Date: 05/15/2024

Reading time: 11 minutes, 2384 words

🪖 Military

The ceremony of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh took place

Russian peacekeepers were in Nagorno Karabakh based on a statement of November 9, 2020. The military group was supposed to stay in the region until 2025, which could be extended for another five years. The population of Artsakh was subjected to forced displacement, more than 100 thousand people moved from Artsakh to Armenia.

CivilNet

Armenia and Slovakia discuss issues of military-technical cooperation

Armenia participated in the IDEB-2024 defense exhibition in Bratislava, Slovakia, at the invitation of the Slovak Ministry of Defense. A number of agreements have been reached between Armenia and Slovakia.

Armenpress, Armenia, Slovakia discuss expanding defence cooperation

Armenia and India plan to create a working group on defense issues

The first defense consultations between the Ministries of Defense of Armenia and India took place under the chairmanship of Levon Ayvazyan. The progress and development prospects of Armenia-India cooperation in the field of defense were discussed, including military-technical, personnel military education and tactical training, exchange of experience and other fields.

CivilNet, Armenian and Indian Defense Ministries hold first defense consultations in Yerevan, Armenia, India hold first defense consultations

🏛️ Politics & Government

Over 52% of respondents in Armenia support Tavush for Homeland movement to certain extent, Gallup phone poll shows

A total of 35.1% of respondents in Armenia said they “fully support” the Tavush for Homeland movement, Aram Navasardyan, head of the Armenian office of GALLUP International Association, said at a press conference on Wednesday. 17.8% said they feel “more than positively” about the movement, 10% - ‘more than negatively’, 10.5% “absolutely negatively”; 13.6% found it difficult to answer the question.

ArkaAm

Civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan

People demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation again blocked streets in Yerevan on May 15.

PanArmenian

The Baku court has extended the terms of detention of Artsakh officials for five months

Former presidents Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Babayan and Davit Ishkhanyan are speaking. The detention period of the former President of Artsakh Arkady Ghukasyan was also extended by five months. 23 Armenian servicemen and civilians were arrested in September 2023, after a one-day war against Artsakh.

CivilNet

Political consultations held between foreign ministries of Armenia, Georgia

The Republic of Armenia and Georgia held a round of political consultations in Tbilisi on May 13-14. It is noted that the participants of the meeting reviewed the existing relations between the two countries.

Armenpress, Political consultations held between Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Georgia

Education reforms, institutional development, peace agenda implementation: PM delivers speech at EBRD annual meeting

Nikol Pashinyan attended the opening ceremony of the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the Republic of Armenia. Armenia's economy has grown by almost 30 percent since the People's Nonviolent Velvet Revolution of 2018.

Armenpress, Prime Minister highly values the partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Armenian PM and EBRD President discuss joint projects and perspectives, EBRD plans to invest up to 500 million Euros in Armenia in 2024, EBRD and InecoBank bolster science innovation hub in Yerevan

Border delimitation between Armenia, Azerbaijan should become a key tool for learning peaceful coexistence - PM

Armenia and Azerbaijan lack experience and knowledge of peaceful co-existence, says Prime Minister. Pashinyan: "What you don't know brings uncertainties, concerns, tensions, which you understandably formulate and perceive based on your experience"

Armenpress, Moscow welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan foreign ministers' negotiations in Almaty, Demarcation should become one of the tools that will teach Armenia and Azerbaijan to live peacefully – PM Pashinyan

PM Pashinyan sends congratulatory message to the Prime Minister of Serbia

Nikol Pashinyan congratulates Miloš Vučević on occasion of his election to the post of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia. The message reads as follows: "Armenia values friendly relations with Serbia based on mutual respect and trust"

Armenpress

Armenia and EBRD sign €236 million agreement for Sisian-Kajaran road construction

The EBRD signed a loan agreement worth €236 million for the construction of the 24.2 km southern section of the Sisian-Kajaran North-South Road. The project is a strategic priority for Armenia, ensuring its connectivity and access to Europe and beyond.

Armenpress, EBRD plans to invest up to 500 million Euros in Armenia in 2024, EBRD grants Armenia 12 million euros for the construction of a logistics center in Syunik, EBRD funds largest road project in Armenia

Armenia and France expand cooperation in civil aviation sector

Meeting was held between the Director General, Mihran Khachatryan, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Republic of Armenia, Olivier Decottignies. Issues of strengthening and expanding cooperation between Armenia and France in the field of civil aviation were discussed.

Armenpress, French Development Agency to extend cooperation with Armenia’s government, Armenia, France extend partnership in civil aviation, Armenia and France are expanding cooperation in the field of civil aviation, Armenia, French Development Agency to expand cooperation

The delegation led by Tigran Avinyan leaves for Paris

The Yerevan delegation will visit Paris from May 15 to 19. They will meet with the president of the regional council of Île-de-France.

Armenpress, Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19

Moscow sees the need to resume the work of the tripartite group on the issue of de-blockade

Moscow considers it necessary to resume work of tripartite working group co-chaired by deputy prime ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on blockade issue. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said about it in an interview with the News.ru website: "We do not use the term Zangezur Corridor, but in favor of the complete unblocking of economic and transport communications in the South Caucasus. He also spoke about the role of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh.

CivilNet

Armenia is waiting for the decision to join the European Peace Foundation. Pashinyan

Pashinyan: We are waiting for the decision to include Armenia in the European Peace Fund. The fund was established in 2021 to promote world peace, prevent conflicts and supply non-lethal weapons to countries in need. In mid-April, the media wrote that a preliminary agreement was reached in Brussels to provide 10 million euros to Armenia from this fund, but Hungary blocked the decision.

CivilNet

Mirzoyan to take part in Council of Europe ministers’ Committee session in Strasbourg

Ararat Mirzoyan will travel to French city of Strasbourg for a working visit on 16-17 May. He will take part in the 133rd session of the Committee of Ministers, devoted to the celebration of 75 years since the foundation of the Council of Europe.

ArkaAm, Armenian FM to participate in the session of CoE Committee of Ministers

High-Tech Minister: Armenia considers creating investment fund

Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan discussed a potential creation of an investment fund in the country with Noubar Afeyan, the founder of venture capital firm Flagship Pioneering. Fund is expected to improve cooperation between Armenian authorities and the private sector.

ArkaAm

Armenia's policy is to diversify its foreign relations - Pashinyan

Armenia's policy is to diversify its foreign relations in all areas, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at Copenhagen Democracy Summit. "We are happy about the deployment of the EU Civilian Monitoring Mission on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan," he said. The prime minister said that the EU decision on Armenia's inclusion in the European Peace Facility is now awaited.

ArkaAm

Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity”

The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said.

PanArmenian

Uruguay Chamber of Representatives votes to submit draft law on the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day to executive branch

Chamber of Representatives of Uruguay on May 14 unanimously passed the draft law declaring April 24 as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day in Uruguay, 74 votes in favor by the 74 MPs present. After the executive's approval within 10 days, the law will come into force immediately, the Armenian Embassy in Uruguay said in a post on Facebook.

Armenpress, Uruguay House of Representatives approves billdeclaring April 24 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

Slovak PM in ‘life-threatening condition’ after being shot

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times following a government meeting. Fico's condition is life-threatening and he’s being flown by helicopter to hospital for emergency treatment.

Armenpress, Slovak PM Fico in hospital after being shot, Violence has no place in politics: Armenian PM wishes speedy recovery to Slovakia’s Robert Fico, Slovak PM in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt, Slovak PM Fico in hospital after being shot

Zelenskiy cancels visit to Spain and Portugal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has cancelled a visit to Spain and Portugal, authorities said on Wednesday. CNN Portugal and other media reported it was because of renewed fighting in his country. Spain's King Felipe of Spain had been due to hold a reception and host a meal in his honour. He had also been expected to sign a bilateral security cooperation agreement.

Armenpress

The Power of One Dram Sums up the Two-Year Program with Teach for Armenia

During November and December 2021, AMD 9,328,753 was transferred to the “Teach for Armenia” educational foundation. The amount gathered within the framework of “The Power of One Dram” initiative of IDBank and Idram. As a result, two schools of Aragatsotn Region have been conducting an education program based on change for two years.

Armenpress, Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia

Blinken, guitar in hand, sings ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ in Kyiv bar

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plays guitar and sings Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" with a local band. Blinken assured Ukrainians they are not alone and that billions of dollars in American military aid on its way will make a "real difference" on the battlefield.

Armenpress

Armenia’s ruling party frames anti-government protesters as ‘Russia-backed’ on social media: DEMOCRACY WATCH #4

A CivilNet investigation has found that the campaigns, mostly on Facebook, are generated by the country’s ruling party. Among the main targets is the leader of the protest movement Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the Primate of the Tavush Diocese. They circulate videos and photos suggesting his involvement in a “Russian plan to destabilize Armenia”

CivilNet, Echoes of Déjà Vu: Reviving Resistance in Armenia, Archbishop Bagrat: This is our first victory

India and Iran have announced the launch of the Chabahar port development project

India and Iran signed a ten-year agreement on the development and operation of Iran's Chabahar port. The agreement aims to expand regional communication and facilitate trade, particularly between India, Iran and Afghanistan. India has invested in the infrastructure and modernization of the port, making it a viable transit route for Indian goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

CivilNet

U.S. warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west

Georgia has been warned by the U.S. not to become an adversary of the west by falling back in line with Moscow.

PanArmenian

💵 Economy

EBRD predicts Armenia’s economy to grow by 6.2% in 2024

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expects Armenia’s economy to grow by 6.2% in 2024 and 4,8% in 2025. The EBRD forecasted a 4.5% economic growth in 2024 for Armenia in its previous report, published in September 2023. The World Bank expects the Armenian economy to. grow by 5.5%, the IMF predicts 5% growth for the country's economy in 2024.

ArkaAm

VTB (Armenia) expands opportunities for cross-border money transfers by phone number

Retail customers of VTB Bank (Armenia) can receive money transfers from Russia by phone number. Funds are credited instantly to the recipient's account or card in national currency. In 2023, the bank's retail customers received more than 94 thousand money transfers.

ArkaAm, VTB-Armenia Bank has expanded the possibilities of international transfers by telephone

EBRD has significantly improved the forecast of the growth of the Armenian economy in 2024 to 6.2%

The EBRD predicts 6.2 percent economic growth in Armenia in 2024, and 4.8 percent in 2025. The World Bank expects that Armenia's economy will grow by 5.5 percent in 2024. The IMF predicts a 5 percent growth for the country's economy in 2024 and 2025.

ArkaAm

Donations to Armenia:

Himnadram
ServicemenFund
Armenian Wounded Heroes
ArmeniaFund

14-minute read.

average monthly nominal salaries and YoY change in Q1 2024

Yerevan +8% to ֏324K/$836
Syunik +7% to ֏295K/$760
Shirak +7% to ֏142K/$366
Yerevan had the highest wages. Syunik had the highest wages among provinces, while Shirak had the lowest.
REPORT: While the average nominal monthly salary does not always show the level of economic prosperity in a region, its rise has made a tangible difference in Syunik.
SUREN PARSYAN (economist): Syunik has higher wages and strong employment. It is the most prosperous province with the lowest unemployment poverty rate in Armenia: 24% in Armenia, 15% in Yerevan, and 2% in Syunik.
REPORT: Over the last 5 years, the average monthly nominal salaries have risen by 40% while the inflation was 21%.
source,

Armenian army launches command staff exercises

They will exercise the practical implementation of deployment and combat plans, evaluate the commanders' skills, improve the synchronized work between various groups, develop the officers' moral characteristics and practical skills during preparation and combat operations, etc.
They will use automated control systems and modern technologies during the exercises.
source,

Armenia and India will form a new working group for defense cooperation

Defense ministries of AM and IN held a meeting on Tuesday. They discussed the 2024-2025 cooperation plan and the creation of a new working group to coordinate the cooperation.
source,

from PM Pashinyan's speech at Copenhagen Democracy Summit:

PASHINYAN: Democracy has indeed become a reality in Armenia. Before the 2018 Velvet Revolution, massive electoral frauds were the usual companion of elections in Armenia. There was no trust among the citizens that there was a real chance for them to elect the government.
Now the situation is totally different; citizens know that they are powerful enough to decide. The two general elections that were held in Armenia after the Velvet Revolution have been acknowledged as democratic, free, and competitive both by the Armenian society and the international community.
Armenia made huge progress in strengthening the democratic institutions, an achievement reflected in reputable democracy indexes:
(a) Now we are the 43rd in the Reporters Without Borders’ Freedom of Speech index, compared to 79th place in 2017.
(b) Categorized as having partially free internet in 2017 by Freedom House, now we enjoy the status of a country with free internet.
(c) In Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, Armenia is now 62nd instead of 107th in 2017.
(d) In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s democracy index we are 84th compared to 111th in 2017.
In order to assess this progress, it's essential to note that alongside democratic reforms, Armenia has been contending with external security challenges: the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan's invasion of Armenia in 2021 and 2022 and the occupation of over 200 km² amid inaction by [Russia's] CSTO, the forced displacement of over 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, have cast doubts among Armenian citizens weather democracy is the right choice. So, democracy needs to prove its efficiency while dealing with security, economic and humanitarian challenges.
We are pleased with the deployment of EU monitoring mission alongside the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and we welcome EU’s decision to expand its capacity. On the other hand, we hope for the inclusion of Armenia into the European Peace Facility and in this regard, we rely on the support of all EU member states [Hungary].
A new set of commitments aimed at strengthening Armenia’s economic resilience, state institutions, and addressing the humanitarian needs of refugees has been taken on by the European Union and United States during the high-level meeting on April 5 in Brussels. The rapid and effective implementation of those commitments is of utmost importance.
Despite all the challenges, we believe that the real and most aspiring companion for democracy is lasting and sustainable peace. My government took the share of its responsibility for this. Recently we reached an agreement with Azerbaijan to launch the delimitation of our interstate borders on the basis of the Almaty Declaration of 1991. That means that during the delimitation we should simply reproduce the Soviet-era administrative borders. This is the implementation of the agreement reached in Prague in 2022. Now it is time to incorporate and reflect those agreements in the peace treaty and have it signed.
Another key point for our regional stability is the «Crossroads of Peace», project, initiated by my government. This project implies that Armenia and Azerbaijan restore and open transport and other communications in accordance with the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries through which they pass, and comply with the principles of equality and reciprocity. These elements of the concept were agreed upon during the July 2023 meeting with Ilham Aliyev and Charles Michel. //

... Politico reporter's Q&A with Pashinyan

REPORTER: [Ex-NATO leader] Anders Fogh Rasmussen called your neighbor an autocracy. You are in a very difficult geopolitical and geographical position. How do you solve the security problem in that environment?
PASHINYAN: I would not like to comment on the internal situation of our neighboring countries. Democracy fully corresponds to the mentality of our people. It is a strategy for our government, it is our political belief, it is also our political identity. The members of our political team have spent most of their lives fighting for democracy, the rule of law, and freedom of speech. Now we have the opportunity to realize all these values in our country.
The security situation was complicated because of the regional and global situation; the world order is collapsing at the moment. My assessment is, and I have had occasion to say this publicly, that the 2020 war was a prelude to further developments. And now the main issue is security.
What is our strategic point of view, how are we going to guarantee the security of our country? Recently, I gave a speech in our parliament, where I said that the most important tool for ensuring security is a foreign policy based on legitimacy. This is the reason why we so often speak about the 1991 Almaty Declaration.
It is very important that during the 2022 Prague meeting, two very important agreements were reached. Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty on the basis of the Almaty Declaration and will use it as the basis for the border demarcation. This is the reason why I said that we are not drawing a new border, we just need to reproduce the existing one on the ground. This process is happening right now, and I hope that we will continue it steadfastly.
REPORTER: The border conflict that has occurred in recent years has had a negative impact on relations with Russia and Russia's role for Armenia. What would you say about this?
PASHINYAN: Armenia is a member of CSTO. We are officially a CSTO member, but I have announced that we have frozen our participation.
REPORTER: So are you still a member or...?
PASHINYAN: It is a matter for further discussion, but it is very important to record the current situation. A crisis arose in our relations after Azerbaijani troops invaded Armenia, and according to CSTO procedures, the Organization and its member states had to support Armenia in this situation. But even after the formal application, the CSTO refused to take any concrete steps, and in fact, that is the main reason for freezing our participation in the CSTO at all levels.
REPORTER: Do you expect the West to occupy the current vacuum and ensure your security?
PASHINYAN: We are diversifying our foreign relations in all spheres. Now we are developing defense cooperation with India, France, and other countries. We have a certain cooperation with the European Union because as I mentioned, we are happy about the deployment of the EU Civilian Observation Mission on the border. It is a civilian mission but in a way, it is a new factor for the security of our region. This is the first time that the European Union participates in the security agenda of Armenia.
REPORTER: Would you like to become an EU member?
PASHINYAN: We are waiting for the EU's decision to include Armenia in the European Peace Facility. We also hope to start visa liberalization negotiations, and last year I announced in the European Parliament that Armenia is ready to be as close to the European Union as the European Union deems it possible. This is our position.
REPORTER: Can you elaborate on what initiatives Armenia is taking in the fight against corruption?
PASHINYAN: We have made huge progress but have not eradicated corruption from Armenia. We must continue to be persistent in the agenda of democratic reforms. This is the reason why cooperation with the European Union is of utmost importance for us because today the European Union is our main partner in the implementation of our democratic reform agenda. We hope that the European Union, as well as the USA, will increase their support to Armenia in the implementation of democratic reforms, because, as I said, democracy is a strategy for us.
By the way, in 2019 we started a Strategic Dialogue with the USA, and today we see the strengthening of our cooperation with the European Union. We recently had a tripartite meeting with the participation of the USA, EU, and Armenia. It was an unprecedented format, where we adopted a huge agenda of institutional and economic reforms. It is also very important that we receive more tangible support from the EU and the US to address the humanitarian needs of the Nagorno Karabakh refugees because it is a very sensitive and emotional issue for us.
REPORTER: In which year would you like Armenia to become a member of the EU?
PASHINYAN: This year [as soon as possible]. //
Pashinyan met Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The latter emphasized the importance of the “Crossroads of Peace” project in the context of unblocking the regional infrastructure.
Pashinyan discussed various topics with the PM of Denmark. The latter accepted his invitation to visit Armenia.
full video, source, video, other, other, source, video,

former regime continues to hold protests and briefly shut down roads in Yerevan with demands for PM Pashinyan's resignation

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Dozens of participants were detained and released the same day for blocking roads. The detentions decreased from 170 on Monday to ~63 on Tuesday. They want Pashinyan to resign or to be impeached. The protest organizers visited universities to gather student supporters, some of whom joined them with a dance. The organizers also stopped by at a bakery where they were given free food.
A felony investigation was launched after a police vehicle, "with the sirens on", struck a reporter on the street. In another instance, an investigation was launched against a protester who brought a long sword. One other case was launched over alleged threats made on Facebook by a Galstanyan fan who wants scores of people to be beaten in dalans and exiled from Armenia, "մենակ էտ դեպքում էս սրբազան հողը կմաքրվի էս տեսակ շան ծնունդներից, ուրիշ ձև չկա!!!!"
ԳԼՈՒԽ 2
A ruling faction member of Yerevan City Council complained about "harassment" by opposition figures who are attempting to convince ruling party members to join the protests and the impeachment.
RULING MEMBER: That is not how it works. No one will join you with that conduct. People will join if they see you have a legitimate agenda with trustworthy leaders. Instead, you are "ethnically cleansing" the citizens of Armenia [referring to one opposition speaker telling non-Armenians to leave] և հեռու չէ են օրը երբ դուք գուցե ասեք որ հայ լինելու համար պետք է Հայկ նահապետից տեղեկանք բերել: //
ԳԼՈՒԽ 3
Yesterday the protest co-organizer Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan said he received a report suggesting that the Deputy Rector of Yerevan State University supposedly urged deans and others to retaliate against students who joined the protests. Galstanyan said he was unsure whether the report was true, but decided to read it out loud anyway. On Tuesday he rallied his supporters to the backyard of the University where he demanded to speak with the Deputy Rector for clarification.
The Deputy Rector went downstairs and greeted Galstanyan, who shook her hand but wouldn't let it go for an uncomfortably long period, prompting her to ask him to let go of her hand. The Deputy Rector declared that whatever Galstanyan read about her was a defamatory lie.
GALSTANYAN: I never believed it myself.
DEPUTY RECTOR: Then you should not have said out loud something you did not believe.
GALSTANYAN: Listen, there is a recorded fact...
DEPUTY RECTOR: Where is that "recorded fact"?
GALSTANYAN: It was on the media. As I said yesterday, I had no verification that it was true, which is why we came here to clarify it. If it's false, then I apologize.
DEPUTY RECTOR: Thank you. //
The Deputy Rector urged the protest organizers not to enter the building or disrupt the classes, and that "anyone who wants to follow you can follow you, anyone who wants to stay in classrooms should stay in classrooms".
The angry Deputy Rector left. Another university official criticized Galstanyan for not checking the information before reading it to his followers. Galstanyan said he stands behind his words, and that he was "just reading what was on the media", but reiterated that he had no intention to insult the Deputy Rector.
ԳԼՈՒԽ 4
Galstanyan and his supporters visited the monument dedicated to Operation Nemesis. He praised the figures behind Nemesis for "assuming personal responsibility". In front of the crowd, Galstanyan introduced Hambig Sassounian who recently joined his movement. He pointed to the Nemesis monument and said Sassounian is "one of the successors, one of the brightest people." In related news, on Sunday a ruling faction MP complained about receiving death threats with reference to Operation Nemesis.
ԳԼՈՒԽ 5
DANIEL IOANNESIAN (NGO chief): When this protest dies down, we need to discuss the following: (1) The transparency of political and media funding. There are some regulations in place, but they are incomplete and easily bypassed. For example, I'd like to know who paid for Archbishop Galstanyan's giant stage in Republic Square. In 2018 Pashinyan organized a fundraising for it and disclosed a detailed report. (2) Should the media organizations that do not respect the rules of financial transparency enjoy all the mechanisms for the protection of journalists? (3) Are the customs authorities confident that the church is not facilitating the business activities of certain figures disguised as donations? (4) Is it fair for the church and clergy members not to pay taxes? Should they be able to have a Bently and LX570 without paying taxes? [The "Bentley" is based on a true story.]
ԳԼՈՒԽ 6
Archbishop's fans spotted Miss Armenia 2003 and a H1 host Lusine Tovmasyan drinking a coffee at a Yerevan café and approached her.
PROTESTER: (unintelligable)
LUSINE: I was here drinking coffee yesterday, and a year before that.
PROTESTER: Why have you not joined the holy struggle?
LUSINE: Լավ եկեք թարգեք, շատ զզվելի ա, էնքան զզվելի ա․ //
ԳԼՈՒԽ 7
Pro-Kremlin propagandist Alexander Dugin praised the pro-Russian forces' protests in Armenia and criticized the pro-EU protests in Georgia.
Pro-Kremlin Russian politician Semyon Baghdasarov praised Archbishop Bagrat and the ongoing "uprising" in Armenia against the "traitor" [Nikol] who "rigged" the elections with the help of "Turkey, UK, and US". Nikol is a Turkish MI6 agent. video,
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Video of a protest recorded from above: video
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Armenian government has upgraded other diplomatic channels to reduce reliance on ARF's diaspora structures in the US, says pro-West NGO chief

