10-Year-Old Armenian Chess Star Sofia Baghramyan Wins European Silver
Armenia’s Sofia Baghramyan captured the silver medal in the girls under-10 rapid competition at the European Youth Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship. The championship was held in Rzeszów, Poland, where Baghramyan finished with 7.5 points from nine rounds. Her performance also earned her a 189-point increase in her rapid chess rating. The result came after Baghramyan had already claimed a bronze medal earlier in the tournament, giving the young Armenian two podium finishes at
European Union Sends Demining Machines to Help Clear Minefields in Armenia
The European Union has delivered two specialized remote-controlled demining vehicles to Armenia, providing new technology to help clear landmines from hazardous areas that continue to threaten communities near the country's borders. The Armenian government said the Croatian-built machines are capable of clearing all types of mines while operating remotely, allowing crews to work from a safer distance. The vehicles are also designed to withstand powerful explosions, reducing r
Humanitarian Mission Planned for Armenian Detainees in Azerbaijan Seeks International Support
A planned humanitarian mission to Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan has entered a new phase after the wife of imprisoned Armenian businessman and former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan formally appealed to international organizations and government leaders for support. In a new public statement, Zonabend said she has formally asked several international and state institutions to support the planned women's delegation to Baku. She said the initiative is humanitarian in n
Armenia Captain Eduard Spertsyan Signs With Saudi Giants Al Ahli
Armenia national team captain Eduard Spertsyan has completed a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Ahli, ending a career-defining chapter at Krasnodar after leading the Russian club to its first league title. The transfer was officially announced by both clubs on Monday. According to football journalist Ivan Karpov, Spertsyan underwent his medical in Lisbon before finalizing the move. The 25-year-old midfielder is expected to sign a contract through the summer of
Armenia to Ban Individuals From Exporting Commercial Quantities of Produce
Armenia will ban individuals from exporting commercial quantities of agricultural products subject to phytosanitary control starting July 10, introducing stricter rules as the country faces growing trade disruptions with Russia. The Food Safety Inspectorate announced that individuals will only be allowed to carry up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of phytosanitary-controlled products for personal use. Larger shipments must be exported through the procedures required for commercial
Armenian Court Orders Opposition Leader Gagik Tsarukyan Detained for Two Months in Fraud and Money Laundering Case
A court in Armenia has ordered opposition leader and businessman Gagik Tsarukyan held in pretrial detention for two months on charges of large-scale fraud and money laundering, escalating a case that has quickly become one of the country’s most politically charged legal battles. The ruling followed a day-long operation at Tsarukyan’s residence, where masked National Security Service officers carried out a search that lasted nearly 12 hours before taking him into custody. Inve
Lion Seized From Gagik Tsarukyan’s Estate Dies After Transfer to Yerevan Zoo
A lion seized from the estate of Armenian opposition leader Gagik Tsarukyan died shortly after being transferred to the Yerevan Zoo, where veterinarians determined the animal suffered from severe age-related health problems. The female lion was one of three lions and a tiger removed from Tsarukyan’s property Tuesday after investigators searched the estate as part of a criminal case into alleged illegal hunting. In a statement released Wednesday, the Yerevan Zoo said the lion
EU Commissioner Makes Jam From Armenian Apricots, Calls on Europeans to Support Armenian Farmers
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has turned Armenian apricots into homemade jam after bringing a basket of the fruit back to Brussels following her visit to Armenia last week, using the finished jars to spotlight Armenia’s growing ties with the European Union and encourage Europeans to support Armenian farmers. In an Instagram post, Kos said she returned from Armenia with a large basket of apricots. Some were given to friends, while the rest were made into jam. “This
Armenia Names First Ambassador to Pakistan After Decades Without Diplomatic Ties
Armenia has named its first ambassador to Pakistan, a new step in relations between two countries that had no diplomatic ties for more than three decades. President Vahagn Khachaturyan appointed Karen Grigoryan, Armenia’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, to also serve as ambassador to Pakistan. Grigoryan will be based in Abu Dhabi. Armenia and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in August 2025 after signing a joint communiqué. The document said both governments w
3 Lions, Tiger and 190 Taxidermy Animals Seized From Gagik Tsarukyan’s Estate
Armenian investigators said they seized three lions, a tiger and 190 taxidermy specimens from opposition leader Gagik Tsarukyan’s estate as part of a criminal case into alleged illegal hunting. The Investigative Committee said the search was carried out at a residence belonging to Tsarukyan in Kotayk province. The case is being handled by the committee’s regional investigative department. Authorities said the seized taxidermy specimens included different wild animals and bird
Armenian Opposition Leader Gagik Tsarukyan Detained on Fraud and Money Laundering Charges After Raids on More Than 70 Properties
Armenian opposition leader and businessman Gagik Tsarukyan was detained Monday after security forces searched his home and dozens of properties tied to his business empire, in one of the broadest law enforcement actions against a political figure since last month’s parliamentary elections. Tsarukyan, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party and the businessman behind Armenia’s massive Jesus Christ statue project, was taken into custody after investigators spent nearly 12 h
Armenia Adds Another Top Women’s Tennis Player as Alina Charaeva Joins the National Team
Armenia is adding another ranked player to its women’s tennis program, with Alina Charaeva set to compete under the Armenian flag in international tournaments. Charaeva, 24, has received Armenian citizenship with support from the Keron Development Foundation and the Armenian Tennis Federation, the foundation said. She has also joined Keron’s Talent Pool Program, which works to bring international experience and high-level talent into Armenia. Born in Samara, Russia, Charaeva
Armenian Actor and Director Artashes Aleksanyan Dies at 64
Honored Artist of Armenia Artashes Aleksanyan, whose career spanned Armenian theater, cinema and television, died early Monday after a brief hospitalization. He was 64. His friend Harutyun Bogaryan said Aleksanyan had been in the hospital for three days. His heart stopped at 3:55 a.m. on July 6, Bogaryan said. Aleksanyan was born in Yerevan in 1961 and would have turned 65 on July 17. He studied acting at the Gabriel Sundukyan National Academic Theatre’s studio under Khoren A
Armenia’s Constitutional Court Upholds June 7 Election Results, Rejects Opposition Appeals
Armenia’s Constitutional Court on Thursday upheld the official results of the June 7 parliamentary elections, rejecting appeals filed by seven political forces that sought to overturn the vote. The decision keeps in place the Central Election Commission’s final results and confirms the makeup of the country’s next parliament. The appeals were filed by several opposition groups, including the Strong Armenia Alliance, the Armenia Alliance and the Prosperous Armenia Party, which
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