Armenia international Finn Geragusian has signed his first professional contract with Sunderland, the English Premier League club announced.

The striker recorded 13 goals and three assists across Sunderland’s academy teams last season, having registered 19 goal contributions during the 2024/25 campaign.

“Finn has made massive progress over the last couple of seasons and that is testament to his hard-working attitude. We are delighted that he will be continuing his progression at the club,” said John Hewitson, Sunderland’s Head of Academy.

The 2026 excavation season at the Shamiram archaeological site in Armenia’s Aragatsotn Province has concluded with significant new discoveries, shedding further light on one of the country’s most complex archaeological landscapes.

The excavations are being carried out by the Armenian-Italian Archaeological Mission as part of a long-standing scientific cooperation between the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO). The project is co-directed by Varduhi Melikyan on the Armenian side and Roberto Dan on the Italian side.

According to the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, this year’s field season, conducted from May 26 to June 25, focused on several key areas of the site in an effort to refine the chronology, function and development of Shamiram, a multi-layered settlement distinguished by its extensive fortified rocky plateau, monumental defensive systems, large habitation areas and important burial complexes.

The latest excavations confirmed the site’s exceptional continuity of occupation, spanning the Late Bronze Age, Iron Age, Urartian, post-Urartian, Hellenistic, Late Antique, medieval and post-medieval periods.

One of the season’s most significant discoveries was the continued excavation of Tomb No. 3, a monumental Late Bronze Age burial featuring concentric stone circles, a central stone burial chamber, rich grave goods, bronze weapons, obsidian and metal arrowheads, and the remains of a ritually sacrificed horse.

According to the institute, the discovery provides important new evidence for the study of local elites, funerary practices and the symbolic role of horses in Late Bronze Age communities in Armenia.

The mission also uncovered important evidence relating to the site’s pre-Urartian phases. Behind one of the towers of the Urartian fortress, archaeologists discovered a Middle Iron Age room bearing clear traces of fire and destruction, overlying an earlier burial that predates the construction of the Urartian defensive system.

According to the researchers, this sequence offers a rare opportunity to examine the transformation of a local Iron Age center in central Armenia before and during the expansion of the Kingdom of Urartu.

Research also continued in the fortified sections of the settlement. Excavations at the Wall 2 gate complex suggest that the currently visible L-shaped entrance was most likely reconstructed during the Hellenistic period, replacing an earlier Iron Age entrance.

Meanwhile, excavations and cleaning work at Tower 3 confirmed the monumental character of the Urartian fortifications, revealing a well-preserved megalithic structure measuring approximately 8.5 by 8.5 meters.

The 2026 campaign also produced new evidence on Shamiram’s post-Urartian development. Column bases uncovered in Area 7, architectural remains adjoining Urartian towers and well-preserved medieval buildings demonstrate how the ancient fortifications continued to shape the site’s spatial organization for centuries.

The Institute said the results of this year’s excavations once again confirm Shamiram’s importance as one of the key archaeological sites for studying the long-term history of central Armenia, from Late Bronze Age burial traditions and Iron Age communities to Urartian monumental architecture and the site’s subsequent reuse and transformation.

The archaeological mission expressed its gratitude to all institutions and partners that supported the 2026 fieldwork.

The project is co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with the support and coordination of the Embassy of Italy in Yerevan. The institute noted that ongoing archaeological, anthropological and other specialized studies of the finds will continue to deepen understanding of Shamiram’s history and its significance within Armenia’s ancient cultural landscape.

Armenia’s First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, paid working visits to the 3rd and 2nd Army Corps.

According to the Ministry of Defense, Asryan attended a ceremonial event at the 3rd Army Corps marking the completion of Major General Simon Nazaryan’s service with the corps.

He then visited the 2nd Army Corps to attend a ceremony marking the completion of Major General Garegin Poghosyan’s service with the corps.

During the visit, the Chief of the General Staff introduced Major General Simon Nazaryan to the personnel of the 2nd Army Corps as its newly appointed commander.

Armenian First Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, paid a working visit to a special army formation on July 7.

According to the Ministry of Defence, Asryan attended a ceremony marking the completion of Major General Armen Gyozalyan’s service in the special army formation, during which the formation’s battle flag was formally handed over. 

The Chief of the General Staff thanked Gyozalyan for his effective service and introduced the newly appointed commander of the special army formation, Major General Garegin Poghosyan, to its personnel.

Geneticists showcased ongoing research in genomics, molecular biology and genetic engineering in Armenia during a Science Café event that brought science out of the laboratory and into an informal public setting.

