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Armenia

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Armenia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Yerevan

Head of State

President Vahagn Khachaturyan

Head of Government

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

Khor Virap monastery in Yerevan, Armenia, with Mount Ararat in the background. Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Tourism

Dodge the tourist crowds in Armenia, a cultural treasure trove

From Khor Virap monastery with an incredible view of Mount Ararat to the stunning Lake Sevan, off-the-beaten-track Armenia is a must-visit.

2 Apr 2025 - 4:15PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Kash Patel’s much younger partner, Nashville singer Alexis Wilkins

7 Feb 2025 - 6:00AM

Switzerland

Most Asia-Pacific entrepreneurs see major potential in AI: UBS

6 Feb 2025 - 8:06PM

Climate change

Opinion | Cop29 is Azerbaijan’s moment to step into the global sunshine

The UN climate conference will shine a spotlight on the major oil producer’s energy transition, peace efforts with Armenia and geocritical location.

3 Nov 2024 - 5:30AMvideocam

People walk near the Baku Olympic Stadium, the venue of the Cop29 UN climate change conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 18. Photo: Reuters

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The Ukrainians hoping provide a welcome distraction in Paris during Russia war

It will be the country’s eighth consecutive appearance at the Games since declaring independence in 1991.

21 Jul 2024 - 10:00AM

Serena Williams

Meet Serena Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian

Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian just announced that he has Lyme disease, but is best known for founding Reddit – here’s what you need to know about the tech millionaire

19 Jul 2024 - 6:00PM

Tourism

Why more Asian women are flocking to Buenos Aires’ milongas for tango

An unspoken invitation to press themselves close to a stranger for a tanda, or set of dances, may stop there, but those that navigate the codes and the dance floor well enough may find further invitations

18 Jul 2024 - 7:00PM

Naomi Hotta is one of a number of Asian women who have spent time navigating the codes of the often seedy world of Buenos Aires’ milongas, but here she enjoys returning to the floor at a relatively relaxed afternoon dance. Photo: Kicci Tommasi

Malaysia

Penang culture clash: festival’s ‘island-centric’ mindset angers Malay majority

Critics contend the promotional video for a cultural festival leaves out Malays – reflecting wider, long-standing tensions in Malaysia.

18 Jul 2024 - 1:00PM

Japan

Weaponised microwave? Japan, US set to sign deal for preventing drone attacks

Tokyo is keen to develop countermeasures to ward off possible drones attacks involving Chinese forces in areas off southern Japan, analysts say.

18 Jul 2024 - 9:37AMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Who is Mel C’s hunky new Australian model boyfriend, Chris Dingwall?

Former Spice Girl and mother of one Mel C has decided to go public with her new beau Chris Dingwall after being spotted at Glastonbury and Wimbledon with him in recent weeks

16 Jul 2024 - 5:00AM

Mel C is now dating model Chris Dingwall. Photos: Getty Images, @chrisdingwall/Instagram

Vladimir Putin

Russia’s Putin is meeting a lot of world leaders for a global outcast

Cast as an international pariah over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin has made six foreign visits, even as his scope for travel has been limited since the ICJ issued an arrest warrant against him.

10 Jul 2024 - 5:57PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 3. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong society

Creator who inspired Hong Kong art installation walks back criticism of show

Artist Joann says organisers were inspired by her AI work and not required to replicate designs exactly after earlier calling pieces ‘ugly’.

17 Jul 2024 - 1:48PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong heat weighs on art show, but visitors shrug off online mockery of pieces

Only a handful of visitors brave steamy weather to see inflatable versions of world landmarks, and most unaware of controversy over artworks.

17 Jul 2024 - 1:47PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong art installation organiser and creator clash over ‘very ugly’ pieces

Artist Joann says ‘Inflatable Wonders’ exhibition inspired by her resembles ‘inflatable graveyard’, but organiser vows to press on

17 Jul 2024 - 1:46PM

Some of the giant inflatable installations near the harbour in Central. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong society

Inflatable replicas of world landmarks defended by Hong Kong art show organisers

‘Inflatable Wonders’ mocked online for exhibits’ resemblance to gravestones, but organisers confident event will prove a hit with visitors.

