The US Department of Defense plans to establish a separate command to oversee the country’s unmanned systems by October next year. The Pentagon issued a statement on the initiative.

“Under Project Agincourt, an Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM) will be established by 1 October 2027. It will be led by a four-star general, who will be granted critical powers to carry out the most significant institutional transformations,” the statement said.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth had earlier announced the launch of Project Agincourt, stressing that it would help establish a new military command for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Nigeria’s government said on Tuesday there was a case of Ebola in the capital, Abuja, after laboratory tests confirmed the viral infection, Reuters reported.

Health Minister ‌Muhammad Ali Pate told the public broadcaster that the female patient had travelled from Uganda in East Africa.

“She is in isolation, and she is receiving quality medical care. Contact tracing has been conducted, and it’s under way as we speak, with 44 contacts already identified,” Pate told public broadcaster NTA.

Uganda’s Health Ministry said in a public statement late on Tuesday ⁠that the patient had travelled to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for business and transited Uganda in early October without symptoms before developing symptoms after arriving in Nigeria.

“Travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here. The location of exposure remains under investigation,” the ministry said, adding that Uganda had “no confirmed active Ebola cases” at the time of the statement.

“Nigeria successfully contained ‌Ebola ⁠in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case,” the minister said in the statement.

An Ebola outbreak was declared in Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-May and has since grown into the world’s second-largest outbreak ever, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain.

Uganda reported 20 cases ⁠in May and June, mostly imported from Congo, but was declared free of the virus by the World Health Organization in August.

Kenya has reported nine Ebola cases this month, all linked to a person who had ⁠travelled from Congo.

The October 19 report from Congo put the number of cases at 9,552 and deaths at 4,602.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine conflict, RT reported.

Videos shared on social media show Witkoff’s motorcade departing the airport. The talks are being held in the 18th-century Constantine Palace, around 20 km southeast of St. Petersburg, according to RT. 

Witkoff traveled from Oslo, where on Tuesday he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the leaders of Norway and Finland, alongside European and NATO officials. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the discussions as “positive,” saying Witkoff will “now, armed with those ideas, be able to go to St. Petersburg and share them with the Russian side, and let’s see if we can make some progress.”

US envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday after what a US official called “constructive” talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Norway, as President Donald Trump said it was time for Ukraine to end the war, Reuters reported.

The US official told Reuters that Ukraine brought forward new ideas and proposals to the Oslo talks, which also involved the leaders of Norway and Finland and ‌European and NATO representatives, and that participants made “meaningful progress” toward a coordinated approach to engaging Russia.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the talks covered “key elements of a comprehensive peace framework,” including security guarantees for Ukraine, a post-war economic plan and a broader European security architecture.

Witkoff would aim to “create a pathway toward direct trilateral and broader multilateral negotiations,” the official said.

Zelenskiy travelled to Oslo seeking to repair relations with Washington, which have sunk to new lows as Trump has courted Moscow. Kyiv has complained that Washington has withheld vital military support and intelligence.

Zelenskiy told a news conference after the Oslo meeting and an earlier phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Ukraine was again receiving early warnings of Russian missile attacks.

“Now it works, it’s great,” he said, adding he and Rubio had discussed supplies of Patriot missile interceptors as well as the satellite-based Starlink system, which Kyiv complained had stopped working when mounted on fast-moving objects such as drones.

Trump’s recent gestures toward Moscow, including ⁠a deal to buy Russian diesel and a waiver of new sanctions, sparked bipartisan pushback in the US Congress and worry in European capitals.

Zelenskiy said he had discussed “Article 5-like” security guarantees, referring to the NATO stipulation that an attack on one ally is an attack on all.

“I am thankful to the American side that they underlined again that it will be strong,” he said.

Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukraine hoped to discuss key issues on how to end the war during a trilateral meeting of leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the US.

An exhibition titled “Higher Art Education Institutions in Dialogue” will open on October 28 at the Berlin Art Hotel in Gyumri.

The initiative aims to lay the groundwork for direct cooperation between art higher education institutions in Gyumri and the German city of Halle.

The exhibition will feature works by students of the Fashion Design department of Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, created during professional workshops conducted under the guidance of lecturer Nanyi Li. As part of the project, the students explored the processes of the dissemination and transformation of textile patterns, from their historical origins to contemporary cultural perceptions.

The works on display also include traditional Armenian patterns, which are viewed as expressions of cultural identity and aesthetic values. The cooperation will continue. In winter, works by students of the Gyumri branch of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia will also be exhibited in Halle.

Gyumri and Halle were declared sister cities in 2023. The cooperation being initiated between the art education institutions aims to strengthen cultural ties between the two cities and promote the exchange of creative experience.

Imagine a tiny spacecraft setting off on a journey into the darkness of space, heading towards a mysterious world that no human had ever seen up close. On January 19, 2006, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft began its voyage. For more than nine years, it travelled through space, carrying a question that had fascinated humanity for generations: what does Pluto really look like?

Then, on July 14, 2015, it finally arrived. A distant, mysterious world came into view, revealing icy mountains, strange landscapes and secrets hidden for billions of years. For the first time in history, humanity could see Pluto up close.

