Month: April 2026

On April 25-26, the Kyokushin Karate World Cup was held in Yerevan. This is an important event for both Armenian and international sports life, especially since the tournament is organized for the first time in our country.

The President of the International Kyokushin Karate Federation, David Pitkle, and the General Secretary of the World Kyokushin Union, Alexander Pichkunov, arrived in Armenia to watch the tournament.

Such tournaments remind us once again that our focus should be not only on Olympic, but also on non-Olympic sports, supporting the development of sports and the active participation of young people.

Armenia is hosting the Kyokushin Karate World Cup for the first time, with the participation of about 500 athletes from 30 countries.

This is not only a great honor for our country, but also a worthy evaluation of the years of work of Armenian athletes.
Sports continue to unite different nations, creating a platform for strength, respect and solidarity.

Gagik Tsarukyan

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Armenian weightlifter Varazdat Lalayan reaffirmed his status as one of the strongest athletes of the continent, winning his third gold medal at the European Championship in Georgia and adding another top award to the national team.

On the last day of the tournament held in Batumi, the stage was given to super heavyweights. Olympic runner-up, two-time world and European champion Lalayan performed excellently in both exercises. In the snatch, the Armenian athlete successfully lifted 210 kg, and in the push, he held the bar weighing 241 kg above his head, maintaining the leading position in individual competitions.

With the result of 451 kg of the duel, he was unbeatable, being declared a three-time champion of Europe.

It is noteworthy that before this championship, the national team of Armenia also recorded impressive results. Emma Poghosyan and Garik Karapetyan won the title of champion in the doubles, Garnik Cholakyan, Alexandra Grigoryan, Gor Sahakyan and Ara Aghanyan won silver medals, and Martin Poghosyan became a bronze medalist. Anna Amroyan and Liana Gyurjian also stood out in the separate push-up exercise, winning small gold and silver medals, respectively.

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Against the background of the diplomatic deadlock, Tehran has presented Washington with a new three-stage initiative for conflict resolution, offering to postpone the nuclear issue for the sake of an immediate ceasefire. While the US administration is reviewing the format of the talks, Iranian diplomacy is focusing its attention on Moscow for high-level consultations.

According to international periodicals, the leadership of Iran proposed to the United States to divide the negotiation process into three successive stages. According to the sources, the first stage implies the end of military operations and the provision of security guarantees to Tehran and Lebanon. The second step will be devoted to the joint management of the Strait of Hormuz, and only in the third step will the parties be able to return to the discussion of the Iranian nuclear program. Journalists emphasize that this strategy is designed to bypass Tehran’s internal disagreements over nuclear concessions, but the lifting of the blockade may deprive Washington of key levers of pressure in the future.

US President Donald Trump has already made it clear that he intends to maintain a tough course and continue the economic blockade in order to force Iran to compromise. The American leader also announced his refusal to hold bilateral meetings in Pakistan, canceling the planned visit of his special envoys Steven Wittgough and Jared Kushner to Islamabad due to the inexpediency of long flights. It is expected that an extraordinary meeting on national security issues will be held in the White House in the near future to develop further steps.

In the light of these events, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan and went on a working visit to Russia. Representatives of the Kremlin and the Iranian embassy have confirmed that strategic consultations will be held in Moscow on issues of bilateral relations, regional security and the current conflict with the US, within the framework of which a personal meeting of the head of the Iranian diplomatic department with President Vladimir Putin is planned.

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The famous TV presenter Lusine Tovmasyan has announced the termination of the contract with the Public Television Company of Armenia. The reason for this drastic decision was the management’s move to remove him from the air after an independent interview with the world-famous pianist Lang Lang and conductor Sergey Smbatyan for his social media accounts.

In her official statement, the presenter clarified that the director of the TV company Hovhannes Movsisyan instructed her to be replaced by another presenter in the already filmed project.

According to Tovmasyan, the management made this decision directly due to the above-mentioned interview, although there is no provision in his employment contract prohibiting such activity. The presenter emphasized that she has always adhered to professional ethics, avoiding political processes, winning game advertisements and cooperation with competing channels, preferring exclusively cultural initiatives.

He described the created situation not as a professional, but as a result of personal motivations of the management, categorically adding that he refuses to become a tool for solving other people’s problems. For Tovmasyan, the fact that Lang Lang’s concert, which inadvertently became the cause of the conflict, was filmed by the order and resources of the Public Television Company was particularly paradoxical.

Despite the break in relations with the management, he warmly thanked the creative staff of Channel One and expressed hope to return to the air in the future with a fairer working atmosphere.

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According to the results of the first quarter of 2026, the “Electric Networks of Armenia” company was left out of the top ten of the country’s largest taxpayers, despite the actual increase in payments to the state budget by 100 million drams. This picture was recorded against the background of the overall significant increase in the tax revenues of large businesses and the change of the leader in the national ranking.

