Armenpress: Robert Kocharyan to run as Armenia bloc’s PM candidate in 2026 ele

Garnik Zakarian

Armenia20:44, 16 March 2026
Read the article in: Russian

The “Armenia” bloc will take part in the parliamentary elections under the leadership of Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan, the bloc’s lawmaker Anna Grigoryan said.

Grigoryan, a member of the National Assembly’s “Armenia” faction, said Kocharyan would be the bloc’s candidate for prime minister.

The “Armenia” bloc, led by Kocharyan, also participated in the 2021 parliamentary elections, receiving 269,481 votes, or 21.09%.

The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7, 2026.

Read the article in: Russian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Verelq: In fact, all is not lost, we still have a chance to stand up

Ani Kharatian

On Saturday, the representatives of the youth platform of the “Offer to Armenia” program met with Gagik Tsarukyan. After such meetings, I understand that in reality everything is not lost and that we still have the opportunity to stand up and straighten our broken backs.


These literate, patriotic and warm-hearted young people raised the most acute problems and presented their proposals and plans for their solution. The discussion showed that there is a thinking, initiative and responsible young generation in our country, which is ready to take part in the development and strengthening of Armenia.

Gagik Tsarukyan was both their friend and an experienced advisor who declared that he was always ready to support their compassionate initiatives. According to him, the basis of the country’s development should be the educated, strong and innovative young generation.

The details of the meeting will be presented via video in the near future. I will recommend everyone to watch it.


Iveta Tonoyan


***


In turn, Gagik Tsarukyan He made the following note about the meeting with the representatives of the youth platform of the “Offer to Armenia” program and famous athletes.


“We had an open and honest conversation about the security of the country, the healthy lifestyle of the society and development opportunities.


Within the framework of the “Sports world for a healthy generation” initiative, our famous athletes expressed their willingness to support the fight against drug addiction with their example and authority, contributing to the formation of a healthy and strong generation.

We also talked about security and peace. Peace is the natural desire of every nation, but it must be based on guaranteed security. And for that, the state must be strong, united and have a strong defense system.

Such meetings with young people will be continuous, because every good idea in the “Propose Armenia” program is important and can find its place.”

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Binance wins second major legal victory in US court in 2 weeks

Jirair Kafian

Binance has scored its second major legal victory in a US court in two weeks under the Anti-Terrorism Act. A US federal court in Alabama has dismissed all claims against Binance in a recent lawsuit.


Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced today that a federal court in the US state of Alabama has dismissed all claims against the company in a lawsuit accusing the company of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act. This decision marks Binance’s second major legal victory in two weeks in an ATA-related case, following its previous victory in the Southern District Court of New York.


A complete and total legal victory


In a detailed 19-page decision, the court concluded that the plaintiffs’ complaint was flawed in law and fact. The court’s dismissal of all claims is a decisive legal victory for Binance.


The judge described the lawsuit as “shotgun pleading,” emphasizing that the complaint failed to specify the claims and impermissibly lumped all defendants together without distinguishing the actions or liability of each. The ruling also noted that the plaintiffs did not meet the minimum standard for filing a lawsuit to file a “brief and clear statement” of their claims.


According to the ruling, the plaintiffs were given until April 10, 2026 to file an amended complaint that would correct the deficiencies identified by the court. At the same time, the judge warned that if these issues are not properly resolved, the entire case will be removed from the court.


Gathering momentum and adhering to legal principles


“This decision reaffirms our unwavering commitment to protecting Binance and our community from unwarranted and bad faith lawsuits,” said Eleanor Hughes, Binance’s General Counsel.


“Enforcement of sanctions and financing of terrorism are serious legal issues. they require evidence, legal rigor and due process. Courts have already examined these claims in two separate cases and found them to be unfounded. These results speak for themselves. We will not tolerate attempts to abuse the legal system to target our industry and will continue to be committed to transparency, security and full compliance with the law in all areas of our operations.”