KHURSHUDYAN: The status of the Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. [Lilith Makunts] has been significantly upgraded. I won't go into specifics because it's tied to our neighbors, but she plays an interesting role there. We have great conditions for the U.S. Congress to pressure Azerbaijan. This is outside of ARF's lobbyist groups in the U.S.
REPORTER: ARF Hay Dat's recent conduct has been shameful.
KHURSHUDYAN: And its influence on the Lemkin Institute was obvious. //
Yesterday Kurshudyan accused the Lemkin Institute of caving to ARF's pressure and meddling into Armenia's internal affairs to assist the protests by the pro-Russian former regime.
KHURSHUDYAN: Lemkin Institute accused Pashinyan's April 24 genocide remembrance day statement of containing "victim blaming". Lemkin did not comment on Pashinyan's statement for several weeks, waited 15 days, and as soon as these pro-Russian protests began in Armenia, they gave them a պաս:
source,

Armenia's four most prominent pro-West opposition parties announce the formation of a unified platform

Republic Party, led by ex-PM Aram Sargsyan.
Hanun Republic Party, led by Arman Babajanyan.
European Party of Armenia, led by Tigran Khzmalyan.
Christian-Democratic Party, led by Levon Shirinyan.
Have the following agenda...
(1) Promotion of Western values in Armenia and Armenia's membership in EU and NATO.
(2) United front against threats and risks of destabilization coming from Russia.
(3) Vetting judges to clean up the courts, and resolution of issues left unaddressed by the Pashinyan administration.
(4) Continuation of border demarcation based on 1991 Almaty.
(5) The use of international law to achieve a fair resolution for Nagorno-Karabakh residents.
The platform is open for like-minded forces to join.
source,

Armenian army chief denies being a Russian citizen

A statement released by the defense ministry denies media reports that CoGS LtGen Edward Asryan is a dual citizen of Russia. His wife is an ethnic Russian with Armenian citizenship and his kids are dual citizens, but Asryan only has citizenship in Armenia. The whole family has resided in Armenia since 2006, said the statement.
source,

Georgia passes controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill despite widespread opposition

The law will require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence” or face crippling fines.
The bill will be sent to the President who is expected to veto it, but her veto is expected to be overruled by the parliamentary majority later.
Georgian PM Kobakhidze had an "honest conversation" with U.S. deputy foreign minister James O'Brien, telling him that the Georgian government is interested in deepening the partnership with the U.S., "which requires mutual efforts and relations based on fairness."
James O'Brien demanded to speak with the manager - Bidza Ivanishvili. The latter refused to meet O'Brien, saying he won't hold any meetings under "blackmail".
The White House said the U.S. will review its relations with Georgia if the bill becomes law.
source, source, source,

how many of the 101,000 Nagorno-Karabakh refugees have left Armenia and haven't returned yet?

As of...
Dec: 6.6K
Jan: 6.9K
Mar: 8.0K
Apr: 9.1K
May: 9.9K
The former Ombudsman of Nagorno-Karabakh said many of them have family members and friends in Russia who invite them to move.
source,

temperatures are rising rapidly in Armenia

REPORTER: The rainy May is not going to be enough to alleviate the negative consequences of the rapidly rising temperatures in Armenia. With a ~3 Celsius anomaly, Armenia had the second-highest increase in temperature over the last 6 months among a group of monitored countries.
WEATHER CENTER: High temperatures increase the evaporation of water and reduce the amount of snow in the winter. In December and January, we recorded rain instead of snow in certain mountainous regions, which is bad for water resources.
REPORTER: A conference was recently held in Yerevan within the framework of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
UN official: Around 40% of global soils are degraded. Millions of people will be forced to migrate from their communities by 2050 as a result of climate problems. Emergency action is needed to reduce the rate of rising temperatures. //
Armenia joined the Convention three decades ago and has assumed the responsibility to restore degraded soil by 2030. The government is promoting drip irrigation systems for farming and wants to plant more trees.
video,

is the decline of Lake Sevan levels finally slowing down?

see the YoY chart

Yerevan Municipality to receive a €25 million loan from European Investment Bank to raise energy efficiency

It's part of the implementation of Eastern Partnership programs. The Armenian government and the EU are co-financing it.
The goal is to raise energy efficiency and carry out seismic retrofitting in 6 medical clinics and 32 kindergartens run by the municipality. The length of the program is 4 years.
video, video,

Gagik Tsarukyan is inside you

there is a bit of Tsarukyan inside all of you
see it to believe it

Gagik Tsarukyan says the new Jesus statue is ready and will be installed by the end of 2025

It will be a tourist attraction site. There will be a ropeway. Also, Tsarukyan needs you to know that he is a man of God and an avid believer.
video,

Armenia and Slovakia discussed AM-EU visa liberalization

source,

Lithuania will help retrain Armenian law enforcement agents to combat cybercrime, analyze crimes, etc.

source,

Armenia's Economy Minister Papoyan met the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt

In a Washington meeting participated by the Armenian Ministry delegation and Armenia's Ambassador, they spoke about the Crossroads of Peace logistics project proposed by Armenia, several topics relating to Armenia's energy and economic security, and the Armenian government's ongoing efforts to classify Armenia as a "market economy".
source,

Armenia and Iran discussed the construction of a second bridge over the River Araks

The first bridge began operating in 1996. It came to replace the floating bridges on the river.
Iran says the AM-IR traffic through the Meghri checkpoint significantly increased last year. Coupled with the fact that Armenia is building a modern North-South highway, they believe it's necessary to have a second AM-IR bridge to handle the rising traffic.
The parties are currently discussing the formation of a working group consisting of experts to discuss the topic.
source,

a new study on mice indicates that more exercise might be better than more sleep for clearing brain of toxins

They injected a dye into a brain and tracked the speed of its movement during sleep and exercise.
The findings show that the clearance of the dye was reduced by 30% in sleeping mice compared with mice that were kept awake. This has not been confirmed on humans yet.
Previous research has suggested that sleep is important for preventing dementia as it is during this time that toxic proteins are cleared from the brain.
source, source,

For those unfamiliar with the current events in the Caucasus, the region is experiencing notable political fluctuations. Georgia and Armenia are grappling with internal instabilities, while Azerbaijan observes from a seemingly stable position.
In Georgia, the government is pushing forward a foreign agents law perceived as pro-Russia and anti-Western. This comes despite promises from influential Georgian leader Ivanishvili to steer the country towards EU membership by 2030. Meanwhile, Armenia is cautiously distancing itself from Russia, evidenced by moves like the removal of FSB agents from Zvartnots Airport and parts of its border. At the same time, Yerevan is the epicenter of anti-government protests.
Azerbaijan's President Aliyev is engaging in high-level discussions, meeting with leaders like Russia's President Putin and Germany's Chancellor Scholz, as well as other Eastern European leaders. The country is also planning significant investments in weapons manufacturing and various developmental projects.
So, what does this mean on a larger scale? Starting with Azerbaijan, according to Armenian expert Boris Navasardyan, the signing of a declaration of allied cooperation on February 22, 2022, and its reaffirmation last month, has cemented Azerbaijan's sovereignty. Among all post-Soviet states, only the Baltic countries and Azerbaijan have managed to secure their national security independently of Russia, thanks to alliances with NATO and Turkey, respectively.
There appears to be an understanding between Aliyev and Putin wherein Russia will withdraw from Azerbaijan, with Aliyev assuring that Western influence in the region will not expand. This arrangement is favorably viewed by both Iran and Turkey. Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan has capitalized on the perception of Armenia leaning towards the West, gaining Putin's consent to remove some Russian forces around the Megri road, thereby increasing the likelihood of unblocking transportation routes and advancing a peace agreement. In essence, Armenia consents to usage of the Zangezur road by Azerbaijan, equating the Zangezur Corridor with the Nakchivan Corridor (connection from the West of Armenia to the South through Nakchivan). There has been a discussion of managing these corridors via a third party company with equal ownership.
However, this is perhaps the limit of what Pashinyan can achieve with his pro-Western stance, as the West recognizes Russia's significant leverage over Armenia, which includes complete control over energy, rail systems, extensive military bases, and a sprawling spy network. This situation possibly explains why the U.S. ambassador was permitted by the U.S. administration to visit Shusha, a visit we might soon expect from the French ambassador as well.
Regarding Georgia, the challenge lies in balancing its aspirations to join the EU and NATO with maintaining profitable economic relations with Russia. Ivanishvili's ideal scenario would mirror countries like Hungary and Slovakia, which manage EU membership while maintaining unique relationships with Russia. For Putin, a loyal Georgia within the EU is preferable to an estranged one outside it. Thus, by adopting this new law, Ivanishvili aims to reduce Western influence and demonstrate loyalty to Russia.
Another crucial factor influencing the region is the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The outcome of this conflict could significantly impact Armenia and Georgia, whereas Azerbaijan has more or less secured its position by strengthening ties with Russia, the EU, and through the Shusha declaration with Turkey.

TL;DR - I love most of Hades 2 and want it to be the best it can, but gameplay feels less responsive or purely skill-based than 1.
​
Let me preface this by saying Hades is one of my all-time favorite games. So far, overall, I’m enjoying Hades 2 quite a bit. I already have 67 hours in 2, have beaten every area and unlocked all aspects, and will likely play for countless more over early access and after release. That being said, in its current state, I don’t think the gameplay compares to 1. I love so much about 2 and it has a lot of potential I want it to realize, but it’s a ways off for me in ways not just pertaining to it being incomplete.
​
Hades 1 has some of the best arpg gameplay I’ve ever experienced. It’s smooth, crisp, responsive, and just feels great. So far I can only describe 2 as clunky. In Hades 1, once I’d learned the gameplay, I felt like theoretically, if I played well, I could beat any challenge without even being hit. I could start a new game on Hell mode and succeed on my first run. I didn’t need mirror perks and Boons were great but never felt necessary to my success; it simply took longer and was more difficult with a bad build. This made for many intense boss fights where I won with but a hit remaining as my heart pounded. As hard as it might be to play perfectly with ever increasing enemies and projectiles, I always knew that if I failed a run, I could have simply played better. This is what compelled me to keep pushing myself to higher and higher difficulty.
​
Hades 2, for as much as I’m enjoying it, doesn’t give me these feelings. It feels very much like I’m dependent on the tarot cards, alchemy, and a good build for success, and I imagine that’ll only be more true in higher pact levels, especially with instances of largely unavoidable damage in later levels. Regardless, in 1, my character always just did what I wanted it to do at any point. I can understand and respect if they wanted to do something different for gameplay in 2, but I feel like I’m fighting the character just as much as my foes and never do I feel like I have complete control of her. To be clear, my complaint is not about the game being difficult because, aside from the Chronos fight perhaps, once you have the tarots and such, I don’t necessarily think it’s harder than 1. My complaint is about less skill expression and it being less responsive; with truly skill-based gameplay you could scale up the difficulty near endlessly.
​
I think the issue is largely, but not entirely in the movement. For example while a double dash would be great, I think it’s more of a band-aid and I never NEEDED it in Hades 1. It seems to me like they gave us these powerful abilities like slow time and ensnare and hexes but then designed the gameplay around all of it existing and being mandatory. Also, the game tried to force the run mechanic, but run just feels fundamentally worse than dash imo, especially in its current state. Feel free to skip or disagree with me on these points (or add your own productive ones), but here’s a non-exhaustive laundry list of critiques I’ve developed after extensive play that I feel are contributing to this.
​
*Delay on dash start up - the slow nature of the dash means that with many enemies, if you don’t anticipate and you try to reactively dash to an attack, you’ve effectively already been hit
​
*Only one dash - most run boons meh
​
*Dash range inconsistent - sometimes I can dash over gaps or terrain that other times I get caught on
​
*Lack of animation cancels - getting stuck in long animations when circumstances can change on the fly
​
*Actions finishing after dash and vice versa - No, I don’t want to still execute a giant axe smash in the opposite direction
​
*Run feels floaty, like I’m drifting around.
​
*Running sometimes registering dash on controller - This issue has been consistent between three different controllers, if I don’t hold the button with FULL force, I’ll get a dash sometimes when I want to run.
​
*Lack of good or any telegraphs on some enemies
​
*Ultimates being interrupted/moves not registering
​
*Movement feels slidey, especially so with certain weapons like torches
​
*Aim assist on controller feels off, active for some abilities and others not
​
*Unblockable attacks - I don’t remember anything being unblockable in 1 aside from traps and such? But furthermore, which moves are or aren’t unblockable is poorly communicated. In a particular boss fight, two different red waves that look nearly identical, one can be blocked other can’t
​
*Dash attack well after I’ve stopped holding run - nearly half a second after, especially annoying for axe
​
*Some enemies attacking where you are instead of where you were when they started telegraph/windup
​
*Daggers sometimes dashing behind enemies, sometimes not, regardless of positioning

