Opposition in court: Avetik Chalabyan, coordinator of the civic group “Ayakve,” was released from custody after a judge rejected prosecutors’ bid to extend his detention in a case tied to alleged interference with voting rights. Parliament power struggle: Armenia’s new National Assembly is taking shape around polarization, with the ruling Civil Contract still able to act alone on most issues while opposition blocs gain platforms but limited leverage. EU-facing politics: “Strong Armenia” secured the chair of the Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs committee after Civil Contract rejected earlier nominees, while the European Integration committee chair fight continues amid pro- and anti-EU rhetoric. Gaza medical aid: The government approved transferring children from Gaza with serious health conditions to Armenia and allocated funds for transport and treatment at Yerevan hospitals. Citizenship tightening: Armenia plans to restrict its fast-track citizenship route for ethnic Armenians after applications surged to over 32,000 in 2025, many filed by people holding Russian passports. Diplomacy and culture: IODA will hold an Aug. 25 press conference on Armenia’s democratic trajectory after the June elections, and a new bookstore and cafe opened at the Matenadaran with Fast Bank support.