Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev have signed a joint declaration elevating bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership.

The Georgian Public Broadcaster, citing the Government Administration of Georgia, reported that following expanded talks between representatives of the two governments, the relevant agencies of Georgia and Kazakhstan signed memorandums of cooperation in the fields of culture, information technology and tourism.

Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Narek Mkrtchyan met with William Cunningham, Director of the International Programs Office of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

According to the embassy’s readout, the meeting focused on the United States’ experience in establishing its geological survey and explored potential areas of cooperation based on that experience.

The parties also discussed opportunities to expand Armenia–U.S. cooperation in the field of critical minerals and rare earths. 

During the meeting, the parties emphasized the importance of cooperation within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Charter signed in May, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding titled “Framework for Securing Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths.”

An avenue in the German city of Naumburg has been named after the Armenian city of Armavir in a gesture marking the growing partnership between the two sister cities. The naming ceremony took place during Naumburg’s Cherry Festival and was attended by Armenian and German officials, the Armenian embassy said in a press release.

The inauguration of “Armavir Allee” was attended by Armavir Mayor Varsham Sargsyan, Naumburg Mayor Armin Müller, Armenian Ambassador to Germany Viktor Yengibaryan, Armavir regional governor Vahram Khachatryan, Armenia’s Honorary Consul in Saxony-Anhalt Michael Schmidt, and Saxony-Anhalt Landtag member Daniel Sturm, as well as other officials and guests.

Armavir and Naumburg were proclaimed sister cities in 2025 and have been actively cooperating in educational exchange programs, winemaking, and business.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has lauded the “source of inspiration for resilience” in Armenia, noting that voters recently reaffirmed their support for a pro-European government, deeper ties with Europe, and a desire to reduce Russian “coercion.”

In a statement and joint video message with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Wadephul said that Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, and Armenia have been heavily targeted by Russian propaganda campaigns.

“Like many others around the world, these nations have been heavily targeted by Russian propaganda campaigns designed to divide their societies and undermine their democratic institutions. Yet, each of them has recently pushed back against Russia’s influence campaigns in their own way – making not only themselves, but Europe as a whole, stronger.

Recently, the European Union has opened the first accession negotiation cluster with Moldova and Ukraine. While this does not mean either country will become an EU member overnight, it reaffirms our commitment on both sides to that goal and provides a clear roadmap for the reforms that will ultimately strengthen Europe as a whole.

Hungary has elected a new government, ending years of political deadlock that had stalled key European decisions. With its new government, Hungary opens the door to closer European cooperation, thus making us all stronger.

Another source of inspiration for resilience comes from Armenia: Armenian voters recently reaffirmed their support for their country’s pro-European government, signaling a continued desire to reduce Russian inducements & coercion – and deepen ties with Europe.

On social media, it can often feel as though Russian influence is everywhere. But the real-world tells a different story. Time and again, people see through the Kremlin’s attempts to divide & rule – and instead choose a future built on cooperation, freedom, and democracy. Europe continues to grow stronger – with partners near and far. Within the EU, Germany and Estonia stand together in strengthening Europe’s resilience against foreign information manipulation and interference. Because defending facts, democracy, and our shared values is a common European responsibility,” he said.

The city of Yerevan plans to designate the Hrazdan Gorge as a special municipal conservation area and formalize a management plan.

Sirarpi Haykazyan, the acting head of the City Hall Department of Environmental Protection, said at a meeting on Monday that the initiative will soon be submitted for City Council debate.

“The draft ordinance has already been prepared by the Environmental Protection Department and will be submitted at the upcoming session. With the implementation of this initiative, and after the adoption of the legislative amendments package, Yerevan will become the first municipality to designate a specially protected natural area. This is also an important commitment within the framework of COP17 to be held in Armenia.”

According to her, like all specially protected areas, the Hrazdan Gorge must also have a management plan. “To that end, a relevant tender has already been announced by the Asian Development Bank,” she added.

Armenian Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan is taking part in the Fifth Meeting of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogue in Seoul, South Korea.

The SOI Global Dialogue, held within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), is a unique global platform that brings together representatives of regional seas organizations, regional fisheries bodies, United Nations entities, and global and regional organizations, as well as governments and civil society.

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) coordinate the SOI Global Dialogue, which was established in 2016 to enhance cooperation on the conservation and sustainable management of the marine and coastal environment around the globe.

Ahead of the SOI Global Dialogue meeting, Matevosyan met with the co-chairs of the initiative, the co-organizers, as well as representatives of governments and international organizations participating in the meeting.