I was doing quest to rescue esbern and i just had constant bugs whith this particular npc ,first when i entered sky temple Delpine wouldnt walk throgh the staircase and so she wasnt starting conversation with Esbern ,i went put waited 24 hours went back and quest went as normal ,than i have to find an elder scroll and optionally i could speak with Esbern or Arngeir and here it goes when i approached Esbern he would just say "you need to speak up im a little bit deaf" and no dilogue would pop up than i fast traveled to high hothgar (as i tryied Esbern multiple times) ,the whole screen whent black ,
this is not only issue with the dialouges i got another was when i couldnt buy vigilance becouse option wasnt showing ,and a lot of times i have to restart game if i want my followers to "wait here" becouse the dialoug3s not showing ,i can drop my LO ,but i got around 270 mods the next mod i install will swich off mod at the bottom of my LO ,
im thinking could this be caused by gdo and skyrim reputation ? I got both of them (skyrim reputation 40 mb version i belive thats the updated one) honestly i done that quest it took couple restarts and i wasnt able to do it through Esbern bur what is the couse of it ? I havent had many problems before i started quests with the blades
Edit: here is my LO
USSEP
SIMPLE WORKAROUND FRAMEWORK
REALISTIC EQUIPMENT - AE
JUST SHIELDS (ON BACK) - AE
EXTRA RANKS FOR AUGUMENTED DESTRUCTION PERKS
COMBAT REGEN TWEAKS
QOL AND BUG FIX COMPILATION
GUARD DIALOGUE OVERHAUL (XB1)
SKYRIM REPUTATION - MYSTERIOUSLY FIXED, PATCHED & IMPROVED
SKYRIN REPUTATION MFP& COMFIGURATION MENU
TK INTERFACE OVERHAUL - BETA
ELDEN SCROLLS UI
TAOS: THE ART OF SMITHING (XBOX ONE)
SMITHING XP
INCREASED MINING
DISPLAY ENHANCEMENTS (XB1)
[XB1] DYNAMIC CAMERA
[XB1] RICH MERCHANTS OF SKYRIM SPECIAL EDITION
SMART NPC 0OTIONS - ENEMIES USE POTIONS AND POISONS
HAND PLACED ENEMIES - MORE POPULATED SPAWNS DUNGEONS AND POIS
ENEMY REINFORCEMENTS (FIXED)
ARCH ENEMIES - DIFFICULT BOSSES AND UNIQUE ENCHANTMENTS
REAL BOSSES
REAL BOSSES - HARDCORE
THE SWORD OF THE DAM***
BLEACH ZENGETSU ALL FORMS 1K
TAOS: EXTRA CRAFTABLES (XBOX ONE)
CRAFTABLE UNENCHANTED DAEDRIC ARTIFACTS
CRAFTABLE CROSSBOWS AND BOLTS - STANDARD VER
CRAFTABLE CHARACTER GEAR XB1
SICARIUS ARMOR - BLACK VARIANT
REINFORCED EBONY ARMOR
CONTRACTOR ARMOR 1K
ELEMENTAL VISION OF SKYRIM - CRAFTABLE
DAEDRIC CLOAKS
WEIGHTLESS
WEIGHTLESS DRAGONBORN
WEIGHTLESS HEARTFIRE
TRUE MASTER TRAINERS
[XB1]TRAINING LEVEL LIMIT
TRAINING DUMMIES AND TARGETS [XB1]
MAGIC SCALES WITH LEVEL
VORTIKAIS DRAGON ASPECT TOGGLE - MAGIC AND SHOUT BUFFS
GRAPPLING SHOUT
KAIOKEN SHOUT (GOKU VOICE)
UNLIMITED WEREWOLF
WEREWOLF - POWER
[XBOX ONE] WEREWOLF PERKS EXPANDED
SIMPLE WEREWOLF ABILITY BOOST [XB1]
VAMPIRE LORD OVERHAUL: 1K KYNREEVE RED GLOW ARMOR NEW HAIR RED RUNES
ARCANE ACCESSORIES ABSORB & VAMPIRE TWEAKS [XB1]
VAMPIRE LORD - INVENTORY, FLIGHT, AND 60 PERKS
TREEBALANCE - COMBO PACK [XB1]
SHOUT PERKS
EXTRA POWERFUL MARKSMAN PERKS XB1
[XB1] FISTS OF STEEL - ADDITIONAL RANKS FOR THE SISTS OF STEEL PERK
IMPROVED MAGIC [XB1]
POWERED DESTRUCTION [XB1]
AUGMENTED DESTRUCTION
PHENDRIX MAGIC EVOLVED
YS SPELL TWEAKS
ENHANCED NIGH VISIIN SPELL TOME (XBOX1)
VAMPIRE SPELLS
[XO] VAMPIRIC DRAIN RANGE
BETTER VAMPIRIC DRAIN
PHENDRIX DEAD THRALL
GROUND DRAGON - DRAGONREND SPELL
LEVITATE SPELL - SKYRIM
DECAPITATION SPEL
WOOD'S SPARK OF DESTRUCTION
ONE HANDED MASTER SPELLCASTING SE
DRAGONBALL TRANSFORMATIONS PACK
DRAGONBALL SPELL PACK
[XO][VO]VAMPIRIC DRAIN DESTRUCTION NOVICE AND XP FIX
HOLY WARDS BY BANJO BUNNY
DRAKONS WARD ENCHANTMENT
BATTLE WARDS - WARD WHEN YOU BLOCK!
SKYLAND BITS AND BOBS - CLUTTER OVERHAUL
SKYLAND AIO
DAVES UFHD MOINTAINS
SMIM CHAIN MESHES ONLY
NORTHERN ROADS 1K
NORTHERN ROADS & BLENDED ROADS PATCH
DIVINE TEXTURE PACK - TREES
DIVINE FORESTS
DIVERGENCE - LUXURIANT 2 - PLANTS - PERFORMANCE
VEYDOSEBROM - GRASSES AND GROUNDCOVER - NORMAL VERSION
LANDSCAPE FIXES FOR GRASS MODS
NORTHERN ROADS & LANDSCAPE FIXES FOR GRASS MODS PATCH
JUST ICE - 1K
BETTER DYNAMIC SNOW V2.11(SMIM)
NORTHERN ROADS & BETTER DYNAMIC SNOW PATCH
IA92'S REALISTIC RAIN (XBOX1)
REALISTIC CLOUDS - IMMERSIVE EDITION
SUPREME AND VOLUMETRIC FOG [XB1]
SKYLAND ENCHANTING TABLES
DIVERGENCE - BLACKSMITH - 1K
DIVERGENCE - THE PHILOSOPHERS PROPERTY - SPELL TOMES - 512
RABBIT AND DEAD HANGING RABIT REPLACER WITH FEED RABITS
ANIMATED FORGE WATER ( NORMAL VERSION) BY WSKSKEEVER
NO SUNLIGHT THROUGHT MOUNTAINS
SPARKLING TORCHBUGS
NARUTO ULTIMATE OVERHAUL
CBBE (CURVY)
BETTER MALE PRESETS [XB1]
LOVERBOY DEFAULT 1K
(BLACK) EYEBROWS BY DDSWORKSHOP
SUPERIOR LORE FRIENDLY HAIR
NINETIETHTRAINS KS HAIR PICKS
AFT AE
REMOVE FOLLOWER LEVEL CAP
DIVERGENCE - VANILLA + CREATION CLUB - AIO - 1K-512
DIVERGENCE CUBE MAPS
BLACK AND GOLD EBONY ARMOR RETEXTURE (XB1)
BLACK AND GOLD EBONY WEAPOS (XB1)
COIN POUCH RETEXTURE - BLACK
LANDLORD [XB1]
WEARAVLE LANTERNS [XB1]
IMPROVED UNIQUE ARTIFACRS [XB1]
IMPROVED DAEDRIC ARTIFACRS [XB1]
EBONY BLADE USELESS NO MORE
DIVINE DAEDRIC DAWNBREAKER (RED GLOSSY WORDING)[XB1] BY LUPUS HEGEMONIA
IMPROVED DIVINE AMULET AND BLESSING
DIVERSE DIVIBE AMULET AND ENCHANMENTS
BLACK LEATHER SEATH - A LEATHER SEATH REPLACER
GENUINE GIANTS
DIVERGENCE - COMPENDUM OF BEATS - ANIMUCULI - 1K
LUMINOUS ATRONACHS
TOUGHER NAMED DRAGONS
ERSO ENHANCED MIGHTY DRAGONS - NIGHTMARE VERSIKN
GAME OF THRONES AND HOUSE OF THE DRAGON - VANILLA DRAGONS REPLACER - 1K -512
GOT HOTD - DIVERSE DRAGONS 512
[XB1] GOT HOTD - OPTIONAL FILE "BLOOD MESHES HIDDEN"
GOT HOTD - SKELETAL DRAGON AND UNDERSKIN 1K
[XB1] HOTD - GOT SKELETON EDIT VERSION 2 ( BIGGER HEAD)
[XB1] DRAGON ANIMATION REPLACE SE - WITH STANDING BREATH OPTION
HOTKEY CONTROLLR - UPDATED (BY DADDYMCHUGENUTS)
A QUALITY WORLD MAP - CLEAR MAP SKIES [XB1]
PASTEL MAP MARKERS [XB1]
SUMMER MYST - ENCHANTMENTS OF SKYRIM [XB1]
SUMMERMYST ENCHANTMENTS CHESTS
[PATCH] SUMMERMYST (ON BACK AND ON LEFT)
FORTIFY DESTRUCTION ENCHANTMENT
SUMMERMYST - LEVELED LIST FIXES
SUMMERMYST ENCHANTMENTS - GUARANTEED LOCATIONS
VAE3 - VISUAL ANIMATED ENCHANTS 2-023
VAE2SUMMERMYST PATCH
PARAPHERNALIA REALISTIC MAGIC (NO GRAVITY)
IMMERSIVE SPELL EFFECTS EMIT LIGHT
3D CASTING FX - FIRE AND FROST HAND FX REPLACER BY ARCTAL
VISUAL MASTER SPELLS
STRANGE RUNES LITE
REALISTIC AI DETECTION LITE [XB1]
IMMERSIVE RAGON SOUNDS -IDS- (ENIGMA REMASTER)
SAO- BATTLE MUSIC
SEKIRO SOULS SFX
AIRGETLAM -MODERN MAGIC SOUNDS REWORK-
LEVEL UP IN SILENCE
REALISTIC WEAPON PLACEMENT (CLOAD EDITION)
VISIBLE FAVORITED GEAR
SKYSA - OLIVER KENJUTSU
SEKIRO COMBAT S - WITH ENEMY COMBAT INTEGRATION
GDB ANIMATION PACK (EDGEMASTER-MAIN)
GDB ANIMATION PACK (VIKINGS)
GDB ANIMATION PACK (SEKIRO)
DYNAMIC COMBAT FOR SKYSA
SKYSA DUAL WIELD AND PARRYING SIMPLIFIED
CINEMATIC DRAGON SOUL ABSORPTION -(NO SCREAM/FLOATING ANIMATION)
NEW ANIMATION FOR MAGIC CASTING SSE
SMOOTH SPRINT ANIMATION REPLACER (UNARMED)
SMOOTH JUMP ANIMATION REPLACER
SMOOTH SPRINT ANIMATION REPLACER (DUAL WIELD)
SMOOTH BOW SPRINT ANIMATION REPLACER
SMOOTH BLOCK ANIMATION REPLACER
SMOOTH SPRINT ANIMATION REPLACER (GREATSWORD)
SMOOTH SPRINT ANIMATION REPLACER (WARHAMMEBATTLEAXE)
SMOOTH SPRINT ANIMATION REPLACER (1H)
VIOLENS - A KILLMOVE MOD SE [XB1]
AMAZING RACE TWEAKS! NORD [XB1]
THE UNKNOWN
SUPER FAST GET UP ANIMATION
SNIPER - ADD DAMAGE BONUS
BNP WEREWOLF EYES - BLUE
ENEMY HEALTH INDICATORS
[XB1] SUPER SIMPLE LOCK BASH
REALISTIC CONVERSATIONS ( XB1 )
FAST TRAVEL TO CITIES FROM START[XB1]
INSTANT FAST TRAVEL
NO PLAYER FALL DAMAGE
NO STAGGER WHILE CASTING
DUALCAST REBALANCE [XBOX]
DRAGON SOULS TO ATTRIBUTES XB1
10 HEALTH PER LEVEL (XB1)
PERK POINTS AT SKILL LEVELS 50-75-100
PERK POINTS AND MORE GOLD FOR BOINTY QUESTS (XB1)
FAST BEAST PERKS XB1
50 PCT MORE PERK POINTS [XB1]
PERK POINT AWARDS
SKILL INCREASE STATS - UPDATE
QUEST AWARD PERK POINTS
[XB1] TRULY ABSORB DRAGON SOULS - HEAVY BY ADVENTURERX
VANILLA - MESSEGEBOX FIX
PICKPOCKET 100
ITEM SORTING
GRITTY PALADIN POTION
WARBIRDS DRASTIC DRAGON LOOT
MORE LOOS [XB1]
CIVIL WAR CHAMPIONS CLOAK FIX
ACTIKN BASED PROJECRILES + AE PATCHES
[XB1] PROPER AIMING
NORMAL MAGICA REGEN IN COMBAT
IMMORTAL DEAGONBORN
FAIR DRAUGIR SHOUTS
DRAGONS USE THUUM
DRAGKNS USE THUUM SHOUT REMOVER PATCH
Q DAY DRAGON RESPAWN
BIJIN AIO
BIJIN AIO & USSEP PATCH
ARVAK ENCHANCED [XB1]
MEEKO AND VIGILANCE ARE HUSKIES
WOLFES OF SKYRIM
DRAGONBORN CASTLE
TNF SKYRIM HOUSE REMODEL
[XB1] NO WORLD BORDERS
LESS INTERIOR FOG
DRAGONS FROM THE START
ELEMENTAL FURY FIX
DBZ TELEPORT
[XB1]UNLIMITED RINGS AND AMULETS
UNLIMITED SHOUTING (XB1)
UNLIMITED SUMMONS
ENLIMITED ENCHANTMENTS
ALL ARMOR LOOTABLE
NO HELMET REQUUIRED(XB1)
FASTER WEAPONS
FASTER GRATSWORDS:ANNIVERSARY EDITION (XBOX)
FATSER TWOHANDED WEAPONS AND WAR AXES AND MACES
[XB1] RING OF UNBLOCKING
HATS HELMETS HOODS AND HOODED ROBES WITB CIRCLETS
CLOAKS FACE MASKS AND ALL SPRTS 2 * FANS EDITION *
IMPROVED CLOSEFACED HELMETS
IMPROVED CLOSEFACED HELMETS - USSEP PATCG
IA92S ENCHANTING WITHOUT RESTRICTION (XBOX1)
FROST SLOW TWEAKS BY RAFEAR
DAKEN'S YUMMY DRAGON HEARTS
DRAGON SOULS HEAL YOU
POPPYLORS INI TWEAKS FOR SERIES X
TEMPER EBONY BLADESKYLAND LODS
[XB] GOT DRAGON MAON MENU REPLACER
LOOKS DONT CHANGE FOR A VAMPIRE
CHEAT ROOM (XB1)
CHEAT ROOM -ANNIVERSARY PATCH
MYTHICAL AGES (V1.10)
MINTYS LIGHTNING DURING STORMS
MYTHICAL AGES MINTY LIGHTING STORM PATCH
NO CAMERA FADE
REMOVE BLOOD FROM SCREEN
DISABLE SCREEN SHAKE EFFECT
NO TINT ABSORB XB1
NO RADIAL BLIR - PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION ( XB1 )
EMBERS XB BY MINDFLUX 1K
CC CAMPING - EMBERS XD PATCH
ANIMATED WATER FORGE (NORMAL VERSION) - EMBERS XD PATCH
EMBERS XD V 3.0.1-CC GOLDENHILLS PATCH
ALTERNATE START - LIVE ANOTHER LIFE
NORTHERN ROADS & ALTERNATE START PATCH
OPEN CITIES SKYRIM
NORTHERN ROADS & OPEN CITIES PATCH
REALISTIC WATER TWO BY ISOKU, SPARROWPRICE, &TECHANGEL185
REALISTIC WATER TWO & SAINTS AND SEDUCERS PATCH
NATURAL WATERFALLS
CUMULATIVE BLESSINGS
COLORED.MAGIC AURAS

Komaru Naegi
Breaker Beam: Fires a straight beam out of her Hacking Gun for 20 hits (Okay in air, can be angled)
Hack!: Komaru uses her Hacking Gun to hack either the HP bar, restoring her health.
Hope Lives On! Komaru calls Toko who tases the opponent so they can charge up a final blast from the Hacking Gun. (Instant K.O)
Toko Fukawa
What are you doing!?: Toko quickly hits the opponent with her taser, leaving them wide open for five seconds. (Okay in air)
Toko’s Fantasy: Toko fantasizes about Byakuya and it motivates her to win the fight, increasing the damage she deals for the rest of the round.
Writer’s Block: A desk drops down to knock the opponent away, then Toko takes the opportunity to write out a novel, then gets frustrated with how it turns out and tears it apart, the scraps leaving paper cuts upon the enemy. (Instant K.O)
Genocider Syo
Blood Lust: Syo tosses a pair of scissors that pins the opponent to the wall, then proceeds to throw 9 more, then poses when the opponent is launched upward.
Scissor Bomb: Syo flies up and prepares a massive ball of energy with scissors flying around it, once it’s done she chucks it at the opponent towards the ground (extra meter can be used, resulting in her hair turning gold temporarily as she detonates it).
All Out Attack: Syo flies forward with a slash, Komaru jumps in and the two jumps up, repeatedly slashing at the opponent from all angles, then they pose at the end. (Instant K.O)
Masaru Daimon
A Hero Isn’t Afraid!: Masaru punches the ground as hard as he can to prove himself he’s not afraid, dealing minor damage to himself, but raising his attack strength.
Mega Drive Drill: Mark Guyver’s drill arm flies forward and strikes the opponent for 25 hits. (Okay in air)
Demons Will Cry: Masaru uppercut the opponent into the air, then Mark Guyver flies in and aims it’s chest towards the opponent, unleashing a whirlwind of fire at the opponent as it explodes to Masaru’s shock.
Jataro Kemuri
Light Of The Priest: Doctor Vongerolt quickly appears to guard Jataro, if the opponent attacks, Jataro’s robot will tank the attack and swing them away.
Mass Murder Bomb: Doctor Vongerolt drops mines all over the ground, each one deals a lot of damage. (Okay in air)
Work of Art: Doctor Vongerolt fires a missile that homes in on the opponent, when it hits it flies around the stage and eventually hits the giant robot, causing a massive explosion.
Kotoko Utsugi
Mega Splash: Highlander the Great swings it’s axe down on the ground three consecutive times. (Okay in air)
PLEASE KILL ME INSTEAD!: Kotoko enters a state of lunacy that temporarily increases attack strength and speed, however she’ll be left vulnerable when it ends.
Fighter’s Last Whirlwind: Highlander the Great slams it’s axe, swinging the enemy up as it spins in a light blue hurricane, dealing rapid damage, flinging bubbles everywhere and a heart up above, until it explodes.
Nagisa Shingetsu
Bullet Hell: Nagisa jumps up with Hannibal X and it fires 30 bullets down at the opponent. (Okay in air)
Demons Must Die!: Nagisa triggers a function in Hannibal X that temporarily makes the bullets fired from the gun unblockable.
Detonate: Hannibal X falls down upon the opponent, and Nagisa detonates the robot, causing a massive explosion as the arm almost crushes him.
Monaca Towa
Elimination Mode: Miaya temporarily entere Elimination Mode that rushes at the opponent, then backs away to fire 20 missiles at the enemy.
Hat’s Off: Kurokuma shows up to drop diamond shape bombs on the field, then throws his hat up and they explode.
Hell yeah!: Miaya speeds forward to strike the opponent and repeatedly strikes them from all angles while Monaca and Kurokuma assemble the full might of Black Suspirian that tramples the opponent and repeatedly beats them into the ground, finishing with missiles.

If you are new to the game or have questions about features and functions, check out this Beginner's guide/FAQ first. Last updated 5/15/2024: includes information on the new artist lootbox Quests introduced in version 1.22. See also my Full list of all artists with badges post for a listing of artists you can acquire a badge for in the game.
This is the first FAQ I've ever written for a game, although I have greatly benefitted from Reddit guides over the years. I'm not a developer (though I think they're doing a great job!) or gaming expert, just a fan of the game. Thanks to the subreddit's moderators for pinning this post and to the Soundmap community for contributing your knowledge and insights. Hope this helps!
u/TheStylesReport

What is Soundmap?

Soundmap is a location-based mobile music collection game. Think Pokemon Go, but with songs. You collect the songs and then can trade them for other songs or “coins”, the in-game currency.

What kind of device do I need to play this?

This is an iPhone only app for now. Dev notes that an Android version is coming in the summer sometime.

Is Premium worth it?

Short answer: Yes. (if you intend to play the game long term)
Think of the standard edition as a demo. Reminds me of the shareware model from back-in-the-day (dating myself here). Premium unlocks so many features that make the game truly playable in the long run – expanded collection range, level, etc.
I’d say the lifetime license is a really good deal. (The cost ranges from $15-30 dollars/pounds/euros depending on your region and if you catch a sale). You’re supporting the developers’ hard work so that the game can continue to grow and prosper. And believe me, I’m normally a person that doesn’t pay for ANYTHING on the App Store, but the hours I’ve put in to this game made it worth it. I’ve been neglecting Tears of the Kingdom in favor of this.
You can also get premium if you invite 8 friends to join but I haven’t tested that functionality. I’ve heard mixed reports of it being bugged, but the game purports to have 4500+ users go premium via this route.

What are song rarities?

Each song is labeled with an associated rarity under the artist and title.

• Common
• Uncommon
• RARE
• Epic

You'll notice some Common/Uncommon/RARE songs are glowing in a "hologram" style fashion. These are "Shiny" songs and are worth more than the conventional type of song.

Where are the best places to go to get songs/drops?

I don’t know how they determine where things drop but I'm guessing it’s some combination of cell phone signals and users who have the app installed. As such, places like open fields and parks are pretty sparse, but where I’ve found the most drops are:

• College campuses
• Malls/shopping centers
• Tourist attractions

Also remember to regularly “scan this area” when going to new places to refresh.

How can I tell if something is a rare, shiny, and/or epic on the map? Do they have their own drops?

Rares are easy to spot because they are darker and glowing, and they stand out against the yellow perimeter.
Shinies have their own drops (looks like a shiny mixed with a regular drop) but, if you’re lucky, can also be pulled from other common, uncommon and rare drops (this is very infrequent, however).
The developers initially created standalone epic drops but took them out of the game because of spoofing/cheating. As of now, the only way to pull an epic is from other drops, but they appear at an even lower probability than shinies.

I was going to pick up a drop and it’s greyed out now. Did someone get to it first?

Yes. Drops are shared with other players so someone might have gotten to it first! On the discord people have complained that in popular areas people camp out to wait for the timers to reset and then pick up the drops right away. So if you’re in an area where you don’t see a lot of grey drops enjoy it while you can :-)

Can you own multiple of the same song?

While the game doesn’t allow duplicates of the exact same song, you can have multiples in certain circumstances, such as:
• There are different album covers (ie the regular album edition vs a greatest hits version)
• There is a sped up or radio edited version
• The regular version, the shiny version and/or the epic version are all distinct versions and you can own all three

What do the numbers on the epics mean?

The lower the number, the more valuable it is. #1 means it’s the first copy someone found from a drop. Think of it like collecting comic books or trading cards. Numbers over #25 just read #25+ and over #100 read 100+.

How does the trade economy work? What is X worth? How much can I get for X?

The game’s trade economy generally follows basic rules of supply and demand with commons being worth the least, uncommons more, then rares. What’s “fair” is subjective but in my experience the general range has been this, hard-to-find artists being more:
· Commons: 100 - 500 coins
· Uncommons: 300 - 1500 coins
· RARES: 500 – 3000 coins
· Common Shiny: 500 – 1500 coins
· Uncommon Shinies: 1000 – 10000 coins
If a track is really popular and/or new, expect to pay more (for example, the Kendrick/Drake beef tracks were at premium for a while).
RARE shinies and Epics are all over the place though, with people asking for literally a million+ for a #1 Kanye West epic. I don’t know if they get it but certainly 6 figure trades for the most popular shinies and epics are not out of the ordinary.
Hip-hop seems to be the most universally popular genre, with artists like Travis Scott and Playboi Carti fetching the highest trade prices. Female pop stars like Taylor, Lana, Billie, Olivia, etc. have trading power. K-Pop (StrayKids, NewJeans, BTS, etc.) are also very popular, but a bit more niche.

How do I earn coins?

· Buy via in-app purchases. This ranges from 2 bucks for 1000, to 100 bucks for 100,000.
· Invite friends. Get 1000 coins for each person that signs up.
· Through trade by offering songs.
· Get your free daily drops.
· Converting unwanted songs to coins.
I’m usually free to play on everything (aside from buying the premium license) so I ended up doing the latter three to earn. You can really stock up with some good rares or a couple of lucky shiny or epic pulls.
Converting commons is a good way to earn some coin quickly in the early game, and your pull to earn ratio is usually pretty good, especially if you’re able to farm drops in your area. However, as you get more coins, try to keep and sell commons via trade instead as you’ll be able to earn some coins and get a common back in the process.
Try to avoid converting uncommons or rares whenever possible. Even if you offer them cheaply for a few hundred coins it’s better than burning them outright. Also, you never know what people might be interested in – one person’s trash truly is another’s treasure. Conversely you can get some really great songs that someone is just looking to be rid of.

How do I convert songs to coins?

Long press (hold down) on an individual song to convert to coins. If you hit the … next to “Your Collection” it will give you the option to “Select to Sell” and you can convert songs to coins in bulk.

How do I offer coins in a trade?

When you “request to trade” you’ll see that there’s an “add coins” option. Click on that and add the desired amount of coins. If you are aiming to trade coins only, just use any throwaway common to facilitate the trade (no way to trade without using at least one song.)

How do I hide songs I don't want to trade?

If you add songs to a playlist you can click on settings (cogwheel in top right) and switch "Available for trading" to "Hidden from trading".
Unfortunately, this is only one-way - it will hide those songs so you don't see them when you "Make A New Offer" for trade, but it does NOT hide the songs from people who visit your profile or keep them from offering things to you.
As a workaround, you can create "for trade" playlists and ask people to only look in there for things they'd like to trade for, but not everyone abides by that. Hopefully they fix this in a future update.

What is the benefit of setting favorite artist(s)? Does it actually work?

The favorite artists does work to help you increase probability of picking up your favorites, moreso if the artist has a deep discography. I set Taylor Swift as a favorite and I picked up a bunch of her tracks. (I love classic hip-hop and R&B but I’m a Swiftie nonetheless lol). It does take time as the overall drop rate is still low even at 10x. The favorite artists you set also impact starting suggestions for quests (see Quests below).
I would recommend setting one unique artist for each genre if you’re trying to accumulate. (I.e Taylor for pop, Kanye for hip-hop, SZA for R&B, etc). This can help with badge collection as you’ll see next.

What are artist badges and what are they used for?

When you collect a certain amount of songs by a particular artist, you earn a badge. This badge is a picture of the artists’ face (or a full body shot of the band), and you can designate a favorite artist badge to appear next to your username throughout the game. You can own multiple badges per artist. Badges are categorized as follows, depending on how many songs you collect:
· Bronze – 5 songs
· Silver – 20 songs
· Gold – 50 songs
· Platinum – entire discography (song count varies by artist)
· Diamond – entire discography plus 5 shiny songs
A full list of artists with badges can be found here on my other post about the topic. So far the badges themselves seem cosmetic but they are a great way to keep track of which artists are most popular (and thus fetch the highest trade prices).

How do I know how many songs are in a specific artist’s discography?

After you collect the gold badge for an artist, the game will provide you with the count of the remaining songs to collect for a platinum. As far as I know this is the only way (and thus only works for badge artists).

What are lootboxes and should I buy them?

Lootboxes are basically a way to purchase drops with coins. They can be very, very useful if used correctly and at the right phase(s) of the game.
~Daily Drop – free: You can select a free drop of the genre of your choice (or randomly). It resets everyday at midnight. Always pull this everyday. Most of the time it’s common, but I’ve pulled some really good uncommons and rares from this. And it’s free!
~Daily Free Coins – free: Self explanatory. Always pull this everyday. The reward gets larger and larger as your streak gets longer. For example, my next reward after 42 days of playing will be 1040 coins.
~Best of the Best – 2000: You can pick your genre here and it gives you a pull from a random popular artist in that genre. Note: "best" doesn't mean "rare" necessarily. I've pulled rares but other folks have pulled uncommons. Also, "popular" artist doesn’t necessarily mean badge artist, so be mindful.
~Super Rare – 1000: This is the absolute best drop for beginners aiming to build a collection for trading. As it says, you get a guaranteed rare, though it’s a blind drop (can’t pick genre). With 10,000 coins you can get 10 rares and in conjunction with stuff you collect around town that’s a great platform to start building from.
~Today’s Top Hits – 1000: If you love the most popular songs you can try your luck here. I just tried this to see what I’d get and I got a Taylor Swift rare. Most of the time you should get a rare but not sure if it’s guaranteed.
~RapCaviar – 1000: This is for the hip-hop fans. As it’s curated you’ll get a currently popular artist, but rarity is not guaranteed. I pulled an Uncommon Yeat most recently.

What are Quests?