But the most beautiful part of the story, Alan Stern tells Armenpress, was not just the discovery itself. It was the joy it brought to people all over the world. More than a decade later, strangers still approach him at airports to say, “Thank you. This is what humans should be doing.”

Stern was the principal investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission, the first spacecraft to explore Pluto up close. Today, the little traveller is still racing through the outer reaches of our solar system, sending signals back to Earth and carrying our curiosity into the unknown.

So, what makes us look up at the stars and wonder what lies beyond them? Could we discover life somewhere out there? And is Pluto really a planet, as Stern believes, despite its official classification as a dwarf planet? Armenpress spoke with Alan Stern during the STARMUS festival to explore these questions and the curiosity that continues to drive humanity towards the unknown.

Armenpress: What did you feel when New Horizons finally reached Pluto after such a long journey?

Stern: I felt happy and amazed by nature when it finally reached Pluto, but more than anything, I was happy because of the joy it gave so many people, not just on my team but also people across the planet. It was in every newspaper, on every website, on every newscast. And even now, 10 years later, people send me letters and emails and find me in airports and say, “Thank you. This is what humans should be doing.” And that made me very happy.

When I was little, we used to call Pluto a planet. Now it’s called a dwarf planet.

Well, Pluto is a planet, and most planetary scientists, the actual professionals, consider the small planets planets. The term dwarf only means that it’s small. The Sun, you know, is called a dwarf star—not a star, but just a small star.

Talking about New Horizons, where is it right now? Is it beyond the Kuiper Belt?

It is in the outer part of the Kuiper Belt. It’s traveling very fast, and it will leave the Kuiper Belt in a few years, unless we find that it’s bigger than we thought.

Is it still sending signals?

Every day.

Is it capable of sending pictures as well?

It can do that, and we expect it can do that for something like 15 more years.

What inspires you most about space exploration?

Personally, I am most inspired by space exploration because it creates a better future for humans and for society.

Do you think we can find convincing evidence of life in your lifetime?

It’s possible, particularly because I think we are on the verge of a real renaissance in medical technology. So, I think all of us are likely to have a longer, healthier lifespan than our parents because of this revolution. I do think that we’re very likely to find life in our universe, and even in our solar system. But it’s only an opinion. What we need is data.

What would disappoint you more: finding out that we are the only life in the universe, or that life exists elsewhere but we are the only intelligent beings?

I think that’s a false choice, if I may be frank. I think there are many other possibilities, including that there are many other intelligent life forms throughout the universe. Whatever the universe has done to create life or not to create life, to create simple life or intelligent life, it’s ours to find out. And for me, it’s not a matter of being disappointed by one outcome or another, but simply learning what has actually happened.

A big part of your career has been spent exploring the planets at the edge of our solar system. Why is that exploration important? What will it give us?

You know, what makes humans human is that we are explorers. We are inquisitive. All of the technological advances since the beginning of civilization have been because we are inquisitive. We make better tools. We make a better life.

The exploration of space is giving us many new possibilities for a better life. Look at all the wonderful communications that we have that did not exist before: satellite communications, all of our ability to monitor arms control and hopefully protect the peace a little better, and our ability to see the changes in the Earth’s atmosphere due to pollution so that we could learn about it and correct it.

These all come from space, and so do many other things. In the future, I hope that we will move a lot of industry off the planet into space so that the Earth can be protected better. This all comes about thanks to space and space exploration.

And the last question – what, in your opinion, is the biggest scientific achievement of humanity in the 21st century?

Probably the creation of artificial intelligence.

In the photo: The New Horizons team sees the first images of Pluto.

The Armenpress coverage of the STARMUS festival is supported by Team Telecom Armenia.

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan participated in the 18th International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces (18ICOAF), held in Sydney on October 20–21, during a working visit to Australia.

The conference was jointly organized by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) and the Office of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defense Force under the theme “Military Ombuds Institutions in the Evolving Geostrategic Environment.”

The event brought together representatives of ombuds institutions from various countries, bodies exercising oversight functions in the defense sector, and international experts to exchange experience, strengthen cooperation, and improve the effectiveness of independent oversight in the armed forces.

The opening session featured addresses by Matt Keogh, Australia’s Minister for Defense Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs; James Gaynor, Inspector-General of the Australian Defense Force; and Ambassador Nathalie Chuard, Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Office said in a press release.

The conference agenda included issues related to protecting service members’ rights amid changes in the security environment, conditions of service, access to medical and psychological support, and the well-being of service members and their families.

Separate discussions addressed challenges arising from the use of artificial intelligence and new technologies in the military, the legality of orders, compliance with international humanitarian law, and the role of ombuds institutions in ensuring accountability in the armed forces.

“The conference serves as an important platform for discussing ways to expand international cooperation among ombuds institutions, strengthen their independence, and develop effective mechanisms for protecting rights,” the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Office said.

Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan held a meeting with Serbian Ambassador to Armenia Tatjana Panajotović Cvetković.

According to a readout, the meeting discussed issues related to the development of Armenia-Serbia bilateral relations and the expansion of cooperation.

