Georgian opposition figure arrested over alleged arson attempt at Tbilisi court
Read full article: Georgian opposition figure arrested over alleged arson attempt at Tbilisi courtGeorgian authorities have detained a prominent opposition figure Alexander Elisashvili on suspicion of attempting to set fire to the Tbilisi City Court office building.
Georgia marks a year of protests since EU talks stalled and crackdown intensified
Read full article: Georgia marks a year of protests since EU talks stalled and crackdown intensifiedProtesters in Tbilisi have marked a year of continuous demonstrations against Georgia's decision to halt EU membership talks.
Georgia's prime minister says protesters want to topple his government and vows a further crackdown
Read full article: Georgia's prime minister says protesters want to topple his government and vows a further crackdownGeorgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the opposition of trying to overthrow his government.
Georgia's police use water cannons to push back protesters trying to storm presidential palace
Read full article: Georgia's police use water cannons to push back protesters trying to storm presidential palaceGeorgia's police have used water cannons and pepper spray to push back protesters who tried to storm the presidential palace.
Georgian journalist is convicted of slapping a police office at a protest and gets 2 years in prison
Read full article: Georgian journalist is convicted of slapping a police office at a protest and gets 2 years in prisonA Georgian journalist has been convicted of slapping a senior police officer at an anti-government protest and sentenced to two years in prison in a case that was condemned by rights groups as an attack on press freedom.
Man gets life in prison in killing of transgender model in the South Caucasus nation of Georgia
Read full article: Man gets life in prison in killing of transgender model in the South Caucasus nation of GeorgiaA man has been convicted of stabbing to death a transgender actor and model in her apartment last year in Georgia.
A Russia-like crackdown has jailed dozens in Georgia, with human rights groups sounding the alarm
Read full article: A Russia-like crackdown has jailed dozens in Georgia, with human rights groups sounding the alarmOver 40 Georgians have been jailed on criminal charges stemming from anti-government protests that have roiled the South Caucasus nation for weeks.
Kavelashvili is inaugurated as Georgia's president, complicating its path toward EU
Read full article: Kavelashvili is inaugurated as Georgia's president, complicating its path toward EUFormer soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili has been inaugurated as president of Georgia in what the opposition calls a blow to the countryโs EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.
Ex-soccer player Kavelashvili becomes Georgia's president in a blow to country's EU aspirations
Read full article: Ex-soccer player Kavelashvili becomes Georgia's president in a blow to country's EU aspirationsFormer soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili has become president of Georgia as the ruling party tightens its grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the countryโs EU aspirations and a victory for Russia.
Georgian journalists allege brutal beatings as protests rage against ending EU talks
Read full article: Georgian journalists allege brutal beatings as protests rage against ending EU talksTens of thousands of people joined an 11th straight day of protests in Georgia on Sunday after the governing party moved to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union.
Opposition party leader arrested as Georgia authorities try to curb protests over ending EU talks
Read full article: Opposition party leader arrested as Georgia authorities try to curb protests over ending EU talksGeorgian police have raided the offices of an opposition party and arrested its leader in an apparent attempt to squelch a wave of mass protests over the decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union.
Demonstrators again converge on Georgia's parliament after the country's EU bid was suspended
Read full article: Demonstrators again converge on Georgia's parliament after the country's EU bid was suspendedThousands of demonstrators in the Georgian capital have converged on parliament again in the capital of the South Caucasus nation.
Protests lay bare a clash of values and interests as Georgia navigates a Russia-West standoff
Read full article: Protests lay bare a clash of values and interests as Georgia navigates a Russia-West standoffGeorgia is convulsed by political upheaval again after its pro-Moscow government, fresh off parliamentary elections denounced as rigged by its critics, decided to suspend negotiations for the small former Soviet republic to join the European Union.
Over 40 people hospitalized in Georgia during protests over the suspension of EU talks
Read full article: Over 40 people hospitalized in Georgia during protests over the suspension of EU talksA third night of protests in the Georgian capital against the governmentโs decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union has left 44 people hospitalized.
Protesters gather for third night of demonstrations after Georgia announces suspension of EU talks
Read full article: Protesters gather for third night of demonstrations after Georgia announces suspension of EU talksProtesters have gathered across Georgia in a third straight night of demonstrations against the governmentโs decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union.
