The Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia reported that in the past few hours it has neutralized two unmanned aerial vehicles.

The U.S. and Israel launched what they described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon and posed a threat—an allegation Iran has denied. In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at U.S. assets and other targets across the Middle East.

An Iranian drone attack damaged a telecommunications building in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, according to the WAM news agency. The report said that no one was injured.

The attack targeted a building of the Du telecom company.

The U.S. and Israel launched what they described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon and posed a threat—an allegation Iran has denied. In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at U.S. assets and other targets across the Middle East.

Kuwaiti authorities have announced that six people have been injured from falling projectiles and shrapnel on one of the residential areas north of the country after an Iranian attack.

Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that emergency first-responders were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Earlier, Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense reported that in the past 24 hours, 9 ballistic missiles, 4 cruise missiles, and 31 drones were intercepted. 

The U.S. and Israel launched what they described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon and posed a threat—an allegation Iran has denied. In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at U.S. assets and other targets across the Middle East. 

A US-Israeli strike has targeted Iran’s South Pars petrochemical complex in the southwestern energy hub of Asaluyeh, according to Iranian media reports.

Mehr News Agency said attacks hit petrochemical facilities in Asaluyeh, including the Jam and Damavand plants.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the military had struck what he called Iran’s largest petrochemical facility.

Iran has rejected the latest ceasefire proposal by regional mediators Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, IRNA News Agency reported.

The agency said it has conveyed its response to the U.S. through Pakistan, a key mediator.

“We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Cairo, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Article by Li Xinwei, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Armenia

Today marks the 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Armenia. On April 6, 1992, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations, opening a new era of friendly engagement. On August 31, 2025, the parties established a strategic partnership, outlining new benchmarks for mutually beneficial cooperation. At this new historical stage, bilateral relations have broad prospects for development and great potential.

Over the past year, friendly relations between China and Armenia have achieved significant results.

Mutual trust has deepened further, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. China and Armenia treat each other with respect and cooperate on the basis of equality, providing mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests. The Armenian side firmly adheres to the “One China” principle, while the Chinese side resolutely supports Armenia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of its borders.

Over the past year, high-level contacts have been intensive, and dialogue and cooperation at various levels have continued to develop actively. Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan visited China to participate in the “SCO+” format meeting, as well as events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.

During the visit, President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, and the parties jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries, which became a new milestone in the development of bilateral relations.

Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Su Hui visited Armenia and held meetings with President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan, and Vice President of the National Assembly Hakob Arshakyan.

The Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, and other officials of Armenia visited China. In turn, delegations from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Seismological Administration, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences visited Armenia, giving new impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

Sincere cooperation and practical results benefit the peoples. China is Armenia’s second-largest trading partner. In 2025, bilateral trade volume exceeded 2.2 billion US dollars, increasing by 24.5% compared to the previous year.

Thanks to its strong price-quality ratio, powerful supply chain capabilities, and continuously growing technological components, Chinese high-tech industrial products—mobile phones, computers, and new energy vehicles—are actively entering the daily lives of Armenia’s population. Well-known Chinese automobile brands such as Hongqi, NIO, and Changan are opening and developing their representative offices here.

China’s major exhibitions, including the China International Import Expo, the Canton Fair, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, and the China International Consumer Products Expo, provide Armenian brands and high-quality products with platforms to enter the Chinese market.

Joint key projects are progressing steadily and consistently: the construction project of the new studio of Armenia’s Public Television, implemented with the support of the Chinese government, is proceeding according to plan; sections of the “North–South” highway built by a Chinese company have been commissioned; solar power plants have been put into operation.

Armenia has officially joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, creating new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of infrastructure and investment.

People-to-people ties and mutual understanding are deepening, and humanitarian exchanges are becoming more active. In recent years, the Chinese language has continued to gain popularity in Armenia: the number of students at the Confucius Institute affiliated with Brusov State University is steadily increasing, and two additional teaching centers are planned to open in 2026. The “Chinese Bridge” competition, as well as exhibitions dedicated to study and work opportunities in China, attract wide attention and are highly appreciated by Armenian society.

The Aram Khachaturian International Competition has been held in China, and the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra has toured in China. Public organizations of the two countries organize mutual exhibitions of cultural values, art festivals, and scientific conferences, forming a rich landscape of cultural events and strengthening the social foundation of friendship between China and Armenia.

Direct flights between the two countries continue to operate successfully, and the positive impact of the visa-free regime is becoming more visible. In 2025, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Armenia exceeded 45,000, increasing by 37.1% compared to the previous year.

The year 2026 marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, as well as the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Recently, the 4th session of the 14th National People’s Congress and the 4th session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference were successfully held, during which the “Government Work Report” and the 15th Five-Year Plan were discussed and approved, defining China’s strategic development guidelines and providing clarity and positive energy for global development.