The sides discussed opportunities to strengthen economic ties, emphasizing the development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The importance of activating interparliamentary ties was also highlighted as a key direction for deepening bilateral political dialogue.

Prospects for cooperation in tourism and aviation were also discussed.

Green Rock press release

Media outlets from Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Georgia and the Gulf region have covered Tourism Regional Forum 2026, held in Dilijan, highlighting the city’s tourism potential and development prospects.

Tourism Regional Forum (TRF) 2026, held in Dilijan on October 9–11, attracted the attention of numerous international media outlets and industry platforms. Their coverage explored opportunities to develop Dilijan as an international, year-round tourism destination, as well as prospects for regional cooperation and the creation of long-term value.

Georgia’s Georgia Today covered TRF 2026, highlighting the links between tourism, regional cooperation and the long-term development of destinations. The publication also emphasised the importance of tourism ties between Armenia and Georgia, identifying them as an additional opportunity for regional cooperation and attracting visitors.

In the context of tourism connections between Armenia and Georgia, the outlet also highlighted Dilijan’s geographical location. Situated between Yerevan and Tbilisi, the city could become not only an important stop on tourist routes connecting the two capitals, but also a destination, helping encourage visitors to extend their stays in Armenia.

OC Media also explored Dilijan’s tourism development prospects, examining the city’s opportunities and the challenges involved in creating long-term value. In this context, the city’s natural environment and appeal are important, alongside infrastructure development, cultural offerings and access to services that meet the diverse needs of visitors.

Spanish platforms Hosteltur and 7 minutos also covered the forum. Their publications presented Dilijan’s development priorities in the context of investment, hospitality, culture and local community development. This coverage highlights an approach to tourism development that goes beyond increasing visitor numbers to focus on creating long-term economic value and benefits for local communities.

Italian publication L’Agenzia di Viaggi Magazine also covered TRF 2026. As a specialised tourism trade publication, it primarily serves tour operators, travel agencies and other tourism industry professionals. Coverage on this platform is significant for expanding Dilijan’s international visibility and introducing the city to Italy’s professional tourism community, helping position Dilijan as an international destination with appeal throughout the year.

The Gulf region is another important focus for expanding Dilijan’s international visibility. Coverage of TRF 2026 was distributed across more than 10 platforms within the Business News Media Group network, presenting Dilijan as an attractive tourism destination for travellers from the region. Travel & Markets also published an interview with Katerina Danekina, CEO of Green Rock Management Group, exploring a new phase in Dilijan’s tourism development.

International media attention plays an important role in raising awareness of Armenia’s tourism destinations. Coverage of Dilijan in international publications allows the city to present its tourism offering to wider audiences and highlight its potential as a destination combining nature, culture, hospitality and diverse experiences available throughout the year.

TRF 2026 was organised by Green Rock Management Group in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia. The forum brought together more than 250 participants from the tourism, hospitality, investment, finance, culture and urban development sectors. Under the theme “Destinations Built to Last,” discussions focused on how cities and tourism destinations can develop while preserving their identity and creating long-term value for visitors, businesses and local communities.

International coverage of TRF 2026 presents Dilijan’s development prospects within the broader context of Armenia’s tourism potential. Attention from international media can help raise awareness of the country’s tourism destinations, foster new partnerships and strengthen Armenia’s positioning as a country offering a diverse range of travel experiences.

Key components of Dilijan’s emerging tourism environment include projects within Green Rock’s multifunctional complex: the upcoming Hyatt Regency Dilijan hotel, Art Park, PPLS Rooms Co-living and Villa3 Community Hub, Cabinet Café & Restaurant. Apicius Armenia, an international hospitality school, also contributes to the development of tourism and hospitality. Together, these projects bring hospitality, culture, education and community life into a shared ecosystem, broadening Dilijan’s tourism offering.

Armenia cannot be expelled from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) against its will, even if the other member states want to do so, Civil Contract faction MP Hasmik Hakobyan has said.

Hakobyan told reporters she was not concerned by reports about the possible suspension of the EAEU Treaty’s application to Armenia.

“There is no such concern at the moment. The Republic of Armenia cannot be expelled from the EAEU, even if all the other countries want it,” Hakobyan said.

She emphasized that Armenia had not expressed a desire to leave the union.

“Armenia is not leaving the EAEU,” the MP stressed.

Addressing relations with partners and possible disagreements, Hakobyan emphasized the importance of resolving issues through discussions.

“Allow me not to make such categorical statements. Anything is possible, but just as we are committed to cooperation, we want to continue in that spirit and, where possible, discuss all issues and problems at the negotiating table. It is normal for there to be various issues with our partners, including within the EAEU. It is normal to address those issues at the negotiating table,” she said.

The prime ministers of Russia and three other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states have not ruled out suspending Armenia’s membership in the bloc, citing Yerevan’s efforts to join the European Union. In a joint report on the “possible consequences” of suspending Armenia’s membership, released on October 20, they said the proposed suspension could remain in place until an Armenian referendum on EU membership. The report, posted on the Russian government’s website, says that Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan “have the right to consider” suspending the EAEU Treaty’s application to Armenia because of a 2025 Armenian law declaring the start of a process of accession to the EU.