Quests are a feature added in 1.22 where you merge songs based on certain requirements in order to create artist-specific lootboxes. The Quest screen highlights artists you've designated in your favorites but you can click the search (hourglass) and create for any artist in the game.
Quests will ask you to merge songs from different genre, rarity, and initial letters. Example quest requirements (but these can vary widely) are:

• Merge 28 songs
• Merge 7 songs with artist names beginning with the letter "M"
• Merge 11 uncommon Pop songs

According to the developer, Quest costs range from 1-2k each. Quests scale in difficulties as you progress through an artist’s discog. It’ll be easier at first and gradually increase in difficulty. If a quest is too difficult, you have 3 re-roll options per day across all artist quests.
Quests are also easier for artists who don’t spawn in map drops.
Once you merge you get a cool animation that spins all the specific songs from that specific artist (reminds me of the Marvel Studios logo, but for music) and then lands on a common, uncommon or RARE song from that artist. You then get a new requirement if you want to unlock another lootbox from that artist. You WILL permanently lose the songs that you merge so be careful what you use!
This replaces the old Favorite Artist Drop lootbox in previous editions (used to cost 2000 coins). You can still open this with coins but now it costs 3000. Open the drop and instead of merging, go to the top right corner and you'll see the option to buy with coins.
I would recommend reserving this function for when you have built up a sizable discography, you’re trying to get artists that don’t seem to spawn from drops, and/or you're trying to go for Platinum. If you're bronze, silver, etc. you may find it more cost effective to trade for songs you need.
You can do as many quests as you want in a day.

What is the point of exp and levels?

Every time you level up you get a 2000+ coin bonus (more at higher levels), which is a nice incentive to stay active. The higher your exp, the higher your worldwide rank, which so far looks to be just bragging rights. The higher your level, the more exp it takes to level up.
How to earn XP:
· Common song: 20 XP
· Uncommon song: 50 XP
· Rare song: 100 XP
· Shiny song: 300 XP
· Epic song: 800 XP
· New drop visited: 20 XP
· New artist seen: 20 XP
· New person traded with: 20 XP
· Daily check in: 100 XP
However – the exp you gain in a week does have an impact on your league position.

What are leagues?

Leagues are another way to compete with other Soundmappers and earn a little bit of coins as well.
Each user is assigned to a league that consists of 30 random participants of a common rank. Like the artists, there are Bronze/SilveGold/Platinum/Diamond Tiers. You advance (or maintain your rank) by earning XP. Top players in each tier get some coins. If you rank highly enough you get promoted, if you are too low, you get demoted to a previous rank.
Check out the in-game League FAQ for more info. (I tried to link it here but it keeps trying to post some huge goofy Notion ad alongside the link so I'll not do that).

What is Discord and why does everyone keep talking about it?

From Wikipedia: Discord is an instant messaging and VoIP social platform which allows communication through voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and media and files.
There is no in-game messaging system (yet) so Discord is the platform you can use to communicate with other gamers to negotiate trades, advertise things you’re selling, contact the developers about desired features. The devs are active and you can often get very good insights from the help and announcement channels.
However, as with any social chat community there is always the danger of people getting toxic/abusive in the general rooms. Generally I stick to direct messages about trades, and everyone I’ve spoken to in DMs is nice and polite, but your own experience may vary.
If you click on the “chat” icon in app it will automatically invite you to the discord.

Why am I banned?

If you’re unlucky you’ll find yourself locked out of login with an error that your account has been banned. Generally, if you’ve violated the terms of service (we all read those, right?).
From what I’ve seen, the following things can get you banned:
· Location spoofing (using apps/tools to pretend you’re in a different place than you actually are)
· Scamming (trying to trick people into giving up high value tracks for nothing, etc.)
· Invite spoofing (using fake emails to sign up for multiple accounts and then using those to get free premium
If you think you’ve been falsely/mistakenly banned, send a help ticket and plead your case.

Speaking of ban, how do I block people who are bothering me, spamming the trade channel, or who are throwing me terrible trades?

Hit the ... in the top right next to a username and Block and/or Report. Use this carefully as there is currently no option to unblock someone after you block them. Once they're gone, they're gone.

Someone offered me a bunch of coins for a trade, but I traded them a bunch of valuable things and now I don't see the coins!

This is a (in)famous scam floating around in the game, usually marked by something to the effect of:
"I'm quitting the game! Trade me for all these coins!"
"I'm offering X amount of coins, best offer takes them!"
What most of these people are hoping you do is click on the individual song instead of clicking "trade" for the entire lot (and that you offer a bunch of valuable rares, shinies, epics, etc enticed by the coin amount).
In other words, when you do this you are telling the game, "nah, I don't want the coins." Next thing you know, they accept the trade and you only get the song.
Unfortunately, you can't reverse the trade but you can report those individuals. Next time, before you finalize the trade (the screen where the game asks "are you SURE you want to do this?", make sure the confirmation says explicitly "You'll receive X coins."
That's all I've got for now. Good luck and have fun! I hope both this subreddit and the Soundmap community grows and prospers.

Are you a die-hard football fan eagerly waiting to catch all the action of the UEFA Europa League in 2024? Look no further! In this blog post, we'll guide you through the best ways to watch the thrilling matches live without spending a dime. Get ready to cheer for your favorite teams and witness the drama unfold from the comfort of your home.

Free Streaming Options for the Europa League

ServusTV (Austria)

If you're lucky enough to be in Austria, you can enjoy the Europa League matches absolutely free on ServusTV. This broadcasting service has secured the rights to air the games for Austrian viewers, so all you need is a stable internet connection and a compatible device.

RTBF (Belgium)

For football enthusiasts in Belgium, RTBF is your go-to platform for free Europa League streaming. Whether you prefer watching on your smartphone, tablet, or smart TV, RTBF has got you covered. Sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the excitement of the tournament.

Paid Streaming Platforms

While free options are limited, several paid streaming platforms offer comprehensive coverage of the Europa League worldwide. Here are a few notable ones:

• Paramount Plus (USA): American fans can catch all the action on Paramount Plus. With plans starting at just $6 per month and a 7-day free trial, it's a fantastic option for those who don't mind a small investment.
• DAZN (Canada): Canadian football enthusiasts can turn to DAZN for their Europa League fix. Although it doesn't offer a free trial, the monthly subscription fee of $24.99 grants you access to a wide range of sports content.
• TNT Sports (UK): UK-based supporters can follow their favorite teams on TNT Sports. While the subscription fee of £29.99 per month might seem steep, the platform provides comprehensive coverage and expert analysis.

Using a VPN to Access Geo-Restricted Content

If you find yourself outside the countries with free or paid streaming options, don't worry! A reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) can come to your rescue. By connecting to a server in a country where the Europa League is available, you can bypass geographical restrictions and access the content you crave.
However, it's important to note that using a VPN to circumvent geo-blocks might violate the streaming platforms' terms of service. Additionally, accessing copyrighted content without proper authorization could infringe on intellectual property rights. Always use VPNs responsibly and respect the applicable laws and regulations.

Choosing the Right VPN

When selecting a VPN for streaming the Europa League, consider the following factors:

1. Server Network: Look for a VPN with a wide server network, particularly in countries where the tournament is being broadcasted. This ensures better chances of finding a fast and reliable connection.
2. Speed and Stability: Streaming live sports requires a stable and speedy connection to avoid buffering and interruptions. Opt for a VPN known for its excellent performance.
3. Device Compatibility: Make sure the VPN you choose offers apps for your preferred streaming devices, such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, or gaming consoles.
4. Privacy and Security: A trustworthy VPN should have a strict no-logging policy and robust encryption to protect your online privacy and keep your streaming activities confidential.

Recommended VPNs

After thorough testing and evaluation, we recommend the following VPNs for streaming the UEFA Europa League:

1. NordVpn: With lightning-fast speeds, an extensive server network, and user-friendly apps, NordVpn is our top pick. It effortlessly unblocks geo-restricted content and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. CyberGhost: CyberGhost boasts a vast server network and dedicated streaming servers optimized for popular platforms. Its intuitive interface and affordable long-term plans make it a compelling choice.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA): PIA stands out for its generous device policy, allowing you to protect all your devices with a single subscription. Its robust security features and competitive pricing make it a solid contender.

Enhancing Your Streaming Experience

To ensure a seamless and enjoyable streaming experience, consider the following tips:

• Stable Internet Connection: A reliable and fast internet connection is crucial for smooth streaming. Aim for a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps for HD quality.
• Use an Ethernet Cable: If possible, connect your streaming device directly to your router using an Ethernet cable. This minimizes potential Wi-Fi signal interference and provides a more stable connection.
• Close Unnecessary Apps: Before starting your stream, close any unnecessary applications running in the background. This frees up system resources and reduces the chances of buffering.
• Clear Browser Cache: Regularly clearing your browser cache and cookies can help improve streaming performance and prevent loading issues.

Final Thoughts

Watching the UEFA Europa League live for free in 2024 is definitely possible with a bit of knowledge and the right tools. Whether you're in Austria or Belgium, take advantage of the free broadcasting services available. For those in other regions, paid streaming platforms and VPNs offer alternative ways to catch the action.
Remember to prioritize online safety and respect intellectual property rights when using VPNs. By following our tips and recommendations, you'll be well-equipped to enjoy the thrilling matches and support your favorite teams throughout the tournament.
So, gather your friends, stock up on snacks, and get ready for an unforgettable Europa League experience. The excitement and drama await – don't miss a single moment!

I just blocked my mum on everything for the second time in two-three years. I had previously blocked her and my dad for two years and during a traumatic event overseas unblocked her and we started talking again.
I noticed my self confidence eroding again from her old pattern of abusive and neglectful behaviours and realised I needed to distance myself again.
She is taking my eldest sister on an all expenses paid trip to Europe (the year before took my incredibly abusive sister to London for the Kings coronation of all things). My parents have always used money and gifts as their way of showing love and affection (and control) so my inner child has been deeply hurt by this, even if it’s irrational.
One of our sticking points was my father who I have no interest in talking to ever again after he made a sexualised joke aimed at my then 2 year old daughter.
I told her dad had exposed himself to me and did other weird sexual things around me when I was a child and was deeply traumatised by that. And my mother got angry at ME! Asking why are you only bringing it up now? And that never happened! And how old were you?
It was truly awful but it gave me the push I needed to block her for good. How could a mother respond to their daughter talking about something so traumatic and in that way??? It’s beyond comprehension for me.

17-minute read.

summarized segments from PM Pashinyan's 4-hour-long press conference

PASHINYAN: Over the last several years we came to realize that certain issues were incompatible with the idea of having an independent and sovereign Armenia. Certain agendas were shown to have a predetermined outcome with the goal of preventing Armenia's development as a state. I have shared details on numerous occasions. It became necessary to review Armenia's development strategy and the need to develop the "Real Armenia".
Today Armenia has and must have an independent foreign policy. Armenia's internal policy is driven by the will of the people.
The purpose of the existence of the Republic of Armenia is not to serve "historical justice". Its purpose is to establish personal freedoms, happiness, and prosperity for its citizens and diasporans who wish to repatriate.
We must have social justice in Armenia based on the idea of assisting those in need so they can have the skills and jobs necessary to make a living independently.
We must deepen our relations with neighboring Georgia and Iran, control and reduce the hostility with Turkey and Azerbaijan, and integrate with regional communication routes. The Crossroads of Peace logistics project would promote Armenia's integration into economic routes and reduce the likelihood of conflicts in the future.
In the area of defense, we are diversifying our foreign relations, reforming the army, and we need to implement and comprehensive defense system.
To be able to diversify foreign relations [closer ties with the West & the delivery of Indian weapons through the territory of Iran or Georgia], Armenia's stance must be based on legitimacy [no territorial claims against Azerbaijan]. We will never be able to diversify our relations or use the diversified relations effectively without having a position based on legitimacy.
The army reforms must also be based on legitimacy, and its purpose must be the protection of Armenia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. There will be no army reforms [Western advisory & assistance] if our stance is not based on legitimacy.
The economic development, which is a prerequisite for the achievement of other goals, must be based including on the development of human capital in Armenia.
The implementation of all of the above requires peace. The peace agenda has been a priority for us, partly because the mechanism of guarantees [by Russia] didn't work. Only peace can guarantee Armenia's security. The peace agenda is a tool to ensure Armenia's security.
We must create the conditions for peace, and we have launched that process in Tavush. The border posts installed in Tavush are "security guarantees" and we must do everything possible to strengthen those guarantees and multiply them. //
Border Commissions of Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on April 19 to reproduce the borders based on the 1991 Almaty Declaration. During the upcoming meeting in Kazakhstan, foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will discuss the inclusion of this principle in the larger peace agreement, said Pashinyan.
The demarcation is conducted based on the latest USSR maps that hold de jure power. That's the principle. They avoid pointing to a map from a specific year because each section of the border could have de jure maps prepared in different years. Pashinyan offered journalists to meet off the record to share more details about the de jure maps. He said it can't be publicized in order not to jeopardize the ongoing delimitation process.
Why are the parties delimiting the borders from the ground up instead of simply using the delimitation work carried out in 1988, during the final years of USSR? Pashinyan says the 1988 efforts were not legally finalized and "didn't have time" to undergo the necessary procedures to go into effect, hence the need for a new process.
PASHINYAN: Today we are using maps that reflect the borders between Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union. With the Tavush process, we have chosen a path to exclude the possibility of a war. This isn't just about Kirants and Tavush, this is about the Republic of Armenia.
The border delimitation aims to make the possible war illogical, unlikely, and not worthwhile. Some 90% of the work is complete. The further it goes, the more illogical a war becomes. We are delivering on our 2021 promise of taking steps to establish peace.
This is the first time in history that we create security guarantees ourselves, no matter how challenging it is. This is part of being a sovereign state, when you face your own issues and make sovereign decisions to resolve your own issues. This is a major political and socio-psychological shift for Armenia. //
Pashinyan said it's necessary to ensure that Armenia is not viewed as an "occupier" of Azerbaijani villages, and explained why it was important to launch the delimitation from Tavush:
PASHINYAN: We are talking about actual [4 Soviet-era Azeri] communities where people lived. The escalations in 2021-2022 caught the interest of the international community, and sadly, on international platforms, the aggression against Armenia was "justified" including with the use of those Azerbaijani villages. It was both surprising and unfortunate that in a situation [20121-2022] when we thought we were the "plaintiff", we became the "defendant". We were asked whether we recognize each other's territorial integrity or not. "Then what is the problem that's preventing you from resolving the issue of these villages?" So we are launching the delimitation from Tavush to avoid a new war.
Critics and I look at this through different lenses. They talk about "surrendering trenches great for defense", and I'm talking about preventing a war so you won't even need to use those trenches. Today there is a process, including by the clergy, to stop the process of developing guarantees for peace, to stop the process of strengthening Armenia's sovereignty. There will be a war if we don't delimit these 4 villages. I'm confident that this was/is the goal of certain forces that wish to create conditions to allow them to hijack power so they can make some other decisions for Armenia [Tatarstan].
Are you paying attention to what the opposition members are saying? One of their leaders went on air and questioned the expediency of holding free and legitimate elections because they - and certain external forces [in Russia] - understand that they can't win power through legitimate elections so they need to destabilize the situation by inciting a new war so they can hijack power without elections. This is their plan:
(1) Derail the border delimitation and incite a war that will lead to the occupation of Armenian territories.
(2) Use that to overthrow the government.
(3) Install an illegitimate marionette government.
(4) De facto dissolution of Armenia's sovereignty and statehood, ahead of its de jure dissolution.
Who are the supporters of this process [rally against delimitation]? Narco-barons hiding in Russia [Panama Papers' Mihran Poghosyan]; criminal elements recruited by foreign intel agencies or at a minimum people acting under their influence; the former NSS chief Arthur Vanetsyan who was recorded on tape, which wasn't published in full, with the rest of the tape being kept to ensure he served their interests. What could be in the unpublished portion of the conversation? Could we find out one day that Vanetsyan was illegally negotiating with Kocharyan's son-in-law Mikael Minasyan to register part of the Zangezur copper combine's shares under his brother's name [Context: Pashinyan has accused the ex-regime of illegally appropriating the shares of Armenia's largest miner. There was an investigation by an independent media outlet about Vanetsyan's involvement in Zangezur. This was before the recent partial nationalization.]
These are the people who claim they are worried about the homeland today. Why don't they return those illegally obtained shares if they are worried about Armenia? It is inevitable. I want to inform you that these shares will belong to the Republic of Armenia. These illegal assets will be seized and returned under the ownership of the Republic of Armenia. //
Pashinyan vented about the quality of journalism in Armenia, accusing outlets of spreading unverified information as facts and not attempting to ask him directly for clarification when they were given the opportunity during one-on-one meetings.
PASHINYAN: You read these articles about my family members visiting somewhere and returning home with a "submarine", but when the opportunity is presented, these outlets never ask me to clarify whether it was true. Why don't you grill me right now for using a submarine to travel from Gyumri to Yerevan? It's as if these articles are being written for the sake of saying something rather than presenting facts. //
Back to borders.
PASHINYAN: Today the Border Commissions are tasked with reproducing the border on the ground. They are not engaged in politics, geopolitics, or proving the other side wrong. They are reproducing the de jure borders. In the Kirants section, 8 border markings have been clarified and installed. The other 3 are more sensitive [might pass through a house] and more detailed work will be done because, in those 3 points, every centimeter will matter. It has to have a centimeter precision. It's a laborious task but the problems of Kirants residents are our problems, my personal problems. For them, we have to come up with realistic and satisfactory solutions, even if not "ideal" solutions. We are reviewing the property ownership records as well. //
Pashinyan said he had to organize this press conference on May 7 instead of May 8 - the day when he became the PM - because tomorrow he has to visit Russia for the EAEU economic meeting during which he will also meet Putin. He said a number of issues have accumulated on the AM-RU agenda that need to be discussed.
The permanent housing assistance package for Nagorno-Karabakh refugees is being drafted and will be ready soon. Pashinyan said the refugees will receive help to build or buy housing, or a mortgage subsidy if they have already purchased a house. For refugees who are unable or do not wish to take part in the aforementioned programs, they will receive assistance in the form of social housing, meaning they will live for free but won't own it.
The amount of housing subsidy will be in the ֏3M-֏5M range, per family member. So a family of 6 would receive $41,000-$77,000 depending on the geographic location of their choice.
While speaking about the history of the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation process, Pashinyan repeated that after 2016, the resolution package on the table required: the abolition of the governing system in Nagorno-Karabakh, the return of Azeris to Nagorno-Karabakh, the joint control of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenians and Azeris, no independence, and the lingering possibility of war.
PASHINYAN: We had to surrender all of that, and even then there was no guarantee there wouldn't be a war because there would be no final resolution. This outcome was predetermined. Nevertheless, the Armenian people are overcoming the mentality of being a [Russian] fortpost today. This creates the groundwork for a lasting statehood for Armenia. Today we see the horizon after overcoming all these tragedies. Since taking office in 2018 I had the feeling that Armenia was in a deadlock. Today, for the first time, I feel that we have overcome that, thanks to the delimitation in Tavush. We are the ones creating the "guarantees" for us. //
When asked why he won't take part in Russia's May 9 celebrations, Pashinyan said he visited last year and that Armenian leaders don't have a record of attending every year.
Regarding the recent ban on Russian propagandist Solovyov from Armenian airwaves and possibly a wider ban on Russian channels, Pashinyan said foreign programs must respect Armenian laws:
PASHINYAN: Can you imagine the broadcasting of a channel in Russia that uses a similar language towards Russian law, the state, and its government? Do you think the channel would exist even if they used 5% of the same language? The AM-RU media agreement requires respect for Armenia and its interests. Since we have friendly relations with Russia, we can ask nicely once and twice, then demand once and twice, and if it's still ignored, they will all be shut down in Armenia. We are serious about defending Armenia as a sovereign state. I can GUARANTEE you, guar-an-tee, that these foreign channels won't be aired in Armenia if they continue to ignore these demands. It appears we have asked twice, demanded once, so there is one more "demand" left. //
QUESTION: Russia and Azerbaijan demand a Russian-controlled corridor from Armenia, citing the 9th paragraph of the Nov 9 statement.
PASHINYAN: (1) The other paragraphs of Nov. 9 were ignored. (2) The 9th paragraph is not about connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhijevan. That's the impression they are trying to create, but the 9th paragraph is in reality about the unblocking of ALL communication routes in the region. Azerbaijan has yet to unblock any of the routes for Armenia. Name one route that Azerbaijan has unblocked. We, on the other hand, proposed the installation of border checkpoints to establish connections, including between Azerbaijan and Nakhijevan. Azerbaijan is refusing to take advantage of this opportunity. Azerbaijan says if we don't give them a corridor they will build a route through Iran. Our response is that we are ready to provide a road similar to the one provided by Iran. There is not even a "hint" in the 9th paragraph that limits Armenia's sovereignty.
(3) There is an attempt to create the impression that under the 9th paragraph, a 3rd party [Russia] must guarantee the security through the territory of Armenia. Quite the contrary; it directly states that Armenia shall guarantee the security of connections.
(4) The 9th paragraph makes no mention of any part of Armenia becoming outside of the reach of the Armenian government and being "controlled" by Russia. It's written that Russia oversees the transport connection. What does that mean, you may ask? Pay attention to the Russian government decree adopted after the Nov. 9 statement, because it clarifies what the 9th paragraph says. The Russian decree instructs Russian agencies to "oversee the implementation of transportation guarantees provided by Armenia". In other words, the subject that provides the guarantees is Armenia, not Russia. This doesn't even mean that Russia must be present on the ground to oversee this, because it's possible to oversee the process by receiving regular reports from Armenia that Armenia is delivering the guarantees [Relevant: In 2022-2023 Armenia's NatSec Armen Grigoryan suggested that Russia could use "cameras" to oversee the process remotely. It appears Pashinyan today supports even less direct involvement by Russia, in the form of "regular reports", whatever that means.]
PASHINYAN (continues): There can be no comparison between this and the Lachin corridor. They are completely different. The Lachin corridor, under Nov. 9, was a territory with a specific width that had to remain under the direct control of Russian peacekeepers. Those who accuse us of violating paragraph 9 are making baseless claims. They must admit that this is an attempt by them to coerce an unacceptable concession from Armenia that is not described in paragraph 9. That is the truth.
There is a Lachin corridor in the Nov 9 statement. Is there a Lachin corridor on the ground today? It doesn't exist. Why?
There is a "line of contact" between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan in the Nov 9 state. Is there a LoC on the ground today? Where is it?
The Nov 9 says there is Nagorno-Karabakh. Where is Nagorno-Karabakh today?
The Nov 9 says there are peacekeepers that will ensure the security of the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. Did they? They did not. Where is the ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh today? //
Regarding the delimitation of 3 problematic areas in Kirants where the border could pass through a couple of houses.
PASHINYAN: Kirants is my homeland. I grew up in these areas and my children spent their vacations there. We regularly visit Kirants and other villages with family without disclosing it. Do you know why I do not oppose delimiting the border even if it causes controversy and property issues for some residents? Because we were finally able to reach an agreement around the principle for the delimitation of the entire AM-AZ border, welcomed by the international community. We cannot throw away the hard work and the principles of delimitation.
There can be no external "security guarantees" for Armenia. Armenia itself must forge those "guarantees" with its own efforts. That is what we are doing today. These are the "security guarantees" that you asked for Kirants and Tavush. This is part of the peace agenda. //
When asked about police brutality, Pashinyan acknowledged some problems but said a legal force should be used when appropriate, citing the recent clearing of university campuses in the US. Pashinyan said the government has launched a process to clarify the rights and responsibilities of officers so they will avoid investigations and prosecutors while the public will be treated fairly.
Pashinyan accused "failed religious leaders" of attempting to pursue a political agenda.
PASHINYAN: They failed to connect people and God. There are sadly many ranking churchmen, not all, who failed. You can talk to them dozens of times and they will never make any mention of the Bible or verses from the Bible. They are focused on business dealings, cement and concrete transportation, customs clearance, moving money from one account to another, public transport ownership, comparing the latest model of Mercedes with the old model, etc. Who are these people?
I'm not really surprised that they are involved in politics because they have no place in the religious world; it's just not for them. I doubt they have read the Bible in full. Based on the language used by them, you can tell they haven't opened the New Testament for quite some time, and they don't possess the nuances of the gospel. I say this not as a Prime Minister but as a man who believes in God. I speak as a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Our church leaders have failed in their mission. I'm probably the last person in Armenia who says this; everyone knows that's the case.
They are bored of religion, they want to be in politics. Under the old regime, the church members had their "quotas" [monopolistic privileges] to conduct business. Import and export of cars, Bentleys, Lexus, Mercedes... yev ayln. Today everyone is free to do business, which means economic competition for these church leaders. This sums up the whole story.
They say the "temple" [opposition] will defeat the "street" [Pashinyan's 2018 revolution]. How will the temple defeat the street? Who is on the streets? It's the citizens of Armenia. How do they plan to defeat the street? The people's will is unstoppable, and people want peace. Those who preach war are destined to fail. // [Should Pashinyan resign and lead the church? Leave your insightful opinion in the comment section below.]
When asked why he visited daddy Erdogan's inauguration ceremony but not papa Putin's, Pashinyan revealed that he didn't receive an invitation from Putin, but even if there was one, he said would likely miss it because of today's press conference.
When asked whether the church leader Garegin Beta should step down, Pashinyan said the Government should not interfere in those matters.
PASHINYAN: Nevertheless, we must acknowledge that Catholicos Garegin B is leading a political movement today. That is very obvious. Today we know the purpose of this movement from the spokesman of the church who said the goal of this movement is to bring back the former regime. This strategy was mentioned by the leader of Armenia Alliance [Robert Kocharyan] on how to use the church to replace the government. A churchman said he has the blessing of the Catholicos to proceed with the process. That means Catholicos is the real leader, with the primary beneficiary being Robert Kocharyan. This isn't even an assumption, this is based on their public statements.
We are aware that some members of the clergy oppose this process. You remember how there was a movement "New Armenia, new Catholicos" after the 2018 revolution. They attempted to accuse us of being behind it, but in reality, not only we did not sponsor it but we were against that process because we didn't believe the Government should meddle in those affairs. //
HOST: This just in. The administrative head of village Kirants was allowed to visit the border marking sites. During a follow-up interview with the press, he said their expectations have been met and exceeded, and that it's more positive than what they expected.
PASHINYAN: During my recent trip to Kirants, the scenario I presented to the residents was the worst-case scenario. I also informed the residents of Kirants about the positive aspects of the delimitation and the possible economic benefits. I won't rush to make more statements and politicize the work of the Border Commission. The head of the administrative district of Kirants is actually a member of a [recently formed] working group adjacent to the Border Commission [Context: Village mayors were invited to oversee the Commission's work to ensure transparency for residents].
source,

