Georgia

US slams Georgia’s ‘Kremlin-inspired’ foreign agent bill – POLITICO

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The rules would require NGOs, campaign groups and media outlets that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as agents of “foreign influence.” If adopted, Miller said, the measures “could limit freedom of expression, stigmatize organizations that deliver these benefits to the citizens of Georgia, and impede independent media organizations working to provide Georgians with access to high … Read more

Punch-up in Georgia’s parliament! Ruling party leader assaulted over ‘Russian law’ – POLITICO

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The government says the move, which will apply to NGOs, campaign groups and media outlets that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad, is necessary to prevent undue influence over Georgian politics. Critics, however, liken it to Russia’s own foreign agent law that has been used to stifle dissent in the country, … Read more

Move over, eclipse. A rare, double brood of lustful cicadas are about to take over the skies

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As It Happens6:37So long, solar eclipse. An even rarer phenomenon is about to take over the skies Floyd Shockley is planning a road trip to witness a rare natural event that will darken skies across much of the United States — a convergence not of celestial bodies, but of two massive broods of flying, screaming, lustful insects. … Read more

Protests begin in Georgia against ‘Russian law’ – POLITICO

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“The law in its current form risks having a chilling effect on civil society and media organizations, with negative consequences for the many Georgians benefiting from their work,” said the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, when Georgian Dream first introduced the bill. “This law is incompatible with EU values and standards,” he added. Attempts to … Read more

EU warns candidate country Georgia over disputed ‘foreign agent’ law – POLITICO

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The Georgian Dream party on Wednesday revived the so-called foreign agent law, a controversial proposal to brand charities, pressure groups and opposition media outlets receiving funding from overseas as agents of foreign influence. The Georgian government already attempted last year to introduce the law — which resembles similar legislation used by Moscow to crack down … Read more

Ukraine embraces far-right Russian ‘bad guy’ to take the battle to Putin – POLITICO

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From football fields to the battlefield The 40-year-old Kapustin was born in Moscow. He moved with his parents at the age of 17 to Cologne, Germany, where he quickly established a fearsome reputation as a street-brawling white-power skinhead always up for a punch-up with everyone, especially Antifa activists. He tells POLITICO he was unhappy with … Read more

At least 3 right whale calves have died so far this year, conservation group says

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An international environmental organization is calling on the federal government to step up protections for endangered North Atlantic right whales beyond the 2023 measures it’s opting to repeat this year, noting birth rates are already below expectations for the season and at least three of the 19 calves born so far are believed to have died. Oceana Canada campaign director Kim … Read more

Breaking down Trump’s free speech claims in Georgia election case

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Breaking down Trump’s free speech claims in Georgia election case – CBS News Watch CBS News A judge in the Georgia 2020 election case heard arguments Thursday over whether former President Donald Trump’s First Amendment rights shield him from prosecution. CBS News campaign reporter Katrina Kaufman joins “America Decides” with key takeaways. Be the first … Read more

Georgia wants to ban changing gender in sweeping new anti-LGBTQ+ law – POLITICO

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In an echo of anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” laws introduced in Russia and decried by human rights defenders, the proposal would also ban education and public gatherings it describes as popularizing “same-sex family or intimate relationships,” as well as “incest.” However, Mdinaradze said the move will “protect family values and minors.” He did not rule out that … Read more

Lesser-known European destination with hot springs, cheap wine and underrated food to get new flights to four UK cities

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BRITS have a brand new holiday destination to explore this year, thanks to direct flights linking several UK cities to a lesser-known European capital. There hasn’t been a direct route flown between the UK and Georgia since 2020, when Air Georgian scrapped its flights. 5 The old town at Tbilisi is home to a mix … Read more