Continuation of the series of successes


The latest decision follows Binance’s sweeping victory in New York, where the court also dismissed allegations that the company supported, participated in, or conspired with terrorists. Together, these two decisions underscore Binance’s determination to protect its platform and community.


Binance continuously invests in the development of industry-leading compliance infrastructure, cooperation with regulatory authorities and legal governance systems. The Company declares that it will continue to actively defend itself against any attempt to make unsubstantiated claims or misrepresent the Company’s operations.


About Binance


Binance is a global blockchain ecosystem powered by the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and number of registered users. The company is trusted by more than 310 million people in more than 100 countries around the world thanks to its industry-leading security systems, transparency and extensive services portfolio for digital assets.


For more details, visit: st1yle=”box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline”>

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Verelq: New economic and industrial policy. what is it about

David Nargizian

A crisis situation has emerged in almost all spheres of public, economic and social life of the Republic of Armenia, as well as external and internal threats, to overcome which it is necessary to implement a New Economic and Industrial Policy.

St. On March 14, within the framework of the “Offer to Armenia” project, “New Project: A discussion was organized by the “Economic channel” initiative with the participation of economists, representatives of the business sector and other specialists. During the discussion, the former member of the National Assembly, economist Mikayel Melkumyan presented the main ways to get out of the existing situation, which are summarized within the framework of 10 priority steps for the implementation of the new economic and industrial policy.

They are:

1. 10 regions, 10 tax-free industrial zones.

2. Immediate launch of the Investment Support / Single Window / program.

3. Over the next two years, the current minimum wage of 75 thousand drams in Armenia should become at least 120 thousand drams, that is, 40 percent of the current average salary of 300 thousand drams.

4. Pensions and salaries should be indexed/increased in line with inflation and the minimum pension should not be lower than the minimum subsistence basket, amounting to 82,000 drams.

5. The turnover tax rate for small and medium-sized businesses should be set at 1 percent.

6. Gas and electricity tariffs should be reduced by 10 percent.

7. 2026 The current property tax rate should be reduced by at least 2 times.

8. To announce a credit amnesty /amnesty/ in terms of penalties and fines for our fellow citizens with loans up to 3 million drams.

9. Signing of preliminary contracts for the procurement and sale of farm crops by procurement organizations and formation of refrigeration, storage and canning farms in all marzes with state support.

10. Higher education in Armenia should be free.

New project: Economic channel initiative




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Vance’s South Caucasus Visit: TRIPP and the US Push for Connectivity

Nahapetian Samvel
Mar 16 2026

By Erlan Benedis-Grab | 16 March 2026

Summary

  • Between 9 and 11 February 2026, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visited Armenia and Azerbaijan to reinforce bilateral cooperation and keep the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) high on the Trump administration’s South Caucasus agenda.

  • Vance’s visit highlights growing U.S. influence in the South Caucasus, reflecting both the relative success of U.S. mediation between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Washington’s willingness to deepen engagement in a region long viewed as within Russia’s sphere of influence. Georgia’s exclusion from the trip also points to shifting U.S. regional priorities.

  • TRIPP is likely to keep advancing, while U.S.-Armenia nuclear cooperation and broader regional connectivity efforts increase pressure on Russia and could gradually reshape South Caucasus trade and energy flows.

Context

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance made a historic visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan in February 2026, meeting with both presidents to announce new bilateral agreements and to further promote TRIPP. It is the first time since Joe Biden’s visit to Georgia in 2009 that a high-level U.S. official has visited the Caucasus.

A centrepiece of the August 2025 US-brokered framework between Armenia and Azerbaijan, TRIPP is a proposed transit corridor across southern Armenia intended to connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave and onward to Türkiye.

In Yerevan, Vance and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed to a USD 11m US defence sale, including V-BAT reconnaissance drones, signed a statement concluding negotiations on a US–Armenia “1-2-3” civil nuclear cooperation agreement, and highlighted expanded AI cooperation by approving the export of tens of thousands of advanced NVIDIA GPUs.