Georgian protesters clash with police for a second night after EU talks are suspended
Read full article: Georgian protesters clash with police for a second night after EU talks are suspendedThousands of demonstrators protesting the Georgian government's decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union have clashed with police outside the parliament building for a second straight night.
Georgia suspends talks on joining the European Union and accuses the bloc of blackmail
Read full article: Georgia suspends talks on joining the European Union and accuses the bloc of blackmailGeorgiaโs prime minister says the country will suspend negotiations on joining the European Union in view of what he described as โblackmail and manipulationโ from some EU politicians.
Georgia's newly elected parliament opens its first session with opposition boycotting
Read full article: Georgia's newly elected parliament opens its first session with opposition boycottingThe newly elected Georgian parliament has opened its inaugural session as opposition lawmakers and the countryโs president stayed away and thousands of protesters rallied outside under a heavy police presence.
Protesters in separatist Georgian region occupy government buildings, calling for leader's ouster
Read full article: Protesters in separatist Georgian region occupy government buildings, calling for leader's ousterOpposition protesters in Georgiaโs breakaway province of Abkhazia have refused to cede control of key government buildings seized during rallies on Friday during which at least 14 people were injured in clashes with police.
Police and protesters clash in Georgia's separatist Abkhazia region over pro-Moscow property measure
Read full article: Police and protesters clash in Georgia's separatist Abkhazia region over pro-Moscow property measureProtesters opposing a measure allowing Russians to buy property in the Georgian territory of Abkhazia stormed the separatist republicโs parliament building and clashed with police.
What to know about Doug Collins, Trump's pick to oversee veterans affairs
Read full article: What to know about Doug Collins, Trump's pick to oversee veterans affairsPresident-elect Donald Trump has picked former Georgia congressman Doug Collins to lead the Veterans Affairs Department in his new administration.
Protests blocking bridges in Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia end
Read full article: Protests blocking bridges in Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia endProtests that blocked bridges to the capital of the Russia-backed Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia have ended Tuesday after authorities freed five opposition supporters who were jailed the night before.
Thousands rally again in Georgia to protest the parliamentary election they say was rigged
Read full article: Thousands rally again in Georgia to protest the parliamentary election they say was riggedThousands of opposition supporters rallied outside Georgiaโs parliament for the second straight Monday to denounce the Oct. 26 election as illegitimate after the ruling party was declared the winner amid allegations of vote-rigging helped by Russia.
Georgia begins investigating its disputed election but the opposition calls the probe into question
Read full article: Georgia begins investigating its disputed election but the opposition calls the probe into questionThe Prosecutorโs Office in Georgia says it has launched an investigation into alleged vote-rigging in last weekendโs parliamentary election, which officials said was won by the ruling party and the opposition denounced as illegitimate.
Hungary's Orbรกn boosts Georgia's ruling party over election despite an outcry the vote was rigged
Read full article: Hungary's Orbรกn boosts Georgia's ruling party over election despite an outcry the vote was riggedHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbรกn has given a boost to Georgiaโs ruling party.
Georgian president won't recognize parliamentary election result and calls for a protest
Read full article: Georgian president won't recognize parliamentary election result and calls for a protestGeorgiaโs president says she doesn't recognize the results of this weekendโs parliamentary vote, which election officials say was won by the ruling party.
Georgia's opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country's role in Europe
Read full article: Georgia's opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country's role in EuropeGeorgia's opposition disputed the results of its crucial election vote Saturday which could decide the countryโs role in Europe.
Georgia prepares for a divisive election which could determine its future in Europe
Read full article: Georgia prepares for a divisive election which could determine its future in EuropeThe South Caucasus country of Georgia will go to the polls Saturday in a parliamentary election many citizens believe may be the most crucial vote of their lifetimes.
Georgian parliament speaker signs anti-LGBTQ law after president refuses to sign it
Read full article: Georgian parliament speaker signs anti-LGBTQ law after president refuses to sign itThe speaker of the Georgian parliament has signed into a law a bill that severely curtails LGBTQ+ rights in the country and mirrors legislation adopted in neighboring Russia.
Georgian parliament approves anti-LGBTQ legislation, echoing measures in Russia
Read full article: Georgian parliament approves anti-LGBTQ legislation, echoing measures in RussiaGeorgiaโs parliament has approved draft legislation curtailing LGBTQ+ rights, echoing laws adopted in neighboring Russia.
