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As an independent media outlet, the 301 team only recognizes and uses one map when reporting on Armenian news and that is the map of Armenia and Artsakh regardless of occupation status.

The Artsakh Public Council criticized the exclusion of Artsakh Armenians’ rights from COP17, raising concerns over international inaction and calling attention to the right of return and Armenian hostages in Baku. Read more: 301.am/2026/10/30/artsakh-ri…

Serbia’s student-led protests against President Aleksandar Vučić have sparked debate over political change and the role of opposition movements. 301 examines Serbia’s protest movement and its relevance to Armenia’s political landscape. Read more: 301.am/2026/10/27/how-studen…

Iran has raised serious concerns over TRIPP, despite earlier assurances from Pashinyan’s government that Tehran was satisfied. Iran’s ambassador warned against foreign forces near the Armenian-Iranian border and called for security guarantees. Read more: 301.am/2026/10/30/iran-raise…

Poland’s constitutional crisis escalated after the disputed suspension of Constitutional Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski sparked police intervention and accusations of an attempted coup. President Karol Nawrocki turned his plane around as tensions intensified. Read more: 301.am/2026/10/30/poland-con…

Yegor Khanzadyan’s house was one of the many so-called profitable houses in Yerevan. The famous textile store Saksonakan operated here since 1877, being the ultimate luxury shopping experience for the local aristocrats. During the Soviet years, Bolsheviks took away the building from Khanzadyan, handing him only one room. In the early 2000s here was men’s formalwear store Rafayel and souvenir shop of carpets. Architect: Vasili Mirzoyan, Boris Mehrabyan The architectural DNA of the city — in Crumbs of Yerevan series. Host: Gohar Adamyan

Azerbaijan has publicly welcomed the United Arab Emirates’ candidate for UN secretary-general, despite Turkey’s reported plans to nominate its own contender, amid growing tensions between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. On October 27, Baku welcomed the UAE’s nomination of Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, while Ankara is reportedly preparing to nominate former Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu. Azerbaijan has not formally pledged support for the Emirati candidate. The development comes as relations between Baku and Ankara face increasing strain following disagreements over Azerbaijan’s restrictions on headscarves in schools. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has significantly expanded military cooperation with the UAE, conducting joint military exercises throughout 2026. On October 28, the two countries signed a military cooperation roadmap for 2027–2029. Baku’s diplomatic position and deepening defense ties with Abu Dhabi highlight the UAE’s growing importance in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy at a sensitive moment in its relationship with Turkey. Read the full story at 301.am. 301.am/2026/10/30/azerbaijan…

301 host Gaya Sargsyan spoke with Armen Khachikyan, a military sociologist and Executive Director of the ARAR Foundation for Civilizational Research, who has spent years examining the issue of non-combat deaths in Armenia’s armed forces. Khachikyan emphasized that the issue goes beyond statistics, reflecting a deeper institutional crisis: “The army is a mirror of society.” He also highlighted the disconnect between military reform policies and the realities of everyday life within military units, while raising concerns about a classification system that risks obscuring institutional responsibility. “Every soldier’s life is extremely valuable, and the state must do everything possible to prevent every death.” 301 will continue to closely monitor this issue and report on further developments.

Nikol Pashinyan has defended the actions of ruling Civil Contract lawmakers following a violent brawl in Armenia’s National Assembly, including the use of a chair during the confrontation. “I condemn violence, but I support the measures taken by the Civil Contract faction today,” Pashinyan said, placing responsibility for the incident on the opposition. Referring to Deputy Speaker Vahagn Aleksanyan throwing a chair during the brawl, Pashinyan added: “Whether with a chair or something else, it is proportionate and right.” The remarks followed an October 29 parliamentary brawl that erupted during a speech by ruling Civil Contract MP Taron Chakhoyan. Chakhoyan directed remarks at opposition Strong Armenia faction leader Narek Karapetyan concerning members of his family, prompting a heated exchange between the two sides. The confrontation quickly escalated into pushing, punches, and kicks between lawmakers. Parliamentary Speaker Ruben Rubinyan initially refused to suspend proceedings, saying he wanted everyone to see what was taking place, before eventually declaring a recess as the violence intensified. Parliamentary security intervened after the fighting escalated. Reports indicated that Strong Armenia lawmakers were removed from the chamber while Civil Contract MPs remained. Although Pashinyan formally said he condemned violence, he simultaneously praised the actions of his parliamentary faction and defended the use of a chair during the confrontation as proportionate. His remarks raise questions about the government’s consistency in condemning political violence, particularly when members of the ruling parliamentary faction are involved.