former ambassador-at-large Edmon Marutyan released a video praising the Armenian church for its "liberal values", criticizing the Pashinyan administration for a "Bolshevik" campaign against the church

Marukyan is upset that the ruling faction accuses the church leaders of being "Russian agents" and for dismissing them without engaging with them.
Marukyan says it's normal for the church to be in politics and for deeply religious figures to be members of the government. He brings the example of Donald Trump, who is selling Bibles for a buck; Erdogan, whose party is deeply religious; Israel, whose coalition has right-wing religious figures; the United Kingdom, which has Bishops, etc.
In related news. Former Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan has joined the anti-delimitation march organized by the ARF/church.
source, source, source, source, source, [կանսեռվա]

mayor of Tavush village Kirants about the ongoing delimitation process

REPORTER: Eight border markers have been installed. Where are they, what's the latest news?
MAYOR (Kamo Shahinyan): I've seen the markers. There is a height called Khachi located right on the cross. They moved the border about 25 meters down from there, for which we are grateful to whoever was able to accomplish this. Some of the territory went under our control, and some under Azerbaijani control.
The "nose" part is what's left, the area immediately neighboring the village, the most difficult part. The 9.5 hectares that we were supposed to lose were moved down the river; not a centimeter of land belonging to us passes through there. On the back side, there are 3 personal properties and if you draw the line straight they will be inside Azerbaijan but they said they plan to curve the line. With this technique, we can maintain control of our lands.
REPORTER: Where is the most problematic area?
MAYOR: The bridge and the [area immediately next to the village where the border protrudes into the village]. Most of the work has been done near other markers. Moreover, some of the areas that were part of Azerbaijan under the 1985 map went to our side.
Near the Gholi Chal area, we were expecting them to draw the line to pass through our side of the river, but it passes on the Azeri side.
Most of the concern is with the "nose" and the personal properties of villagers in this area. As of right now, there is no Armenian-owned registered property that has fallen under the Azeri side as long as they curve that aforementioned area instead of drawing a straight line.
Do you see this large 9-hectare orchard? Not one centimeter of it goes under Azeri control.
REPORTER: Is that Ms. Karine's property?
MAYOR: Yes, people. Ms. Karine's lands remain under her control. I'm satisfied with how it's been handled so far.
REPORTER: [The groups were home today]. Is it possible they have frozen the activities on the nose section to distract you and buy some time? Because you are assuming a responsibility, you are presenting this in a positive light...
MAYOR: I'm telling you what has been done so far. I'm not the one to provide guarantees. They are going to deploy people [border guards] near the border markers to protect the area. For now, I think they will deploy NSS agents.
REPORTER (Azatutyun): So we haven't made concessions at this time?
MAYOR: We have not made concessions. There are only 3 land plots with uncertainty and it depends on how curved the line will be. That is the latest. It's going normal so far. //
In other news. Opposition outlets reported that Azerbaijani special forces were seen in village Kirants. It turned out they were Armenian agents. The ruling party accused the opposition of recklessly amplifying the anxieties of the residents.
source,source,

mayor of village Voskepar about the ongoing delimitation

REPORTER: What was lost during the delimitation near Voskepar? Did any territories of Voskepar go under Azerbaijani control?
MAYOR: No part of Voskepar has gone under Azeri control.
REPORTER: How did the border change after the installation of border posts?
MAYOR: Do you really think people knew where the border was BEFORE this process? The process is so far in line with our expectations and understanding. There are areas where we keep more than we thought we would. Azeris moved further back in some locations so instead of a 120-meter distance it turned out to be 170.
REPORTER: What about the army positions?
MAYOR: We have not left any of the positions.
REPORTER: In other words, there has been no damage as of now and you are not displeased with the demarcation works?
MAYOR: I'm not displeased with the work so far.
REPORTER: In that case, why was there a noise generated by the opposition and the church, why did people take to the streets?
MAYOR: Ask them, but I support the fight against unilateral concessions to protect our lands.
source,

Donald Trump defends Azerbaijan's good boy U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, accused of taking $600,000 in bribes to promote pro-Azerbaijan and anti-Armenian legislation

Trump claims without evidence that Cuellar is under attack for wanting to defend the southern U.S. border.
source,

Armenia will receive $100 million from the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development to fund the Government's economic reform plan

efficiency of the labor market and sustainable development

source,

Yerevan State University has a cleanroom certified under ISO 7: VIDEO

It's being used for nanotech and semiconductor research, practice for students, and projects funded by grants.
video,

Armenia will host the World Weightlifting Championship in 2027: VIDEO

It will be the first major Olympic sports to be held in Armenia.
video,

foreign trade stats: Q1 2024

Exports 2.7x ($4.4B)
Imports +76% ($4.7B)
source, source,

Date: 05/07/2024

Reading time: 12 minutes, 2592 words

🪖 Military

Media's Soldier belongs to Armenia's Special Forces Unit - Ministry of Defense

A video titled “Residents of Kirants spotted a soldier from Azerbaijani special forces” is currently circulating on social media and social networks. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia informs that the individual shown in the video is a soldier of the special purpose unit of Armenia.

Armenpress, Armenian Defense Ministry denies allegations that Azerbaijani special forces appear in Kirants

Prime Minister points հis biggest failure

Nikol Pashinyan described 44-day war as the most significant failure of his administration. He made this statement during a press conference on May 7, in response to a question from "Armenpress" regarding his biggest failure.

Armenpress

🏛️ Politics & Government

Pashinyan warns halting border delimitation process could lead to war

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said the government has initiated the process of delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border from the Tavush region. The PM said the process is aimed at preventing war with the aim of preventing war. He said war is deemed necessary by various internal and external forces to effect a change of power in Armenia.

Armenpress, Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers to Discuss Incorporating Almaty Declaration into Peace Treaty, Pashinyan: Almaty Declaration is an irreversible reality as a basic principle of Armenia's border delimitation with Azerbaijan, Delimitation aims to make war senseless, illogical and unfeasible – Armenian PM

The government will soon approve the housing security program for those forcibly displaced from Artsakh

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced at the press conference held on May 7. The housing security program for our compatriots forcibly displaced from Artsakh will be presented and approved. Priority will be given to certain social groups: families of fallen servicemen, families with minor children.

CivilNet

Pashinyan and Aliyev will not participate in the Victory Parade in Moscow

The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will not participate in the traditional Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9. Leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Cuba, Laos and Guinea-Bissau will participate. The Kremlin attaches great importance to the May 8 Pashinyan-Putin meeting.

CivilNet

Armenia, UNDP to continue active cooperation in three directions

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan held a meeting with UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS countries Ivana Živković. The parties have expressed readiness to continue active cooperation in the direction of sustainable development in Armenia.

Armenpress, UNDP programs in Armenia discussedby Deputy Prime Ministerand UN Deputy Secretary General

CSTO didn’t want to come to Armenia as an ally, but as a peacekeeper - Prime Minister

Nikol Pashinyan: CSTO wanted to come to Armenia not as an ally, as is customary, but as a peacekeeper. "What do peacekeepers need? They need a war. When is war possible in this situation? When we refuse the process of delimitation," he said.

Armenpress

Prime Minister claims all referendums on Armenian Constitution were falsified

Nikol Pashinyan says the issue of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia is an internal matter. The goal of shaping the agenda of the new constitution is to establish justice based on laws passed through popular consensus.

Armenpress

Armenia moves towards its sovereignty, which is indisputable - PM

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says the Republic of Armenia does not agree to others making decisions for it. Armenia is advancing towards its sovereignty, says PM, referring to the issue of shifting away from Russia and developing relations with the European Union. "After our sovereignty is registered, we will determine, within the framework of our sovereignty, with whom and what kind of relations we will have," he said.

Armenpress

Prime Minister assures Armenia's territory of 29,743 square kilometers will remain unaltered

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan assures Armenia's territory of 29,743 square kilometers will remain unaltered. He said the uniqueness of this number is in that it rests on the pillar of legitimacy.

Armenpress

PM Pashinyan clarifies misunderstandings regarding November 9 Trilateral Statement

Point 9 of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, does not pertain to connection between Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said. Point 9 specifically addresses the unblocking of regional economic ties, noting that Azerbaijan has not unblocked any of our roads.

Armenpress, "In the ninth point of November 9, there is no mention that any territory should be outside the control of the Republic of Armenia." Pashinyan

Pashinyan, Putin to address all issues on bilateral and multilateral agenda

Nikol Pashinyan will leave for Moscow on May 8 to chair the sitting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. The Prime Minister will also meet with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

Armenpress, The meeting between Pashinyan and Putin on May 8 is very important in the Kremlin. Ushakov, Pashinyan outlines agenda for May 8 meeting with Putin in Kremlin, Armenian PM confirms he will meet Russia’s Putin in Moscow on May 8

Border pillars are pillars of security guarantees, pillars of security - PM

Armenia-Azerbaijan border posts being installed in Tavush Province are the pillars of Armenia’s security guarantees, PM Nikol Pashinyan said. The posts will become a security guarantee for the people of Voskepar, Kirants, Berkaber, Baghanis and the Republic of Armenia in general.

Armenpress

Managing, reducing, and nullification enmity with Turkey and Azerbaijan" – Prime Minister

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented his vision regarding Armenia's relations with regional states. He said Armenia needs to deepen and develop neighborliness with Georgia and Iran, manage, reduce, and nullify enmity with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenpress

Armenia hopes to normalize relations with Baku by November, says Pashinyan

Armenia's prime minister says he hopes to sign a peace deal with Azerbaijan by November. November is the month Azerbaijan is set to host this year’s U.N. climate talks. The two countries’ top diplomats are set to meet Friday in Kazakhstan for their first talks in nearly three months.

CivilNet, I share the idea of signing a peace agreement by November. Pashinyan, Armenia ready to sign peace deal with Azerbaijan by November on the basis of agreed principles – PM

We expect respect for RA and its citizens. Pashinyan about the possible ban of Russian channels

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also addressed the possible ban on the broadcasting of Russian TV channels in Armenia. He stressed several times that they "expect respect for the Republic of Armenia and its citizens. If the demands are not met, he excludes broadcasting of those televisions in Armenia if not met. On March 30, HRTC reported on the territory of Armenia about blocking the broadcasting.

CivilNet

We have reached an agreement with Azerbaijan on many issues through "ping-pong diplomacy". Mirzoyan

Ararat Mirzoyan spoke about the negotiations with Azerbaijan at a press conference with his Hungarian counterpart. He expressed cautious optimism regarding the upcoming meeting with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan in Almaty.

CivilNet

U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Pays First Visit to Shushi Under Pressure from Baku

U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mark Libby made a visit to the occupied town of Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh today following public pressure from Azerbaijani officials. Libby was lambasted by an opinion piece entitled “High time to declare US ambassador persona non grata”

CivilNet

EBRD President comments on Armenia's prospects of becoming part of the EU

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Yerevan, the bank's President Odile Renaud-Basso responded to a question on whether Armenia will integrate into the EU. Earlier, Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said the most correct and desirable option for Armenia is to apply for EU candidate status.

ArkaAm, EBRD invests 2.5 billion euros in 210 projects in Armenia - President, Armenia has fintech development potential. President of EBRD, The EBRD president commented on Armenia's prospects of joining the EU, EBRD has invested 2.5 billion euros within the framework of 210 projects in Armenia. president of the bank

U.S. State Department has no comment onMirzoyan-Bairamov meeting in Kazakhstan

US State Department refrained from commenting on upcoming meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov in Kazakhstan. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said he had no comments on it or any expectations.

ArkaAm

Armenia will make every effort to organize 2027 World Weightlifting Championships at a high level – PM

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the heads of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Mohammed Jalood and Secretary General Antonio Urso. The 2027 World Weightlifting Championships will be held in Armenia for the first time.

ArmRadio

Alen Simonyan, Ivana Živković sign a document

National Assembly President Alen Simonyan and UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS countries Ivana Živković signed a document on the implementation of the Second Programme – Fostering responsiveness, efficiency, transparency and inclusiveness (Modern Parliament for a Modern Armenia) The goal of the programme is to support the development of the parliamentary capacities through training, expertise and consultation.

Armenpress

AIM Congress 2024 kicks off in Abu Dhabi

AIM Congress 2024 kicked off today in Abu Dhabi under the theme "Adapting to a Shifting Investment Landscape: Harnessing New Potential for Global Economic Development". Over 100 ministers, city mayors and central bank governors, 900 speakers, and more than 12,000 delegates.

Armenpress

“By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens

IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. This time, the program includes about 150 minor children from 42 families forcibly displaced. Until the end of the year, IDBank will provide idplus gift cards worth AMD 40 000 every month for each child-beneficiary.

Armenpress

Macron and Xi Jinping have urged for the establishment of a Palestinian state

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron endorsed establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. Paris and Beijing consider the ceasefire in the Middle East and the protection of the civilian population of Gaza as an important issue.

Armenpress

"Tvapatum" media conference has started in Yerevan

Tvapatum media conference is being held within the framework of Armenia's media development program. The project is funded by the US Agency for International Development and implemented by Internews in partnership with the Center for Media Initiatives, the Yerevan Press Club and the Zinq Network.

CivilNet

Pashinyan said why he did not participate in Putin's inauguration

Nikol Pashinyan will not participate in inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He attended inauguration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on June 3, 2023. PM will leave for Moscow on May 8 to participate in the jubilee summit of the Eurasian Economic Union.

CivilNet

Some 7,104 people died in Armenia in January-March, up 4.9% yoy

Some 7,104 people died in Armenia in January-March 2024, which is 4.9% more than in the same time span of 2023. More than half of the people (55.9%) died of diseases of the circulatory system. The second largest cause of death were cancer diseases (18.3% or 1,299 people, an increase of 4.1%)

ArkaAm

Armenia's permanent population increases

Armenia's permanent population, as of April 1, 2024, was 3,039,700 against 2,941,500 as of the same period in 2023. The urban population amounted to 1,958,700 inhabitants, with 1,127,000 inhabitants in Yerevan. In rural areas, the number of population is 1,081,000.

ArkaAm

LIVE: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s press conference

CNN.com will feature iRep

ArmRadio

💵 Economy

Armenia’s Economy Minister to visit the USA

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will visit the United States of America from May 9-15, 2024. The purpose of the visit is to participate in the Americas Competitiveness Exchange program. The PM’s decision is posted on e-gov.am.

Armenpress

World migration report 2024 reveals 650% increase in international remittances

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched the World Migration Report 2024. The report highlights that international migration remains a driver of human development and economic growth. The number of displaced individuals due to conflict, violence, disaster, and other reasons has surged to the highest levels in modern-day records, reaching 117 million.

Armenpress

Transportation and communications important sectors for investment in South Caucasus - head of EBRD

Transportation and communications are important sectors for investments in the South Caucasus region, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said. Earlier it was reported that the bank will finance the construction of the 24-kilometer southern section of the Sisian-Kajaran road of the North-South international transport corridor. The total cost of the project is estimated at about $1 billion.

ArkaAm, EBRD invests 2.5 billion euros in 210 projects in Armenia - President, Transport and communications are important areas for investment in the South Caucasus region. Head of EBRD, EBRD has invested 2.5 billion euros within the framework of 210 projects in Armenia. president of the bank

EBRD forecasts 5% growth of Armenia's economy in 2024 and about 5% in 2025

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said Armenia's economic growth of 8.7% in 2023 was very impressive. Main growth boosters in 2024 will be high domestic demand, hospitality, construction, information and communication technology sectors. The flow of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh has had a big impact on Armenia's economy, she said.

ArkaAm, EBRD invests 2.5 billion euros in 210 projects in Armenia - President, The EBRD expects economic growth in Armenia to be 5% in 2024 and about the same - around 5% - in 2025., EBRD has invested 2.5 billion euros within the framework of 210 projects in Armenia. president of the bank

🎭 Culture

Criminal proceedings have been initiated in the case of harassment against journalist Zhirayr Voskanyan

Criminal proceedings have been initiated in relation to the incident of harassment in one of the Yerevan clubs against journalist Zhirayr Voskanyan. The criminal proceedings were initiated under the articles of hooliganism and self-righteousness within the group.

CivilNet

Eurovision Song Contest 2024: First Semi-Final

The first 15 artists compete in the first Semi-Final of Eurovision Song Contest 2024. 10 will qualify for Saturday’s Grand Final.

ArmRadio

Ambassador visits Armenian pavilion at ATM Dubai 2024 exhibition

Armenia’s Ambassador to Armenia Gegham Grigoryan visited the Armenian pavilion at the ATM Dubai 2024 international exhibition. The visitors got the chance to explore the beautiful exhibition of Armenia Travel team, showcasing the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality.

ArmRadio

⚽ Sport

Champions League Return Legs Kick Off

Paris Saint-Germain, the French champion, will host Borussia Dortmund in Paris. In their first leg, the German team won by a narrow margin. The match is scheduled to start at 23:00 Yerevan time. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will play on May 8. The first match between these clubs ended in a draw with a score of 2-2.