In Baku, Vance met with President Aliyev and signed a U.S.–Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership Charter highlighting  AI, energy and defence cooperation. Additionally, the US pledged further patrol ships to assist Azerbaijan in protecting its waters.

During both stops, TRIPP was featured prominently: Armenia and the US reaffirmed implementation, while the US–Azeri Strategic Partnership Charter also emphasised TRIPP’s economic potential.

Implications

Vance’s South Caucasus tour was intended to keep TRIPP from stalling. TRIPP serves the broader strategy of the US-backed connectivity agenda linking Central Asia to Europe(especially along the energy lines), with Washington positioning itself as the key broker and convener. 

The US is making bold moves in the South Caucasus. Russia once positioned itself as the region’s primary security guarantor, but its credibility eroded after its peacekeepers failed to meaningfully deter Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive against Armenia, which subsequently suspended its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). By building joint and bilateral relations between the two nations, the US is positioning itself strongly in a strategically sensitive region, where both states sit adjacent to Russia and Iran.

Washington has also positioned itself as a leading contender to replace Armenia’s ageing Soviet-era nuclear plant with small modular reactors, and the signed 1-2-3  agreement helps clear a legal hurdle that could tilt the eventual procurement decision toward U.S. suppliers. On top of that, Vance said the nuclear track could unlock up to USD 9bin potential investment for the project. Rosatom remains one of the few Russian state-linked exports that is globally competitive. Losing an Armenian bid would undercut Russian prestige in an area it previously thought itself uncontested. In response, Russia has dismissed U.S. reactor designs as “untested,” while the Secretary of Russia’s State Council and former defence minister Sergei Shoigu raised safety concerns about Washington’s plans.

Notably, Vance did not stop in Georgia. Once Washington’s closest partner in the region, Georgia is now effectively watching from the sidelines as US engagement shifts to Yerevan and Baku. Georgia’s recent democratic backsliding and the ruling Georgian Dream party’s sustained hostility toward Washington help explain why the US chose to pass it by. The result is a diminished Georgian role, with more attention on Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

Forecast

  • Short-term (Now – 3 months)

    • TRIPP is likely to keep advancing through working groups and feasibility milestones, while it is possible that major construction will wait on customs/security rules.

    • It is likely that there will be a modest increase in energy exports from Azerbaijan to Armenia as early confidence-building economic measures continue.

    • Russian pushback and friction will rise in parallel: Russia (and possibly Iran) will almost certainly increase political and information pressure on Armenia. Moscow will highlight USSR-era nuclear cooperation between Russia and Armenia, and is highly likely to offer Armenia attractive financing terms.

  • Medium-term (3 – 12 months)

    • There is a realistic possibility that the 1-2-3 track could translate into a US-backed procurement process for Armenia’s nuclear plant, intensifying Russian pressure and shaping the broader trajectory of the US–Armenia alignment.

    • It is highly likely that Russia will intensify political friction around Armenia’s 2026 elections, expanding influence operations to blunt Yerevan’s pro-West pivot.

  • Long-term (>1 year)

    • There is a realistic possibility that if TRIPP is implemented, it could rewire regional trade and energy flows. It would embed Armenia and Azerbaijan in a shared infrastructure ecosystem and strengthen connectivity in the Central Asia–South Caucasus–Europe direction.

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Remembering Soghomon Tehlirian and the Quest for Armenian Justice

Elizabeth Jabejian
Colorado Boulevard, Glendale, CA
Mar 16 2026
  • News Desk

Every March 15, Armenian communities across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East gather for ceremonies, lectures, monument unveilings, and memorial services honoring one man and one mission: Soghomon Tehlirian and Operation Nemesis.

By William Paparian

On that day in 1921, 25-year-old Armenian survivor Tehlirian walked up behind Talaat Pasha, the chief architect of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, in broad daylight on a Berlin street and shot him in the head. The act was not random vengeance. It was the most visible strike in a secret Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) campaign called Operation Nemesis, launched because the world had failed to deliver justice. For the Armenian diaspora, March 15 is “Avenger’s Day,” an annual remembrance established by the ARF in 1974. It is more than nostalgia; it is a living affirmation of identity, moral resolve, and the refusal to let genocide go unpunished.

