Armenian Apostolic Church Accuses Greek Orthodox and Catholic Authorities of Marginalizing Armenians at the Birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem
The Armenian Apostolic Church has expressed strong objections to recent developments regarding the restoration of the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, citing repeated exclusion from official announcements and site inspections. The Grotto of the Nativity, one of Christianity’s most sacred sites, is jointly administered by three communities under the centuries-old Status Quo arrangement: the Greek Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the Roman Catholic Custod
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
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
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
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
Armenian Athletes Competing for Other Countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics
As the 2026 Winter Olympic Games open in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, our attention is turning not only to Armenia’s official national team but also to athletes of Armenian origin who will compete for other countries. The Games are set to begin on February 6, with Armenia sending five athletes across three sports. Alongside them, several competitors with Armenian roots will appear under different flags. These athletes will represent Cyprus, France, and Russia (AIN), an
Motorsports Legend Ed “Isky” Iskenderian, a Pioneer of Hot Rodding, Dies at 104
Ed “Isky” Iskenderian, a pioneering figure in motorsports and founder of iconic performance products, has passed away. The Hidden Pioneers organization announced his death with a mix of deep sadness and admiration for his lifetime of contributions. Iskenderian, often called “The Camfather,” was known for his innovative camshafts, which became a standard in racing worldwide. He was also a dedicated supporter of young students, frequently participating in S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science,
Schiff Demands Independent Investigation Into Dr. Oz Over “Discriminatory” CMS Video
U.S. Senator Adam Schiff of California has called for an independent investigation into actions taken by Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), after a video posted on an official government social media account accused Armenian American–owned businesses in Los Angeles of being connected to a massive hospice fraud scheme. According to Schiff, the video, posted in late January 2026, focused on the Van Nuys neighborhood and clai
Producer Sev Ohanian’s Film “Sinners” Wins Two Grammy Awards
The film Sinners, produced by Armenian-American filmmaker Sev Ohanian, won two major awards at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles tonight (February 1, 2026). The movie’s music earned recognition in two categories for visual media soundtracks. Sinners received the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, awarded to composer Ludwig Göransson for his original score. The music was created with the help of Boo Mitchell and Eric Gales, who contributed to the fi
Genocide Denial to Diaspora Targeting: Why Armenians Say Oz’s Video Crossed a Line
Armenian American leaders and California officials are condemning a video released this week by Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), accusing him of unfairly targeting Armenian neighborhoods in Los Angeles while discussing healthcare fraud — a move critics say stigmatizes an entire community and fuels ethnic discrimination. Oz, a Turkish-American dual citizen and former television personality, posted a video Tuesday showing him d
Jewish Extremist Spits on Armenian Priest in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter
A new disturbing incident in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter has drawn attention to ongoing tensions faced by the city’s Christian Armenian community. A Jewish extremist was filmed spitting on an Armenian priest in a public street, an act that quickly spread online after journalist Kegham Balian shared the video on social media platform X. Balian reported the event and published the footage, showing the moment the priest was targeted while walking in the historic quarter of the
Armenian-French Designer Véronique Nichanian Ends 37-Year Run at Hermès with Final Paris Show
Armenian-French designer Véronique Nichanian closed a major chapter in fashion history with her final menswear show for Hermès in Paris, ending a 37-year career that helped define the luxury house’s modern identity. The 71-year-old designer presented her last collection during Paris Fashion Week at the Palais Brongniart, where she was greeted by an unusually high-profile crowd for a brand known for avoiding flashy promotion and celebrity ambassadors. Nichanian is preparing to
Armenian Filmmaker Madeline Sharafian Earns Second Oscar Nomination for Pixar’s ELIO
Madeline Sharafian has earned her second Academy Award nomination, this time for directing Disney/Pixar’s animated feature ELIO . While she was previously nominated in 2021 for Pixar’s BURROW (Best Animated Short Film), ELIO marks her first Oscar nomination for a feature-length film, showing her rise as a major talent in animation and a trailblazer for Armenian filmmakers in Hollywood. Sharafian shares directing duties on ELIO with Domee Shi and Adrian Molina. This film is
Sev Ohanian Makes History as “Sinners” Earns 16 Oscar Nominations
Armenian-American producer Sev Ohanian has made history with his work on the film SINNERS, which has received 16 Academy Award nominations. This makes Ohanian the first Armenian-American ever nominated for Best Picture and only the second Armenian overall, following British-Armenian producer Tanya Seghatchian, who was nominated in 2022 for The Power of the Dog. This is a major milestone for Armenian representation in global cinema. SINNERS has become one of the most celebrate
