karabakh war.
The clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed after Armenia launched large-scale attacks on Azerbaijani forces and civilians on September 27.
The 44-day war ended with the Russia-brokered peace deal signed on November 10 by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders.
The peace agreement ended the 30-year-old conflict between Baku and Yerevan over Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region that along with the seven adjacent districts came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.
For about three decades, Armenia failed to implement the UN Security Council resolutions demanding the withdrawal of the Armenian troops, which was the main obstacle to the resolution of the conflict.
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russia Defense Ministry on Friday, July 29 confirmed that Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh earlier in the week.
"one violation of the ceasefire was recorded in the Taghavard area. The armed forces of Azerbaijan opened fire from small arms on the post of the armed formations of Nagorno-Karabakh," the Russian side said.
"There were no casualties. The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, in cooperation with representatives of the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides, resolved the incident."
A resident of the community of Karmir Shuka in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) on Thursday submitted a police report, revealing that the kitchen window and entrance door of the second floor of his house were damaged in Azerbaijan’s ceasefire violations from across the contact line.