US suspends $95 million in aid to Georgia after passage of foreign agent law that sparked protests
Read full article: US suspends $95 million in aid to Georgia after passage of foreign agent law that sparked protestsThe Biden administration is suspending $95 million in U.S. assistance to Georgia after its parliament adopted legislation related to foreign agents that critics say was inspired by a Russian law used to crack down on political dissent.
Fighting breaks out between Turkey and Georgia fans inside stadium at Euro 2024
Read full article: Fighting breaks out between Turkey and Georgia fans inside stadium at Euro 2024Fighting has broken out between fans of Turkey and Georgia inside Dortmundโs Westfalenstadion ahead of the teamsโ European Championship match.
US imposes travel bans on Georgian officials over new law that critics say will curb media freedom
Read full article: US imposes travel bans on Georgian officials over new law that critics say will curb media freedomThe Biden administration is imposing sanctions on dozens of Georgian officials and law enforcement authorities.
Parliament speaker in Georgia signs into law a bill that critics say curbs media freedom
Read full article: Parliament speaker in Georgia signs into law a bill that critics say curbs media freedomThe speaker of Georgiaโs parliament says he signed into law a divisive measure that has drawn weeks of protests by critics who say it will curb media freedom and hurt Georgiaโs chances of joining the European Union.
Georgian parliament overrides presidential veto of the divisive foreign influence bill
Read full article: Georgian parliament overrides presidential veto of the divisive foreign influence billThe Georgian parliament has overridden a presidential veto of the โforeign agentsโ legislation that has fueled Western concerns and sparked massive protests for weeks.
Georgian parliament committee rejects presidential veto of the divisive 'foreign agents' legislation
Read full article: Georgian parliament committee rejects presidential veto of the divisive 'foreign agents' legislationA Georgian parliament committee has rejected the presidentโs veto of the โforeign agentsโ legislation that has sparked massive protests for weeks.
Georgia's president vetoes media legislation that has provoked weeks of protests
Read full article: Georgia's president vetoes media legislation that has provoked weeks of protestsGeorgiaโs president has vetoed the so-called โRussian lawโ targeting media that has sparked weeks of mass protests.
Georgia's prime minister joins tens of thousands in a march to promote 'family purity'
Read full article: Georgia's prime minister joins tens of thousands in a march to promote 'family purity'Georgia's prime minister has joined tens of thousands of people on march through the country's capital to mark the Day of Family Purity.
Protesters throng streets of Georgia's capital after parliament passes so-called 'Russian law'
Read full article: Protesters throng streets of Georgia's capital after parliament passes so-called 'Russian law'Huge throngs of protesters blocked streets in the capital of Georgia and milled angrily outside the parliament building after lawmakers on Tuesday approved a โforeign influenceโ bill that critics call a Russian-style threat to free speech and the countryโs aspirations to join the European Union.
Thousands protest in Georgia over the weekend against 'Russia-style' law on foreign influence
Read full article: Thousands protest in Georgia over the weekend against 'Russia-style' law on foreign influenceGeorgiaโs parliament green-lit a final vote on a proposed law that critics see as a threat to media freedom and the countryโs aspirations to join the European Union, after police dispersed the latest protests against it over the weekend.
Georgian protesters against 'Russia-style' media law mark Orthodox Easter with candlelight vigil
Read full article: Georgian protesters against 'Russia-style' media law mark Orthodox Easter with candlelight vigilSeveral thousand Georgians have marked Orthodox Easter with a candlelight vigil outside Parliament in the capital, Tbilisi.
Why did bill to stem โforeign influenceโ trigger protests in Georgia over country's media freedom?
Read full article: Why did bill to stem โforeign influenceโ trigger protests in Georgia over country's media freedom?Georgia has been engulfed by huge protests triggered by a proposed law that critics see as a threat to media freedom and the countryโs aspirations to join the European Union.
Georgia parliament cancels session after building damaged during huge protests
Read full article: Georgia parliament cancels session after building damaged during huge protestsGeorgia's parliament canceled Thursday's session following massive protests against a proposed law that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the countryโs bid for membership in the European Union.
Georgian lawmakers move closer to passing 'Russian law' targeting the media. Protesters gather again
Read full article: Georgian lawmakers move closer to passing 'Russian law' targeting the media. Protesters gather againGeorgiaโs Parliament has moved a step closer to passing a law that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the countryโs European Union membership bid.