The event, titled “Genetics in Armenia: Today and Tomorrow,” was held at The Academy People and moderated by Professor Ruben Harutyunyan, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (NAS RA).

According to the National Academy of Sciences, Harutyunyan highlighted Armenia’s strong scientific potential in molecular biology, molecular genetics, genomics, genetic engineering and ecological genetics, while emphasizing the importance of international scientific cooperation and joint research projects.

Professor Levon Yepiskoposyan, Head of the Ethnogenomics Laboratory at the Institute of Molecular Biology, presented the results of more than two decades of research on the Armenian genome. He discussed the genetic characteristics of the Armenian population, studies of population origins and the role of genomic research in understanding the historical development and genetic heritage of the Armenian people.

Roxana Zakharyan, Senior Researcher at the institute’s Human Genomics Laboratory, presented several ongoing research projects, including studies conducted as part of the AMADEE-24 Mars Analog Mission, genetic research on Familial Mediterranean Fever, and recent advances in genome-editing technologies and their future applications.

Kristine Margaryan, Head of the Plant Genomics Group at the Institute of Molecular Biology, presented research on Armenia’s grape genetic resources, emphasizing its importance for preserving indigenous grape varieties, assessing genetic diversity and identifying valuable genetic resources.

The interactive event was organized as part of the European Researchers’ Night in Armenia (ERNA) project, funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) of the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.

Project partners include the Higher Education and Science Committee of Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the Center for Scientific Innovation and Education Support Foundation, the Armbiotechnology Scientific and Production Center, and the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF).

Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan met with Indonesian Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita on July 6 on the sidelines of the INNOPROM International Industrial Exhibition in Russia, the Armenian Ministry of Economy said.

The ministers discussed opportunities to expand bilateral trade, economic and business cooperation, promote industrial development, facilitate technology exchange, and deepen collaboration in high value-added manufacturing.

Papoyan proposed exploring cooperation in the development of industrial zones, investment projects and joint manufacturing initiatives.

The sides also discussed the Armenian government’s Crossroads of Peace initiative, noting that its implementation would strengthen regional connectivity, facilitate cargo transportation, and create new opportunities for trade, investment and industrial cooperation.

Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan met on July 7 with the ambassadors and diplomatic representatives of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar accredited to Armenia. Deputy Economy Ministers Arman Khojoyan and Anushik Avetyan also attended the meeting.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the minister highlighted the embassies’ support in strengthening business ties between Armenian producers and importers and major retail chains and distributors.

The discussions focused on expanding the presence of Armenian products in Gulf markets, developing logistics and transit routes, organising B2B meetings, as well as other areas of bilateral economic cooperation.

 At the conclusion of the meeting, Papoyan answered the ambassadors’ questions and heard their proposals on further developing trade and economic relations.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 7 July, USD exchange rate stood at 367.47 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.48 drams to 420.13 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0825 drams to 4.8136 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.66 drams to 491.86 drams.

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

Gold price down by 274 drams to 48923 drams. Silver price down by 2.25 drams to 733.32 drams.

Armenian citizens staying in the United Arab Emirates for non-residential purposes, as well as UAE citizens staying in Armenia for non-residential purposes, have been allowed to drive using their national driver’s licences since June 13.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, applicants seeking to exchange their driver’s licences after taking up residence are exempt from the theoretical and practical examinations normally required as part of the process.

The ministry noted that the two countries now mutually recognise each other’s driver’s licences without any additional procedures or the need to revalidate their validity.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on September 30, 2025, by Armenian Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan and the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

“This initiative once again demonstrates that the dynamically developing cooperation between Armenia and the UAE in recent years is also creating opportunities that make everyday life easier for citizens,” the ministry said.

Armenian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan met with members of the Greece-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Hellenic Parliament.

According to the Armenian Embassy, Mkrtchyan briefed the members of the friendship group on the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections in Armenia and their results.

The ambassador stressed the importance of intensifying contacts between the Hellenic Parliament and Armenia’s newly elected parliament, formed following the country’s democratic elections, and organising reciprocal visits in the near future.

He also outlined expected developments in Armenia-Greece bilateral relations and discussed the challenges of diversifying Armenia’s economy, including expanding access to the Greek market.

Vasilis Oikonomou, head of the Greece-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, congratulated the Armenian people on the election results and said the group plans to visit Armenia in the coming months. 

Members of the friendship group underscored the importance of developing Armenia-Greece relations at all levels and across all sectors, including within multilateral interparliamentary platforms. They also spoke about their engagement with Armenian community organisations in Greece.