17:00 News Briefs: 119 Vacant University Majors, New Community Consolidations

A summary of last hour's news:

• In the first quarter of 2026, Armenia's GDP grew by 4%, amounting to over 2 trillion 305 billion drams.
• The Central Election Commission has annulled the registration of seven candidates for parliament according to their self-withdrawal applications.
• The National Assembly committee has approved a project for forming three new consolidated communities in Lori, Syunik, and Vayots Dzor regions.
• Ukrainian armed forces have used long-range drones to strike an oil refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl.
• NATO's Secretary-General stated that ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz should be handled by individual countries, not the alliance.
• U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to send an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland.
• In the second phase of university admissions in Armenia, no applicants have registered for 119 majors across 31 universities.
• During the enhanced service for the “Last Bell” celebration, the police moved 129 vehicles to a special area, 66 of which were being driven by minors.