In accordance with the key decisions of the “Two Sessions,” the Chinese side plans to ensure annual economic growth of 4.5–5%, focusing on the development of the domestic market, the formation of new drivers of economic growth, ensuring technological independence and self-reliance in high-tech sectors, deepening reforms, integrating urban and rural development, improving living standards, and advancing environmentally sustainable transformation.

China intends to leverage its vast markets, modern industrial system, and innovative achievements in green development for the benefit of the entire world.

China intends to further expand high-level openness and cooperation, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, steadily advance high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative, and provide other countries with a broad and diverse “list of opportunities.”

China firmly supports the international system centered on the United Nations, the international order based on international law, and the multilateral trading system based on the World Trade Organization. China will continue to promote the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, accelerate the implementation of four global initiatives, and encourage more countries to participate in the International Organization for Mediation. At the same time, China will continue to maintain its role as one of the world’s major forces for peace, contributing to global stability and justice.

Armenia is a long-standing friend of China, dating back to the time of the Great Silk Road, and in the new era, a reliable strategic partner. The Chinese side sincerely welcomes Armenia’s aspiration to move forward together with China and fully benefit from emerging opportunities. China is ready to work with Armenia to implement the important agreements reached between the leaders of the two countries, continuously deepen political coordination, enrich the substance of bilateral relations, and contribute to the growing well-being of the two peoples.

In the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese calendar, let us work together to promote cooperation in all fields, “firmly hold the reins and confidently gallop forward,” act boldly and energetically, hand in hand, opening a brighter future for China–Armenia relations and creating a new era of peace, development, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan told City Hall staff on Monday to develop a method for revoking construction licenses for developers who litter.

Avinyan made the suggestion after a report revealed a large quantity of construction garbage in the area of the Luyser Residential Complex in Yerevan’s Malatia-Sebastia district.

A City Hall staffer informed the mayor that 60 cargo trucks have been removing the garbage from the site over the past three days, but much still remains. The volume of waste was so great that nearby construction companies offered their assistance to City Hall.

However, Ruben Khojoyan, Deputy Director of the Department of Urban Development and Land Supervision, told the mayor at Monday’s executive meeting that the construction waste was not left by the nearby developers, and that other “entities” were responsible.

Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan stated that it is first necessary to identify the “careless” developers and hold them accountable. “Once identified, we need to find a way to completely revoke their building permits—let them go bankrupt. If they are so careless that they dump construction waste wherever they please, their permits must be canceled. I ask that legal methods be studied—I am confident such methods exist. If we decisively cut off a few of them, I am certain this problem will disappear,” Avinyan said.

Khojoyan also reported that one of the developers near the Luyser neighborhood offered to install cameras so that, in case of recurrence, the responsible parties can be identified.

“Mr. Khojoyan, I am instructing you to identify the specific developers who are dumping construction waste in unauthorized locations. Present their names to me, and we will decide how to handle them,” Tigran Avinyan concluded.

In today’s digital world, where information travels across the globe in seconds and autonomous systems powered by artificial intelligence are already in use, cross-border payments remain slow, costly, and often limited in accessibility. What new opportunities do blockchain technology and digital money create for rethinking international payment systems, and how can they address the limitations of existing infrastructure?

We talked to Artur Kartshikyan, founder of Aeda and blockchain partner of the Doing Digital Forum, who shares his perspective on next-generation payment infrastructure and the role of Aeda Wallet.

-What are the key challenges in today’s global payment systems?

-Despite rapid technological advancement, cross-border payments remain slow, expensive, and not universally accessible. A significant portion of these transactions is still processed through SWIFT, which connects thousands of financial institutions across more than 200 countries.

The SWIFT network and correspondent banking infrastructure were developed decades ago. While user interfaces and customer experience have improved, the underlying settlement mechanisms have seen limited change.

As a result, all three key participants in the system, banks, businesses, and individuals, face its limitations. Banks pre-fund capital in correspondent accounts, where it often remains underutilized. Businesses frequently wait 3–5 days for international transfers to settle, incurring additional costs and intermediary fees along the way. Individuals, such as migrant workers sending money home, often face relatively high fees, sometimes reaching several percent, largely due to the cost structure of the underlying infrastructure rather than transaction risk.

This is not a technological problem; the technology already exists. It is an infrastructure problem, and that is what needs to evolve.

–What does next-generation payment infrastructure look like in practice?

-In recent years, three key technologies have emerged that are not only transforming but enabling a new infrastructure model.