Armenpress

Donations to Armenia:

Himnadram
ServicemenFund
Armenian Wounded Heroes
ArmeniaFund

15-minute read.

update: Border Commissions and expert groups from Armenia and Azerbaijan have installed 40 border markers on the state border in the Tavush-Gazakh section

source,

the former regime-organized rally continues to march from Tavush to Yerevan

Context in Saturday news. An MP from ARF/Kocharyan party and an opposition churchman Bagrat Galstanyan organized a march in an attempt to "gather 50,000" protesters in Yerevan.
The organizers say "Religious Armenia will defeat Real Armenia", in reference to PM Pashinyan. Archbishop Bagrat was a participant in Robert Kocharyan's 2022 rally during which he made a similar statement: "The church will defeat the street and dux". Street & dux = Pashinyan's 2018 revolution. On Sunday Bagrat said "at this time" their demand is not Pashinyan's ouster; they want to stop the border delimitation because they believe it's "illegal". A week earlier the ARF/Kocharyan faction unsuccessfully promoted a motion to essentially declare the use of 1991 Almaty borders illegal and to rely on the 1993 "de facto" borders instead.
Archbishop Bagrat said he has received the permission and blessing of the church leader Garegin B to hold this rally. "He is our father, our leader."
Along the way, the organizers encountered supporters who brought them water and food, and opponents who called them "idiots" and "sons of donkeys".
MIKA BADALYAN (pro-Kremlin blogger, ex-regime activist): I can't imagine the condition Pashinyan is in right now. He has to meet Putin on May 8, and just a day later Archbishop Bagrat will reach Yerevan, and he won't just arrive there, but will launch a battle that will be Nikol's final one. Get drunk, Nikol, get drunk. Be prepared, Armenians around the world! Each one of you must take part in this battle. //
In related news: Mika Badalyan is accused of assaulting a journalist Zhirayr Voskanyan from a pro-Western media outlet on Sunday. According to authorities, the victim refused to pursue charges on the spot after the incident. An investigation was launched nevertheless. In a video uploaded after the incident, the victim said he plans to visit a police station.
ARTUR SAKUNTS (Helsinki NGO, about the church's role): Let's say the political resource is so low and bankrupt that you have to involve the church to achieve your political goals, but why mythologize the role of the Apostolic Church in Armenian history so much? Have you at least read the works of Leo, or a more modern author and historian Hamlet Davtyan, or the works of monumentologist Samvel Karapetyan? Are you familiar with the positions of the church during the Kingdom of Cilicia? After all, any thought and idea should be based on facts, analysis, and conclusions. There can be no salvation built on myths, it will lead to another defeat.
REPORTER (to Robert Kocharyan, 2022 protests): Would you be open to the idea of being appointed as the President?
ROBERT KOCHARYAN (2022 protests): The best candidate right now would be a respected member of a church. There are such people. They are both respected and driven by national interests. That's my offer. And on that offer, yes, it can be negotiated. //
Armenia's H1 public TV ran a segment describing the attempts to sabotage the border delimitation process as being beneficial for Russia and Azerbaijan. "Some forces do not want to turn the line of contact into a stable state border." Russia has been critical of the Tavush delimitation process and called it a Western plan, and some Armenian analysts believe Russia is afraid of losing all influence in the region if Armenia and Azerbaijan establish stable and peaceful relations. There is also criticism towards the church for "not holding a similar march to the Lachin Corridor to demand Russian soldiers to open it" in 2023. The H1 report also shows several residents of border villages who do not oppose the delimitation process. "Their voices were intentionally drowned out."
video, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source,

Q&A with Parliament President Alen Simonyan

REPORTER: What is the likelihood of a peace agreement at this phase?
SIMONYAN: There has been an opportunity to sign a peace agreement since late 2023 but Azerbaijan hasn't displayed political will. The ongoing delimitation is a signal that a peace agreement is possible and it must be signed ASAP.
REPORTER: The Azerbaijani president says the peace agreement document is fully in line with Azerbaijan's interests.
SIMONYAN: The document is fully in line with international norms, which Armenia shares. There are some disagreements, hence the back-and-forth exchange of proposals. We must ensure that all formulations are very clear and both parties understand what the language says because the Nov. 9 agreement and its bargaining by certain countries [Russia] should not happen again.
REPORTER: Do you plan to respond to the letter sent by [Russian Senator Matvienko]?
SIMONYAN: I have not received a letter from Duma. My colleague Sarkis Khandanyan, the recipient, responded within 1-2 days of receiving it. Perhaps it wasn't convenient for [Russian MFA Spokesperson] Mrs. Zakharova to acknowledge it during their usual staged press conference.
REPORTER: But the letter was directed at you, about your speech [in Spain].
SIMONYAN: I stand behind my statements and I represent Armenian voters. If in certain countries [Russia] the government doesn't represent the people, it's their problem. In Armenia, the ruling and opposition parties represent the people.
REPORTER: Does PM Pashinyan plan to attend Putin's inauguration ceremony?
SIMONYAN: No.
REPORTER: What's your assessment of the march originating from Tavush? Is their demand just or unjust?
SIMONYAN: I don't know what their political demand is. They are against the delimitation of state borders.
REPORTER: [Opposition] political parties have joined this march. Do you see a political context here? Is a change of power likely?
SIMONYAN: Not likely until the 2026 elections. How many different people is the ex-regime going to use to attempt to replicate our 2018 success? Can they come up with something new? Who has welcomed the rally so far? In the end, they are going to present the Banani Mihran Poghosyan, Kocharyan, Serj, Vazgen Manukyan, and Vanetsyan Artur [figures who have endorsed the rally].
REPORTER: But anyone can use the technologies you used in 2018. It's not your personal property.
SIMONYAN: Who said it's our personal property? Let them use it. Let them use it. They keep failing because the real actors remain the same and they only change the face of the process. Today they are playing on the emotions of the population.
REPORTER: Are Kocharyan, Serj, and others behind Archbishop Bagrat?
SIMONYAN: Are you seriously asking this? What media outlet do you represent? Is it Azatutyun? I understand your question now. I wonder, the interests of which forces does Azatutyun represent? Sometimes I wonder that. Let's say you receive your funding from international organizations, from foreign structures, do you represent their interests?
REPORTER: Will Pashinyan leave if the opposition gathers many supporters in Yerevan?
SIMONYAN: Will the opposition lay down its parliamentary mandates if they fail to gather more people than they did last time? We are confident that the public supports our effort to delimit the state borders, wants to establish peace, doesn't want a war, doesn't want the return of ex-regime, doesn't want to live in a religious theocracy, and sees through the attempts by politicians to manipulate with the use of religion and emotions. The public is wise.
REPORTER: Do you see a foreign trace behind this rally?
SIMONYAN: I see bloggers financed from various centers [Russia], and statements praising this process by figures located mostly in a single country [Russia]. So of course I see a foreign trace. Do you really not understand what's happening?
REPORTER (Azatutyun, still upset about being called an agent): If it is maybe obvious to you that doesn't mean it is for the general public. You must clarify so the public can know.
SIMONYAN: Yes, and I know what the public knows and what it doesn't know because, unlike the ex-regime, I speak with the people. I know their complaints towards me and their support towards our policies.
REPORTER: Which country is meddling in this process?
SIMONYAN: Can you guess?
REPORTER: Will PM Pashinyan take part in the EAEU (economic bloc) session [on May 8]?
SIMONYAN: Armenia holds the presidency of EAEU and I believe it's the right thing to participate in it. [Pashinyan will take part in the EAEU meeting and will meet Putin as well.]
video, [other video,](source, source,

Armenia has stopped financing CSTO and has frozen its participation in CSTO activities, while simultaneously developing relations with NATO and EU: Putin's assistant Yuri Ushakov

source,

ruling party MP accuses Russia of deceiving Armenia's opposition parties and Nagorno-Karabakh leaders

MP VAHAGN ALEXANYAN: We have to revisit the events of 2023 because the organizers of "Operation Nagorno-Karabakh" are attempting the same operation from Tavush. Let me be clear: the organizers are not located in Armenia.
Pashinyan announced that the international community [West] will support if we lower the bar [not de jure independent republic] for Nagorno-Karabakh's status. This was welcomed by our international partners. There were also international partners who, with the efforts of Armenia, attempted to organize a Stepanakert-Baku dialogue on the European platform, including in Sophia. Everything was ready for the NK-AZ meeting to discuss the safety conditions that would allow 100,000+ Armenians to continue to live in NK.
But the "owners" [Kremlin] of Armenia's opposition parties prohibited NK representatives from flying to Sophia. Simultaneously, the organizers [Kremlin] worked with its puppets in Armenia -- politicians and opposition-owned media outlets -- to convince them that Russia plans to remain 30+ years in NK. They encouraged the opposition to go shout "Nikol traitor", "QP Turks", "you are land givers", this and that. The opposition followed their orders and did those.
"Let's save Nagorno-Karabakh," they said. Today, the parliament building of NK is sadly demolished because of their idiocy. The [pro-Russian] NK forces gathered in that building with maximalist speeches. We knew where it was all headed. We knew there was a circle in NK that believed that Russian peacekeepers would not only protect the remaining parts of NK but would allow them to recapture the lost territories, "if we could only remove Nikol in Armenia".
We warned them that they were being deceived with a false sense of security; we urged them to negotiate with Azerbaijan in Sophia. They refused. "Not a step back from full independence. Who are you? Azgadavs!"
So they removed the NK government [President Arayik was open to Sophia meeting]. You know the names of those who demanded Arayik's removal. Sadly, some of them are currently in Baku jail. But these people removed Arayik and installed a figure who was the most favorable figure for the presence of Russia in NK. Then you know what happened.
After Azerbaijan launched a massive attack on NK, several public figures and politicians began to reveal the things they were told at the Russian embassy in Armenia. A figure named Nairi Hokhikyan claims he was told in the Russian embassy that Russian peacekeepers planned to remain 30+ years in the region and that he believed them and "took their bait". It's fair to say he wasn't the only person in Armenia who took this embassy's baits. There were even forces in Armenia that actively distributed those baits.
When it became obvious that Russian peacekeepers wouldn't do anything, when they stood and watched the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenians, when they watched the killings of NK civilians, it became obvious to everyone, including those who took the bait, what exactly happened.
Armenia, in turn, said that since its allies do not plan to help, it is better for Armenia to establish peace with all of its neighbors and have stable delimited borders. This was a huge psychological shock for some, especially the aforementioned forces because the clarification of Armenia's borders and the adoption of an internationally legitimate stance would open an opportunity to have excellent relations with the US and EU. Armenia with legitimate borders and Western partners is more difficult to attack than Armenia without those; it's a lot more difficult under those conditions to present Armenia as a gray zone and swallow it.
And swallowing Armenia is what this is all about. None of this was about NK. Armenia was the end goal. Robert Kocharyan said he was open to the idea of Armenia joining the [Russia-Belarus] Union State, while Serj's party leaders [Sharmazanov] announced that it's necessary to give Azerbaijan a corridor through Syunik.
Today we have a rally coming from Tavush. On the left side of its leader, we have a politician representing a force that wants Armenia to join the [Russian] Union State, and on the right side, it's a representative of a force that wants to give a Zangezur corridor to Azerbaijan.
Forgive me for saying this, friends: this latest Russian march is also destined to fail. It will fail because the Armenian population won't follow politicians who do not recognize Armenia's 29,743 km^2. Foreign forces will fail. Armenia will remain independent. //
source,

Russia continues the withdrawal of soldiers from Nagorno-Karabakh

A column of vehicles left from Ivanyan airport to a railway station before heading to Russia, through Azerbaijan.
source,

foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet in Kazakhstan on May 10 to discuss the peace process

The agreement was reached last week after the visit of the Kazakh president to the region.
source,

U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan visited occupied Shushi after "two months of preparations"

He was earlier criticized by the Azerbaijani regime for not visiting the occupied parts of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Ambassador said he didn't visit Shushi in the past because he didn't want to take part in "someone's shows".
During this Shushi trip, the Ambassador met state officials and local teachers who were enrolled in the embassy's English classes. The Ambassador said the U.S. will continue to cooperate with Azerbaijan for as long as there are "partners in Azerbaijan who are willing to work with the U.S."
source, source,

the armed forces/MOD of Armenia and United States held their first annual talks

US Embassy in Yerevan: Last week, representatives from across the US European Command and the Armenian Ministry of Defense participated in the inaugural Annual Staff Talks to discuss bilateral defense priorities, develop areas for further cooperation, and outline military engagements for the coming years.
source,

Informed Citizens NGO chief about Armenia's economic ties with Russia and the cost of breaking free

IOANNESIAN: Russia's leverage: Gas, supply of uranium for NPP, disposal of nuclear waste generated by NPP, and Upper Lars cargo traffic. I don't think Russia will attempt to "punish" Armenia unless they achieve a major success in Ukraine, but it can't be ruled out. Let's analyze some possible scenarios.
(1) Gas. If Russia doubles the price for Armenia to $300, which is the realistic upper limit according to experts, your household bill would likely increase by 20%. The $300 is also the price of Iranian gas. If Russia raises it above $300, Armenia will have other more economic sources of energy. I doubt household bills would double because there are a host of steps the government and West could take to remedy or even partly subsidize the cost.
(2) Uranium for NPP. This is easier. Ukraine has replaced Russia with others. Kazakhstan is also a source of uranium. It's important to have decent AM-KZ relations. Our relations have always been toxic despite never having any direct problems with one another. At some point, Kazakhs realized having great relations with Azerbaijan doesn't mean they can't build relations with Armenia. Armenia displayed the same pragmatism. There is an opportunity to move forward.
(3) Export of products. This will be difficult because a significant share of goods MADE in Armenia are exported to Russia. These are real factories, real workers, real wages. The food production industry will face issues because let's be honest, their standards are generally very low. They wouldn't be able to export to Europe today. European countries may love you but they care about the health of their citizens more. We need to raise the food standards, first and foremost for us and our health. I'm aware that the Armenian government is taking steps for a long-term solution, and as a short-term solution they are exploring the possibility of increasing exports to the Middle East and other states to reduce reliance on Russia. The government will face pushback from unhappy businesses that will no longer be allowed to dump a bag of harmful chemicals on crops. The Middle East is a mixed bag. Some countries could have standards higher than the EU, while others don't care at all. Armenian manufacturers of "fake" and lowest-quality alcohol, the type of alcohol that's even unacceptable for Armenians, are exporting their goods to some Middle Eastern countries today.
source,

Armenia and EU discuss education reforms

Education Minister Joanna and EU Ambassador Maragos met on Monday to discuss the ongoing introduction of new state standards in public education, the upcoming bills, STEM and labs, refugee teacher assistance, and AM-EU dialogue.
source,

Armenia and Hungary sign agreement on economic cooperation, will continue to restore diplomatic relations after termination in 2012

FM Mirzoyan is in Hungary to discuss AM-HU and AM-EU relations, a week after media wrote that Hungary is blocking the EU's $10 million military aid to Armenia.
Armenia and Hungary restored diplomatic relations in 2022, and in 2023 they appointed non-resident ambassadors.
HUNGARIAN FM: It's great to see Armenia's flag in this building after so many years. Today we agreed to form a working group to develop economic relations. Last year our economic turnover reached 70%. Our pharmaceutical companies are more active in the Armenian market today. We have agreed to open embassies in the capitals of Hungary and Armenia; today we have consulates. Starting this July, WizzAir will hold direct flights between the capitals of Armenia and Hungary. Hungary will provide humanitarian assistance to families [presumably Nagorno-Karabakh refugees] who begin their lives in Armenia. Some 1,200 Armenian children and parents will receive an opportunity to enjoy their vacation here in Hungary. Armenian students will receive scholarships. We have also allocated funds to help the 4,200 Armenians residing in Hungary maintain their Armenian identity and culture. Ahead of Hungary's presidency of the EU, we were able to take steps to develop AM-EU relations. We plan to develop the AM-EU Partnership Agenda [aka CEPA+]. We also plan to launch a dialogue on visa liberalization between the two parties [unclear AM-HU or AM-EU]. My 2023 visit to Yerevan and your visit to Budapest marks a successful launch of our cooperation.
ARMENIAN FM: This is a result of a process we launched 1.5 years ago, a process to start a new phase of AM-HU relations based on historically warm ties and common values. I'm glad to see the result of this process today. Today we are talking about opening resident embassies. Today we signed agreements on political consultations between foreign ministries of two states, on economic cooperation, and on the formation of an intergovernmental commission. We recently saw a business conference where they discussed possible joint projects. Personal visits are important so it's great to hear about WizzAir's direct Yerevan-Budapest flights. Armenia wants to be part of international economic projects. The CoP project aims to lift the blockade on all transport and passenger connections in the South Caucasus and to streamline the West-East connection. Under the same context, we consider the supply of Armenian renewable energy to Europe [through the Black Sea]; we will soon hold discussions on their implementation. Armenia wants to take part in all of those. Peace is a prerequisite for economic development. We have launched a process to bring Armenia significantly closer to the EU, and vice versa. On the table, we have a package of proposals and here we hope to receive Hungary's support during your EU presidency so the plan will confidentially advance under your presidency as well.
REPORTER: What disagreements remain around the AM-AZ peace treaty?
MIRZOYAN: I hope the agreement reached by border commissions on April 19 will be reflected in the peace agreement as well. That would place us very close to a final resolution of the AM-AZ conflict. Another disagreement is around the unblocking of transportation links in the region. Armenia wants to unblock all routes with full respect to the sovereignty of states. I'd like to thank Hungary for its contribution to humanitarian issues. As you remember, several Armenian POWs were freed with the help of Hungary. These efforts continue.
source, source, video,

starting next week Yerevan subway will operate until midnight, instead of 11 pm

source,

Yerevan municipality will add 50 bus shelters, some of which will come with ticket purchasing terminals and bus arrival timetable

MAYOR AVINYAN: This year we plan to launch the new transit fare system and install 50 bus shelters, which will have arrival timetables. We'll receive 171 new 8.5-meter buses and 15 new trolleybuses. The new bus pricing system goes into effect after all of this is done.
source,

Yerevan municipality wants to review the contract with French water giant Veolia

MAYOR AVINYAN: The recent floods caused issues in transport hubs, tunnels, and streets. The city has a contract with Veolia Jur to service the surface, gutter, and rainwater networks. We receive many complaints that go unaddressed. The residents do not care about the details of the contract with Veolia, although I'm confident there are objective reasons behind these problems. This year we must come to a new agreement with the Government and Veolia because the municipality itself can't chase the sewers in each backyard. We need a company that will assume the responsibility for the entire network. We must understand what the cost of this service is. Last year the city was forced to build 14 kilometers of sewers but I don't even know if we had the right to do it because it's a state property, but it had to be done so we did it. We need to make changes to the Veolia contract.
source,

VIDEO: heavy hail lasted several minutes, turning the streets of Yerevan white and damaging trees and properties

source,

inflation YoY

January -0.4%
February -1.7%
March -1.2%
April -0.7%

... food prices are still lower compared to last year (April YoY stats)

Food and non-alcoholic beverages -4.5%
Non-food -0.5%
Services +3%
Alcohol and tobacco +7%
Clothing -1%
Utilities -0.1%
Household goods & appliances -1%
Healthcare -0.2%
Transportation +8%
Communications +0.3%
Recreation -0.2%
Education +5%
Restaurants & hotels +4%
source,

country of origin of tourists who visited Georgia in Q1 2024

(1) Turkey 255K
(2) Russia 215K
(3) Armenia 192K
source,

the most popular last names in each country: MAP

Grigoryan
source,

Today, I used Halifax mobile banking to transfer money to my other bank account in another bank but got blocked resulting in my mobile and internet access being blocked until I call the fraud hotline. After calling and unlocking my mobile/internet access, I was told that my account is still locked for 24 hours. I won't be able to receive or transfer money out during this period. I also have to call them again after this period to fully unlock.
Had this been my main salary account, I would be quite mad. :-/
How events unfolded:

1. I transfer 6k from current account to my other bank, it went through fine.
2. I moved 5k from savings account to current account to close my savings account. All within Halifax and all fine.
3. I then transfer 5k from current account to my other bank. (same one as the first transfer) and It got blocked. The mobile app automatically closes telling me that my online access is blocked until I call the fraud hotline.
4. I call fraud hotline and told them, my transfer failed and my mobile banking blocked.
5. After talking to a few agents, I got my mobile banking unblocked (i.e. I can login and view my accounts now).
6. However, my account is still locked for 24 hours and it cannot receive or send money out of my account in this period. This includes standing orders too.
7. After the period expires, I need to call the fraud hotline again to fully unlock my account.

This is the first I experience this form of aggressive fraud checks and have never had to do multiple calls to unblock a transaction. My only consolation is that the transaction is not high priority for me since my aim was just to consolidate my savings into an ISA outside of Halifax. I cannot imagine what state I'd be if I was trying to pay for a car or paying a deposit to a house!
Has anyone else experienced something similar?
Update: called the bank yesterday after 24 hours and my account is now unlocked. The guy from the hotline asked me to login to my banking app to verify things are still unlocked. He also stayed on the call while I tried the same transfer again. Sorted.
It's a bit of a pain but no harm done to me.

PiCoreTeam
May 2nd - 5:33pm
We’re releasing additional liveness checks to facilitate applicable Pioneers to resolve their tentative KYC status! These checks—released progressively—aim to improve their account security and supplement data to their KYC application analysis to help reach full KYC status. If you have a tentative KYC status, make sure you take these short liveness checks to unblock yourself in the KYC and migration process. Watch the video to learn more.
https://youtube.com/shorts/LLRurrvTNEc?si=CEtAvyN8hyyxso2T

22-minute read to cover the latest developments in Armenia beyond headlines.

