12:00 News in Brief: Nationalization of 'Ararat Cement', Earthquake in Turkey

Recent news summarized and comprehensive:

• Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the 'Ararat Cement' plant will become state-owned, noting that a relevant letter has been received from the prosecutor's office. He stated that a manager will soon be appointed at the plant, and employees are no longer obliged to follow the former management's orders.
• Pashinyan has again referred to international media reports regarding Samvel Karapetyan during the campaign, hinting at external influences and political connections.
• The Prime Minister asserted that the leaked recording involving Robert Kocharian is authentic and personally guarantees its authenticity as Prime Minister. He indicated that this recording had previously been attempted to be presented as material generated by artificial intelligence.
• The spokesperson for the 'Strong Armenia' party, Marianna Ghahramanyan, announced that legal claims will be filed against members of the 'Civil Contract' party who have spread misinformation about Samvel and Narek Karapetyan. She noted that any possible compensations will be directed to the psychiatric health center in Sevan.
• The Anti-Corruption Committee reported that four individuals arrested in connection with bribery, payment of voters' housing rents, and obstruction of the free exercise of electoral rights will be remanded in custody. The case is linked to the activities of one of the candidates from the 'Strong Armenia' party.
• Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on draft guidelines for the implementation of demarcation works, which have now been submitted for governmental approval. The drafts have already been posted on a public discussion platform.
• Ukrainian drones have struck the industrial zone of Nevinnomyssk city in the Stavropol region. According to local authorities, a fire has broken out in the area.
• A 5.6 magnitude earthquake occurred in the city of Malatya, Turkey. As of now, there has been no official information on casualties or destruction.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the main obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict is Vladimir Zelensky and his administration. He claimed this once again proves who is hindering the peace process.