Georgia lawmakers scuffle over a divisive bill that opponents say mimics Kremlin's repressive law
Read full article: Georgia lawmakers scuffle over a divisive bill that opponents say mimics Kremlin's repressive lawLawmakers in Georgiaโs legislature have scuffled as the parliament started debating a divisive new law dubbed the foreign agent bill.
Ukraine, Georgia and Poland are going to Euro 2024 after late drama in qualifying playoffs
Read full article: Ukraine, Georgia and Poland are going to Euro 2024 after late drama in qualifying playoffsUkraine, Georgia and Poland are going to the 2024 European Championship after bringing late drama to win emotional qualifying playoffs on Tuesday.
Fire destroys thousands works of art at the main gallery in Georgia's separatist region of Abkhazia
Read full article: Fire destroys thousands works of art at the main gallery in Georgia's separatist region of AbkhaziaThousands of artworks have been destroyed in a fire that swept through the main art gallery in Abkhazia in a severe blow to the cultural heritage of the separatist Georgian region.
A mob storms Tbilisi Pride Fest site forcing the event's cancellation
Read full article: A mob storms Tbilisi Pride Fest site forcing the event's cancellationHundreds of opponents of gay rights have swarmed the site of an LGBT festival in the capital of the country of Georgia, vandalizing the stage, setting fires and looting the eventโs bar.
Credit Suisse owes millions to Georgia's billionaire ex-prime minister, court says
Read full article: Credit Suisse owes millions to Georgia's billionaire ex-prime minister, court saysA Singapore court says Credit Suisse owes former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili hundreds of millions of dollars for failing to protect the billionaire's money in a trust pilfered by a manager.
Deal reached for new non-Russian power source for Europe
Read full article: Deal reached for new non-Russian power source for EuropeThe leaders of Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan have finalized an agreement on an undersea electricity connector that could become a new power source for the European Union amid a crunch on energy supplies caused by the war in Ukraine.
Georgians rally to back jailed ex-president on hunger strike
Read full article: Georgians rally to back jailed ex-president on hunger strikeSeveral thousand people have rallied in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, demanding that authorities in the ex-Soviet nation transfer the jailed ex-president to a civilian hospital amid reports that his health is deteriorating after weeks of being on a hunger strike.
Georgians protest outside ex-president Saakashvili's prison
Read full article: Georgians protest outside ex-president Saakashvili's prisonHundreds of protesters are rallying outside a prison in Georgia to demand that the country's incarcerated former President Mikheil Saakashvili be transferred to a private clinic because he is weakening while on a hunger strike.
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Protests erupt in Georgia after beaten journalist dies
Read full article: Protests erupt in Georgia after beaten journalist diesSeveral thousand people have protested in front of the Georgian parliament, demanding the ex-Soviet nationโs prime minister resign over the death of a journalist who was attacked and beaten earlier this week by anti-LGBT protesters.
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Journalists attacked, hurt in Georgia at anti-LGBT protest
Read full article: Journalists attacked, hurt in Georgia at anti-LGBT protestA protest against a planned LGBT march in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi turned violent as demonstrators attacked and injured about 20 journalists covering the event.
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Trump endorses challenger against Georgia elections chief
Read full article: Trump endorses challenger against Georgia elections chief(Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP)ATLANTA โ Former President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed a conservative Georgia congressman in his bid to unseat the Republican secretary of state who refused to help overturn the November election results. โUnlike the current Georgia Secretary of State, Jody leads out front with integrity. โFew have done more to cynically undermine faith in our election system than Jody Hice," Raffensperger said. โEvery Georgian, in fact every American, has the right to be outraged by the actions and, simultaneously, the inaction of our Secretary of State,โ Hice added. He was among the many Republican officials in Georgia who relentlessly pushed Trumpโs false claims of voter fraud last fall.
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The Latest: All Duke University undergrads must quarantine
Read full article: The Latest: All Duke University undergrads must quarantine(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University issued a quarantine order for all of its undergraduates effective Saturday night due to a coronavirus outbreak caused by students who attended recruitment parties, the school said. The university said in a statement that all undergraduate students will be forced to stay-in-place until at least March 21. Suspension or dismissal from the school are potential punishments for โflagrant or repeat violators.โOver the past week, the school has reported more than 180 positive coronavirus cases among students. AdItaly has now tallied some 3.2 million cases in the pandemic. The COVAX alliance aims to share COVID-19 vaccines with more than 90 lower and middle-income nations.