4 Jul 2024 - 8:36PM

Inflatable replicas of Easter Island’s famous statues loom over Central’s harbourfront as part of the “Inflatable Wonders” exhibition. Photo: Sam Tsang

China’s military

Chinese firm shows Nato-standard artillery with aim of boosting weapon exports

With Russian weapons industry tied up by Ukraine war and Western sanctions, Norinco recalibrates in hunt for new sales opportunities.

24 Jun 2024 - 6:36PMvideocam

Asia travel

Destinations known | ‘Coolcations’ trending as climate breakdown impacts holidaymakers

With temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius from Thailand to Greece and too little being done to slow climate breakdown, holidaymakers are looking for cooler places to visit.

21 Jun 2024 - 2:13PM

Ukraine war

Russia’s army deserters live in fear as they are hunted at home

Faced with a choice between taking part in the Ukraine war or going to prison, hundreds of deserters and draft dodgers have fled to neighbouring ex-Soviet countries where they are now stuck in limbo.

19 Jun 2024 - 3:03PM

Russian Farkhad Ziganshin never imagined that one day he would become a deserter. Photo: AFP

Asia travel

Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, where Asian and European cultures collide

The vibrant culture of Baku, Azerbaijan’s biggest city, reflects influences from the Islamic world, Soviet Russia and Europe. Bad traffic, pollution, and the price of hotel rooms may put off some visitors.

15 Jun 2024 - 8:18AM

Russia

Armenia to leave Russia-led security alliance, PM says

The leader of Armenia declared his intention to pull out of a Russia-dominated security alliance of several ex-Soviet nations as tensions rise between the two allies.

13 Jun 2024 - 11:35AM

Russia

Banned in Russia, beloved on TikTok: a gay love story in Soviet times

“A Summer in the Red Scarf” tells the love story between two teen boys at a Soviet pioneer camp. Despite its success, the book’s authors were forced to flee Russia amid a crackdown on LGBTQ propaganda.

13 May 2024 - 6:03PMvideocam

LGBTQ activists wave flags during a rally in Moscow. Russia does not ban homosexuality itself but because it cannot be discussed, it is a social taboo. Photo: AP

My Take

My Take | Subversive US influence over unrest in Georgia

As in Hong Kong in 2019, the US-funded National Endowment for Democracy has fingerprints all over protests in Tbilisi.

9 May 2024 - 11:21PM

Protesters barricade the entrance of Parliament during a rally to protest against a bill on “foreign agents”, in Tbilisi, Georgia on May 2. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Armenia, Azerbaijan mark border as foes normalise ties after territorial war

Last autumn, Azerbaijan recaptured the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian separatists that effectively ended a three-decade stand-off between the neighbours over control of the mountainous region.

23 Apr 2024 - 6:58PMvideocam

Icons and Influencers

American Hustle IRL? Meet Nadine Menendez, wife of US senator Bob Menendez

Bob proposed by singing a song from The Greatest Showman at Taj Mahal, but years later the couple have been accused of being involved in an Egyptian bribery scheme

16 Apr 2024 - 7:00AM

Tourism

Venice celebrates Marco Polo with exhibition 700 years after his death

Venice is commemorating famous traveller and merchant Marco Polo, 700 years after his death. An exhibition in the Doge’s Palace has 300 artefacts, including books, maps and manuscripts.

11 Apr 2024 - 11:45AM

Venice remembers the famous traveller and merchant Marco Polo, 700 years after his death. An exhibition in the Doge’s Palace has 300 artefacts, including books, maps and manuscripts. Photo: EPA-EFE

Belt and Road Initiative

Why Russia might be warming to China’s belt and road plans in Central Asia

Russian official’s comments on integrating belt and road with Eurasian bloc signal fresh interest in Chinese strategy Moscow once viewed as a challenge to its dominance.

7 Apr 2024 - 10:00PMvideocam

When the Belt and Road Initiative was announced a decade ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin was not enthusiastic about China’s massive infrastructure drive moving into his country’s “backyard”. Photo: AP

ONE Championship

Eersel stunned by Nicolas in ONE Championship kickboxing title clash

Two-sport champion Regian Eersel loses lightweight kickboxing title to Alexis Nicolas at ONE Fight Night 21.

9 Apr 2024 - 8:39AM

Israel-Gaza war

New Palestinian government gets wary greeting

A new Palestinian government that contains both Gazans and four women was sworn in on Sunday, but was already facing scepticism from its own people.

1 Apr 2024 - 9:32AM

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