The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that £5 billion will be allocated under its Defence Investment Plan to expand the use of drones and autonomous systems by the armed forces, the BBC reported.

“Overall, defence spending will increase by £15 billion, reaching £80 billion a year by 2029,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. More than £63 billion of that funding will be allocated to strengthening the UK’s nuclear deterrent, including financing submarines, developing a new nuclear warhead and purchasing 12 F-35A fighter jets. 

The investment plan had originally been due for publication last autumn, but its release was postponed several times.

The Republic of Cyprus, ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy have signed a declaration on the commercial viability of the Glaucus and Pegasus natural gas fields, as well as a separate document on continuing their cooperation, Euronews reported.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides described the signing of the documents as an event of major strategic importance. Cyprus Energy Minister Michalis Damianos, for his part, said the move further strengthens the country’s position in the regional energy sector and gives new momentum to the Eastern Mediterranean’s growing role as an emerging energy hub.

Earlier, Christodoulides received a delegation from ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy at the Presidential Palace.

Welcoming the delegation, the president said: “The fact that ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy are operating in our exclusive economic zone is an extremely significant development. I would like to publicly commend your work, your professionalism and your leadership in the energy sector. We are very pleased and excited to cooperate with you.”

 ExxonMobil Vice President John Ardill said the company has come a long way since 2017, stressing that positive results should never be taken for granted from the outset.

“In this case, two gas fields have been discovered, which is excellent news for Cyprus,” he said, adding that the next challenge is to develop them and noting that the project has been highly successful for all parties involved.

“The final investment decision is expected in 2029, following the completion of studies and preparatory work. Market launch and production are scheduled for 2033,” Ardill said.

Lithuania’s Seimas (parliament) has approved the appointment of Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius as prime minister.

According to the TASS news agency, his nomination was backed by 80 lawmakers during a plenary session, while two voted against and 28 abstained.

On June 25, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda nominated the Social Democratic leader for the post of prime minister. The 42-year-old politician previously served as mayor of Jonava.

Within the next 15 days, the newly appointed prime minister is expected to present the composition of his cabinet and the government’s programme to parliament.

The previous cabinet, led by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, resigned on June 23 following changes within the governing coalition. The coalition was reshaped after the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party decided earlier this month to end its cooperation with the Dawn of Nemunas party, accusing it of pursuing populist policies. The Democrats for Lithuania party became the coalition’s new partner. As part of the changes, it was decided to “restart the government.”

Keiko Fujimori leads the final count in Peru’s presidential runoff after the country’s ONPE electoral authority finished tallying 100% of the vote on Monday after weeks of ‌reviewing contested ballots, Reuters reported.

The final tally shows the conservative Fujimori with a lead of 50.135%, or 9,223,396 votes, to leftist Roberto Sanchez’s 49.865%, or 9,173,755 votes.

Fujimori welcomed the conclusion of the drawn-out vote count, and in a post on social media said she would “await the national electoral jury’s announcement with great humility, prudence, and responsibility.”

“We are getting closer and ⁠closer to embarking on a path of order and hope for all Peruvians,” Fujimori said on X.

Fujimori, the daughter of late former President Alberto Fujimori who served a 16-year prison sentence for human rights abuses, had already achieved an unbeatable lead in the race last week after authorities spent weeks reviewing contested ballots from the June 7 runoff.

Sanchez’s rhetoric disputing the results has also grown, with the leftist senator saying he will not recognize a Fujimori government and making accusations, without providing evidence, of electoral fraud in favor of Fujimori.

Several individuals have been arrested in an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged vote buying involving the Strong Armenia party, investigators announced on Tuesday.

According to the Anti-Corruption Committee, several individuals distributed bribes to a number of voters in Arbat, Masis Municipality, Ararat Province, in exchange for voting for Strong Armenia in the June 7 elections and recruiting additional supporters. They also allegedly bribed the voters to attend a rally outside the home of Strong Armenia party leader Samvel Karapetyan, the law enforcement agency said.