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EU urges parties in ex-Soviet Georgia to ease tensions
Read full article: EU urges parties in ex-Soviet Georgia to ease tensionsโMy visit coincides with an aggravating political crisis in Georgia, which deeply worries the European Union, and I am also personally deeply worried by it,โ European Council President Charles Michel said. The political situation in Georgia has been tense amid allegations of voter fraud in the countryโs Oct. 31 parliamentary election. Tensions escalated last week following the arrest of the United National Movement's leader, Nika Melia. Thousands of opposition supporters marched across the Georgian capital last week to demand Melia's release and call for early parliamentary elections. โThe European Union calls upon all parties to intensify their efforts to stabilize the situation and find a common middle ground,โ Michel said after talks with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.
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Georgian opposition leader arrested, protesters set up camp
Read full article: Georgian opposition leader arrested, protesters set up campNika Melia, head of the United National Movement speaks to a journalist in Tbilisi, Georgia, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Police in Georgia have stormed the headquarters of the country's main opposition party and arrested its leader. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)TBILISI โ Demonstrators set up tents outside Georgia's parliament building and blocked the capitalโs main avenue Tuesday to protest the arrest of the leader of the country's main opposition party. The demonstration came hours after police stormed the headquarters of the United National Movement and arrested its chairman, lawmaker Nika Melia. Both Georgian Dream and United National Movement are pro-Western and have the stated goals of establishing better relations with possible eventual membership in NATO and the European Union.
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Georgia's PM resigns over move to arrest opposition leader
Read full article: Georgia's PM resigns over move to arrest opposition leaderFILE - In this file photo released on Oct. 31, 2020, by Georgia's Prime Minister Press Office, Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, wearing a face mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, speaks to the media after voting at a polling station during the parliamentary elections in Tbilisi, Georgia. Gakharia announced his resignation Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 following a court ruling that ordered the arrest of a man who leads the ex-Soviet nation's top opposition party. (Georgian Prime Minister Press office via AP, File)TBILISI โ Georgia's prime minister announced his resignation Thursday following a court ruling that ordered the arrest of a man who leads the ex-Soviet nation's top opposition party. Gakharia said arresting the opposition leader could lead to further escalation of political crisis and threaten the well-being of the countryโs citizens. I decided to resign,โ the prime minister said.
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Europe's court condemns Russia over 2008 war with Georgia
Read full article: Europe's court condemns Russia over 2008 war with GeorgiaThe European Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 that Russia was responsible for a swathe of violations in Georgia's breakaway regions after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)TBILISI โ Europe's top human rights court on Thursday found Russia responsible for a swath of violations in Georgia's breakaway regions after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Georgia hailed the verdict by the European Court of Human Rights as a major victory. It also held Russia responsible for preventing forcibly displaced ethnic Georgians from returning to the separatist regions after the conflict. The court ordered Moscow to conduct a probe into human rights violations during the hostilities and in their aftermath.
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Twin Senate runoffs in Georgia could shape Biden presidency
Read full article: Twin Senate runoffs in Georgia could shape Biden presidencyRepublican candidate for Senate Sen. David Perdue speaks during a campaign stop at Peachtree Dekalb Airport Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in Atlanta. But if the Democratic challenger wins, the ambitions of a Biden presidency could well come down to Georgia. But if the Democratic challenger wins, the ambitions of a Biden presidency could well come down to Georgia. Otherwise, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, could wield the power to block Biden. Votes were still being counted to determine whether Ossoff will meet Georgia Sen. David Perdue in a second round.
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Election win by Georgia's governing party triggers protests
Read full article: Election win by Georgia's governing party triggers protestsPreliminary election results show that Georgia's ruling party won the country's highly contested parliamentary election, but the opposition have refused to recognize Sunday's results. With more than 99% of ballots counted, the Georgian Dream party had received 48.1% of the vote in Saturday's election, according to the website of Georgiaโs Central Election Commission. The biggest opposition alliance, led by the United National Movement party, got 27.1%. Irakli Kobahidze, Georgian Dream's executive secretary, said the party won enough seats in the 150-seat parliament to form a government. Thatโs where the consensus is right now,โ European Georgia party leader Giga Bokeria, whose party won 3.8% of the vote, told The Associated Press.
