Gabriel Sargissian
Armenian Grandmaster Gabriel Sargissian will share the first place title in the European Individual Chess Championship after scoring victory in the 10th round.
Playing with whites, Sargissian defeated Azerbaijan’s Abdulla Gadimbayli and is now on level in points with Germany’s Mattias Bluebaum, thus sharing the first place title.
The latter defeated Maxime Lagarde of France in the 10th round.
Massachusetts State Trooper Tamar Anoush Bucci (March 2, 1988 – March 4, 2022)
The family of Massachusetts State Police Trooper Tamar Anoush Bucci is mourning her loss on the one-month anniversary of her tragic death.
Trooper Bucci was killed in the line of duty on March 4 when her cruiser was struck by a tanker truck going north on Interstate 93 in Stoneham. She was trying to pull over to help a disabled vehicle. Bucci died just two days after her 34th birthday.
Upon her untimely passing, many learned about Bucci’s passion for fitness and achieving her dream of becoming a Massachusetts State Police Trooper, but very few knew about her Armenian roots.
A granddaughter of Aroussiak Dakessian, Trooper Bucci grew up in a large, loving family.
“We were always together. Our weekends were always spent together, enjoying Sunday dinners,” said her cousin Nina Vosbigian during an emotional interview with the Weekly.
Though she didn’t formally grow up in the Armenian community, Bucci was enrolled for some time in weeknight Armenian language courses in Watertown to help improve her communication with her maternal grandmother.
Trooper Bucci loved her family. She is a hero to Vosbigian, who described her cousin as a free spirit. “She always had a huge smile. She was always happy. I felt like I could go to her for anything,” she sighed, reflecting on childhood memories with her role model.
Vosbigian says she learned persistence and determination from her cousin as she pursued her dream career. “She’s a strong one. She was very focused. She knew what she wanted.” Bucci, who voluntarily cut 15 inches of her hair at the start of this journey, would come home after a demanding week at the State Police Academy in New Braintree to a supportive family with whom she would share her experiences. “We all felt like we went through the academy with her,” recalled Vosbigian.
When graduation day finally arrived for the 85th Recruit Training Troop in May of 2020 at the height of the pandemic, Vosbigian and her family gathered at her aunt’s house to watch the live-stream from an empty Gillette Stadium. Moments later, Trooper Bucci would pull into the driveway of her parents’ home to cheers and celebration. “I was honestly so proud of her after everything she went through because we knew that’s what she wanted.”
Massachusetts State Trooper Tamar Anoush Bucci pictured with her cousin Nina Vosbigian
Bucci would don badge number 4440—an angel number— for 20 months until the end of her watch on March 4.
Her loss has devastated her family members, including Vosbigian, who would look forward to waking up to Bucci’s Snapchats and entertaining text messages from her overnight shifts.
Trooper Bucci was baptized as an infant at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, Massachusetts. On the eve of her funeral at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Revere, Rev. Archpriest Antranig Baljian and Rev. Samuel Ajemian presided over her wake, which was carried out according to the traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Late last month, Der Antranig offered his deepest sympathies during a requiem service. “We pray for Tamar and her family, and we commit her to God’s hands.”
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of New York praised Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s (D-NY-12th district) most recent initiative promoting broader public understanding of the Armenian Genocide, its consequences and ongoing costs through the upcoming introduction of the Armenian Genocide Education Act.
“On behalf of the ANC of New York, I want to thank Rep. Maloney for introducing this landmark legislation which will shed light on the injustices endured by the Armenian nation for more than a century. This legislation will also ensure that generations to come will learn about the Armenian Genocide – the first genocide of the modern century – one that has not received the exposure and awareness, which has led, no doubt, to the genocides that followed. Rep. Maloney spearheaded this measure for us all, and we are so thankful for her leadership,” said Chantelle Nasri, ANC of NY chair.
The bipartisan education measure, led by Rep. Maloney and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), aims to provide the Library of Congress with $10 million over five years to work with partners to provide educational materials about the Armenian Genocide, the Ottoman Turkish government’s centrally planned and systematically executed campaign of extermination of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites and other Christians between 1915 and 1923. Following the near-unanimous US House and Senate votes to recognize the Armenian Genocide in 2019 and President Biden’s recognition of the crime on April 24 in 2021, the Armenian Genocide Education Act seeks to ensure that the history and lessons of the Armenian Genocide are taught in schools across the US.
