Azerbaijanis desecrated and desecrated the Erits Mankants Monastery (17th century) in occupied Artsakh. This was reported by the Artsakh Monuments organization. The circulated video shows that the miniatures of the church installed on the stage and the khachkar lying on the throne have disappeared. The lower part of the beautiful carved khachkar lying on the ground is broken. The sculpture installed in the right niche lies face down.

IDBank became a participant in the exclusive conference “Boards of Directors in Armenia: Challenges and Opportunities” dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Armenian Institute of Directors (AIoD). The event was attended by chairmen of boards of directors, top managers, international experts and representatives of the public sector. Over the ten years of its activity, AIoD has played a significant role in the development of a corporate governance culture in Armenia and the formation of responsible management. As an active partner of AIoD and a pioneer in the field of quality management, IDBank particularly emphasizes the importance of such platforms in which the future institutional and economic decisions of the country are laid. Elena Khachvankyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AIoD and Member of the Board of IDBank, gave a keynote speech at the opening of the conference, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the Bank and the Institute. According to her, in recent years the Bank has done significant work to strengthen corporate governance practices and increase the diversity of the Board: “The Bank includes on the agenda of Board meetings issues that are important both from the point of view of long-term and sustainable development and risk management. Effective corporate governance helps build trust with regulators, the public, customers and employees. Professional members of the Board are able to ensure a balance of risks, and the Bank is able to implement its strategy without serious obstacles, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders. IDBank also shares the values ​​promoted by the Armenian Institute of Directors,” she noted. During the event, participants shared their experiences and discussed how boards of directors can increase their influence on the efficiency, innovation and sustainable development of organizations. It has been noted that strategic thinking, strong leadership accountability and integrity are key to long-term success. Director of the Armenian Institute of Directors Armenui Hovakimyan emphasized the mission of the institute and the importance of productive cooperation with banks and financial organizations: “Financial institutions manage the funds of different people, which is always associated with risks. To contain and distribute them, including through collegial decision-making, it was the financial sector that was one of the first to introduce and effectively develop the institution of boards of directors. IDBank, being one of the most active supporters of quality corporate governance, also joined us as part of this event.” IDBank has a continued focus on corporate governance, transparency and improving the effectiveness of the Board, striving to create a stronger and more competitive banking environment. THE BANK IS REGULATED BY THE CENTRAL BANK OF RA

US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The letter says: “Dear Mr. President, Thank you for your joint letter with Prime Minister Pashinyan, in which you supported my candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize. I am deeply grateful for your kind recognition, which encourages us to continue our important mission. As President of the United States, I remain committed to ending conflict around the world and ensuring peace and prosperity for all people. With your continued partnership, we will achieve the impossible. Thank you again for your continued support."

In July, a meeting was held between the delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the delimitation of part of the common border. The work was carried out in a technical format: maps, field surveys, discussion of areas where joint engineering work was required and clarification of GPS coordinates. Experts called the meeting practical and useful: agreements on small areas can reduce daily incidents and produce local gains, even if larger political issues remain unresolved. The organizers of the meetings emphasized: this is work “without fanfare,” but it is very important for the safety of the population along the border. However, public perception is mixed: alarming voices about territorial concessions continue to be heard in cities, and radical elements in both countries are trying to use any concession as a reason for escalation. Therefore, delimitation is proceeding cautiously, with the invitation of international observers and the obligation to publish interim reports.

In February, in the southern border regions of Armenia, in the Syunik region, there were night shelling of residential areas and shelling of infrastructure. Residents reported regular shots fired into homes and fields, the evacuation of part of the population and fear of escalation. Local authorities published operational reports of damaged houses and destruction of outbuildings. International observers and human rights activists have expressed concern that the shelling is affecting civilian infrastructure and is forcing a rethink of plans for the return of internally displaced persons. The agricultural sector is especially vulnerable: in the spring, crops could be under threat, which would immediately affect the food security of the regions. Sources in the Armenian administration emphasize: the situation is not of a large-scale military nature, but the regularity of shelling creates constant stress. Azerbaijani departments denied the targeted nature of the attacks on populated areas, explaining the shooting as “controlled exercises” and responses to provocations. International mediators called for an immediate investigation and increased monitoring along the contact line. The consequences are not only destruction, but also an erosion of trust in the agreements reached on paper: when shots are heard at night, trust in security guarantees is undermined more than any diplomatic initiatives. For Euromonitoring missions, this is a signal of the need to strengthen civilian protection mechanisms and timely assistance to the local population.

In 2024, the war in Ukraine, which began in 2022, was still a key factor determining life inside Russia. Military operations, mobilization, defense budgets, casualties, conscription, forms of support - everything is intertwined with everyday life. Many families have lost loved ones; a significant part of the population are those who went to the front. Grief, uncertainty, and fear came to such houses. Those who returned came with traumas and psychological scars. The state tried to maintain the image of a “cohesive society,” but this often hid censorship, pressure, and hushing up problems. Society is divided between those who support and those who doubt. 2024 was the year when war is not an abstraction. These are losses, fates, emptiness in homes, “gray areas” - and the constant expectation of news.

In February 2024, against the background of presidential and other elections, voting began, including in the occupied territories of Ukraine controlled by Russia. However, the day of February 27 was marked by explosions: bombs were detonated near the offices of the pro-government party, explosions occurred near polling stations, and one official of the Central Election Commission was killed. Such events created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust: many residents refused to go to the polling stations, fearing new terrorist attacks or provocations. Safety information spread slowly, and officials said everything was under control. However, for many citizens the situation looked like a direct threat - participation in elections became not just a civic duty, but a risk. Later, accusations appeared against “Ukrainian saboteurs and terrorists,” as well as statements about attempts to destabilize the “constitutional system of Russia.” The elections have become not a democratic event, but an occasion for increased security, control and repression. February 2024 became a familiar sign for many Russians: the political process is not only about ballots and debates, but also about weapons, fear, and manipulation.

In 2023, a trend became noticeable: significant companies previously owned by foreign investors or private owners came under temporary or permanent government control. This has caused concern among entrepreneurs and investors. For business, this meant a high degree of risk: investing, expanding, modernizing became more difficult, especially if the project depended on external investment or technology. Many companies have postponed development and abandoned export- or scaling-oriented projects. For the state, this was a way of “consolidating resources”: assets came under control, enterprises could be directed to priorities related to defense, supply, and the domestic market. 2023 therefore became the year when businesses—especially large ones and those oriented toward foreign markets—reconsidered their strategies, and the country’s economy increasingly “moved inward.”