Central Banking & Payments: Armenia’s Central Bank updated rules for electronic money issuance and use, letting people open e-wallets without a bank account or payment card and add/withdraw cash as well as transfers, with due-diligence checks for anti–money laundering compliance. Infrastructure & City Life: Yerevan’s Kievyan Bridge is set to reopen to traffic on August 14, after repairs including new railings, drainage and waterproofing work, and upgraded expansion joints. Church, Politics & Rights: International lawyer Robert Amsterdam and other legal voices say authorities are trying to bring the Armenian Apostolic Church under state control, calling it a “disgrace” and urging Washington and Brussels to respond; meanwhile, parliament saw a heated dispute over how the Catholicos is named. Peace Process & TRIPP: MPs and experts again pushed back on Azerbaijan’s “Zangezur Corridor” framing, saying signed documents refer to TRIPP; opposition ARF warns the Syunik route could limit sovereignty, while diplomats marked the one-year anniversary of the Washington Summit with a joint statement. Energy Debate: Civil Contract MP Arman Yeghoyan reiterated Metsamor’s maximum operating lifespan is 2036, rejecting claims it must close sooner. Environment & Daily Life: Armenia plans to ban plastic bags and a range of single-use plastic items from January 1, 2027, with warnings first and fines for repeat violations. Tech & Economy: Armenia opened the Firebird AI Factory in Hrazdan, with PM Pashinyan calling it a milestone for investment and tech growth; domestic trade turnover in H1 2026 rose 0.9% to about 3.16 trillion drams.