Azeri public continues to discuss the possible return or exchange of Armenian exclave Artsvashen currently under Azerbaijani control

Context in Monday news digest. A ranking member of Azerbaijani parliament suggested returning Artsvashen to Armenia in exchange for the Azeri exclaves, or swapping them so each side can keep what it currently controls. An Azeri analyst called it dangerous to allow Armenians to return to Artsvashen because he believes it would make the entire territory of Azerbaijan "up to Ganja" vulnerable.
AZERI JOURNALIST (Fatima Movlamli): There are currently [Azeri] military positions near the entrance of the village [Artsvashen]. Although the local population is not strictly checked upon entry and exit, some control appears to be in place. The army checks "strangers". The village is also observed from far away. All the houses are empty; they are crumbling. There is no one around. The only people you see are nearby villagers who take their cattle to [Artsvashen's] pasture.
NEARBY AZERI VILLAGER: I visit the [Armenian] village to feed my cattle and my family. If they give it to Armenians, it will be my end. This is our source of bread, and these areas will no longer be safe for us. Many of us rely on these territories for a living. There is total unemployment and none of us have other jobs. We will have to emigrate if they give this village.
NATIN JAFARLI (ReAl party): There are two reasons why the village was not populated [by Azeris, after the capture in 1992]. The first is for legal reasons because Armenia could claim it's their land and demand compensation. There are also socio-economic components that have forced the population to migrate to Baku over the past 30 years. If there was a normal socio-economic policy, there would be no migration. It's not easy to create social infrastructure in Bashkend [Artsvashen] for natural reasons. If we decide to swap the enclaves, then referendums must be held in both countries. Can you imagine the Armenian police or army marching 30 kilometers deep into Azerbaijan? It doesn't sound realistic. The same about Azeris entering the exclaves inside Armenia. How will you guarantee the population's food, banking, communication, gas, etc.? It doesn't seem realistic.
ELKHAN SHAHINOGLU (Atlas research center): Even if Armenians return our 4 villages [presumably within Azeri exclaves], it will be difficult for Azeris to live in them because we will be forced to reach the villages through Armenia. The same is true if we transfer [Artsvashen] to Armenia. Therefore, I believe this issue can be resolved if the lands are exchanged.
AZERI RESIDENT: I used to work as a nurse in [Artsvashen]. I remember how I attempted to save the lives of the soldiers who captured it. I don't want it to be returned to Armenia because I'm concerned that the same events will repeat. Nothing good will happen if Armenians return here. This place connects Shinikhi to the entire Ganja region. Should we allow Armenians to stand between the two? I'm 65 so the future generations will have to live here but no one will dare to come if they hear about the presence of Armenians.
source,

Azerbaijan is still reluctant to include the Almaty Declaration in the final peace agreement despite the April 19 separate agreement to use it for border demarcation

FM MIRZOYAN: Recently we agreed that the demarcation should take place on the basis of the Almaty Declaration and the Regulations of the border commissions should also refer to the Almaty. This is one of the principles, and if we manage to include Almaty in the peace agreement, then we will get very close to a final resolution. Our neighbor is still reluctant to make a clear reference to the Almaty Declaration in the peace treaty, which is a more comprehensive document.
The second issue is with the unblocking of communication routes. Armenia is ready to become a part of the international transit route. The Crossroads of Peace will benefit Armenia and the entire region. Turkey and Azerbaijan would also benefit by connecting East and West. If this is implemented, it will be another interesting way to connect the Persian Gulf countries with the Black Sea economic region.
QUESTION: You froze your participation in CSTO. Do you plan to join NATO?
MIRZOYAN: We do not want to be part of a dysfunctional mechanism [CSTO]. But we are still a CSTO member so it's necessary to take steps to make it function; we are discussing the issues on the AM-RU agenda. Simultaneously we have launched a process to strengthen AM-West relations and to diversify Armenia's economy.
source, video,

interview with Azeri opposition activist-in-exile Arif Yunusov

REPORTER: Azerbaijan had long refused to use 1991 Almaty for delimitation but on April 19 they agreed to launch the process based on Almaty. Why did they change their position?
YUNUSOV: Because of the problems Aliyev developed with the West. When Blinken makes a phone call, that means extensive work was done prior to the call. The issue of sanctions raised earlier this year was also raised after months of work. The collective West is pressuring Azerbaijan. We have entered the decisive phase of the West-Russia confrontation. The physical fights are taking place in Ukraine, while diplomatic wars rage in the South Caucasus.
Russia attempted on several occasions to destabilize Armenia's internal stability by using Azerbaijan but their efforts have failed and there hasn't been any serious escalation on the AM-AZ border. Pashinyan was not exaggerating the possibility of a war in Tavush a few months ago; there was indeed a real threat. However, the likelihood is much lower now and Azerbaijan has given its approval to launch the delimitation process. The ongoing delimitation process is part of the effort to regulate AM-AZ relations and push Russia out of the region.
REPORTER: Blinken spoke on Sunday with Aliyev and Pashinyan. I'm under the impression that this AM-AZ delimitation, despite being called "bilateral", is actually being moderated by the US.
YUNUSOV: Absolutely agree. Aliyev has a lengthy history of rejecting many Western efforts and being close with Putin, so the fact that he didn't reject it this time indicates serious pressure from the West. By the way, Aliyev became president in February but Biden hasn't congratulated him yet. For Aliyev, it's very important to receive a congratulation personally from Biden.
The US is moderating this process step-by-step. This process began in 2022 when Pashinyan recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan; that was part of the US plan to normalize AM-AZ relations. Under this plan, Azerbaijan announced the formation of a commission to "integrate" Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians. Obviously, it all changed later and the US officials began to raise the issue of Aliyev being too close to Russia and about a need to pull him away from Putin. It appears the US is gradually getting what it wants because the US's role in this demarcation process is huge.
REPORTER: Is this also why Azerbaijan asked Russia to withdraw its military base from Nagorno-Karabakh? Was it under the US pressure?
YUNUSOV: I'm not entirely sure about the full details behind their withdrawal. I don't even know if they are truly being withdrawn because there is a motive to calm the Azerbaijani public that's anti-Russian.
There is also the fact that Russia was unable to deploy those peacekeepers on the AM-AZ border and push out the EU border monitoring mission from Armenia. Russia attempted to achieve this in December 2023 during a meeting in St. Petersburg but Pashinyan rejected Putin's efforts. Moreover, Pashinyan said that Armenia is no longer interested in the fate of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh and that this topic must be resolved between Russia and Azerbaijan. This was followed by Pashinyan's order to remove Russian agents from Yerevan's airport by August 2024. So Russia's effort to pressure Armenia with the hands of Azerbaijan has totally failed.
It's a strange situation, the withdrawal of peacekeepers. We don't know how many were removed and how many remain. I do not have information that the US pressured Azerbaijan to remove the Russian peacekeepers. [audio cuts off] The US is only strong when there is Armenia, during meetings, and we tend to receive information whenever Armenia is part of a negotiation process, whereas Azerbaijan-Russia talks are more secretive.
It appears Russia is withdrawing the equipment first because they need it ahead of the May offensive in Ukraine, before possibly a wider withdrawal by September.
Regarding the demarcation of the AM-AZ border, Russia understands that if the parties reach an agreement, that could mean the end of Russian presence in the South Caucasus. The AM-AZ border is a geopolitical issue. Russia will publicly formally welcome the delimitation efforts but it's not in their interest.
REPORTER: Why is France silent about the April 19 delimitation agreement?
YUNUSOV: France has adopted the correct position. First of all, Western states coordinate their policies [including on delimitation], but in each region, each Western state takes up a different position. For example, on the Ukraine issue, France provides support to Ukraine but the main locomotive is the US. In the South Caucasus, it's the opposite: the US provides the moderation efforts while the main locomotive - in this case, support for Armenia - is France. There is a crisis in FR-AZ relations. So France doesn't want to hinder the delimitation effort by intervening; they let the US handle it. There is currently an anti-French hysteria in Azerbaijan. The French endorsement of the AM-AZ delimitation agreement would be a big blow to the process.
full,

ruling party rejects opposition's motion to conduct the AM-AZ border delimitation based on 1993 "de facto" borders instead of 1991 Almaty borders

Context and debates in April 23 news digest. The opposition is against delimiting borders with the 1991 Almaty maps.
The opposition accuses the ruling party of serving Turkey's interests while the ruling party accuses the opposition of attempting to derail the 1991 delimitation process so they can drag Armenia into a new conflict before bringing the Russian "empire" as a savior to establish their rule in Armenia.
One thing that struck the ruling party's nerves was the opposition's narrative that "Armenia ends where the Armenian soldier stands". The ruling party believes that this principle is both dangerously expansionist [in the case of 2.5 Azeri villages] and would also endanger the fate of occupied Armenian lands. "We have a clear border with Azerbaijan, and it must be reproduced on the ground," said a ranking ruling party MP. Yesterday the government said over 50% of the task was done on a section of the Tavush-Gazakh border.
In response to the opposition's accusations that the ruling party serving the interests of Azerbaijan by "surrendering lands", a ruling MP accused the opposition of pressuring the government to surrender a corridor to Russia and Azerbaijan.
RULING MP: Mr. Sharmazanov [ex-president Serj's party] routinely says the quiet part out loud. At first, he spoke about the need to give a corridor [to Azerbaijan and Russia, via Syunik], and more recently he made another fantastic statement. Sharmazanov said "a homeland is eternal while a state is variable. The state's borders can expand or shrink." This stems from their mentality that today they are MPs of the Armenian parliament but tomorrow they could just as easily be Russian Duma MPs, representing the Armyanski Oblast. This is the clash of values: a stable state with borders vs. a "homeland" with variable borders. For us, the Republic of Armenia is irreplaceable and the independence of Armenia is non-negotiable. //
source, video, source, source,

the independent TV & radio regulator was summoned to parliament to report the 2023 activities

REGULATOR: Last year the broadcasters under our watch operated freely, without government intervention. The TV outlets stated that they were not pressured or obstructed by any branch of the government to limit their freedom of expression.
The issue persists with misinformation and hate speech, but our 3-year-long monitoring reveals that this negative content has been significantly reduced in public multiplex. This positive trend has multiple reasons, including our Committee's fight against the abuse of "freedom of speech". This type of negative content has, by in large, moved from television to the internet and social media.
We are strongly against the government's electoral code amendment that required private media outlets to allocate a limited number of free hours to candidates during electoral campaigns. How is this different from requiring gas stations to provide free gas to candidates? The media outlets are deprived of hours that they could use to generate income.
We've been calling for reforms in the law regulating the media. The 2020 law on liberalizing media regulations is a welcoming change. The field is free, with minimal intervention from the Committee (regulator) or the government.
However, this liberalization also endangers Armenia's media security. For example, foreign channels broadcasted over Armenia's public multiplex and cable often spread content illegal under Armenian law and against the Republic of Armenia's interests. The law does not grant the Committee enough powers to curtail this. At the moment, the Committee has jurisdiction over public multiplex TV and licensed radio channels only. This creates an uneven competition field with channels broadcasted over the net, which do not have to follow the same rules. Under European directives, a minimal level of regulation of internet content has become a requirement for European countries. We advise the government to follow European practices.
The public often wonders what share of cable TV content is in Armenian or made in Armenia. Our research reveals the content based on the country of origin: Armenian 71 (vs 68 last year), Russian 174 (vs 167), European 75, American 38, Other 15. As you can see, relevant parties should take steps to increase the share of Armenian content.
We have very important progress in another metric: Armenian-language programs aired over Armenian channels, nationwide or in Yerevan. The Armenian-language programs accounted for 95% of the air. This includes foreign content translated into Armenian or with Armenian subtitles.
2018: <60%
2020: 79%
2021: 81%
2023: 95%
We have progress in another important area. Over the last 3-4 years, on the public multiplex, the share of partisan ideological content has been gradually replaced by content more beneficial to the general public. For example, (1) we now have a sports program that promotes the development of local sports and provides coverage of local events. (2) We have a family channel called Noor available in Yerevan. Despite some challenges and flaws, they are doing their best to establish themselves as a family channel. (3) We have an educational channel Bun. (4) We have a music channel Dar21.
By in large, the public multiplex still falls short of delivering what we envisage. We believe the time has come to adopt a new state strategy on media to prevent a crisis. We could have a crisis because the state has too many regulations and not enough incentives to allow channels to use their slots to generate income and produce quality content.
We fear that during the next auction for slots in 2027, several slots could be left uncontested, which could pave the way for the entry of propagandistic channels or clearly weak channels unable to deliver quality content. If the channels fail to generate income, they could also be sold to foreign buyers. Therefore, some channels could begin to serve the interests of foreign states and serve foreign propaganda to Armenian citizens.
We advise the government to...
(1) reduce the number of channels on public multiplex. It's an unreasonably high number for a country size of Armenia. Fewer public multiplex channels means each channel would receive more ad dollars, which would raise the quality of content.
(2) establish a media assistance fund to incentivize quality content over the public multiplex.
How do we monitor media channels for compliance? The monitoring phase lasts 2 months per year. In Lithuania and Georgia, it's 1 month. The rest of the time the monitoring is done by NGOs, the public, and other institutions.
We penalized 34 companies for broadcasting pirated content. This is a shamefully high number. There are unfortunately companies that do not respect intellectual property. The only option left is to ramp up the enforcement. The atmosphere of impunity among channels is driven by the fact that the size of the penalty is only $130, which is a lot less than what they'd spend on obtaining the rights to the content.
We've been enforcing rules more vigorously, and in 2023 alone there were 64 administrative proceedings. In comparison, between 2011-2018 there were a total of 17 such proceedings.
2011-2018: 17
2021: 84
2023: 64
Reasons for administrative proceedings: copyright violation, illegal ads, content harmful to children, gore & violence, cussing on air, failure to meet the minimum threshold of 20% for certain types of content, etc.
In December we made a decision to suspend the re-broadcasting of [Russian] Sputnik Radio for a month. We were accused of violating their free speech [by Armenia's opposition factions], however, the radio's leadership visited Armenia, apologized for their content, and agreed to exclude the violating show [Kremlin propagandist Tigran Keosayan] from their programming aired in Armenia. We lifted the suspension.
Once again, the Committee reminds that it will suspend any foreign outlet that broadcasts content that spreads hatred towards the Republic of Armenia or its people, interferes with Armenia's internal affairs, questions Armenia's sovereignty, or engages in provocative actions.
Along with increased enforcement, we also have more complaints filed against our decisions in courts, which shows that the enforcement & appeals process is functioning freely. Sometimes we lose these trials. We learn and gain experience.
We recently signed the first-ever agreement with a country outside Eurasia. The agreement with friendly Argentina's state media agency will allow Armenia's public channel to film a big սերիալ.
The Committee is cooperating with the high-tech ministry to use AI in our work to save resources and raise efficiency.
ASSYRIAN-ARMENIAN MP: The law requires television to provide content in the Assyrian language. Similar programs exist for Yezidis but not Assyrians.
REGULATOR: The law requires the content to be either in Assyrian language or about Assyrian culture. The latter requirement was met.
ASSYRIAN-ARMENIAN MP: But we would like to hear content, speech, in Assyrian language.
REGULATOR: We want to do that by requiring local television channels [presumably where Assyrians mostly live] to provide content in Assyrian language, rather than requiring the public channel to broadcast that content nationwide, because the vast majority of nationwide consumers would not be able to consume content in a language they do not speak. It should be more targeted. Assyrian subtitles on public nationwide channels are also an option so submit your suggestion and we'll negotiate with H1.
RULING MP: I welcome your decision to take action against [Kremlin's] Solovyov and Keosayan for their anti-Armenian and anti-Armenian Republic content, but people wonder why you don't take similar measures against others, like [Kremlin's] Kisilyov. What have you done in this regard and what suggestions have you sent to the high-tech ministry?
REGULATOR: Our Committee has the authority to suspend re-broadcasted radio channels, as in the case of Sputnik, but we cannot suspend television channels. We can only send complaints to the high-tech ministry so they can take action against TV channels based on the AM-RU interstate agreement. We have been frequently sending reports to our high-tech ministry, and after 3 years of inaction, they finally decided to take steps recently. You already know about their actions against Solovyov's content. The ministry is working with Russia to replace the [empty] Solovyov timeslot with other cultural or entertainment content. You can forget about Solovyov. As a reminder, this program was banned in Armenia not for being "anti-Armenian", which is a vague term, but for violating specific laws of Armenia. They often call for violence, incite steps to launch a war, etc. Even Armenian channels are not allowed to broadcast such content. We need to revise the AM-RU interstate agreement to grant the Committee more powers to regulate foreign channels as well. In the future, we should entirely ban all foreign channels on Armenia's public multiplex.
RULING MP: What is Shoghakat TV, who owns it, and does its content meet the requirements? [It's the channel operated by the church]
REGULATOR: Shoghakat was formerly called a religious-cultural channel. Under the new law, it must broadcast cultural-educational content; its genre legally is not religious-cultural. A recent study shows that the share of religious content is too high and it must be reduced by raising the share of cultural-educational programs to meet the requirements. The channel is receiving funds from the state and must therefore meet the cultural-educational programming requirements.
RULING MP: In other words, Shoghakat is a public channel, at least in part financed by the taxpayers, and does not provide the content it is legally required to? Religious content is not a bad thing but we must be mindful of the state resources.
REGULATOR: It's co-financed by the church and state. Shoghakat is also operating from a building owned by the church, and not the public TV.
OPPO MP: Isn't it time to also regulate the TV channels' social media accounts on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok? They get more views than the content aired over the public multiplex. Children consume dangerous content on YouTube and TikTok. There are countries that are attempting to regulate it. Can Armenia do this? There are also unlicensed channels on the internet that spread whatever they want. How do we regulate all of this?
REGULATOR: This morning the EU's Ursula von der Leyen announced the possibility of banning TikTok in the EU. The same about the US. Even the most democratic states restrict platforms that pose a danger to their societies. It will be expensive to technologically restrict these platforms in Armenia but we must consider any measure that would protect the Armenian society. Armenia is falling behind the EU directives in terms of content restrictions.
OPPO MP: Today a 9-year-old boy sees as many naked girls in one day as the world's richest sultan throughout his whole life. This is going to have a negative impact on children. The same about narcotics. When are we going to amend the law to regulate this?
REGULATOR: In the case of the 9 y/o boy, the most important institutions are the school, parents, and the surrounding environment. As for regulating the media field, I've been saying this for 4 years and this appears to be a bipartisan issue so let's get together and decide how to regulate it.
RULING MP: Under the existing media regulation law, foreign companies are not allowed to operate a cable service in Armenia. Why is Rostelecom able to operate? Should we lift the ban on all foreign firms or should we ban Rostelecom?
REGULATOR: I believe they meet the requirement by not owning over 49% of the company shares. I believe 51% of their shares belong to an Armenian resident company. In their defense, Rostelecom has voluntarily banned Solovyov's show in Armenia.
full report, source,

անախորժ միջադեպ պառլամենտի բակում

The bodyguard of Armenia/ARF MP Levon Kocharyan, the son of ex-president Robert Kocharyan, is accused of punching and knocking down a journalist in the backyard of the parliament building after the outlet's criticism of opposition churchman and his portrayal as a corrupt agent of Russia.
REPORTER (Davit Levonyan, civic.am, affiliated with ruling party): After finishing an interview with a ruling party MP, I noticed that Levon Kocharyan's assistant/bodyguard Arthur Sukoyan was waiting nearby. He approached me and asked to speak for 2 minutes. I asked my operator to stand a bit further from us so we could talk. The bodyguard attempted to provoke a fight. He was unhappy about my opinion about churchman Bagrat [the co-organizer of the opposition's road closures in Tavush] and he said my actions were blasphemy. I said dear Arthur I have the right to free speech and I don't force my opinion on others, and that he can express his own opinion and that I don't really care about his opinion. He went on to escalate it into a physical fight in a way to present it as "two boys fighting" rather than hooliganism. He began to cuss at me. I said, "If you think I'm that type of person then I can say the same about you". I never punched him, knowing well that it was a provocation. He punched me and knocked me to the ground. I got up and cussed at him but chose not to fight. I told him that "you and the likes of you will answer for this". I wanted to verify whose assistant he was so he said Kocharyan's, and he invited me to his office to "settle the dispute". I told him to get the hell out of here and that he will answer later pa lyubomu.
QUESTION: Were there witnesses and is there a video recording?
REPORTER: My operator witnessed it and it was in front of the parliament building's security cameras. //
The alleged suspect, Arthur Sukoyan, is the son of Judge Alexei Sukoyan whose duties as a judge were terminated by SJC last year for "severe violations".
OPPO MP (Mher Sahakyan): That guy has no right to be called a journalist because I've seen his video [about the opposition churchman] and as a Christian Armenian, it's prosto unacceptable for me. Are you telling me you can describe a representative of a church any way you like and not answer for it? //
MP Mher Sahakyan himself was arrested last year after punching a ruling party MP and forcing him to get stitches.
What was the outlet's report that angered Kocharyan's bodyguard? The outlet accused the churchman of serving Russian interests and owning a meat production business in Tavush. A fact-checker has found that the churchman is indeed reported as a 25% shareholder of the company but the company says the churchman hasn't received profits. The ruling faction accuses the church of unethically using the church's media resources to advertise the "churchman's meat business".
source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source,

PM Pashinyan hosted the European Commission's Director-General of EU Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations

Pashinyan considered the AM-EU-US high-level meeting held in Brussels on April 5 as key and emphasized the need for effective implementation of the agreements reached.
Koopman noted that the European Commission is ready to contribute to the implementation of the priorities of the Armenian government to strengthen the resilience of Armenia and its economic growth.
Koopman expressed confidence that Armenia-EU relations will continue to develop and expand dynamically. The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues related to Armenia-EU cooperation.

... On Tuesday Armenia, the EU, and Germany signed an agreement to reduce the Armenian rural population's reliance on imported Russian gas

They want to help low-income villagers and municipal buildings of Tavush, Shirak, Gegharkunik, and Syunik provinces to switch to solar energy. It will include solar water heaters, etc.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION rep.: The EU-Armenia relations are stronger than ever and the EU's dedication to Armenia is reflected in the agreements reached on April 5 in Brussels. This is a 3-year program worth €12.5 million.
GERMAN EMBASSY: Why not use the sun's energy for daily activities? Yesterday we noticed on our faces and skins how powerful the Armenian sun is. [please SPF 100 yourselves]
source, source,

World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a $116 million program for Armenia to enable reforms aimed at promoting green, resilient and inclusive development

It includes a $100 million loan from IBRD and a $16 million grant. This budget support will help the Government of Armenia to build climate resilience and reduce vulnerabilities to future shocks, as part of the 2021-2026 plan.

It includes actions that will fortify anti-corruption measures by implementing a robust framework with a whistleblowing system and gift monitoring mechanism for public servants. Further, it is aligned with the Paris Agreement.

