Public Finance: Armenia’s government plans to plug a 536 billion dram ($1.47B) budget deficit mainly with two long-term loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, after already borrowing about $500M since November; critics say debt has surged since 2018 and debt service hit 349B drams in 2025. Church & Courts: The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) urged authorities to withdraw the criminal indictment of Catholicos Karekin II and six bishops, calling it a threat to religious freedom and church autonomy. Politics & Rights: Opposition figures and lawyers challenged detention and court moves, including an appeal over the “Mother Armenia” leader Andranik Tevanyan’s case, while debate continues over electoral code amendments restricting voting rights by residency. TRIPP/US Role: Armenia and US officials discussed TRIPP implementation as Washington doubled TRIPP+ Enterprise Fund funding to $402M, tied to the “Trump Route” connectivity push. Regional Diplomacy: Pakistan’s ambassador said it prioritizes stronger ties with Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan’s aide Hikmet Hajiyev reiterated that a final peace treaty hinges on constitutional changes. Economy & Security: Armenia’s Interior Ministry warned of rising apartment rental fraud online; meanwhile, investigations and arrests linked to Gagik Tsarukyan’s business network continued. Turkey-Armenia: A second Ani Bridge restoration working-group meeting was held in Yerevan, with both sides pledging to speed up the May protocol. Education: Nearly 11,000 first-year students will start at Armenian universities in September 2026.