Armenian News - NEWS.am presents a daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 25.06.2020:

·       A record number of 771 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Armenia on Thursday, bringing the total number to 22,488.

A total of 11,335 people have already recovered, while the death toll has reached 397.

According to health minister Arsen Torosyan, "the number of patients in severe and critical conditions is also stable—fluctuating within 600, and more specifically, 502 are in severe condition, 113—in critical condition; 40 people are hooked up to ventilators."

·       Several other Armenian MPs have tested positive for COVID-19, said My Step faction head Lilit Makunts.

My Step MPs Viktor Yengibaryan and Kristine Poghosyan took to their Facebook on Wednesday to confirm their positive COVID-19 results.

Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party parliamentary faction member and parliament's vice president Vahe Enfiajyan has also tested positive.

·       Georgia will reopen its borders for some foreign tourists from July 1.

In the coming days, the authorities should submit a list of safe countries whose citizens will be allowed to travel to Georgia.

Tourists from Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Baltic countries, etc. are expected to be allowed to visit Georgia. In the meantime, Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and some other countries will not be included in this list amid the tense COVID-19 pandemic situation.

·       The Armenian parliament approved Thursday the amendments to the Tax Code that propose to raise property taxes.

A total of 70 MPs voted for the bill.

To prevent an increase in the tax burden, the authorities plan to make the transition to a new tax system in six years.

Nevertheless, property taxes will be raised by 5 times on average.

·       The Criminal Court of Appeal of Armenia has left the appealed decision of the Yerevan court of general jurisdiction on selecting arrest as a pre-trial measure for former MP and the Football Federation of Armenia ex-head Ruben Hayrapetyan unchanged, Investigative Committee's press service reported.

Ruben Hayrapetyan and his son, Rafik Hayrapetyan are charged with causing strong physical pain or strong mental suffering, depriving of liberty unlawfully and self-righteousness. An arrest has been selected as a pre-trial measure against Ruben Hayrapetyan.