Armenia’s EU pivot: Armenia’s government program for 2026–2031 signals a faster move away from Russia, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan saying Yerevan plans to submit an EU membership application and later seek a roadmap response from Brussels. Education tech push: Armenia’s education ministry says access to AI tools will expand from September, including free subscriptions for 50,000 students and teachers via OpenAI and Firebird, alongside plans to bring regional comprehensive schools under direct ministry control. University leadership: Gor Vardanyan, PhD in Engineering, has been elected rector of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia after a board competition. Science & infrastructure: Armenia is also preparing to restore the 5th-century Church of St. Stepanos at the Yeritsvank monastery complex, built over an older pagan sanctuary, with excavations informing the restoration plan. Geopolitics & energy: Russian officials again defend Metsamor’s safety margin and say life-extension work is underway, while Armenia’s nuclear future remains a live policy question. Humanitarian focus: Azerbaijan marks the International Day of the Disappeared, citing 4,010 missing persons and calling for detailed information from Armenia to support DNA-based identification efforts.