The Anti-Corruption Committee did not disclose how many suspects had been taken into custody.

Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan and British Ambassador to Armenia Alexandra Cole held a meeting to discuss closer cooperation in various areas such as sustainable city solutions and infrastructure.  

According to the embassy readout, they discussed opportunities for closer cooperation between Yerevan and the UK, including urban development, infrastructure, architecture, design and green, sustainable city solutions.

“The UK has long-standing experience in city development, quality infrastructure, urban design, and improving public spaces. Ambassador Cole and Mayor Avinyan discussed how the UK’s expertise could support current and future projects in Yerevan,” the embassy said.

The conversation also touched on economic cooperation and opportunities to support Yerevan’s modernisation while preserving the city’s unique character and historic environment.

“The UK looks forward to continuing work with Yerevan Municipality on urban development, the exchange of expertise, and practical cooperation,” the embassy said.

City Hall said in its readout that Mayor Avinyan presented the city’s key urban development initiatives and major investment-oriented construction projects, highlighting that Yerevan is open to innovative ideas, advanced technologies, and sustainable investment.

Ambassador Cole said she would support efforts to promote Yerevan’s investment opportunities and encourage British investors to explore the city’s potential.

“Yerevan is an attractive and promising market for deepening bilateral economic cooperation,” the ambassador said, according to the City Hall readout.

The sides also underscored the importance of exchanging expertise in infrastructure development, urban planning, public space improvement, and digital transformation.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan delivered remarks at the high-level roundtable “Crimes That Affect the Environment: Threats to a Sustainable Future” during the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2026.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s readout, Deputy Foreign Minister Abisoghomonyan addressed the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will be held in Armenia this year, emphasizing its pivotal role in the implementation and first global review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as in strengthening the interconnection between biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and the rule of law.

The Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of combating environmental crimes as a key component in achieving global biodiversity targets.

Armenia’s commitment to promoting inclusive and outcome-oriented discussions aimed at strengthening international cooperation and enhancing the role of criminal justice institutions in protecting biodiversity was reaffirmed.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also presented the events to be organized within the framework of COP17 and in the lead-up to it, under Armenia’s presidency initiative and in cooperation with international partners, aimed at fostering closer cooperation between environmental and criminal justice communities.

Concluding his remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan emphasized that the slogan chosen by Armenia, “Take Action for Nature,” is not merely a slogan but a call to action requiring political will, effective implementation, and collective responsibility to transform shared commitments into tangible steps.

The Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body convened an awareness meeting with representatives responsible for relevant sectors of Yerevan City Hall and the leadership of the capital’s administrative districts to discuss measures aimed at protecting atmospheric air, reducing dust emissions, and implementing preventive measures during construction and improvement works carried out in the Armenian capital.

According to a readout issued by the agency, the Inspectorate’s Director, Hovhannes Martirosyan, emphasized the importance of effectively organizing activities carried out within the scope of powers delegated to local self-government bodies.

He highlighted that environmental norms and requirements must be strictly observed during activities such as external building cladding, tile grinding, curb installation, the construction of engineering and communication infrastructure, as well as the renovation of underground pedestrian crossings.

An agreement was reached to organize joint monitoring activities across all administrative districts of Yerevan.

The purpose of the planned targeted inspections is to improve compliance with environmental requirements, prevent dust emissions, ensure the early detection of violations, and encourage businesses to fully comply with environmental legislation.

Within the framework of the three-year project “Partnership for Syunik: Enhanced Community-Based Social Services”, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and funded by the European Union, new community-based social services have been piloted and introduced in Syunik region by local non-profits and municipalities.

In four communities in Syunik, new services were piloted directly by the municipalities themselves: a social taxi service in Sisian; hydrotherapy services and the construction of a swimming pool in Goris; a temporary accommodation service in Kapan; and an inclusive children’s centre in Meghri –.

The creative team at Armenpress covered these services during a media visit, which presented their impact, sustainability and importance for the communities.