BREAKING: Two lawmakers from the opposition "Strong Armenia" faction, Harutyun Mnatsakanyan and Andranik Gevorgyan, sustained serious injuries following a violent confrontation between ruling "Civil Contract" and opposition MPs in Armenia’s National Assembly on October 29. The brawl erupted after "Civil Contract" MP Taron Chakhoyan insulted opposition lawmakers and directed provocative remarks at "Strong Armenia" faction leader Narek Karapetyan. Opposition MPs approached the front of the chamber as the confrontation escalated into pushing, punches and kicks. One lawmaker was knocked to the floor, while National Assembly Deputy Speaker Vahagn Aleksanyan, a member of Pashinyan's ruling party, threw a chair toward opposition lawmakers. Despite the fighting, National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, who was presiding over the session, refused to suspend proceedings. "I am deliberately not announcing a recess so that everyone can see this. The session will continue like this. Let everyone see," Rubinyan declared. A recess was announced only after the confrontation had escalated into a full-scale brawl. According to eyewitnesses at the scene, "Strong Armenia" MPs Mnatsakanyan and Gevorgyan sustained serious injuries during the altercation. Parliamentary security intervened only after the brawl, removing exclusively opposition "Strong Armenia" lawmakers from the chamber, while ruling "Civil Contract" MPs, including Deputy Speaker Aleksanyan, who had thrown a chair toward opposition lawmakers, were allowed to remain.

Forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh protested outside the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex in Yerevan on October 28, condemning the exclusion of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population, cultural heritage, and environmental concerns from COP17, the United Nations Biodiversity Conference. Protesters accused conference organizers of overlooking critical issues affecting the people of Artsakh, including Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan, the occupation of their homeland, and the forced displacement of more than 120,000 Armenians in 2023. “They are not talking about a single issue concerning Artsakh and its people, not the captives, not our ancestral Armenian lands that were seized, and not the 120,000 people left homeless,” one protester told Sputnik Armenia. “I appeal to the world: think about what is happening. This is inhumane treatment of the people of Artsakh,” the protester added. The demonstration followed the rejection of a formal request by the Artsakh Union to establish an exhibition booth in COP17’s Green Zone. Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan said the organization had sought to use the exhibition space to raise awareness about the rights of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population, showcase the region’s biodiversity, and highlight the challenges facing its forcibly displaced residents. According to Beglaryan, organizers rejected the application without providing an explanation, informing the organization only that it would not be allocated an exhibition booth. Despite being denied official participation, demonstrators organized their own display outside the conference venue, showcasing Artsakh’s cultural heritage, traditional music, cuisine, and history. The protest took place as Armenia hosted COP17 from October 19 to 30, with demonstrators calling attention to what they described as the exclusion of Artsakh’s Armenian population and environmental heritage from an international conference dedicated to biodiversity protection and conservation.

Former CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha has called for Armenia’s expulsion from the Russian-led military alliance, accusing Yerevan of obstructing its operations while refusing to participate or pay membership fees. Speaking to RIA Novosti on October 28, Bordyuzha argued that Armenia’s continued membership complicates decision-making within the CSTO, where decisions require consensus. He insisted that Yerevan should either formally withdraw or be expelled. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan rejected the prospect of returning to the alliance, stating that pressure from CSTO officials would not change Armenia’s position. Armenia froze its participation in the CSTO in 2024 after the alliance failed to respond adequately to Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian sovereign territory. Despite suspending its participation and repeatedly questioning the alliance’s security commitments, Yerevan has not formally withdrawn. Bordyuzha’s remarks come ahead of the CSTO’s November 11 meeting in Moscow, where Armenia’s possible expulsion could be discussed.

