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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
The Armenian Report Team
Feb 10
Vance Praises Aliyev’s Ties to Turkey and Israel as U.S. Signs Strategic Partnership With Azerbaijan
After departing Yerevan, U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Baku and delivered what has become a familiar script: a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, followed by the signing of a sweeping Charter on Strategic Partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan. The document, dense with diplomatic language and expansive ambitions, reaffirms mutual support for sovereignty and territorial integrity, expands cooperation in energy, security, art
The Armenian Report Team
Feb 10
YouTube to Launch Partner Program in Armenia, Allowing Local Creators to Monetize Content
YouTube has announced that its Partner Program will soon be available in Armenia, opening the door for creators in the country to earn money from their videos and officially join the platform’s global creator economy. This is an important change for Armenia’s digital space, where many independent journalists, educators, entertainers, and businesses already use YouTube to reach local and international audiences. Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, w
The Armenian Report Team
Feb 10
Vance Confirms Armenian POW Issue Will Be Raised in Baku
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said the issue of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan will be raised during his meetings in Baku, as he continued a high-profile diplomatic trip in the South Caucasus that included stops in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Speaking to journalists before leaving Armenia, Vance was asked whether he planned to discuss the fate of Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan. He confirmed that the topic would be part of his talks and described Washington’s efforts t
The Armenian Report Team
Feb 10
U.S. Vice President Deletes Armenian Genocide Reference After Tsitsernakaberd Visit
UPDATE: Vance’s staff later said the original post referencing the Armenian Genocide was shared by mistake by team members who were not traveling on the vice president’s flight. A spokesperson for Vance stated, “This account is run by staff who mainly post photos and videos of the vice president. The vice president’s position on this issue can be found in his comments on the plane.” Speaking to reporters right before boarding his plane to Baku, Vance addressed his visit to th
The Armenian Report Team
Feb 10
Azerbaijan Complaint Leads to Removal of ‘Artsakh’ Title From Olympic Records
International sports bodies removed the title of the song Artsakh from official Olympic records for Armenia’s pair figure skaters after reviewing a complaint submitted by Azerbaijan, a decision critics say amounts to political pressure on cultural expression at the Games. The issue emerged ahead of the figure skating competition at the 25th Winter Olympic Games, where Armenian skaters Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin are scheduled to perform their short program to Artsakh,
Armenians Protest During Vice President Vance’s Visit, Call for Release of POWs in Azerbaijan
Photo Credit: Narek Aleksanyan| hetq.am As U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in Armenia for an official visit and held talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, demonstrators gathered outside three different locations in Yerevan to demand the release of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan. Many of the protesters were forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh, emphasizing that their appeals stem from a lack of confidence in Armenia’s authorities. Former Artsakh human r
U.S. to Transfer Intelligence Drones to Armenia as Vance Endorses Pashinyan and Signs New Energy, Tech Agreements
The United States plans to transfer intelligence drones to Armenia, strengthening the two countries’ military, economic, and technological cooperation. The announcement was made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance during a joint press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan. During the press conference, Vice President Vance also stated that he endorses Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, p
Armenia’s Mikayel Mikayelyan Completes Demanding 20km Skiathlon at Winter Olympics
Armenian cross-country skier Mikayel Mikayelyan competed on the fourth competition day of the 25th Winter Olympic Games, taking part in the men’s 20-kilometer skiathlon event, which combines classical and freestyle techniques. The race included 73 athletes from around the world and was one of the most physically demanding events on the Olympic schedule. Mikayelyan finished in 48th place with a time of 51 minutes and 06 seconds. He had started the race in 58th position and end
Armenian Athletes Carry Tricolor at Opening Ceremony of 2026 Winter Olympics
Armenia’s athletes proudly took part in the opening ceremony parade of nations at the 25th Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, carrying the national tricolor before a global audience. Figure skaters Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin were chosen as Armenia’s flag bearers for the ceremony. The pair made history earlier in the season by securing Armenia’s first-ever Olympic quota in pair figure skating since independence. Behind the flag, Armenia’s full Olympi
Armenian Parliamentary Elections Officially Scheduled for June 7: Keep or Remove Pashinyan
President Vahagn Khachaturyan has signed a decree officially setting Armenia’s next regular National Assembly elections for June 7. This is the formal start of the election timeline and confirms earlier public statements by government officials about when the vote would take place. The decree was published on the President’s official website and will take legal effect the day after its publication. With this step, the country has entered the final months before voters choose
Azerbaijan Complains About Artsakh Music Choice by Armenian Figure Skaters at Olympic Games
A new controversy has surfaced at the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan after Azerbaijan’s National Olympic Committee filed a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee over the music selected by Armenia’s figure skating representatives. The Azerbaijani side argued that the chosen piece carried political meaning and described it as “politically charged and separatist” in its submission. The objection focused on the decision by Armenian pair skaters K
Armenian Figure Skaters to Compete at 2026 Olympics to ‘Artsakh’
Photo: ©ISU Armenia’s figure skating pair, Karina Akopyan and Nikita Rakhmanin, are preparing to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics to music by composer Ara Gevorgyan, skating to his piece “Artsakh”. Their short program on Feb. 15 has already drawn widespread attention and strong reactions online. The pair first used this music earlier in competition, and the routine quickly spread across social media. According to Akopyan, the performance reached a huge audience and was re
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