The Shadow of Genocide

The date carries profound weight because of its history. Between 1915 and 1923, the Ottoman Young Turk government orchestrated the systematic deportation, massacre, and death marches of roughly 1.5 million Armenians. After World War I, promises of tribunals faded. Key perpetrators, Talaat Pasha, Enver Pasha, Cemal Pasha, escaped into exile, living freely while survivors rebuilt shattered lives in foreign lands. International justice had failed.

In response, the ARF’s 1919 congress in Yerevan authorized Operation Nemesis: a secret mission to deliver accountability where none existed. Named for the goddess of retribution, it targeted those most responsible. Between 1920 and 1922, the group carried out at least seven successful assassinations across Europe and the Middle East.

Tehlirian: Survivor and Avenger

Tehlirian became the face of that campaign. A genocide survivor who had lost his mother, sisters, and most of his family on the death marches, he was chosen to target Talaat, whom Shahan Natalie called “Number One.” After months of surveillance in Berlin, Tehlirian pulled the trigger on March 15, 1921. He did not flee; he waited to be arrested.

At his two-day trial in June, the courtroom became an unofficial tribunal on the Genocide. Survivor testimony, expert witnesses, and Tehlirian’s calm statement, “I have killed a man, but I am not a murderer,” filled the German press. The jury acquitted him in less than an hour. The verdict sent shock waves: a European court had implicitly recognized the Armenian Genocide as a mitigating circumstance for an act that would otherwise have been simple murder.

Diaspora Memory and Identity

For the diaspora, this sequence, genocide, impunity, targeted justice, public vindication, condenses the 20th-century Armenian experience into one dramatic episode. Most diaspora families trace their presence in California, France, Argentina, or Lebanon directly to genocide survivors who arrived as refugees. Annual April 24 commemorations remember the victims; March 15 remembers the response. It affirms that Armenians were not passive martyrs but agents who reclaimed agency when governments abandoned them. The act restored dignity and pride.

This truth resonates in my own family. My mother, Serpouhi, survived the horrors, and I grew up hearing fragments of the Dickranian family story—not as dramatic tales, but as quiet, enduring truths. Eventually, they found safety in America and rebuilt a life of quiet strength. Those stories shaped me—not with anger, but with a deep responsibility to remember and honor those who ensured our survival.

In Fresno, California, at the Masis Ararat Armenian Cemetery, a monument honors Tehlirian: an obelisk topped with a gold-plated eagle slaying a snake, symbolizing Armenian justice striking down Talaat Pasha, the “snake” as the chief architect of the Genocide. Erected in 1969, it remains a powerful pilgrimage site, drawing visitors who lay flowers and reflect on the enduring legacy of retribution and resilience.

Lessons for Today

The remembrance also looks forward. Turkey’s continued denial of the Genocide, coupled with recent threats against the Republic of Armenia, keeps the memory urgent. March 15 is not merely historical; it is a reminder that justice sometimes requires extraordinary measures when lawful avenues are closed. It inspires advocacy for recognition, reparations, and security, while also encouraging reflection: many Armenians today distinguish between the justified retribution of 1921 and modern violence, using the anniversary to explore non-violent strategies for the 21st century.

Ultimately, the Armenian diaspora remembers Soghomon Tehlirian and Operation Nemesis every March 15 because the date captures the central narrative of our collective identity: a people who survived attempted extermination, refused to accept impunity, and acted when the world would not. Tehlirian’s bullet in Berlin did not erase the Genocide, but it ensured its chief architect did not enjoy a quiet exile—and that Armenians would never forget they once delivered justice with their own hands. For millions in the diaspora—including me, carrying forward my mother Serpouhi’s legacy, March 15 is the day we reaffirm that memory, that pride, and our unbreakable commitment to “never again.”