The three-year project has contributed to the development of community-based social services in Syunik region by combining the efforts of the state, municipalities, and civil society. In cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the project supported the piloting of new social services, the creation of opportunities for their sustainable financing, and the introduction of solutions tailored to local needs. At the same time, the project strengthened the capacities of local civil society organisations (CSOs), promoted the application of participatory approaches, and laid the foundations for effective community–CSO–state cooperation. The project was implemented by People in Need, Armenian Caritas, and Goris Winnet Development Foundation.

As a result of the implementation of the project, more than 15 CSOs improved their organisational capacities, and over 30 social sector staff from CSOs and municipalities enhanced their professional skills. CSOs received state certification for five social services, enabling a smooth transition from EU funding to long-term state financing.

In total, sub-grants worth €706,000 were provided to 19 organisations under the project, and more than 850 residents of Syunik region benefited from the new services.

Armenpress first visited Meghri, where it became acquainted with the activities of the inclusive children’s centre. Deputy Head of Meghri community, Armen Antonyan, noted in an interview that as soon as they saw the announcement, they began working with great enthusiasm, as the project is of great importance for Meghri community.

“We did not have such an inclusive centre, but there were children who needed it. During the project, socio-rehabilitation support was provided for children. Regardless of age, all issues affecting community members are, first and foremost, community issues. Therefore, the municipality, as a body focused on community development, was very willing to support the establishment of this service so that appropriate solutions could be provided to residents’ concerns,” said Antonyan.

He added that, based on the results, the municipality will continue to provide quality services and to support the development of this sector. Antonyan also noted that, according to a decision of the Meghri community council, the municipality is providing financial support through a 15–20% co-financing arrangement.

“The financial resources initially allocated for the establishment and operational phase of the centre have already been provided, and future funding will be ensured jointly by the municipality and the partner organisation,” he said.

At the centre, Lusine Gharakhanyan, a resident of Lehvaz, shared that after learning about the centre, she decided to bring her two children.

“There should be many such centres. My daughter has been attending since November 2025, from the day the centre opened, and my son has been attending for two months. My children feel more confident, have become more independent, and attend with joy because they receive support from a psychologist and a speech therapist. The positive changes are already noticeable,” said Gharakhanyan.

Parents of children attending the centre note that through direct work with the children, their communication skills develop, they express themselves more easily and participate in activities. Preschool-aged children in particular freely engage in age-appropriate activities.

Parents are convinced that significant positive changes are visible in their children: they do not fall behind their peers and integrate easily into mainstream schools. According to parents, the centre’s staff are very kind and caring. All children attend according to their interests and eagerly await each visit, as their enthusiasm is also driven by the warm attitude of the staff.

Paytsar Tumanyan a psychologist at the centre, said they work with 36 children, and that their professional capacities were taken into account from the outset.

“I have always enjoyed working with adolescents. They give me great strength, and together we overcome difficulties. This is a kind of life experience for them. The key to success is that everything here is done with love; staff invest their full potential to benefit the children and make their lives brighter. This is the first centre of its kind, in our community, to provide professional support to children. It is a safe environment, as society also consciously understands that certain challenges can be addressed precisely within this centre,” said Tumanyan.

In her view, the most important factor in daily work is love for children, and if children accept the staff, success is guaranteed. Children are very sensitive and know who they can work with based on warm communication.

“A child’s soul is the purest; therefore, they are able to make the right choices, and adults should respect those choices and give them due importance. We maintain contact with the people who use the centre after they complete the programme. Staff regularly visit them and are pleased to observe

that former children attending kindergarten or school have become significantly more independent and less dependent on their mothers. We also maintain contact by phone,” she added.

Thanks to the operation of the children’s inclusive centre, six of its participants have successfully integrated into social life without falling behind their peers.

The “Partnership for Syunik: Enhanced Community-Based Social Services” project is implemented within the framework of the Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative.