“Genocide education generally, and Armenian Genocide education in particular, should be essential learning for all students in the United States,” explained ANC of NY member and 12th district constituent Alec Soghomonian. “It will force students to come in contact with the harsh realities that have affected an oppressed people, which hopefully will allow them to reflect and create a world where genocide is a thing of the past. I am extremely proud that Representative Maloney is bringing forth this legislation, and I’m lucky to be her constituent,” concluded Soghomonian.
Rep. Maloney has been a lead advocate for US affirmation of the Armenian Genocide for 30 years, supporting every resolution on the topic since taking office in 1993 and attending annual Armenian Genocide commemorative events in Times Square and Capitol Hill. She continues to be outspoken in condemning Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s attacks on Armenia and Artsakh and called for the immediate release of over 200 Armenian POWs still illegally held by Azerbaijan. She has been equally vocal on sending robust US assistance to Artsakh and Armenia, co-signing annual letters to House appropriators to expand aid. She has always fostered close ties with her district’s Armenian American community, which includes St. Illuminator’s Armenian Church, the oldest Armenian church in New York City. As the co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, she has led efforts to block US arms and aid to Turkey, condemned Turkey’s ongoing occupation of northern Cyprus and placed an international spotlight on Turkey’s human rights abuses. For her decades of service and commitment to advancing Armenian American priorities, she has consistently received an “A+” rating from the ANCA.
ARF Western USA celebrates organization’s 131st anniversary
GLENDALE, Calif. – More than one-thousand members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western USA attended a celebration in honor of the organization’s 131st anniversary.
Finally, after a five year pause, the ARF Western USA returned to its much-loved traditional ARF Day Celebration.
The program at the Alex Theatre commenced with a flag raising ceremony by the Homenetmen Western United States color guard and marching band.
Flag raising ceremony led by the Homenetmen Western United States color guard and marching band
Historic documentary video clips highlighting the instrumental role of the ARF in the creation and strengthening of Armenian statehood and Diasporan institutions were presented.
The invocation was led by Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the US.
Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the US.
Master of Ceremonies Dikran Sassounian welcomed all attendees, recognizing a multitude of elected officials, organizational leaders and other dignitaries. Sassounian also addressed the past and present challenges faced by the ARF in the United States and worldwide, concluding that no force can impede the mission of the organization.
Dikran Sassounian
Preny Alaverdian of the Armenian Youth Federation Western Region (AYF-WR) also delivered a message.
Preny Alaverdian, AYF-WR
Then, the “Adana” dance ensemble performed the first of its multiple renditions.
Central Committee member Khachig Tazian delivered remarks on behalf of the ARF Western USA. “Today, we come to confirm that the ranks of the ARF in the Western United States cannot fail to be part of the struggle that is once again imposed upon the Armenian people. Today, we come to accept the challenge and declare our determination to fight again, to expand, to accelerate, and to organize. It is time to unite and reject all attempts and schemes that seek to weaken our will, our determination and our capacity.”
Khachig Tazian, Central Committee – ARF WUSA
Following the Central Committee’s remarks, the attendees enjoyed an exceptional performance of the songs “Martik’s Song” and “Tun im Hayreni” by Lala Yeremian, accompanied by Mher Gharakhanian on guitar.
Audience members also watched video messages from Arshak Mesrobian, representative of the ARF Bureau’s Youth Office, and Ishkhan Saghatelyan, chairman of the ARF Armenia’s Supreme Council and Vice Speaker of Parliament. Saghatelyan was slated to be the original keynote speaker of the event, but due to the country’s adverse conditions, he needed to stay in Armenia.
Serving as the main speaker of the event was ARF member and RA National Assembly deputy Arthur Khachatryan.
