Armenian Swimmer Makes History With 74-Kilometer Nonstop Swim Across Lake Sevan in 34 Hours
Armenian swimmer Hovhannes Gabrielyan has completed a 74-kilometer nonstop swim along the length of Lake Sevan, spending about 34 hours in the water in one of the most ambitious endurance swims ever attempted on Armenia’s largest lake. Gabrielyan finished at Piruze Beach in Tsovagyugh, where friends and supporters were waiting for him. He was presented with a symbolic medal before being placed under medical supervision to recover from the prolonged physical effort. His relati
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Azerbaijani Official Mocks Armenian Christian Heritage at Gandzasar as Yerevan Remains Silent
Azerbaijani presidential adviser Hikmet Hajiyev disputed the Armenian identity of the centuries-old Gandzasar Monastery and mocked its manuscript heritage during a government-organized tour for foreign diplomats in Artsakh, indigenous Armenian land currently occupied by Azerbaijan, prompting anger in Armenia and growing calls for Yerevan to respond publicly. Neither Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan nor Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had commented on the episode as of Monday.
7 hours ago
Pashinyan’s Ruling Party Joins Forces With Former Political Rival Arush Arushanyan Ahead of Goris Elections
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Thursday that Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party will form an electoral alliance with the party backing Goris Mayor Arush Arushanyan, an unusual political arrangement he described as an effort to ease years of political tension in the southern Armenian city. Arushanyan will not run on Civil Contract’s electoral list. Instead, the ruling party will join an alliance with the political force through which the longtime Goris mayor plans to c
3 days ago
Pashinyan Says Armenia Will Seek New Gas Suppliers, Transit Routes to Reduce Dependence on Russia
Armenia will seek additional sources of natural gas and explore new transit routes as part of a broader push to reduce its dependence on individual markets, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Thursday. Speaking to reporters after a government meeting, Pashinyan said diversification would be pursued across every sector of the economy, regardless of changes in energy prices. “There is no sector in which we are not going to pursue diversification,” Pashinyan said. “Our politica
3 days ago
Armenia Hosts Its First International Professional Cycling Tour, Covering 500 Kilometers From Lake Sevan to Yerevan
Armenia is hosting a new international professional cycling race this week, with riders from 16 teams competing across more than 500 kilometers of the country as part of the UCI Europe Tour. The inaugural Tour of Armenia began Sept. 10 in Gavar, near Lake Sevan, and will finish Sept. 13 in Yerevan. The four-day race is classified as a UCI 2.2 event, placing Armenia on the calendar of international road cycling competitions. Polish rider Michal Pomorski of the Czech ATT Invest
3 days ago
U.S. Rep. Mike Carey Raises Armenian POWs Held in Baku During Congressional Trade Hearing
U.S. Rep. Mike Carey raised the continued detention of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan during a congressional hearing on trade and critical supply chains, bringing the issue before a House committee that oversees U.S. trade policy. Carey, an Ohio Republican, addressed the issue during a Sept. 2 House Ways and Means Committee hearing on strategic partnerships and access to critical resources. He began by pointing to Armenia’s Christian heritage. Armenia is widely recognized as the
4 days ago
Arizona US Rep. Says Armenia, Azerbaijan Could Finalize Peace Deal Well Before Trump Leaves Office
U.S. Rep. Abraham Hamadeh says Armenia and Azerbaijan could reach a final peace agreement well before President Donald Trump leaves office, pointing to growing U.S. involvement and what he described as a strong commitment from both governments to end decades of conflict. “Oh, absolutely,” Hamadeh said when RFE/RL asked whether the agreement could be finalized during Trump’s current term. “I think you’re going to see it come a lot sooner rather than later.” The Arizona Republi
4 days ago
Norwegian Watchdog Questions Armenian Government’s Campaign to Remove Catholicos Karekin II
A Norwegian religious freedom watchdog has raised concerns over the Armenian government’s campaign to replace the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, questioning whether the effort crosses legal boundaries protecting the church from state interference. Forum 18, a Norway-based human rights organization that monitors freedom of religion or belief, examined the government’s actions in a report published Sept. 9, as tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administra
4 days ago
Samvel Karapetyan Sues Pashinyan Over ‘Mushroom’ Remarks, Demands Facebook Live Apology
Armenian opposition leader Samvel Karapetyan has sued Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over comments made during the parliamentary election campaign, seeking a public apology and 3 million drams, about $7,800, in damages. The lawsuit was filed Sept. 9, according to Armenia’s Datalex judicial database. Karapetyan, a billionaire businessman who now leads the country’s largest parliamentary opposition force, is currently under house arrest. The case centers on remarks Pashinyan ma
4 days ago
Pashinyan, Macron Discuss New Export Markets for Armenia as Russian Trade Restrictions Disrupt Economy
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed Armenia’s drive to diversify its economy and export markets during talks at the Élysée Palace, as Yerevan looks for new trade opportunities following restrictions imposed by Russia. Pashinyan met Macron on Wednesday during a working visit to Paris, where he is attending the first International Space Summit at the French president’s invitation. The Armenian government said economic cooperati
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