The issues discussed at the session included the conservation and sustainable use of water resources, the effective implementation of international environmental obligations, science-based decision-making, and capacity building.

The importance of regional and international cooperation, exchange of experience, and joint initiatives was also emphasized in the context of the effective implementation of the goals of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

During restoration and cleaning work at the 10th-century Amberd Fortress in Armenia’s Aragatsotn Province, archaeologists uncovered several notable finds.

Near the inner fortified wall, they discovered human remains that are about 90% intact, with only the finger bones missing; analysis of the teeth suggests the individual was likely young, according to the Conservation Service under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, as stated in a press release.

Alongside this burial, workers also found fragments of a presumed medieval board game similar to backgammon or checkers, known locally as tama, indicating everyday leisure activities within the fortress during the Middle Ages.

In addition, a rare coin believed to depict Queen Tamar was also discovered.

The Constitutional Court on Monday continued hearings on challenges to the results of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections, with Justices questioning political parties over alleged electoral irregularities.

Justice Edgar Shatiryan asked the applicants about claims that military personnel continued voting after the official 8:00 p.m. closing time. Representatives of the Strong Armenia Alliance said voting continued at several polling stations, including precincts 35/65 and 10/51, where large numbers of soldiers remained after polls had officially closed. They argued the incidents pointed to systemic violations. 

CEC Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan was asked whether the Prosperous Armenia Party would have cleared the 4% electoral threshold if the results of three invalidated polling stations had been included in the final tally. He said the law does not allow such hypothetical calculations because all votes cast at invalidated polling stations are excluded from the final results.

Justice Shatiryan also questioned Armenia Alliance representatives about their recount requests. Artsvik Minasyan said the alliance had sought recounts at around 10 polling stations and had also asked the CEC to correct technical errors in vote tabulation affecting about 30 polling stations and three electoral districts.

Justice Seda Safaryan asked whether statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials in Moscow could have influenced voters, and why the issue had not been raised in the appeals.

Prosperous Armenia Party representative Aram Orbelyan responded by asking the court not to conflate different political forces and to clarify which party the question was directed at. He said Prosperous Armenia had made no such claim.

Safaryan clarified that the question was addressed to the Armenia and Strong Armenia alliances.

Strong Armenia’s Aram Vardevanyan questioned whether the justice’s inquiry was legal or political in nature. He argued that statements by U.S. and French officials in support of the ruling party should also be considered if foreign influence was being discussed.

The Constitutional Court is holding a single hearing on all motions.

Justice Edgar Shatiryan has been appointed as the rapporteur in the case.

The Constitutional Court has also decided to involve the Civil Contract party in the case as a third party.

The Constitutional Court has further ruled to include the Central Electoral Commission as a respondent, and the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia as co-respondents.

Only three political forces entered parliament in the June 7 elections, according to the Central Electoral Commission’s final results.

According to the commission, the Civil Contract party won 49.7% of the vote, securing a majority in the next parliament, while the Strong Armenia bloc came in second with 23.2%. The Armenia Alliance won 9.9%.

The motions to annul the election results, citing alleged fraud, were filed by the Strong Armenia bloc, Wings of Unity party, Democracy, Law and Order party, Prosperous Armenia party, the Rally for the Republic party, the Armenia Alliance, and the New Power Reformist Party.

IDBank press release

Looking for a remote job these days could result in losing control over your own phone instead of bringing the long-awaited income. Scammers are actively using a sophisticated cyberextortion scheme, in which your smartphone is remotely locked under the guise of “setting up work software”, and a ransom is demanded.

                How the scam works: from a “job vacancy” to device lockout

         Fake “job vacancy”. It all starts with an appealing offer on Telegram channels, Facebook groups, or other online platforms dedicated to remote job hunting. Typically, these job postings look for SMM managers, data entry workers, executive assistants, and similar roles. The promised salary is usually at or above the market rate, and the job is entirely from home.

        The interview. They message you in a friendly way, ask about your experience, and give you a test assignment – everything seems completely realistic.

       “Setting up the workstation”. This is the main part of the scammers’ operation to gain control over your phone. It looks different depending on the type of device:

   iPhone: they ask you to log into someone else’s Apple ID—allegedly to gain access to corporate programs, a CRM system, or work email.

   Android: they send a program as a file with an “.apk” extension and insist on granting it full administrator rights “for correct operation”.

         Locking. Immediately after the victim follows the instructions, the scammers remotely disable biometrics, activate “lost mode,” and the gadget turns into a useless piece of glass and metal.