Arthur Khachatryan, MP
A member of the ARF since 1991, Khachatryan is a senior reserve lieutenant. He began his speech in Armenian and concluded it – for the elected officials and other non-Armenian speakers in the hall – in English. He explained the current situation in Artsakh and the proposed means to a just solution to the issue. Khachatryan emphasized why a nation cannot have a future based on concessions and capitulation and why lasting peace is an impossible outcome of the current processes.
He called on all Armenians to unite in the struggle against this disturbing period of Armenian history, against the internal and external enemies of Armenian statehood. Khachatryan also called on the OSCE Minsk Group and the United States, as co-chairs, to fulfill their responsibilities and act justly, respecting the right of nations to self-determination and recognizing the rights of the people of Artsakh.
The event’s final remarks were delivered by ARF Bureau member Khajag Mgrdichian. “We are all convinced that the person and the personal are very vulnerable to even the slightest loss of their homeland,” stressed Mgrdichian. “Today, in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, we are facing the imperative of exerting our will to fulfill our mission of liberating Artsakh and Armenia,” he concluded.
ARF Bureau member Khajag Mgrdichian
The event also provided an opportunity for the Central Committee to announce the publication of its new official newspaper, Oragark. The printed copy of the first issue of the newspaper was distributed to those present at the event. The newspaper will be online, bilingual and will cover a wide range of issues of concern to the Armenian-Armenian community.
During the program, a video clip highlighting the activities of the AYF was presented, including a moving message from Hampig Sassounian to camp participants.
There was also a special memorial video in remembrance of regional ARF members who passed away in the last year.
Karnig Sarkissian closed out the evening, singing “Akh Hayrenik” and “In Memory of Kukunian.” He was accompanied by Armen Babayan on the piano.
Karnig Sarkissian
Energy efficiency transformation projects in Armenia: reality, impacts, and future expectations
09:48, 5 April, 2022
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS. In 2017 Green Climate Fund approved a 20 million USD grant for the greenhouse gas emissions reduction project in Armenia by improving buildings’ energy efficiency. Later in 2020, history was made when the Armenian government approved buildings’ energy efficiency retrofits as eligible under the state subvention program. Having the Armenian government as a primary partner in this project is a huge advantage for all beneficiaries in public and residential buildings. It improves the living conditions of ordinary people and creates an opportunity for more mutual projects in the future.
UNDP and GCF joint forces with the Armenian government to make a difference in the energy efficiency sector in Armenia, a sector that needs a lot of work and has to be appropriately presented to the people in order to utilize its outcomes. Ordinary people need to understand the short and long-term advantages of transforming their residential communities to become energy efficient. Only then a real change will happen, and it will open the door for a green Armenia that contributes positively to global climate change and can guarantee a better quality of life for its people.
How does it impact climate change?
The project’s direct impact is lowering greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants from burning fossil fuels for heating. Up to 5.8 million tons of CO2 will be saved over 20 years. It is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from about 630,000 homes’ energy use for one year! Or the CO2 sequestered by around 6,500,000 acres of U.S. forests in one year!
In a country with a cold winter like Armenia, where the temperature could drop to 20-30 degrees below zero, such emissions are not a surprise since individual gas boilers heat most residential properties with a total absence of energy-efficient solutions in the majority of the buildings. We consider addressing global climate change as our responsibility, and we aim to de-risk its effects in Armenia one building at a time. Still, we recognize the reality of our circumstances, and we know it’s impossible to retrofit every single building in the country.
Here comes the indirect impact of our project, which is to lead by example and spread the culture of energy efficiency among Armenian people by all possible means, whether by informative videos, publications, social media platforms, and even energy efficiency passports for the buildings we retrofit. We need to show them the change energy efficiency solutions can make to their lives and to gradually increase their interest in implementing such solutions at their own cost.
What added value does it have for the Armenian economy?
Scaling up the investment in energy efficiency solutions is one of the primary targets of this project. We want to encourage the private investors in Armenia to participate in this domain actively. Our project will gradually create the need for such solutions in the local market; hence supply will emerge to cover the increasing local demand. Sooner or later, it will help support existing workforces, create not temporary but permanent green jobs, bring foreign investments, improve the country’s competency in this field, and eventually fasten our steps towards addressing climate change.
