Residents in the village of Yelpin of Armenia’s Vayots Dzor province and the local community head say residents have adopted a statement that should block the Argamik mining company from prospecting in the ecologically-sensitive village of about 1,400.

The company began work in the village on the basis of a license issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources dated Sept. 5, 2008, which allows the company to map the territory for copper and molybdenum.

A former head of a criminal investigation department in Armenia’s central town of Charentsavan, has told a court that he is being set up on charges that he tortured a suspect until the man committed suicide.

Ashot Harutyunyan says three investigators who testified against him had done so after making a deal with the Special Investigatory Service (SIS) to cover up the truth.

A 30 percent rise in bread prices and a 20 percent increase in the price of flour in Armenia follow an unprecedented drought in Russia, a major world grain producer and Armenia’s main wheat supplier.

The decision by Moscow earlier this month to place a ban on the export of wheat until the end of this year for fear of shortages on its domestic market resulted in rising prices on the international grain market, which also affected prices in Armenia.

The woods go on forever along the winding road leading from Vanadzor to Alaverdi. White clouds hang from green trees along deep and shallow gorges.

Around a bend about 15 kilometers past Vanadzor and near the village of Vahangnadzor, a sign in Armenian greets travelers: “Welcome to Gugark Camp!”

Visitors are welcomed only after clearing details at a gate from which information is passed on to the grand matron of Gugark, Seyfulina Danielyan, who has been greeting guests and dismissing difficulties for 32 years on this ground in the lush Lori province about 100 kilometers north of Yerevan.

Economists this week have reacted vigorously to the latest portion of statistics provided by the country’s National Statistical Service (NSS), which posted macroeconomic indicators characterizing the socio-economic situation in Armenia in the first six months of this year.

While those in the government camp, including politicians and pro-government analysts, view the posted data as more proof that the country is securely on the road to recovery after a year of economic slump caused by the global recession, those on the other side of the political fence claim that the figures are “very well drawn”.

Armenia has seen the scale of inbound tourism grow this year, which specialists say reflects the process of recovery from the global recession in the world.

“But still one should not expect a sharp rise this year and it is necessary to work harder for the coming years,” says Armenia Hotels Association Director Amalia Stepanyan.

Freedom of Religion in Armenia research revealed a number of legal and public problems which do not allow people to profess this or that religion, or be profess atheism or agnosticism. The research also reflects the attitude of society and mass media towards freedom of conscience and different religious organizations.

“Mass media publications indicate that violation of freedom of conscience and religion comes not so much from the authorities, but rather from mass media.

Amid concerns from outside and internal observers about a growing government grip on local media, the National Television and Radio Commission (NTRC) has opened licensing contests for local TV companies seeking to broadcast through a digital network in the territory of Armenia. The tender that formally kicked off on July 20 consists of 18 contests.

NTRC Chairman Grigor Amalyan said the contests would ensure countrywide broadcasts. Both companies currently broadcasting for capital Yerevan only, or for separate provinces, are among participants in the tender.

Despite continued government efforts to promote internal tourism, Armenian holidaymakers still seem to prefer better ‘value-for-money’ foreign destinations this holiday season.

Traditionally popular seaside resorts in Turkey and Georgia remain a more preferred option for many who find the sights and resorts in Armenia less affordable.

Most analysts in Yerevan rule out the resumption of large-scale hostilities in what now is the zone of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Yet, some say the threat of war will never cease for Karabakh until a compromise-based solution is found to the protracted dispute.

This week European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said the region still remains fragile and unpredictable.