The specialists of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources say the fault is caused by tectonic activeness in the Western Caspian area.

Two policemen have been killed and 20 more people wounded in Afghanistan during the second day of protests against the burning of a Koran in the U.S.

A foreign pastor in Izmir escaped possible harm after a Turk shouting ultranationalist slogans fired blank shots into the air before being subdued by bystanders.

Challenged by high inflation rate, the Armenian government has launched various agricultural programs and resolved to bring down the gas prices for poor families. Thus, from April 1, 2011, 60 thousand of needy families will pay a lower price for the natural gas. The measure has become possible due to the changes effected in the energy system, specifically modernization of the Yerevan heat power plant. The consumers who use up to 300 cu m of gas will be given special coupons which will allow then to pay AMD 100 for a cu m. Those consuming more than 300 cu m will pay the standards price set at AMD 132.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, trying to settle (rather unsuccessfully) the Libyan problem that he himself bred, suffers a defeat also in his internal policy. Opposition won French local elections on Sunday. President Sarkozy’s party, Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), lost to the Socialist Party, and the far-right “National Front” consolidated its position a year before the presidential elections.

On March 21-28 the tourist inflow in Armenia will reach a record high, with over 20.000 Iranian tourists to arrive in Armenia for Nowruz (Muslim New Year) celebrations.