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Azerbaijani regime arrested another pro-democracy activist as part of a crackdown on an independent outlet

Mammadli, the head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre, had his home raided by the police and was detained on Monday on charges of smuggling.
EUROPEAN UNION: This detention is the latest in a series of arrests of independent journalists & activists, and a matter of concern for the EU. All those imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights should be released.
UNITED STATES: We are deeply concerned about the ongoing arrests of representatives of the Azerbaijani political society, in particular, Anar Mammadli. We call on the government of Azerbaijan to immediately release all those unjustly arrested. We continue to call on the government of Azerbaijan to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all.
source, source,

Armenia's Ambassador to the US Lilith Makunts met the experts of the US-based analytical center RAND that recently advised the West to provide defense assistance to Armenia and not to pressure Armenia to cut all ties with Russia prematurely

Ambassador Makunts presented the latest developments in the AM-AZ peace process and the Crossroads of Peace logistics process.
source, source,

Hungary is blocking the €10 million military assistance to Armenia

Context in April 17 news digest. Hungary is so far preventing the transfer of European Peace Facility resources to provide Armenia with a mobile field camp capability for a battalion-size unit, including a medical treatment facility as well as relevant services and facilities
Armenia submitted the application for funding in 2023. Georgia had earlier received €30 million in assistance as part of the same fund. They received equipment for controlling artillery divisions and engineering equipment.
Hungary, led by Turkish-Azeri-Russian ally Orban, demands that Azerbaijan receive assistance with demining activities in exchange for authorizing the transfer to Armenia. However, since Azerbaijan has not formally requested assistance with demining, it's possible the process could reach a dead end. The internal negotiations continue.
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Armenia's Defense Minister discussed AM-FR defence cooperation and army reforms with a French Senator

MOD Papikyan hosted Ronan Le Gloyot from the French Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Defense, Armed Forces and European Affairs. The parties discussed AM-FR defense ties, the AM-EU ties, the Armenian army reforms, etc.
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Armenia and France discussed cooperation in military industry and aerospace (🤔)

High-Tech Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan hosted the French Senate delegation led by Ronan Le Gloyot. They discussed cybersecurity, digitization, the establishment and operation of French high-tech firms in Armenia, defense, military industry, and aerospace cooperation.
source,

France donates 4 diesel power generators with 100 kW to city halls and hospitals in Syunik

source, source,

Saudi Arabia's ethnic Armenian Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal Al Saud will visit Armenia

The agreement was reached during the recent visit by Armenia's Labor Minister to SA. The Prince and the Minister also agreed to establish cooperation between the Prince's AGFUND and Armenia's labor ministry.
source,

Armenia's Central Bank continues to cut the refinancing rate

2020: 4.25%
2022: 10.75%
2023: 9.25%
Jan 2024: 8.75%
Mar 2024: 8.50%
Apr 2024 8.25%
source, source,

Armenian migrant workers are sending fewer remittances from Russia and could find working in Armenia more beneficial

The net inflow of individuals' remittances from Russia in Q1 2024 amounted to $656.6 million compared to $1.1 billion in Q1 2023.
CENTRAL BANK: There is a decline this year due to economic and geopolitical issues, the exchange rate, and the ratio of salaries. It is necessary to have an understanding of whether Armenian migrant workers plan to continue working in Russia. Some prefer to return to Armenia and work here, as the difference in salaries now is much smaller than, for example, 10 years ago.
source, full,

agreement is signed to build a World Trade Center in Yerevan

Details in September 7 news digest.
Construction company RenShin presented the $212 million project to the government for approval. It's expected to create 10,000 jobs. There will be 4- and 5-star hotels as well.
PASHINYAN: It will be in place of the HayPost [post office] building on 22 Saryan St. Modern construction standards will be introduced in Armenia. Since our independence, there has never been a complex of this scale. It will help Armenia raise the "we are open for business" flag.
MHER GRIGORYAN: Armenia is the only country in the region without a World Trade Center. Being the last means we can have the best quality and newest technology. //
Armenia-based Renshen will invite the international architectural giant Norman Foster, known for developing the Apple Park in California, Germany's Reichstag Building, New York skyscraper Hearst Tower, the City Hall of Southwark (London), Millennium Bridge in London, Bilbao Metro, and more.
Who will own the complex? 50% investors, 30% HayPost, 20% Government. The company will buy HayPost's shares within the next 5 years. The revenue will help develop HayPost. It will have a new modern sorting facility to handle more parcels.
source,

16-year-old boy survives a fall from Kievian Bridge

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Yerevan's Yeritasardakan subway station has new lighting: VIDEO

It's the first of several to come.
video,

I (30 f) met my ex (31 m) on an online game a few months before my 15th birthday.
Our relationship was always tumultuous, he was/is a compulsive liar. One of the biggest lies I remember from back as a kid was him trying to convince me that the pics he had sent me weren’t of him, and he wasn’t actually white. I still face palm at that one.
As a kid I was very shy. I was so socially awkward, my best friend was very much in the popular crowd all throughout high school. I was considered the weird, quiet friend of hers, so I didn’t get much male attention, and if I did, it was usually negative. I struggled with my appearance and finding who I really was, and people loved to make fun of that. My ex loved everything about me though, and with my prior history of abandonment, it was hard to let him go. Very hard.
I’m not gonna go into the details of him breaking me down as a kid, I can only hope that my kids never feel the way I did when they’re at that age due to a shitty partner. He was such a big part of my life though, the thought of us meeting was stuck in my mind. Through all my relationships, and even my marriage, I always had that “what if” thought.
My daughters dad and I separated Easter of 2022. I hadn’t posted anything publicly about it, but within 12 hours my ex had sent me a message on Facebook. I hadn’t heard from him prior to Covid, so I was shocked and took it as a “it’s meant to be, the universe knows”. 🤦🏽‍♀️
We started talking again and it didn’t take long for us to develop feelings all over again for one another. We ended up meeting up a few months later, the day after my 30th bday. Things were amazing, and getting to have a weekend away with him was exactly what I needed. It didn’t take long for things to start going downhill after the trip though. He turned into this hateful, miserable person, and trying to resolve conflict long distance was extremely hard, especially since all he ever liked to do was get mad and start fights with me it seemed like.
I couldn’t take it anymore and ended things December 2022. I didn’t want to go nc, but he wanted it, so I respected it. I reached out a few days after we went nc to ask him if I could still send him and his daughter their Christmas gifts. His response was “rather you not.” After that I went completely nc, radio silent. Last summer when I was with an ex of mine, my long distance ex started to creep my twitter account, followed me and started liking a bunch of my stuff. I ignored it for a couple weeks, until I went and took a look at his profile and his tweets. Some of them were responses to other tweets asking questions about relationships/past partners, and I could very much tell they were aimed At me. So I blocked him. It wasn’t even an hour later and he had sent me a message on Instagram, asking why I blocked him. I almost vomited, and blocked him on Instagram. I was just like wtf? Very confused.
Fast forward to today. A few months back I had unblocked everyone on my blocked lists, including him, not thinking he would attempt again. Boy, was I wrong. Had a message in my requests for him, it said “Hope u good.” I finally broke and told him I was great and hoped the same for him, after 2 years of nc I figured it was time to let him know I’m doing just fine in life.
It’s just weird because I got my closure on our relationship when we met up, if we still hadn’t met to this day, I’d probably let him take over my entire life again. I don’t think about him, I don’t talk about him, I don’t dream about him. So it really makes me wonder if this man is going to forever be stuck on me. I have fallen so deep in love with someone since him and I split, so I know I can love again just fine.
It was probably a mistake responding to him, but there’s no plans to take the conversation any further. Hope my message back was enough closure for him, knowing I’m okay. Because I really don’t have anything nice to say to the man.
Just needed to vent a bit I guess? I just think it’s wild after being so hateful/mean to someone and expecting anything nice in return… is bananas.

9-minute read.

Pashinyan and Blinken spoke over the phone

Azerbaijan's April 19 agreement to launch the border demarcation and to use the 1991 Almaty as the main principle for the entire border could pave the way for the signing of a peace agreement. Baku previously insisted on not mentioning the rules for future demarcation in the peace document.
Pashinyan and Blinken spoke on Sunday. They discussed AM-US relations, the April 5 meeting in Brussels, and the AM-AZ peace process.
Pashinyan expressed satisfaction with the activation of AM-US bilateral relations and the agreements reached on April 5.
Pashinyan described the April 19 delimitation agreement as a positive development. The parties emphasized the importance of following the 2022 agreements reached in Prague.
Pashinyan's office says the recognition of territorial integrity based on the Almaty Declaration and a demarcation based on Almaty paves the way to a peace treaty.
Pashinyan and Blinken also discussed the Crossroads of Peace logistics project that aims to lift the decades-long blockade on Armenia. Pashinyan said the implementation of CoP would implement the agreements reached in July 2023 in Brussels regarding the unblocking of communications in the region with full respect for the sovereignty of states.
source,

Blinken and Aliyev spoke over the phone

Blinken commended Aliyev for the April 19 announcement that Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to use the 1991 Alma Ata declaration as the basis for border delimitation and emphasized its importance to the two sides concluding a durable and dignified peace.
Blinken urged Aliyev to keep up the momentum with Pashinyan, reiterating U.S. willingness to support those efforts.
Blinken welcomed Azerbaijan’s release of Gubad Ibadoglu to house arrest as a humanitarian gesture and called for his full, expeditious release. Blinken urged Azerbaijan to adhere to its international human rights obligations and commitments and release those unjustly detained in Azerbaijan.
source, source,

over 50% of the border marking is complete on parts of the Tavush-Gazakh border

Based on geodetic measurements on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan, 35 border markers have been installed as of April 29.
source,

Kazakhstan will host the next bilateral AM-AZ meeting of foreign ministers

Armenia gave its approval on Monday to hold the next meeting in Almaty. Kazakhstan will be a host but not a mediator, said the Kazakh government.
Aliyev's offices expressed hope that the peace agreement will be signed "within months" but there are still "unresolved issues".
source, source, source, video,

Azerbaijani government commission expresses readiness to cooperate with Armenia to locate the remains of Azeris and Armenians who went missing during the 90s war

COMMISSION: We are ready to cooperate with Armenia to search for missing persons from both sides while maintaining an atmosphere of transparency and mutual trust.
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Azerbaijani parliament MP suggests returning the Artsvashen exclave to Armenia

Rasim Musabekov is a member of the parliamentary foreign relations committee. During an interview with Azerbaijan's public television, while discussing the AM-AZ border delimitation, he suggested returning Artsvashen to Armenia or exchanging it.
MUSABEKOV: The issue of exclaves requires some sort of compromise or trade-off because it's a mutual issue. If we give a road to Armenia [to Artsvashen] it must also come with gas, water, and electricity infrastructure. This is not an easy task so in my opinion exchanging exclaves is a better option. //
After the interview, an Aliyev-linked media outlet ran an online survey on Telegram regarding the idea of returning Artsvashen to Armenia [survey not ended yet].
One political analyst, Aziz Alibeili, criticized the Azeri MP for Artsvashen comments and accused him of giving a "pro-Pashinyan" speech.
AZIZ: The MP knows well that if Armenians gain control of Bashkend [Artsvashen], they will pose danger to 3 more [Azeri] villages along with 28 others, and the entire area that stretches all the way to Ganja. //
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opposition continues to shut down roads in Yerevan and other parts of Armenia in protest to the border delimitation process

ARF MP Gegham Manukyan was on the Armavir-Gyumri road where a group of protesters used a truck to block the road. An official gave them two minutes to open it "before the police comes." The MP Manukyan urged the police to arrest PM Pashinyan for "illegal processes" in Tavush.
Several drivers were unhappy about the closed road. One angry driver approached the MP and called him the "biggest inflictor of damage".
DRIVER: Ես բետոնի վարորդ եմ, որ բետոնը սառի, դու պատասխան կտա՞ս դրա համար:
ARF MP: եթե հիմա բետոնը կարողանում էս վաճառել, վաղը չես կարողանալու:
DRIVER: Քո գործը չէ, դո՞ւ ես փրկությունը հայ ազգի, դուք ամենամեծ վնաս տվողներն եք:
source, source,

the latest Russian laws on tightening migration rules will make it practically impossible for many Armenian and other migrants to reside in Russia without breaking the law: expert

More requirements to enter, and new requirements for more frequent steps to take while already in Russia. One legal expert believes many unsuspecting migrants, or those who do not hire a lawyer, won't even know they are violating the law. Many Armenians will be simply unable to enter Russia.
The expert advises the Armenian government to sign migrant workforce contracts with other states, including Russia, to regulate the outflow of Armenian migrant workers. The government can help groups of migrants to travel for work, while the labor attachés can take care of their rights abroad. Kyrgyzstan is doing something similar with South Korea, Poland, the UK, and the Netherlands.
According to Russian opposition outlet RainTV, a newly proposed Russian law would require migrants to sign a pledge of loyalty before entering the country. It would include a promise to respect Russian "traditional values" such as marriage being between a man and a woman.
source,

Armenian delegation visited Saudi Arabia

Armenia's labor & high-tech ministries sent delegations to discuss the development of human capital, workforce productivity, and the discrepancy between labor market demand and supply.
The Saudi government presented its 2030 Plan to develop the media industry with 140,000 new jobs.
The parties agreed to exchange experience.
source,

Armenian delegation visited Qatar

FM Mirzoyan and his envoy discussed the Crossroads of Peace, economic cooperation, AM-QA relations, etc. In 2023 Qatar established a resident embassy in Yerevan.
video, source, https://hetq.am/hy/article/166122

European Commission Director General for Neighbourhood & Enlargement Negotiations will visit Transcaucasian republics this week

In Yerevan, Gert Jan Koopman will discuss the results of the April 5 meeting and the strengthening of EU-AM relations, including stepping up sectoral cooperation and EU investments in the country, as well as EU support to reforms and to the integration of displaced people.
He will also launch a joint EU-German project to improve access to energy efficiency and sustainable energy solutions in rural communities in Armenia.
source,

Turkey is negotiating a liquid LNG gas deal with U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil to reduce reliance on Russia: Financial Times

They want to purchase 2.5 million tons annually as part of a long-term contract. Turkey is seeking to build a "new supply portfolio" that will make it less reliant on any single partner, Turkey's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told the FT in an interview.
source, source,

prosecutors sharply increased the number of cases sent to court in 2023

Year: Cases closed/Filed in court/Trials concluded
2021: xK/xK/2.9K
2022: 19K/4.4K/3.2K
2023: 33K/8.5K/5K
Tens of billions of drams were recovered, mostly during the investigation phase.

... Prosecutor General's office is taking steps to prevent unnecessary trial delays

There were instances of prosecutors not showing up to trials and delaying the process. The Prosecutor General's office reprimanded 2 prosecutors last year. To address the problem, an order was issued to form groups of prosecutors for complex trials to prevent disruption in the event one prosecutor is absent.
The Prosecutor General's office also urged the SCJ to investigate other causes of unjustified trial delays. They urged SCJ to reprimand 10 judges for causing delays. 5 of the petitions were turned down, a decision is pending on 2, and 3 judges are under investigation.
Prosecutors also fought against violations made by investigators; they filed 551 complaints against them. 41 were reprimanded and 7 were charged with felonies.

... 152 public officials were charged with corruption crimes in 2023

Last year the prosecutor's office heard 1,404 corruption cases (+56% YoY).
Public officials charged with crimes:
2022: 63
2023: 152 (mostly minor crime)
The Prosecutor General's office views the increase as a result of more efficient investigation.
more, more,

the international community has begun to more thoroughly cooperate and share data with Armenian law enforcement to investigate money laundering: Prosecutor General

VARDAPETYAN: Last week we hosted an 11-member delegation from the EU, Switzerland, and Luxemburg. These are the countries where Armenia's financial resources have flowed to; we have information about bank accounts tied to Armenia. Today we have contacts with these countries at the highest levels and I'm happy to inform you that they have begun to respond to our inquiries.
For example, Austria has transferred 12,000 pages of baking data as part of a large investigation. Switzerland... it seemed impossible yesterday, but thanks to our new communication approach, this is possible today.
We prefer not to publicly discuss cases when there is an active investigation behind closed doors. For example, in the case of the large narcotics bust, there is an ongoing international investigation. We are gathering information from the transit countries to build a solid case that can withstand the defense's counterarguments in court.
Regarding the right to a speedy trial. We are doing everything possible to maintain high intensity. There is an institute of plea and remorse that significantly simplifies the case so we are actively using those tools to close simple cases and send to court only the serious ones.
Still, we are not satisfied with the speed of trials, it's still not a matter of "months". We need to work on the session schedule and prioritize cases based on the severity of the crime. Years ago, when I was a student, I visited a U.S. federal court for practice to observe a massive fraud trial. The judge said he would finish the case in 6 months, by holding Monday to Friday sessions. I said there is no way you can finish it in 6. He insisted he could. I later checked and indeed the trial was done within 6 months. This was one of the eldest and strictest federal judges, so no corners were cut. We need to reform the trial schedule in Armenia to prioritize based on the severity of the crime.

... EU feels more comfortable with transferring wanted persons to Armenia: Prosecutor General

VARDAPETYAN: The ice is melting between Armenia and European countries. Many countries have been transferring persons, and we do the same for them; it's a process based on mutual trust. Trust is both strong and fragile, and we've taken steps over the past year to earn their trust by operating transparently. We have vowed to similarly transfer persons wanted by European countries.
It's different in the case of the US because we don't have a bilateral agreement. At my request, on April 15 we hosted a delegation from the US Justice Department and State Department to discuss the signing of this agreement to enable exchange. We have already transferred 5 persons to the US based on non-bilateral agreements, but the US has not yet transferred anyone to us. Their explanation for refusal is that there is no AM-US interstate agreement that would enable the transfer. [Dog is safe for now?]
source,

... why are some trials taking years with no justice at the end?

VARDAPETYAN: We recently investigated how one of the trials was held in court. There were 21 sessions for this case about a medium-severity crime. There were several defendants. The trial process was sabotaged because during each session one of the lawyers of one of the defendants would decide not to show up. The trial was delayed until the defendants qualified for the statute of limitation. What's missing here is a stricter work mechanism. We need to give judges more powers to address unjustified absences.
source, full session with Prosecutor General,

Prosecutor General presented the list of allegedly illegal properties and cash they want to seize from ex-President Kocharyan & family as part of an asset forfeiture case:

💰 25 real estate properties, many in central Yerevan
💰 5 vehicles
💰 Participation (shares) in 16 local and foreign legal entities (Toyota dealership, Orange-fitness, Nairi Insurance, Congress Hotel, Play City)
💰 Over $4 million in deposits and securities
💰 The transfer of loan ownership, worth around ֏10 billion ($25 million)
💰 Over ֏35 billion ($90 million) that originated from illegal activities //

... and the asset forfeiture case against Armenia's richest businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, according to Prosecutor General:

💰 72 real estate properties
💰 42 vehicles
💰 ֏348M ($0.9 million) worth of unidentified vehicles
💰 The sum of the market value of 10 real estate properties [Tsarukyan can keep the houses but must pay their value]
💰 Shares in 39 companies [value isn't mentioned]
💰 Loan ownership of ֏63.3B ($163 million)
💰 ֏16.8B ($43.3 million)
💰 ֏86.5B ($223 million) //
CAN I HAVE HIS BITCOIN GPUs?
source, source, source,

apartment prices continue to climb in Yerevan: Q1 2024

Number of apartment transactions +42%
Districts where the number of apartment transactions grew: Avan, Arabkir, Malatia, Shengavit.
Prices also increase (from most expensive to least):
Kentron +13%
Arabkir +15%
Zeytun +9%
Norq +16%
Erebuni +15%
Shengait +12%
Davtashen +16%
Ajapsandal +11%
Malatia +9%
Avan +13%
Nubarashen +10%
Land transactions in Armenia +12%
Land transactions in Yerevan -7%
Rent contracts in Armenia +21%
Rent contracts in Yerevan +46% (the sharp increase is possibly influenced by the new enforcement of rental income tax)
source,

video of an Azerbaijani man being rescued after his head got stuck in a water container

source,

Yerevan has signed the contract to deliver 171 more buses this year

The funds have been allocated. The buses should arrive within 180 days.
source,

a student performs on guitar during a bonfire meeting between PM Pashinyan and participants of a table tennis tournament: VIDEO

video,

Yerevan Marathon was held on Sunday after a 5-year hiatus: PHOTOS

It includes a "full" 42-kilometer run as well as 5-21 km runs for adults and a 1 km mini-marathon for children.
source,

I've built a couple dozen edh decks by now so I have a good idea how to construct a "regular" deck but I kind of want to try out cedh and have found that I'm not entirely sure how to go about that. I looked at all the top cedh decks on edhrec and see that the common factor is ALL of them have the same mana rocks. Every possible 0 cost mana rock plus mana vault and sol ring.
Ok I have most of those and can proxy the rest. But now I kind of can't figure out what makes a cedh deck. Am I supposed to maximize tutors and free spells to pull off a combo? So just throw in all the deadly rolick's and deflecting swats and force of wills? Are there certain cmc's for spells or commanders that kind of inherently make a card not cedh viable? Is a 5 cmc commander not cedh viable? People say that most cedh decks aim to win by turn 3-4 so does that mean that if I goldfish my deck and it is not routinely winning by then it's not going to be a viable cedh deck?
I want to avoid making that deck that is too powerful for casual and too casual for cedh.
I am of course the kind of guy that doesn't want to play the same combos as everyone else and want to win with some style so I am looking at trying to craft an infinite combat turns combo that kills via unblockable commander damage. Is that too complicated a combo for cedh? Do combos need to be like 2-3 cards max for cedh viability?

Hey there, this is my first EDH Commander decklist, and I would like some help with recommendations. The deck is Voltron style, with the main aim being to create as many clues via eisenhorn's ability. These clues are then used as the wincon via cards like cyberdrive awakener, cranial plating, nettle cyst, tangletrove kelp, mechanised production etc.,
Lots of cards to enable commander to be unblockable, as well as protection for eisendrache. I've tried to get a good amount of card draw, interaction and ramp, but most of the draw and ramp is dependent on keeping eisenhorn in play and generating those clues. Also wondering if there's enough lands in here. Open to any suggestions for substitutes or cuts or advice :))
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/V7gsYnR5TUKuZY6o5SoEFA