AI Infrastructure Boom: Firebird AI officially opened its AI factory in Hrazdan, positioning Armenia as a CIS AI computing hub with NVIDIA-powered capacity; the plan targets 70,000+ GPUs and up to 300 MW by end-2027, with further expansion discussed. US-Backed Connectivity & Investment: On the one-year anniversary of the Washington Armenia-Azerbaijan peace summit, the US announced the Trans-Caspian Enterprise Fund is now operational with $201m to spur private investment along TRIPP/Middle Corridor, while Armenia’s PM said practical TRIPP implementation will start soon. Peace Normalization, Trade Links: Pashinyan and Aliyev marked the anniversary in phone calls with Trump, stressing “real peace” and progress on petroleum exports and cargo transit; Azerbaijan also sent a letter to Trump highlighting TRIPP’s economic potential. Local Business & Water: Veolia Jur invested 184m drams to rebuild water supply networks in Ararat region communities Arevshat and Lanjazat. Armenian Legal/Political: Son of former PM Hovik Abraamyan was arrested in a contract-killing probe tied to a Yerevan killing in 2023. Diaspora Trade Push: California’s first Select Committee on California–Armenia mutual trade, art and cultural exchange held its inaugural hearing, with Armenia’s LA consul general speaking on new partnership opportunities.