Armenian Politics: President Vahagn Khachaturyan reappointed Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister and confirmed a near-continuity cabinet: 11 ministers kept their posts, with David Tadevosyan replacing Mkhitar Hayrapetyan as Minister of High-Tech Industry; Deputy PMs Mher Grigoryan and Tigran Khachatryan were also reappointed. Parliament Watch: Ruben Rubinyan was elected Speaker of Armenia’s 9th National Assembly (63-28), after the new parliament convened and the opposition boycotted the speaker vote. Church vs State: Armenia’s court scheduled the first preliminary hearing in the criminal case against Catholicos Karekin II for August 7, tied to a bishop reinstatement dispute—another flashpoint in rising tensions between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Immigration Rules: A new Law on Foreigners will streamline work visas and residence procedures, with implementation pushed to November 1, 2026. Regional Human Cost: Azerbaijan says landmine explosions since 2020 have injured hundreds, underscoring ongoing demining pressure. Diaspora/Global Spotlight: Marriott reversed its “genocide-tourism” package in ethnically cleansed Artsakh after international backlash.