We have witnessed promising signs of interest in local communities throughout the last two years, especially after we finished retrofitting over seventy residential buildings. As we move forward with our project, we’ll motivate more people to take the initiative and join the green energy efficiency movement in Armenia.
Besides that, we can’t ignore the role of energy efficiency solutions in meeting the growing energy demands in Armenia. Energy savings will support the Armenian national economy and increase governmental investments in other fields.
A better life for the Armenian population
Utility bills are always a big problem for the poor people in Armenia, especially the gas bills in the freezing winter and the electricity bills in the hot days of summer. Some families would struggle to maintain their heating or cooling systems running. Besides the climate and economic impacts, we estimate that over 200,000 people in Armenia will benefit from this project.
Residents of rural areas will have a chance of better living conditions for lower utility bills. The more people can save on utilities, the more they can spend in domestic markets to enhance their lives. While researching the selected regions and areas of the project, we found that the most vulnerable households are women-headed, ranging from 15% to 30% of the total beneficiaries. The project will support these women to help them provide a better life for their families. To put that in other words. Warmer residential buildings, lower monthly expenses, and a better lifestyle for the poor Armenian segment of the society.
Eliminating energy poverty
Many families in the rural areas of Armenia have bad economic circumstances. Despite the availability of energy solutions in the country like gas and electricity, they can’t use it consistently due to expensive utility bills. One of our project’s goals is to implement a sustainable solution to reasonably reduce the utility bills for these families by retrofitting residential buildings. Energy-efficient buildings consume fewer energy resources and provide better living conditions. So far, our effort has resulted in a substantial improvement in terms of cost savings in the buildings we’ve already retrofitted.
As a result of the energy efficiency retrofits we carried out at some residential communities, the total energy consumption decreased 2.4 to 4.2 times resulting in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and 20-60% savings in heating and cooling costs. Furthermore, the market value of apartments in retrofitted buildings has grown by 10-15%.
Achieving energy independence
Although the Project won’t result in achieving total energy independence country-wise, it would assist communities in achieving partial energy independence. This step is only the beginning, and since we know it’s impossible to retrofit all buildings in Armenia, and we can’t implement energy efficiency solutions inside every apartment, our long-term plan, as demonstrated above, is to spread the energy efficiency culture across the country. We want local communities to take responsibility and engage in the energy efficiency movement on their own and look for solutions to become energy independent.
Practical steps towards an energy-efficient Armenia
The Project focuses on existing public and residential buildings, especially the old ’60s-’80s buildings that lack any signs of energy efficiency. Full and partial thermal retrofit plans were harmonized with improved building codes and standards of the Republic of Armenia and implemented in several buildings. Windows and doors on staircases were replaced, vestibule entrances were built, roofs and external walls were completely insulated, basic fire safety measures were addressed, and modern LED lighting systems were installed.
UNDP assisted in doing quality control on the supplied materials, goods, and construction. Our work is still in progress to finish transforming 110 buildings in 14 communities into energy-efficient facilities by 2022.
Project uniqueness and requirements
There are many energy-efficiency projects worldwide, but the uniqueness in this one was convincing the Armenian government to take part as a primary co-financing partner to retrofit buildings for the better future of Armenia and its people.
Having the government as a primary co-funding partner in this project was a significant step forward in the international collaboration with Armenian official bodies regarding climate change. However, the GCF, the UNDP, and the Armenian government can’t fund the whole multi-building development project independently. The need for third-party funding partners is essential to keep pushing in the right direction. Only by that will our work result in a sustainable development model to achieve the energy efficiency transformation in Armenia.
International communities’ role in supporting the project is very noticeable, and it plays a crucial role in diversifying the financial sources required for the continuity of the project. We need to keep funds flowing to constantly push our project forward as we don’t want to limit our accomplishment to 110 buildings, but we need to do more so we can keep spreading energy efficiency awareness.
We want to spread the energy efficiency culture and scale up the energy-efficient retrofit of buildings; even with a different funding plan, we want this progress to continue by collaborating with national and international parties for its success and sustainability of achieved partnership with the communities.
