EU Warns Armenia’s Courts Remain Vulnerable to Political Influence as Police Abuse Investigations Fall Short Despite Reforms
The European Union says Armenia’s courts remain vulnerable to political influence, investigations into alleged police abuse are ineffective and pretrial detention is used excessively despite the government’s continued human rights and judicial reforms. The EU’s 2025 Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy, published by the European External Action Service, says Armenia continued an ambitious reform program aimed at strengthening state institutions and rights protections.
14 hours ago
Azerbaijan Destroys Prominent Armenian Cathedral in Stepanakert, Artsakh
Azerbaijan has destroyed a prominent Armenian cathedral in Stepanakert, with satellite imagery showing the church was demolished between March 3 and April 2, 2026, according to an Armenian cultural heritage specialist monitoring endangered sites across Artsakh. Hovik Avanesov, the Cultural Heritage Ombudsman of Artsakh and vice president of the Azgayin Cultural-Historical NGO, identified the destroyed building as the Holy Mother of God Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral o
15 hours ago
Turkey Begins Restoration of 1876 Armenian Church Damaged in 2023 Earthquakes
A nearly 150-year-old Armenian church in southern Turkey is being restored after suffering extensive damage in the powerful earthquakes that devastated the region in 2023. The Karasun Manuk Armenian Church in İskenderun, a coastal city in Hatay province, was heavily damaged in the Feb. 6, 2023, earthquakes. Part of the altar was destroyed, and other sections of the building were left in need of major repairs. Built in 1876, the church has long served the local Armenian commun
15 hours ago
Aliyev Envisions Power Lines, Oil and Gas Pipelines Through Armenia Under TRIPP, Warns Armenia Will Face Energy Crisis
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says the planned TRIPP route through Armenia could eventually carry electricity lines, fiber-optic cables and oil and gas pipelines alongside road and rail connections, as lawmakers from both Armenia’s government and opposition reject his claim that the country could face an energy crisis after the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant closes. Aliyev outlined the bigger vision during an Aug. 11 visit to Nakhijevan, telling Azerbaijani state televisio
15 hours ago
Expedia, Viator and European Travel Platforms Sell Tours Through Artsakh After 2023 Armenian Exodus
Major international booking platforms are selling trips to Stepanakert, Shushi and other parts of Artsakh, often giving travelers little information about the Armenian population that lived there before Azerbaijan occupied the entire region in 2023. Less than three years after more than 120,000 Armenians were forced from Artsakh, international travel companies are selling day trips through cities where Armenians lived until Azerbaijan’s September 2023 military offensive. Expe
2 days ago
Armenia to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags, Cups, Utensils Starting in 2027
Armenia will prohibit businesses from selling or providing many common single-use plastic products starting Jan. 1, 2027, expanding restrictions to items ranging from shopping bags and food containers to cups, straws and plastic utensils. The new rules will apply to retail stores, restaurants and other food service businesses, mobile vendors, street sellers, fairs and trade exhibitions, according to Armenia’s Market Surveillance Inspection Body. Businesses will no longer be a
2 days ago
64-Year-Old Armenian Man Stabbed to Death After Rent Dispute in Istanbul; Suspect Confesses
A 64-year-old man identified by Turkish media as an Armenian citizen was found stabbed to death in a residential building in Istanbul, and a suspect has been jailed after confessing to the killing, according to reports cited by Ermenihaber. The victim, Agop (Hakob) Degirmencioglu, was found in a building in Beyoglu, a central Istanbul district. Police opened a murder investigation after discovering stab wounds on the back and side of his neck. The case came to light when Mehm
2 days ago
He Built a Tbilisi Landmark, Lost It to the Soviets and Died in Its Basement — Now Its Hidden Levels Have Been Found
Renovation work on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue has uncovered underground levels beneath the historic Melik-Azaryants building, revealing a long-hidden section of one of the Georgian capital’s best-known architectural landmarks. Excavations are continuing at the building, located at 37 Rustaveli Ave. Previous reports have suggested that up to 2,000 square meters, or about 21,500 square feet, of hidden space may exist beneath the property. The discovery brings new attention to t
2 days ago
Hours-Old Baby Girl Found Abandoned in Yerevan With Umbilical Cord Still Attached
A newborn girl, believed to be only hours old, is recovering in a Yerevan hospital after she was found abandoned near an apartment building with her umbilical cord still attached and her body temperature at a dangerously low 30 degrees Celsius. The baby was discovered Monday evening near a playground in Yerevan after residents heard crying coming from beneath metal structures and initially thought the sound might be a puppy. Narek Petrosyan, who found the girl, said a residen
2 days ago
Armenian Students Take Two Bronze Medals at International AI Olympiad in Kazakhstan
Armenian high school students returned from the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence with two bronze medals and a top-five finish in a robotics competition, the country’s strongest performance since joining the contest last year. Aram Amirkhanyan and Razmik Yepremyan won bronze medals in the individual competition at the Olympiad, held Aug. 2-8 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event brought together students from 131 countries. Armenia also made gains in the team compe
3 days ago
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