First, digital money. Euro- and dollar-denominated stablecoins, backed by fiat currency, can settle significantly faster—often within seconds rather than days. They represent programmable financial instruments, with growing real-world application. From a regulatory perspective, the market is still evolving, although several issuers in the US and Europe already operate within established legal frameworks.

Second, direct connectivity enabled by blockchain. Instead of transactions moving through multiple correspondent banks, each adding time and cost, licensed financial institutions can connect more directly, reducing the number of intermediaries involved. This can help lower costs and shorten settlement times.

Third, artificial intelligence. Systems can analyze multiple transaction routes in real time and select the most efficient option based on speed, cost, and reliability. AI also improves risk assessment, supports fraud detection, and enables process automation.

Together, these elements are gradually transforming payment infrastructure into a more data-driven and interconnected network, where intelligent systems optimize transaction flows.

–What structural factors are driving fragmentation across financial systems?

-The issue is structural and, in many cases, deepening. Financial institutions on opposite sides of a border are often unable to connect directly, even when both sides have platforms and demand. The gap lies in the absence of effective connectivity.

Fragmentation is increasing as banks reduce their presence in certain corridors due to cost and risk considerations, regulatory requirements become more complex across jurisdictions, and existing systems remain difficult to integrate.

A relevant example is the corridor between the EU and US on one side, and Eastern Europe and Central Asia on the other. Demand exists, yet the infrastructure serving these flows remains underdeveloped.

As this fragmentation is gradually addressed, the impact could be significant. New connections can emerge, businesses can access new markets, and individuals can benefit from broader financial access.

–What should regulators, banks, and investors understand about this shift; and where does Aeda fit in?

-Digital money, artificial intelligence, and blockchain settlement technologies are no longer emerging trends—they are increasingly integrated into financial systems. This shift is often described as FinTech 3.0: a transition toward programmable, data-driven, and on-chain wallet-based financial and settlement infrastructure.

In this context, a new infrastructure layer is emerging, one that enables more direct and efficient interaction between financial systems, particularly in corridors where connectivity has historically been limited.

Aeda focuses on this layer, developing wallet-based infrastructure between the EU, the US, and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The goal is to simplify financial connectivity and reduce the complexity of multi-layered processes.

The infrastructure being built over the next two to three years will shape how digital money moves across borders in the decade ahead. Aeda aims to be a meaningful participant in this evolution.

The Doing Digital Forum, entitled “Bridging Platforms and Economies” this year, will be held on April 8 at Dvin Hall in Yerevan. Since its launch in 2023, DDF has brought together over 60 prominent speakers and more than 3,000 participants from Armenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UAE, Germany, Australia, and the CIS countries. The forum is organized by SPRING PR Company, with Visa serving as the Innovation Partner, imID as the Digital Identity Partner, aeda as the Blockchain Partner, Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine as the Industrial Transformation Partner, and Freedom Broker Armenia as the Investment partner.

The Voice of Peace Music Fest will take place in Yerevan’s Republic Square on April 25, which is marked as Citizens’ Day in Armenia.

Organizers have announced that the music program will feature renowned artists and musicians, including Italian singer-songwriter In-Grid; French DJ and rapper Willy William; the Denmark-based hip-hop group Outlandish; Armenian pop star Iveta Mukuchyan; as well as French pop-soul star Imany.

Entrance will be free of charge, and the concert will begin at 20:00.

Each of the featured artists is known for standout hits: In-Grid for her global club success “Tu es foutu,” Willy William for chart-topping tracks like “Ego” and his collaboration “Mi Gente” with J Balvin, Outlandish for their rendition of “Aicha” (a cover of the original song by Cheb Khaled), Iveta Mukuchyan for representing Armenia at Eurovision 2016 with “LoveWave,” and Imany for her widely acclaimed song “Don’t Be So Shy.”

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has called for a “careful and accurate” approach by the CSTO toward its treaty ally Armenia, which has effectively frozen its participation in the bloc for over two years.

Lukashenko made the comments during a meeting with Taalatbek Masadykov, the new Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), BelTA reports.

He noted that the organization has both achievements and challenges, which he has repeatedly discussed on international platforms. According to Lukashenko, one of the issues requiring special attention is the relationship with Armenia.

“We need to be more correct and precise in our work with Armenia. You know that Armenia seems not to support work within the CSTO, yet at the same time remains in the organization,” BelTA news agency quoted the Belarusian president as saying. 

He added that the situation in Armenia is complex, especially in the context of electoral processes.

“We must be very careful. The situation in Armenia is difficult in this regard, particularly during the election period. It is a very complicated situation. Therefore, we need to be extremely cautious in our relations with Armenia,” Lukashenko stated.

Back in February 2024, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia had frozen its participation in the CSTO, citing the organization’s failure to fulfill its obligations to Armenia.