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Sports: Armenia’s Suren Aghajanyan wins U23 European wrestling title

Liana Toganian
Panorama, Armenia
Mar 16 2026

Armenian wrestler Suren Aghajanyan has been crowned champion at the U23 European Wrestling Championships after a dominant performance in the 60kg Greco-Roman final.

Aghajanyan secured the gold medal with an emphatic victory over Georgia’s Giorgi Kochalidze on Sunday, defeating his opponent in just two minutes to claim the title and add another gold medal to Armenia’s tally at the tournament.

Elsewhere in the competition, Armenia’s Khachatryan (72kg) won his repechage bout and will compete later for the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Yurik Hoveyan (67kg) was defeated in his repechage match, bringing his campaign at the championships to an end.

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Ex-president Ter-Petrosyan accuses government of cutting his power and water f

Hambik Zargarian
OC Media
Mar 16 2026

Editor’s note: The article has been updated to include the ENA’s clarification of the causes of the power outage.

The office of Armenia’s first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has accused the authorities of deliberately cutting electricity and water to his residence for over 24 hours. The power outage followed multiple statements by Ter-Petrosyan calling for the establishment of an opposition coalition with Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan.

Ter-Petrosyan’s office reported on Monday that electricity and water to his residence and office have been cut off since Sunday afternoon.

Following the outage, ‘dozens of calls’ from his security to the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), the country’s main power grid operator, were met with promises that power would be restored ‘in an hour.’

‘Dozens of hours have passed, yet nothing has changed to this day. Meanwhile, almost all the houses and buildings around the residence are flooded with light’, his office claimed.

It further accused the Armenian authorities of ordering the power cut, suggesting that the ENA ‘would not have dared’ to commit such an act ‘without instructions’.

The ENA is owned by Karapetyan’s Tashir Group, but is undergoing a nationalisation process and is currently headed by a state-appointed representative.

‘This is not an ordinary accident, but a manifestation of ongoing sadism directed at the first president and his family’, the statement concluded.

Explainer | Who is Samvel Karapetyan, the Russian–Armenian billionaire whose empire is under siege

The ENA provided a lengthy and detailed explanation on Monday afternoon, stating that the outage was caused by major damage to a nearby transformer substation.

According to the company, the construction firm carrying out demolition work without coordination with the ENA damaged the substation’s walls and roof, allowing rainwater to enter and disable electrical equipment. The incident caused a significant local power outage affecting six addresses, including the home and office of Ter-Petrosyan.

Presenting the timeframe of the repair works carried out shortly after the incident, the company stated that efforts are ongoing and that ‘in a few hours, the electricity supply to all six mentioned directions will be restored’. The company further apologised for the inconvenience caused.

Ter-Petrosyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are former allies; together they led a series of protests following the 2008 presidential election. In 2012, Pashinyan was elected as an MP representing Ter-Petrosyan’s Armenian National Congress Alliance.

Ties between the two sharply deteriorated since 2025, with both sides exchanging harsh criticism and accusations.

Ter-Petrosyan has also voiced support for the Armenian Apostolic Church amid a confrontation with Pashinyan ongoing since May 2025.

Explainer | How Pashinyan is working to topple Catholicos Karekin II

The power outage report came after Ter-Petrosyan made multiple statements expressing sympathy for Karapetyan and calling for urgent coalition-building with him.

In a Facebook post in February, Ter-Petrosyan said that negotiations among opposition parties ‘have not led to any agreement’ following months of talks. He added that in the current situation ‘the only force capable of uniting the fragmented opposition is Samvel Karapetyan’.

Over a week later, Ter-Petrosyan accused Pashinyan of having ‘Western masters’ who would view Karapetyan’s victory ‘as a restoration of Russian influence in Armenia, which in no way fits into their long-term plans’.

‘Therefore, they will try to do everything possible to prevent such a development, ignoring the fact that the exclusive right to choose their own government belongs to the people’, he said.

An opposition coalition ahead of the elections?

