Armenia

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II was received by Pope Leo XIV earlier this week at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo; since his election 25 years ago, Catholicos Garegin has met with St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis

Over 16.000 forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh have been granted Armenian citizenship so far this year; 11.259 who have been granted by presidential decree and 5.000+ minors changed passport when their parents were granted citizenship

Drought has affected 97% of Armenia and Georgia according to the European Drought Observatory, and the countries are the most severely affected by drought in Europe and the Mediterranean basin earlier this August

Armenia and Azerbaijan commit to permanently end all wars and establish relations, U.S. President Trump said at the summit with Pashinyan and Aliyev, adding that after fighting for 35 years "will remain friends for a long time”

Gazprom Armenia, subsidiary of Russian Gazprom, announced a two-days suspension of natural gas supply for maintenance work on its pipeline in Georgia, right as Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in Altai, Russia for a two-day working visit

The first week of summer lifeguard service on Lake Sevan has proven successful; from July 1, the Water Patrol and Rescue Services operates in enhanced mode with 24-hour supervision in water and along the shoreline to prevent and address any incidents

Archbishop Mikael Adjapayan commented on the proposal to nominate him for the post of Prime Minister saying he is 'completely satisfied' with service as a clergyman, asking not to include his name among the candidates for the post

Anna Hakobyan, Executive Director of My Step Foundation and wife of the Prime Minister, will start a two-year master's program in Chinese philosophy at the Beijing Pedagogical University; the decision follows her on-site observations on Chinese attitude

15.000 out of 35.000 Armenians who submitted income declarations claimed their right to reimbursement for social expenses and have received around AMD1,4 billion (€3,2 million) in reimbursements; a proposed law aims at extending the declaration deadline

In Jan-March 2025, 988 road accidents where recorded in Armenia, resulting in 60 deaths and 1.391 injuries, confirming an alarming trend of the past 10 years; lawmakers held hearings on Road Safety to identify key problems and find systemic solutions

Former Karabakh residents assembled at Freedom Square in Yerevan; through the council for the protection of the rights of Artsakh they call for a review of the government's decision and ask to keep providing them the 40+10 thousand-dram assistance

Economy Middle East magazine has named Armenia the top destination for travel in its list of 15 best destinations to visit during the Eid Al Fitr holidays, a very special nomination considering the deep Christian roots of the country