        Blackmail. A demand appears on the screen to transfer tens of thousands of drams for unlocking. The criminals pressure you and threaten to delete all data from the phone’s memory. In some cases, they can intercept banking SMS codes, trying to steal funds or take out a microloan in your name.

                Legal trap

                When users log into someone else’s account themselves or manually install a program and voluntarily grant it administrator rights, they are legally acting as the device owner. Under such circumstances, neither the manufacturer nor the bank can detect the security issue in advance. If money is subsequently withdrawn from the account via intercepted SMS passwords, the transaction is considered personally confirmed by the client, making it practically impossible to cancel it or recover the funds.

                IDBank recommends:

                Job should bring you money, not extort it from you. To prevent your smartphone from becoming a hostage to criminals, follow these safety rules:

·         Never log into someone else’s accounts. Your Apple ID or Google account is like the “keys to your apartment.” Logging into someone else’s account gives another person complete control over your phone.

        Apps from official stores only. Install programs exclusively from the App Store or Google Play.

        Check the employer. A real company has a website with contact details and physical address. If all communication is limited to an anonymous chat and they demand strange things with your phone, stop talking to them.

         Don’t pay the ransom. Payment does not guarantee unlocking. On the contrary, you confirm to the scammers that you are willing to pay, and the blackmail may continue.

         Keep your receipts. If a lockout occurs, you can only restore access through official Apple or Google support if you have the purchase receipt for the device in hand. This is the only legal proof that the device belongs to you.

                Remember: any job that begins with a request to hand over control of your phone to a stranger is a trap. Your financial and digital security begins with your vigilance.

                THE BANK IS SUPERVISED BY THE CENTRAL BANK OF RA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has stated that it is unacceptable for Moscow if Armenia officially declares and legally enshrines its European aspirations while continuing to enjoy all the benefits of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Galuzin made these remarks in an interview with RTVI.

He said Russia has consistently conveyed its concerns regarding the recently adopted law in Armenia on EU integration to the Armenian authorities.

In this context, the Russian deputy foreign minister recalled that on May 29 this year in Astana, the presidents of the other EAEU member states—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—adopted a joint statement calling for a nationwide referendum in Armenia to be held as soon as possible on whether the country should join the European Union or remain in the Eurasian Economic Union.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan rejected the proposal, saying that at this stage there are no grounds for holding a referendum on choosing between the European Union and the EAEU. He also said Armenia would continue working within the framework of the EAEU until the point when choosing between the EU and the EAEU becomes unavoidable.

“The four EAEU leaders have instructed that by December a report be prepared on the possible consequences of suspending Armenia’s participation in the EAEU. I am therefore confident that experts will study both the economic and legal aspects. Let us wait for the results of their work. Frankly speaking, we do not fully understand why Armenia’s leadership is in no hurry to ask the country’s citizens for their opinion on this very important issue. I cannot rule out that there are certain opportunistic considerations behind this delay. In this regard, I would like to reiterate our fundamental position, which we have expressed many times before: we consider it unacceptable for Armenia to officially declare and legally formalize its so-called European aspirations while continuing to enjoy all the advantages and benefits of EAEU membership,” Galuzin said.

Responding to the interviewer’s observation that Armenia has not yet officially applied for EU membership and is not even an EU candidate country—meaning that the accession process has not actually begun—Galuzin disagreed, once again referring to the Armenian law on launching the EU accession process adopted by parliament.

The Russian deputy foreign minister also expressed dissatisfaction that Yerevan hosted the European Political Community summit in early May, which was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The deputy foreign minister was asked whether Russia, by imposing restrictions on imports of Armenian goods, was actually pushing Yerevan closer to European markets.

Ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections held on June 7, Russia imposed bans and restrictions on the import of numerous Armenian products, and these restrictions remain in place.

Against the backdrop of these Russian import restrictions, Armenia has been diversifying its export markets toward the European Union and other destinations.

“Don’t you think that through these actions Russia itself is pushing Armenia toward European markets, which is harmful to our economic relations?” the journalist asked.

Galuzin dismissed the question as superficial.

“You know, I don’t know what more is needed for all the countries surrounding Armenia and the media to understand that this is a very serious matter. Naturally, we expressed our concerns to the Armenian side at the time, but the Armenian side continued—and continues—to move closer to the European Union. As for the possibility of finding alternative markets where Armenia could sell its products, when today tens of percent—approaching 100 percent in some sectors—of its exports go to Russia, I find it difficult to imagine how that could be accomplished,” the Russian deputy foreign minister said.