Former Armenia National Team captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan could continue his journey with Inter Milan beyond his playing career, potentially taking on a new role at the club after retirement, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 37-year-old midfielder’s contract runs until June 2027, with another extension as a player considered unlikely. However, the possibility of Mkhitaryan remaining with the Nerazzurri in a different capacity has not been ruled out. Since joining Inter in 2022, Mkhitaryan has won six major trophies, including two Serie A titles (2023/24, 2025/26), two Coppa Italia titles (2022/23, 2025/26), and two Italian Super Cups (2022, 2023). He also scored in Inter’s 2-0 victory over Parma in May 2026, helping secure the club’s 21st Serie A title. Mkhitaryan signed a one-year contract extension in July 2026. He has not announced when he plans to retire, and Inter has yet to confirm whether he will be offered a role at the club after his playing career ends.

Azerbaijan could secure its long-sought transport connection to Nakhichevan before signing the so-called peace agreement with Armenia, while the timeline and enforcement of reciprocal transport access for Armenia remain unresolved. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan acknowledged in parliament on October 27 that TRIPP could become operational before the agreement is signed, raising questions over what leverage Armenia would retain once Baku obtains its desired connection. Opposition lawmaker Narek Karapetyan warned that once Azerbaijan secures access to Nakhichevan, it could lose its incentive to open transport routes benefiting Armenia. Mirzoyan rejected the concern, arguing that mutual economic interests would encourage both countries to fulfill their commitments. He maintained that Azerbaijan could not benefit from TRIPP while denying Armenia comparable access, but did not identify a specific legal enforcement mechanism. Under the August 8, 2025 Washington declaration, Armenia committed to facilitating unimpeded connectivity between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan, alongside reciprocal transport benefits for Armenia. However, the declaration does not establish a binding timetable requiring both sides to open their respective routes simultaneously. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to condition its signature on the initialed agreement on amendments to Armenia’s Constitution. Despite the unresolved agreement, Pashinyan’s government is advancing TRIPP under a separate U.S.-Armenia framework, with a planned development company that would be 74% U.S.-owned and 26% Armenian-owned. Parliamentary scrutiny was also limited to two hours. Of the 27 lawmakers who registered to question Mirzoyan, only three were able to speak. With the agreement still unsigned and reciprocal access unresolved, a central question remains: what leverage will Armenia retain once Azerbaijan secures the transport connection it has demanded for years?

Armenian MMA star Arman Tsarukyan is reportedly set to face former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis in a freestyle wrestling match at Real American Freestyle (RAF) 15 on November 28 in Chicago, Illinois. Pettis was initially scheduled to make his RAF debut against fellow UFC veteran Donald Cerrone, but reports now indicate that Tsarukyan will replace him as Pettis’s opponent. The 39-year-old American is one of MMA’s most recognizable fighters, best known for his spectacular “Showtime Kick” against Benson Henderson in 2010. He captured the UFC lightweight championship in 2013 by submitting Henderson in the first round and successfully defended his title against Gilbert Melendez in 2014. A black belt in both taekwondo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Pettis will make his RAF debut against Tsarukyan, who recently claimed the promotion’s middleweight crossover championship with a dominant 10–0 victory over Dillon Danis.

An Israeli Jewish man spat on the entrance to St. James Monastery in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter before verbally abusing an Armenian guard who confronted him. “Have you no shame spitting on a monastery?” the guard asked. “Shut up and go f**k yourself!” the man replied, according to the reported exchange. The latest act of disrespect comes amid a persistent wave of anti-Christian harassment targeting Jerusalem’s Armenian community, its clergy, and its religious institutions. St. James Monastery, the seat of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, has repeatedly been targeted by Jewish extremists. In August, Israeli police arrested six suspects after they spat on the monastery’s entrance, threw stones at its walls, and banged on its gates. In September, Israeli authorities began stationing police officers outside the monastery to deter further attacks. Yet incidents of spitting and harassment continued even in the presence of law enforcement. For Jerusalem’s centuries-old Armenian Christian community, these are not isolated provocations. The repeated targeting of its sacred sites reflects an entrenched pattern of religious hostility that has persisted despite arrests and increased police presence. Spitting on a monastery is not harmless behavior. It is a deliberate act of contempt toward a religious community and its heritage. The question is no longer whether these attacks are occurring, but why they continue despite repeated documentation, public outrage, and promises of protection. 301 Correspondent @kbalian90