The Kazbegi-Upper Lars border crossing between Georgia and Russia has been closed due to rising water levels in the Devdoraki Gorge, TASS reports, citing a statement from Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“The early warning system installed in Devdoraki, which detects even minor changes in the riverbed, was triggered. In accordance with protocol, citizens at the checkpoint, patrol police and border police officers working there, as well as representatives of private companies, were evacuated,” the statement said.

The Interior Ministry added that, as a precautionary measure, vehicle traffic had been restricted near the village of Gveleti, close to the border.

The Kazbegi-Upper Lars border crossing is the only operational checkpoint connecting Georgia and Russia.

Armenia’s Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan chaired a meeting summarizing the work of Yerevan’s police units in the first half of 2026, the Interior Ministry said.

The meeting reviewed the work of the Yerevan City Department of the Criminal Police, the capital’s Community Police divisions, the Yerevan City Battalion of the Patrol Service and the Yerevan divisions of the Police Guard.

Acting Chief of Police–Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kamo Tsutsulyan, as well as representatives of the ministry and the Police leadership, were present.

The Head of the Yerevan City Department of the Criminal Police reported that during the reporting period, 1,833 cases of crime were registered by the department, approximately 20.9 percent fewer than during the same period of the previous year. The number of serious and particularly serious crimes decreased. Crimes against persons decreased by 39.3 percent, crimes against property by 23.5 percent, and crimes against economic activity by 41.3 percent. At the same time, crimes against state authority, service, and the established order of administration increased by 81.5 percent. Attempts at murder decreased by 7.7 percent, while crimes committed with the use of firearms decreased by 18.2 percent. Cases of residential burglary and fraud also decreased.

Crimes against public safety, public order, and public health increased, which was mainly due to Patrol Service officers detecting cases of driving vehicles without a driver’s license.

The ministry also reviewed the performance of the capital’s Community Police divisions. Crime figures varied across districts, with cases increasing in several divisions and decreasing in others. Crimes against persons and property generally declined in a number of districts, while cases of domestic violence increased in several areas. The Nubarashen Division registered 128 cases, compared with 50 during the same period of the previous year, while the Erebuni Division recorded 817 cases, 21 percent more than a year earlier. The Kentron Division registered 1,553 cases, 44.4 percent fewer than during the previous year. In Arabkir, 968 cases were registered, of which 605, or 62.5 percent, were cleared. The Malatia Division recorded 501 cases, with a clearance rate of 80.4 percent, compared with 70.3 percent the previous year. The Nor Nork Division registered 610 cases, of which 493, or 80.8 percent, were cleared. In Davtashen, 302 cases were recorded, 227 of which, or 75.2 percent, were cleared. The Metropolitan Division recorded 22 cases, 29 percent fewer than during the previous year, while the Zvartnots Airport Division recorded 92 cases, of which 78, or 84.8 percent, were cleared. No crimes committed by minors were recorded in Kanaker-Zeytun.

Officers of the Yerevan City Battalion of the Patrol Service cleared 1,336 cases of crime, 55 more than during the same period of the previous year. A total of 129,174 reports were drawn up for various administrative offenses. Although road traffic accidents increased in the capital, the number of fatalities and injured persons resulting from them decreased.

During the first half of the year, the Yerevan units of the Police Guard, alongside protecting facilities, maintaining public order, and ensuring public safety, also solved a number of crimes.

Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan thanked the personnel for the work carried out and emphasized that, despite positive trends recorded in a number of types of crime, the results of work in certain areas were not satisfactory.

The Minister issued a strict instruction to intensify work with persons who are in hostile relations with one another, with the aim of preventing further criminal manifestations.

Emphasizing that the number of serious and particularly serious crimes in the capital had decreased, Minister Sargsyan nevertheless expressed concern about crimes committed with the use of firearms. The Minister instructed that, alongside clearance efforts, the causes of such crimes be analyzed and targeted and consistent work be carried out to prevent them.

Arpine Sargsyan emphasized the need to intensify operational and intelligence measures, targeted work, and searches aimed at detecting and seizing illegal weapons and ammunition.

The Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized the need to intensify the fight against the criminal subculture and to strengthen cooperation among the divisions in order to prevent possible consequences.

Addressing crimes against property, the Minister highlighted the trend of decreasing residential burglaries and emphasized the need to ensure continuity of preventive work. At the same time, it was stressed that particular attention must be paid to thefts committed from vehicles.

Instructions were also issued to intensify efforts to prevent and solve fraud, crimes committed using information technologies, crimes against economic activity, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, and certain types of crimes against persons.

Particular attention was also drawn to the morale within the divisions, service discipline, and proper communication with citizens. The heads were instructed to keep these areas under constant supervision.

The decrease in the number of fatalities and injuries resulting from road traffic accidents in Yerevan during the first half of 2026 was assessed positively, and instructions were issued to maintain the positive dynamics.

Minister Arpine Sargsyan emphasized that it is necessary to ensure the active involvement of the Police Guard in efforts to prevent and solve crimes.

Ukraine has proposed a mutual halt to strikes on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and on logistics facilities considered important by both sides.

According to Reuters, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara had proposed that the two sides establish a mechanism for a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea.

“The Ukrainian side already had such a proposal. We have also conveyed it to our Russian counterparts and are now awaiting a response,” Fidan said.

The Turkish foreign minister noted that military ports and vessels had initially been the targets of strikes, but commercial ships were now also coming under attack.

According to Fidan, both sides are striking logistics facilities that are important to the other, which he described as a dangerous development.

Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan chaired a review of the work carried out by the Police units in Aragatsotn Province during the first half of the year.

Acting Police Chief–Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kamo Tsutsulyan and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

According to a press release issued by the ministry, Sargsyan, addressing crime trends, instructed officials to intensify operational and intelligence measures to combat the criminal subculture, emphasizing that any such manifestations must receive a swift, proportionate, and uncompromising response from the police.

Minister Sargsyan also instructed officials to pursue consistent efforts to detect, investigate, and prevent economic crimes, particularly by strengthening oversight in the mining sector.

The minister stressed the importance of an active police patrol presence in communities, noting that preventive policing should be more visible and accessible, including in residential courtyards. She instructed authorities to strengthen police services during the holiday season and ensure continuous monitoring in recreational areas.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, accompanied by other officials, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan again to inspect the ongoing second phase of maintenance and renovation work.

The ministry said in a press release that, as part of the second phase of the improvement works, the foundations of three more pillars of the Temple of Eternity are being completely renovated, along with renovation work in the museum section.

During the visit, representatives of the contractor briefed the minister on the progress and scope of the work, as well as the tasks ahead. It was reported that continuous professional oversight is being carried out to ensure the quality of the construction and improvement works.

Minister Zhanna Andreasyan stressed the importance of carrying out the work to a high standard, in accordance with the established requirements and within the specified deadlines.

Since the maintenance work began, the minister has regularly visited the site to inspect the progress on the ground.

The Armenian government has allocated an additional AMD 2.64 billion ($7.24 million) from the reserve fund to the Ministry of Environment for organizing and hosting the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan highlighted that Armenia will host and preside over COP17.

He noted that representatives from the 196 countries that are parties to the convention, as well as tens of thousands of participants from around the world, are expected to attend.

“By hosting and presiding over COP17, we will also become one of the centers of global decision-making,” Matevosyan said.

He said preparations are in full swing.

COP17 will be preceded by a Leaders’ Summit, which will bring together heads of state and government, as well as leaders of international organizations.

The summit is expected to adopt the “Yerevan Declaration for the Preservation of Life on Earth.”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia has never hosted an event of this scale before.

“There will be a very significant influx of tourists, and this is a great opportunity for our private sector—first to provide services and then to promote those services. People who visit Armenia once often return and also recommend Armenia to others,” Pashinyan said.

He noted that the organizational costs of the event are being financed from the state budget, while major investments have been directed toward the private sector. According to him, significant investment has also been made in the Meridian Center, the venue for the meeting, resulting in an eight-year service agreement being signed with the center.

“We sometimes face difficulties when organizing events, and this investment addresses that issue. It is very important for us to have infrastructure that meets international standards,” Pashinyan added.

The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will be held in Yerevan from October 19 to 30, 2026.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Thursday several high-profile reappointments.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, he said that Suren Tovmasyan has been reappointed as head of the Cadastre Committee, Eduard Hakobyan as chairman of the State Revenue Committee, and Yeghiazar Vardanyan as chairman of the Urban Development Committee.

The prime minister also said that several governors have been reappointed.

In particular, Sergey Movsisyan will remain governor of Aragatsotn Province, Sedrak Tevonyan governor of Ararat Province, Vahram Khachatryan governor of Armavir Province, and Karen Sargsyan governor of Gegharkunik Province.

Aren Mkrtchyan will remain governor of Lori Province, David Arushanyan governor of Shirak Province, Robert Ghukasyan governor of Syunik Province, Vahagn Arsenyan governor of Vayots Dzor Province, and Hayk Ghalumyan governor of Tavush Province.

Pashinyan thanked the officials for their work during the previous period and wished them success in their future activities.

“Of course, I also know that some of our governor colleagues may perhaps take on different roles in the near future, including in the context of the upcoming local elections,” the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has appointed former Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan as Secretary of the Security Council, replacing Armen Grigoryan who held the position since 2018. 

The decree appointing Simonyan and the decree dismissing Grigoryan, both signed by Pashinyan, were published online on Thursday.

A street connecting Victory Bridge to Arshakunyats Avenue in Yerevan is currently being restored and will be named COP17 Street to mark the significance of the Armenian capital hosting the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) and Armenia’s presidency. The meeting will be held in Yerevan from October 13–30, 2026.

“The area around Yerevan’s Meridian Center is undergoing revitalization,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a Cabinet meeting, referring to the area near the summit venue.

“During preparations for COP17, we discovered that there is a road connecting Victory Bridge to Arshakunyats Avenue that has not been in operation for many years. As a result of the organizational work, Yerevan will have a new street, and I have proposed that our colleagues at Yerevan City Hall name it COP17 Street, as a commemoration of the event,” Pashinyan said.

According to Pashinyan, infrastructure in the area is also being restored, including roads and sidewalks. Together with Red Bridge, these improvements will form an important part of the area’s infrastructure.

“Another historical and cultural cluster is being added to Yerevan,” Pashinyan said.

He also emphasized the importance of hosting COP17 in terms of Armenia’s international role.

“Holding COP17 at an appropriate level is very important for us. It is also a very good opportunity to increase Armenia’s international visibility and recognition,” the prime minister said.

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his re-election.

“We in Turkmenistan highly value our relations with the Republic of Armenia, which are based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust. I am confident that they will continue to develop and deepen in the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of our peoples,” the Turkmen president said in the message, according to Pashinyan’s office. 

President Berdimuhamedov wished Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan good health and great success in his responsible state duties, for the sake of peace, well-being and prosperity of the friendly people of Armenia.