On Saturday, Ter-Petrosyan’s Armenian National Congress party held a congress attended by other opposition forces, including Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia party and Country to Live party, affiliated with the Nagorno-Karabakh’s former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

Vardanyan is currently serving a 20-year sentence on war crimes charges in Azerbaijan. He has maintained his innocence.

On the same day, Armenian National Congress representative Levon Zurabyan assessed the speeches of the opposition representatives in their party congress, saying that consolidation among the opposition ‘is quite realistic’.

In turn, Strong Armenia’s representative Alexan Alexanyan told reporters that talks among the opposition ‘are ongoing’ and promised to provide additional statements if any cooperation was established.

Karapetyan, who faces multiple charges in Armenia following his support for the Church amid its confrontation with Pashinyan’s government, has been named the prime ministerial candidate of his newly formed Strong Armenia party.

The announcement sparked controversy, as he is ineligible for the role under current legislation due to holding multiple passports.

Russian-Armenian tycoon Karapetyan declared candidate for prime minister despite ineligibility

Other main candidates declaring their participation in the elections include former President Robert Kocharyan’s Armenia Alliance, the largest opposition faction in the current Armenian Parliament, as well as tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia party, who has vowed to build a political ‘Noah’s Ark’.

The former ruling Republican Party and its leader, former president Serzh Sargsyan, ousted during the 2018 Velvet Revolution, have yet to declare whether they will participate in the elections.

Civil Contract, which vowed to secure a constitutional majority in the elections, also warned that the opposition intends to come to power through a coalition formed after the vote.

On Friday, the Anti-Corruption Court prolonged Karapetyan’s house arrest for another month. Following the court ruling, his party announced on Saturday morning that the ruling ‘proves how much Nikol Pashinyan fears Samvel Karapetyan’.

They also announced the launch of a ‘coordinated campaign’ including ‘local and international steps’.

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Armenians at the Oscars 2026: Sev Ohanian, Natalie Musteata, Madeline Sharafia

Arpi Talalian
News.am, Armenia
Mar 16 2026

Another Academy Awards ceremony took place in Los Angeles, this year for the 98th time. And while Armenians were still proudly remembering the emotions brought by Vache Tovmasyan and Karren Karagoulian at last year’s ceremony, when Anora, featuring their participation, won five awards (including Best Picture), this year as well there was no shortage of Armenians at the most important event in the film industry.

From record-breaking nominations to coveted awards… Who brought an Armenian touch to the Oscars this time?

Sev Ohanian’s Sinners record: 16 nominations and 4 statuettes

Armenian-American producer Sev Ohanian has been dominating major awards ceremonies since the beginning of the year with the film Sinners. At the 2026 Oscars, Sinners set a record by receiving 16 nominations and winning four awards.

The film won in the following categories:

  • Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan)
  • Best Original Screenplay
  • Best Original Score
  • Best Cinematography

Earlier, Sinners had received seven Golden Globe nominations, winning two awards: Best Original Score and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. At the Critics’ Choice Awards, Sinners was the leading film with an impressive 17 nominations, confirming its strong reception among critics.

Speaking to NEWS.am STYLE about the film, Ohanian noted that after reading the script he began drawing parallels with the history of the Armenian people.

“My immediate reaction was how much I related to this story as an Armenian. Sinners is about people finding joy, love, and celebration despite hardship. That’s something deeply familiar to our history.”

His first conversation with director Ryan Coogler focused on exactly that idea. 

“We talked about the ending and what it meant to me personally, how I saw my own people in it. That’s Ryan’s gift — he writes something very specific to his own ancestry, yet manages to reveal a shared humanity that everyone can recognize.”

Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners is a supernatural period drama set in the 1930s. The film tells the story of twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan), World War I veterans who return home hoping to build a joyful gathering place for their community.

The film’s producers are Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, and Ryan Coogler.

Natalie Musteata and 1 Oscar

Romanian screenwriter and director Natalie Musteata, who has Armenian roots, also made her mark at the Oscars.

