Armenia’s Pair Skates to “Artsakh,” Delivering Symbolic Olympic Program
Armenia’s figure skating pair Karina Akopyan and Nikita Rakhmanin took to the ice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, delivering a short program that blended athletic precision with powerful cultural symbolism. Representing Armenia on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages, the duo performed to “Artsakh” by composer Ara Gevorgyan, a choice that immediately resonated with Armenian audiences worldwide and drew significant attention across social media platforms. The duo e
13 hours ago
Armenian Government Opens Criminal Case Against Catholicos Karekin II, Imposes Travel Ban Before Bishops’ Assembly
Two days before the upcoming Bishops’ Assembly in Austria, Armenia’s Prosecutor’s Office launched a criminal case against the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church and imposed a travel ban on Karekin II, preventing him from leaving the country. Attorney Ara Zohrabyan confirmed that the Prosecutor’s Office has initiated criminal prosecution against the Catholicos of All Armenians and that an investigator attempted to question His Holiness. According to Zohrabyan, the Catholico
2 days ago
Indians Kidnapped in Azerbaijan, Tortured on Video to Parents as Kidnappers Threaten Kidney Removal Unless $78K Is Paid
What began as a dream to build a new life in the United States turned into a nightmare for two young people from India, who were kidnapped and tortured in Azerbaijan after attempting to migrate through an illegal route. They were later rescued following diplomatic intervention by Indian authorities in an operation codenamed “Operation Mahisagar.” Dhruv Patel, 22, and Deepika Patel, 32, both from Kanthariya village in Gujarat’s Anand district, had hoped to settle in the United
2 days ago
Diaspora Heavyweights Warn Pashinyan’s Dispute With the Apostolic Church Could Sever Armenia’s Ties With Its Diaspora
Several well-known Armenian diaspora leaders have warned that the Armenian government’s dispute with the Armenian Apostolic Church could seriously harm Armenia’s relationship with Armenians around the world. In an open letter published on Thursday, seven prominent figures said that the current approach taken by the government risks creating a deep divide between Armenia and the global Armenian community. They wrote that “even if unintentional, the Armenian government’s approa
3 days ago
Businessman Samvel Karapetyan Named Prime Ministerial Candidate by “Strong Armenia” Party Ahead of June 7 Elections
With Armenia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, the newly formed Strong Armenia party entered the race on February 12 with a proposal that could reshape the country’s constitutional framework, officially announcing businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan as its candidate for Prime Minister. The announcement was made during the party’s official presentation event in Yerevan. The decision was introduced by Narek Karapetyan, coordinator of the opposition “O
3 days ago
Pelosi Slams Removal of Vance’s Armenian Genocide Post as ‘Erasing History’
Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has publicly criticized the deletion of a social media post by Vice President J.D. Vance that acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. Pelosi wrote: “When I visited Armenia as Speaker in 2022, our Congressional delegation stood at Tsitsernakaberd and spoke clearly and unapologetically about the Armenian Genocide — because truth matters. That truth was affirmed when the House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan resolution recognizing the Armeni
5 days ago
“I Am Proud to Represent the Armenian People”: Armenian POW Ruben Vardanyan Speaks Defiantly in Baku Court
On February 10, the final hearing of what is described as Ruben Vardanyan’s staged trial took place in Baku. Today his family shared an audio recorded speech from Ruben Vardanyan that detailed what he said in court and why he refused to take part in the sham legal process as it unfolded. According to the message he delivered by phone, Vardanyan instructed his lawyer not to present any defense arguments. He said he viewed the proceedings as a judicial farce and believed there
5 days ago
Russian Figure Skater Competes at Winter Olympics to Composer Edgar Hakobyan’s Music
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Russian figure skater Petr Gumennik delivered his men’s short program to the music of Armenian composer Edgar Hakobyan — a rare appearance of Armenian-composed music on the Olympic stage. Gumennik, competing under a neutral flag due to international sporting regulations, took to the ice on February 10 with his short program set to Hakobyan’s “Waltz 1805,” a piece drawn from the soundtrack of the film Onegin. The selection followed
5 days ago
California High School Students Invited to Apply for 2026 Armenian Genocide Remembrance Scholarships
The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation is accepting applications for its 2026 Armenian Genocide Remembrance Scholarship Contests, inviting California high school students (grades 9–12) to participate in an essay and visual arts competition marking the 111 th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The contests aim to increase awareness of the Armenian Genocide while highlighting the cultural resilience, civic contributions, and lived experiences of Armenian
5 days ago
Rafael Arutyunyan and Ari Zakarian Behind Ilia Malinin’s Gold-Winning Olympic Run
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, Ilia Malinin — working with Armenian coach Rafael Arutyunyan — helped Team USA win the gold medal in the figure skating team event. The United States finished with the highest score overall in the combination of men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance skating. Malinin’s strong performance in the men’s segment gave the U.S. the one extra point needed to secure the gold ahead of other countries. Ilia Malinin, 21, is one of the
6 days ago