Conclusion
In light of surrounding circumstances and the current situation, the need for having an energy efficiency transformation in Armenia is vital and growing. As it would not only contribute to the life of the Armenian people, it would also join the international efforts to address the global climate change issues in the building sector. We’ve already come a long way in our endeavor, but there is a lot of work to do in the future to ensure the stability of our project and the sustainability of its results in the long term, and that requires the international support of all concerned parties.
The Armenia government has been dynamic and open to collaboration in this regard, which alone is a big step towards an energy efficiency change in the country and a chance we need to grasp. We need to take the opportunity and combine all efforts to keep the project moving forward towards a green Armenia.
Diana Harutyunyan
Climate Change Programme Coordinator UNDP
10:39, 5 April, 2022
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of the United States to Armenia Lynne Tracy met with relatives of Armenian servicemen who were captured in 2020 and 2021, the Embassy said in a news release.
“The discussion focused on human rights issues, including point eight of the November 2020 trilateral ceasefire statement by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia on the exchange of prisoners of war, hostages and other detained persons, and dead bodies, and the Geneva Convention.
We urge the release of all prisoners as well as increased efforts to obtain information about the fate of missing servicemembers, including from the 1990s, noting the pain of families who do not know their loved ones’ whereabouts or fate”, the Embassy said.
11:12, 5 April, 2022
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS. 13 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 422,594, the Ministry of Healthcare said.
2733 tests were conducted on April 4.
105 patients have recovered in one day (410,229 total recoveries).
2 death cases have been registered in the country, raising the death toll to 8619.
As of April 5, the number of active cases is 2067.
11:26, 5 April, 2022
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS. The ex-Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan filed an appellate complaint against the court’s decision on remanding him into custody.
His lawyer said the motion was filed today.
“Today I submitted an appellate complaint,” Piloyan’s lawyer Tigran Sargsyan told ARMENPRESS.
Andranik Piloyan is arrested in suspicion of bribery.
The National Security Service conducted a large scale investigation into alleged cases of bribery, abuse of power and embezzlement committed in the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
“Numerous cases” of alleged crimes were discovered, the Anti-Corruption Committee earlier said.
Suspects included then-Minister Piloyan, his advisor, as well as more than 10 ministry officials.
Piloyan is suspected in accepting a bribe for making actions in his capacity as minister in favor of a company which works with the ministry. Piloyan’s advisor acted as an intermediary in taking the bribe, according to the Anti-Corruption Committee.
Piloyan faces 3 counts of bribery charges under Article 311 Paragraph 3, Clause 3. He was arrested on March 30. Investigators filed a motion to court requesting to remand him in custody until the trial.
He was remanded in pre-trial detention on March 31.
Piloyan was relieved from duties as Minister of Emergency Situations on April 1.
12:03, 5 April, 2022
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS. North Korea opposes war but would use nuclear weapons if South Korea attacked, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Analysts said the statement is probably aimed at the South’s incoming conservative president.
Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in the government and ruling party, said it was a “very big mistake” for South Korea’s minister of defence to make recent remarks discussing attacks on the North, Reuters reported citing North Korean state news agency KCNA reported.
South Korean Defence Minister Suh Wook had said on Friday that his country’s military has a variety of missiles with significantly improved range, accuracy and power, with “the ability to accurately and quickly hit any target in North Korea.”
Kim and another North Korean official issued earlier statements on Sunday condemning Suh’s remarks, and warned that Pyongyang would destroy major targets in Seoul if the South takes any “dangerous military action” such as a preemptive strike.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors April 5, unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn to honor L.A. County’s Armenian community by proclaiming the month of April as Armenian History Month.
Additionally, in a separate motion, Supervisor Barger named four honorees of Armenian heritage to recognize their contributions and local positive impact. Those named included a diverse range of individuals in background and achievements.
Sona Van co-founded a non-profit medical group with various locations that serve the indigent and is a literary poet of works that focus on the Armenian Genocide. Al Cabraloff is a member of the Armenian Education Foundation, an avid supporter of Armenian educational institutions and students of Armenian culture. Ronald Altoon is an internationally renowned architect and board member of several higher education institutions. Mariam Kuregyan is a lawyer and dedicated volunteer who has supported many causes, including helping women affected by domestic violence.