The short film Two People Exchanging Saliva, directed by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh, won the award for Best Live Action Short Film.

The French-language film has a runtime of 36 minutes. The story takes place in a society where kissing is illegal and punishable by death. People deliberately avoid maintaining oral hygiene and eat garlic to avoid kissing.

However, the film’s protagonists decide to take the risk, fighting for their feelings in a world where intimacy is unacceptable.

Madeline Sharafian — nomination for the film Elio

Director and screenwriter Madeline Sharafian’s film Elio, created in collaboration with Pixar, was nominated in the Best Animated Feature Film category.

Although the film did not win an Oscar, the prestigious awards ceremony is not unfamiliar to the Armenian-American director.

Sharafian received her first Oscar nomination in 2021 for Pixar’s Burrow, which was nominated for Best Animated Short Film.

Notably, the director attended the ceremony wearing a dress designed by Armenian designer Varduhi Torosyan.

Thus, the 2026 Oscars once again demonstrated that creators with Armenian roots are not only participating in global film production but are also shaping its agenda.

Four Oscars, record nominations, and new creative achievements — this year’s ceremony was another reminder that Armenians continue to leave their mark on the history of cinema, presenting their stories, perspectives, and creative boldness to the world.

Syune Arakelyan

https://style.news.am/eng/news/113118/armenians-at-the-oscars-2026-sev-ohanian-natalie-musteata-madeline-sharafian-%E2%80%94-record-nominations-and-victories.html

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EAM Jaishankar thanks Armenia for the successful evacuation of 550 Indians fro

Emil Lazarian
mid.day, India
March 16 2026
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked the Government and people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran, as the conflict entered its third week

The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked “the people of Armenia” for facilitating the successful evacuation of 550 Indian nationals from Iran.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far. Appreciate their support in these challenging times. @AraratMirzoyan.”

Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said that more than 70 Indian students, majority of them from Jammu and Kashmir, who were stranded in Iran amid the ongoing war situation in the region, have returned safely to India via a connecting journey through Armenia and Dubai, following a coordinated evacuation effort.

The Association said that these students had been stranded in Iran due to the ongoing war-like situation and deteriorating security conditions in the region, and are now returning safely to India.

It further said that most of the students travelling in this batch are studying at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and other universities across Iran. Before boarding the flight, the students travelled by buses from different cities in Iran and undertook a long land journey to Armenia, reaching Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan to board the evacuation flight.

Diplomatic channels between New Delhi, Yerevan, and Tehran coordinated closely to help facilitate the evacuation successfully.

Meanwhile, as the conflict entered its third week the Israeli Air Force (IsAF) has successfully targeted and destroyed the aircraft used by the Iranian leadership at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, marking a significant blow to the regime’s strategic mobility.

In a post on X, the air force confirmed the strike, stating that they “destroyed the plane of the leader of the Iranian terror regime at the ‘Mehrabad’ airport in Tehran.”

The aircraft was identified as a critical logistics and diplomatic tool used by the former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, additional senior officials from the terror regime, and elements in the Iranian military.

The IsAF noted that the plane was vital to “advance military procurement and manage relations with Axis countries through domestic and international flights”. Consequently, the mission was specifically designed to disrupt the operational synergy between Tehran and its regional allies.

According to military officials, “the destruction of the plane impairs the ability to coordinate between the leadership of the Iranian terror regime and Axis countries, in building military power, and in the regime’s rehabilitation capability.”

By eliminating this high-value target, Israel has significantly hindered the regime’s ability to maintain its military and diplomatic networks, asserting that “another strategic asset has been removed from the Iranian regime”.

This high-profile strike was part of a broader, intensive aerial campaign. The IAF on Sunday (local time) said it struck more than 200 targets across western and central Iran over the past day, targeting military infrastructure, including missile systems, defence installations, and operational headquarters. 

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/jaishankar-thanks-armenia-for-evacuating-550-indian-nationals-from-iran-iaf-strikes-khameneis-plane-23621066

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