During the months of January-March, the 1000 largest companies paid a total of more than 459.2 billion drams to the state treasury, which is about 49.9 billion drams higher than the figure of the same period last year (more than 409.3 billion drams were collected in the first quarter of 2025). In this context, the HEC index deserves special attention. although officially the company dropped from the 9th place to the 14th place, in absolute terms it transferred 4.5 billion drams to the state budget, which is 100 million drams more compared to the same period of the previous year, when payments amounted to 4.4 billion drams.

The list was headed by the company “Mobile Center Art”, which sells electronics, paying 21.3 billion drams to the state budget. A year ago, this figure was 16.5 billion drams, which secured the company the second position. Former leader “Gazprom Armenia” CJSC fell to second place, paying 19.4 billion drams in taxes. Zangezur copper-molybdenum combine completes the top three with a deduction of 15.4 billion drams, moreover, in the first quarter of last year, this enterprise was not even included in the list of 200 largest taxpayers.

The companies “Grand Tobacco” (11.4 billion drams) and “Soft Contract” (8 billion drams) were also included in the top ten. the latter has improved its position, moving up from the tenth position. They are followed by “IMVBAM” representing Wildberries (6.8 billion drams), “Digitain” (6.7 billion drams), “Philip Morris Armenia” (6.3 billion drams), as well as the “City” supermarket chain and the mining company “Teghut”, each supplementing the budget with 6.1 billion drams.

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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced plans to finally complete the process of demarcation of state borders, signaling the imminent settlement of border issues with Georgia. At the same time, the head of the government emphasized the unprecedented level of security in the border area with Azerbaijan.

In his speech during the solemn event dedicated to the Day of the Border Guard, the Prime Minister thanked the officers of the profile troops and drew public attention to the qualitative changes recorded in the field of regional security.

As the main achievement, he singled out the existence of a 12-kilometer section demarcated and demarcated with Azerbaijan. According to Pashinyan, this is perhaps the only zone of contact, where the Armenian and Azeri soldiers carry out their service in calm conditions, without helmets and body armor, and keep the magazines of their rifles in their bags.

In addition, the head of the executive informed about the clear agreements reached with the Georgian side regarding the completion of the delimitation of the Armenian-Georgian border. The successful conclusion of this process will allow Armenia to finally secure its internationally recognized territory and fully focus state resources on the national development agenda.

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The most important principle. The key to the development of Gyumri lies in competent, systematic decisions, an important part of which is made in Yerevan. This was announced by PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan.

“We don’t have the right to leave Gyumri alone with its problems. The government should support Gyumri to solve key issues.

All important decisions should be made taking into account the suggestions of local authorities and residents. The key to solving Gyumri’s problems lies in Yerevan’s competent approach,” Tsarukyan noted. 

Gyumri with its political, economic and cultural importance is key for our country, the problems of Gyumri are of national importance, so their solutions must be found through unified, coordinated approaches, actively supporting the local authorities. Gyumri needs large-scale, large-scale projects, the full and effective implementation of which requires competent cooperation between local self-government bodies, the government and also the legislative body.

Gyumri occupies a special place in the “Offer to Armenia” program. We offer seven unique development projects in accordance with the significance and potential of the city.

Project 1. Gyumri – Northern Gateway

Perceiving Gyumri as our real “Northern Gate” will allow turning Shirak’s geographical position into a long-term economic advantage.

The key decisions necessary for the implementation of this plan are:
• Completion of the construction of the road to Bavra,
• modernization of border infrastructures,
• Development of the Kars-Gyumri logistics route,
• creation of warehouse, service and logistics jobs,
• Gyumri airport-border-business connection.
The project results in increased trade, transit, investment and employment.

Project 2: Industrial capital

The potential of engineering, textile masters, high-class workers and other specialists in the field of light industry for decades allows to make Gyumri the capital of light industry of the South Caucasus again.

– According to the RA Law “On Industrial Policy”, the Shirak Industrial Zone should be launched in Gyumri with all the necessary infrastructure, tax benefits and other essential conditions for business organization.

– Gyumri has the potential to become the modern fashion center of Armenia, developing the industry of both national costumes and modern model clothes.

– Gyumri can also become an engineering city, if the educational programs of higher educational institutions are aimed at the field of high-tech industry, filling it with local personnel.

– It is necessary to sensibly restore and restart a number of system-building factories, including the famous “Stone Processing Machine” enterprise of Gyumri, making it an important part of the stone processing chain of the republic.

Project 3: Logistics center

With its economic and geographical position, Gyumri can claim to become the regional logistics center. The possible reopening of the route to Georgia and Gyumri-Kars will make the city a busy railway junction.

