Researchers participating in an international scientific collaboration involving leading research institutions from several countries, including the A.I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (formerly the Yerevan Physics Institute), have measured the frame-dragging effect with unprecedented precision. The findings have been published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature.

The announcement was made by Armenia’s Higher Education and Science Committee.

Among the co-authors of the paper, “LARES-2 satellite measures frame-dragging effect around the Earth,” is Professor Vahagn Gurzadyan, Head of the Center for Cosmology and Astrophysics at the A.I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory.

The paper presents the results of an analysis of data collected by the LARES-2, LAGEOS, and GRACE satellites. Based on these data, the researchers succeeded in measuring the frame-dragging effect with unprecedented precision. Predicted by Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, the phenomenon describes how the rotation of a massive body-in this case, the Earth-affects the structure of the surrounding spacetime.

The findings confirm the predictions of the general theory of relativity in the vicinity of Earth, achieving a level of precision approximately ten times greater than that of previous measurements.

Beyond its significance for fundamental physics, the research also has important practical applications for more precise studies of Earth’s gravitational field and tidal phenomena. The results have attracted widespread attention from the international scientific community as well as science news outlets.

The Center for Cosmology and Astrophysics at the A.I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory is participating in the LARES satellite program, a collaborative initiative involving the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the European Space Agency (ESA), and several leading scientific institutions. As part of the program, the LARES-2 satellite was launched into space in 2022.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has said he looks forward to continuing joint efforts to strengthen Lithuania-Armenia relations and support Armenia’s European agenda.

Budrys made the remarks in a post on X in response to a post by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan congratulating him on his reappointment as Lithuania’s foreign minister.

Mirzoyan wrote:

“Warmest congratulations, dear friend Kęstutis Budrys, on your reappointment as Lithuania’s Foreign Minister! I highly value our close ties and look forward to continuing our cooperation to deepen the Armenia–Lithuania partnership and advance Armenia’s European agenda. Wishing very success!”

Responding to Mirzoyan’s post, Budrys wrote:

“Dear Ararat Mirzoyan, thank you for your warm wishes. I deeply appreciate our friendship and cooperation, and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to further strengthen Lithuania-Armenia relations and support Armenia’s European agenda.”

On June 23, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė resigned following changes within the governing coalition. The coalition was reshaped after the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party decided in early June to end its cooperation with the Dawn of Nemunas party, accusing it of pursuing populist policies. The Democrats for Lithuania party subsequently joined the coalition, prompting what was described as a “government reset.”

On June 25, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda nominated Mindaugas Sinkevičius, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, for the post of prime minister. Lithuania’s parliament approved the nomination on June 30.

Sinkevičius subsequently reappointed Kęstutis Budrys as foreign minister.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 15 July, USD exchange rate up by 0.51 drams to 367.25 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.57 drams to 419.29 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0271 drams to 4.6995 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.67 drams to 492.04 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 488 drams to 48121 drams. Silver price down by 5.06 drams to 683.41 drams.

Armenian Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan met with Member of the European Parliament Marina Mesure on July 15, highlighting the importance of addressing hate speech in Armenia.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, Manasyan outlined the institution’s main areas of activity during the meeting.

The discussions covered a range of human rights issues, including the protection of the rights of forcibly displaced persons, women, children, national minorities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ persons, labour rights, and safeguards within criminal proceedings.

Manasyan noted that although progress has been made in several areas, significant human rights challenges remain and require sustained and consistent efforts.

She also drew attention to the prevalence of hate speech in Armenia and stressed the importance of countering it.

The Ombudsperson further underlined the need for systemic reforms in human rights education.

The two sides emphasized the importance of international cooperation in protecting human rights and strengthening democratic values.

At the conclusion of the meeting, they reaffirmed their readiness to cooperate in areas of mutual interest.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan met with United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Chaloka Beyani in New York on the sidelines of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

According to a statement issued by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the two sides highlighted the close cooperation established between Armenia and the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. They also expressed readiness to further expand cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

Abisoghomonyan and Beyani discussed the UN80 reform process, underscoring the importance of strengthening the prevention agenda. The deputy foreign minister reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to remain actively engaged in genocide prevention efforts, contributing to the enhancement of early warning and preventive action mechanisms.

Abisoghomonyan also briefed his interlocutor on Armenia’s efforts in multilateral forums, including the “Prevention of Genocide” resolution that Armenia submits every two years to the UN Human Rights Council.

The meeting also touched upon preparations for the 6th Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide, which is scheduled to be held in Yerevan later this year.

Armenian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan has met with Lysandros Tsilidis, President of the Hellenic Federation of Tourism and Travel Associations.

According to a statement issued by the Armenian Embassy in Greece, the meeting focused on prospects for expanding Armenia-Greece tourism cooperation and promoting bilateral tourist flows.

The interlocutors exchanged views on balancing tourist flows between Armenia and Greece and establishing direct contacts between tour operators in the two countries.

Tsilidis welcomed the Armenian side’s proactive approach and proposed first establishing an institutional framework for cooperation through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the relevant professional organisations, organising online B2B meetings, and considering Armenia’s future participation in the Philoxenia International Tourism Exhibition in Thessaloniki.

The parties agreed to continue cooperation with the aim of implementing joint initiatives to promote bilateral tourism.