The Resilient Syunik Team Europe initiative is the joint undertaking of the European Union, the European Investment Bank and EU Member states Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, with Switzerland also joining as an external partner. The main objective of this initiative is to contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic and institutional development of the Syunik region in line with local development priorities.

The Syunik Regional Governor’s Office is currently working to establish multi-dimensional cooperation with international partners.  This cooperation is bringing together the state, international organisations, municipalities and civil society organisations.

Speaking to Armenpress, Nvard Harutyunyan, Adviser to the Governor of Syunik, noted that, in cooperation with the European Union, a large package of projects is being implemented in the region, with a total budget exceeding €200 million.

“This is one of the projects implemented exclusively in our region. The results are already visible and tangible. It has successfully gone through all stages and reached completion. We have implemented projects in cooperation with civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as municipal projects, which have created favourable conditions for the development of the social sector and the improvement of the people’s quality of life. We identified gaps over previous years, particularly following the forced displacement of our compatriots from Karabakh. Syunik was the first region to receive them, and while we did everything possible within our resources, it became clear that certain areas required further improvement,” said Harutyunyan.

She notes, the priority was to expand opportunities and broaden the range of available social services. Therefore, throughout the project, which began in 2023, efforts were made to widen the package of services so that as many people as possible could benefit.

“The ‘Partnership for Syunik: Enhanced Community-Based Social Services’ project, funded by the European Union and implemented by People in Need, the Goris Winnet Development Foundation and Armenian Caritas, primarily works through municipalities delivering social services. Previously, only one municipality in the region provided social services. Today, community-based social services have been introduced in four municipalities across Syunik, while services delivered by CSOs are now available in all seven municipalities. At the same time, through close cooperation with the state, CSOs were encouraged to apply for and receive state support to ensure the continuity of these services,”Harutyunyan added.

She stressed that support provided by international organisations should lead to long-term sustainability. For this reason, the state commited itself co-financing commitments.

“We have a wide range of projects supporting older people, children, and children with special needs. We have also introduced new services that are unique in their kind, such as the social taxi services in Goris and Sisian. In Sisian, the service operates through the municipal budget and is provided free of charge to the service users. Meghri has established an Inclusive Children’s Centre, which is likewise funded through the municipal budget and provides free services to children in need. In border communities, such as Tegh, children’s social services were introduced for the first time. The CSO that applied for and received support under the project has now obtained state certification to ensure the long-term continuation of the service,” she said.

Where state support is required, it is channelled through various mechanisms into priority projects. Social committees have also been established within municipalities, carrying out extensive work to develop community social programmes, which are subsequently incorporated into municipal budgets.

“From the very beginning, we sought to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders so that they would also take ownership of the services being delivered. Importantly, international organisations are no longer working alone. We are supporting them, to multiply the impact of assistance and achieve greater results together. In many communities, municipalities provided construction permits, and technical assistance followed by state support, these services have expanded and become permanent. We have been visited on numerous occasions by the Head of the EU Mission and representatives of various international organisations. Throughout the implementation of the projects they have funded, we have seen only positive outcomes,” the Adviser to the Governor of Syunik emphasised.

More broadly, all initiatives implemented under the Team Europe framework are collaborative rather than carried out by a single organisation. Efforts are therefore made to involve not only the Regional Governor’s Office but also municipalities. When identifying challenges, all stakeholders participate in the discussions. According to Harutyunyan, close cooperation has been the key to the success of these initiatives.

The Partnerships for Syunik – Enhanced Community-Based Social Services project is implemented by People in Need within the framework of the European Union’s Resilient Syunik – Team Europe Initiative, in cooperation with the WINNET Goris Development Foundation and Armenian Caritas. This work has been made possible thanks to cooperation with civil society, Armenia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Syunik Regional Administration, local government bodies, and the social committees of all seven regional municipalities.

The Resilient Syunik – Team Europe Initiative is a joint programme involving the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, ten EU Member States (Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden), and Switzerland. This initiative promotes sustainable socio-economic development in the Syunik region