10:00 News in Brief: $20 Billion in Casinos, Trump Cancels Program, Macron's Warning

Recent hourly news summarized and contextualized:

• Narek Karapetyan has stated that Armenian citizens lost approximately $20 billion in online casinos last year, blaming the authorities for promoting the industry. Meanwhile, the State Revenue Committee has released figures indicating that betting volumes are set to reach new records by 2025.
• The Council on Constitutional Reforms has not held a meeting for nearly a month. According to media reports, the text of the new constitution has not yet been discussed within the ruling party, and the process has been postponed until after the elections.
• Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Russia will launch a new offensive in the summer but is continuing to suffer significant losses. The UN has also reported that dozens of civilians have been killed and hundreds injured in recent Russian attacks in Ukraine.
• Donald Trump has canceled a program to assist ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia limited the entry of American forces to its military bases. Meanwhile, the U.S. is awaiting Iran's response to the proposed peace agreement.
• Emmanuel Macron discussed tensions in the Middle East with the President of Iran, calling for the lifting of the blockade at the Strait of Hormuz. The French President also expressed concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure.
• The U.S. State Department has banned diplomats from using classified information on betting and forecasting sites due to national security risk concerns.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that he will not allow the rise of radical forces in the country and will not attempt to change the current majority in the Bundestag.
• In Latvia, reports have emerged concerning two drones that penetrated Russian airspace, one of which fell in the vicinity of an oil depot. Following the incident, security services have implemented additional measures.