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Georgia's ruling party claims victory in parliamentary vote
Read full article: Georgia's ruling party claims victory in parliamentary voteIn this handout photo released by Georgian Dream Party Press office, Georgian businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, who created Georgian Dream party, wearing a face mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, speaks to the media after voting at a polling station during the parliamentary elections in Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. Ivanishvili quickly congratulated his supporters on winning the vote after several exit polls showed his party with a strong lead. After the polls closed, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili quickly claimed victory for his ruling Georgian Dream party, but it wasn't immediately clear if it won enough votes to stay at the helm. โIt needs to be emphasized that the Georgian Dream wins the elections for the third time," he said. โThis is practically a great triumph of the Georgian opposition, despite the harassment, intimidation and pressure,โ he said in televised remarks from Ukraine.
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Bank robber flees with loads of cash in ex-Soviet Georgia
Read full article: Bank robber flees with loads of cash in ex-Soviet GeorgiaA gunman with a weapon in hand, escorts three police officers, who surrendered themselves as hostages, out of the bank building in the town of Zugdidi in western Georgia, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Authorities in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia say an armed assailant has taken hostages at a bank. The Georgian Interior Ministry didn't immediately comment on how many people were taken hostage Wednesday in the western town of Zugdidi or what demands their captor had made. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)TBILISI โ Police in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia were looking Thursday for a bank robber who held over 40 people hostage for hours before releasing them and escaping with the money given to him by authorities. An armed man took bank employees and customers hostage in the town of Zugdidi in western Georgia on Wednesday, demanding $500,000 in cash.
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Police: 43 bank hostages freed in ex-Soviet republic Georgia
Read full article: Police: 43 bank hostages freed in ex-Soviet republic GeorgiaGeorgian police officers escorts a woman who escaped from a bank where an armed assailant has taken several people hostage, in the town of Zugdidi in western Georgia, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. The Georgian Interior Ministry didn't immediately say how many people have been taken hostage in the town of Zugdidi in western Georgia, or what demands the assailant has made. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)TBILISI โ Police in the ex-Soviet nation of Georgia said 43 people were freed after an armed assailant took them hostage in a bank Wednesday, an announcement that came shortly after local media reported the gunman escaped and remained at large still holding three hostages. An armed man took bank employees and customers hostage in the town of Zugdidi in western Georgia. On Wednesday evening, several Georgian TV channels said the assailant left the building taking three hostages with him and his whereabouts were unknown.
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Russian on trial accused of state-ordered Berlin execution
Read full article: Russian on trial accused of state-ordered Berlin executionA general view shows the courtroom at the beginning of the trial of defendant Vadim K. in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. (Odd Andersen/Pool Photo via AP)BERLIN โ A Russian accused of killing a Georgian man in broad daylight in downtown Berlin on Moscow's orders went on trial for murder Wednesday, in a case that has contributed to growing frictions between Germany and Russia. After the Aug. 23, 2019 killing, Germany expelled two Russian diplomats last December over the case, prompting Russia to oust two German diplomats in retaliation. Russian authorities confirmed the suspectโs passport, found on him at the time of his arrest, was valid, prosecutors said. It wasn't clear, they said, what he did between his departure from the hotel and the killing in Berlin at 11:55 a.m. on Aug. 23.

Why a Homeowner Paid $1 Million to Move a Historic Mansion by Barge
Read full article: Why a Homeowner Paid $1 Million to Move a Historic Mansion by BargeA 4,000-square-foot house was transported via river on a barge. Owner Christian Neeley wanted a Georgian mansion by the water in Maryland, but he struggled to find the perfect property already there. So he bought one somewhere else and moved it there from 50 miles away. "It's a piece of American history, the craftsmanship you just don't see today," he replied. RELATED STORIESMan Allegedly Uses Drone to Drop Bombs on Ex-Girlfriend's HouseHero Neighbors Help 97-Year-Old Woman Escape Raging House FireGarbage Is Piled So High at This Hoarder's House It's Known as 'Filth Avenue'

The extraordinary church where daring monks climb closer to God
Read full article: The extraordinary church where daring monks climb closer to GodPositioned approximately 200 kilometers west of Georgia's Tbilisi, the Katskhi pillar is one of the most isolated churches in the world. Although climbing to the top of the pillar is now forbidden, there's still plenty to see within the Katskhi complex. Getting thereThere are two main travel routes to take to reach the Katskhi pillar. Once in Chiatura, a local taxis drive directly to the Katskhi pillar. Drivers will stop directly outside the entrance to the pillar complex en route.

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