Adequate logistics capabilities should be put into operation around the city: warehouses, loading and unloading cranes, parking lots for large and heavy vehicles and technical service stations.

This investment project can be implemented through the formation of a joint consortium of large exporting-importing companies.

Project 4. City of small and medium business.

The essence of the project: to create conditions in which living and earning in Gyumri (Shirak) is more profitable than leaving.

• preferential lending to small and medium enterprises with state guarantees
• presence of all important banks
• support for innovative business
• promotion of service sector activity
• industry sector promotion
• preservation and development of crafts
• encouraging creative industries
• Establishment and development of “Made in Gyumri” brand. Result: jobs, income growth, development of self-employment and reduction of migration.

Project 5: Sports capital of Armenia

Pathos is justified here. pride, discipline, international image. The essence of the project is to make sports a basis for education, healthcare and social mobility.

The project should be based on government decisions on the following points:
• Location and construction of national sports facilities in Shirak marz
• creation of sports centers for youth teams
• free sports schools and groups for all children
• State funding of the coaching system and infrastructure
• regular holding of national and international competitions.
Gyumri should be made a recognized center of major international tournaments.

 Project 6: Healthy City Model for Emulation

A city without drugs and other harmful addictions, with a developed environment of a healthy lifestyle. The essence of the project is a comprehensive state program aimed at protecting children and young people, creating a healthy lifestyle and creating a safe urban environment.
Measures implemented by the state.
• prevention of drug and other addictions in schools (life skills, mental health);
• school psychologists and social workers at the expense of the state,
• free access for children and teenagers to sports, clubs and groups,
• early medical and psychological help,
• rehabilitation and social adaptation without stigma,
• tough and systematic fight against drug trafficking,
• improvement and lighting of public spaces,
• implementation of environmental projects
In the foreseeable future, Gyumri will become the first city in Armenia with a sustainable model of a healthy and safe urban environment that is applicable at the national level.

Project 7: A city of traditions and new visions
To combine the historical identity of Gyumri with modern development and opportunities created for young people.

State support with the following points:
• preservation and restoration of historic districts
• regular calendar of festivals and fairs
• support for theater and concert life
• development of crafts and creative spaces
• youth involvement in cultural and urban projects.
The result: a vibrant city with a strong identity, cultural tourism and a modern urban environment.

???? Gyumri today has many big and small problems in various fields, starting from the problem of the abundance of stray dogs and the scarcity of children’s playgrounds to the fields of employment, urban planning, transport, environmental protection (cleaning the river, increasing green zones, air quality). These are all important issues that require a systematic, thoughtful approach.

In particular, the problem of stray dogs has created a lot of tension for the residents of the city in recent years. To solve this problem, we have developed a systematic program, which after successfully implementing it in Gyumri, we can use it as a working model in other cities and communities of the republic.

We must distinguish which of the existing issues can be fully resolved solely by the efforts of the local government, and which need the active intervention of Yerevan. The implementation of our proposed large projects will not only lead to the immediate solution of some of the urgent issues on the ground, in Gyumri and the surrounding communities, but will also have a positive and visible impact on the life of the entire republic.

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On April 25, the jubilee concert of the legendary jazzman Gary Kyosayan, entitled “60 years on stage” was held in the Aram Khachatryan Hall. The musical evening was held within the framework of the “Jazz for Peace” project and became a bright event of cultural life.

The concert brought together prominent representatives of world jazz on one stage. Jazz vocalist Ellen Stepter, trumpeter and vocalist Johnny Britt, saxophonist Louis Van Taylor, double bassist Carl Vincent, percussionist Don Littleton, as well as actress and singer Alla Sahakyan took part in the program. Together with the maestro, they presented a rich and multi-layered program that united different eras and styles of jazz music.

During the evening, both world-famous jazz and blues compositions, which have become classics of the genre, were played, as well as original works by Gary Kyosaya, a composer, pianist and one of the key representatives of the modern jazz scene.

The humanitarian mission gave the concert special significance. The “Jazz for Peace” project aimed to spread the ideas of peace, love and mutual understanding through the language of music. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, the diplomatic corps, business and the general public, becoming a platform for cultural dialogue and international cooperation.

Special emotional depth was given to the evening by maestro Gary Kyosayan
the words that reflected his creative philosophy and attitude towards the audience;

“My music is about peace, love and understanding. I am infinitely grateful to my audience, who inspire me with their kindness and energy. I also sincerely thank my patrons who appreciate and support my art.” On April 27, the maestro celebrates his birthday. We wish you good health and new creative success.

These sincere words became the leitmotif of the whole concert, emphasizing not only the high artistic level of the program, but also the deep humanistic mission of the project. The atmosphere of unity, mutual respect and spiritual intimacy in the hall confirmed once again that Maestro Kyosayan’s music is not just art, but a living dialogue with the audience, full of light and meaning.

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