Water cannons used to disperse protesters in Georgia over ‘authoritarian law’

Published

3 years ago

March 8, 2023

Costa Haritos

Pro-European protesters outside Georgia’s parliament have called for a proposed law to be quashed

Police used water cannons and teargas to disperse thousands of protesters in Tbilisi.

People began rallying on Tuesday after the country’s parliament approved a draft law on foreign agents.

Protesters have criticised the Bill as a shift towards authoritarianism.

The former Soviet state is seeking to make organisations, who receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from overseas, to register as a foreign agent.

If they do not, they could face a string of heavy fines.

The law would be similar to a 2012 ruling in Russia, which has since been the key to cracking down on dissent.

Addressing her country from New York, Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili said she will veto the law if it lands on her desk, though parliament can still override her decision.

“You represent a free Georgia, a Georgia which sees its future in the west, and won’t let anyone to take this future away,” she said.

Ms Zourabichvili said lawmakers who had voted for the law were violating the nation’s constitution.

“Nobody needs this law… everyone who has voted for this law has violated the constitution,” she said.

However, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has sided with protesters. He described the proposed law as meeting “European and global standards”.

Airlines face disruptions that surpass previous Middle East conflicts

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Ahron Young

What’s happening in the Middle East?

Trump says U.S. strikes could last four to five weeks and described the operation as the last best chance to act, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns the hardest hits are yet to come
Six U.S. service members have been killed, additional American forces are being deployed to the region, and the White House says nine Iranian naval ships have been destroyed
Iran says it sees no limit to its right to self defence and will not negotiate, as missile and drone attacks continue across Israel, Lebanon and Gulf states
More than 500 Iranians have been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes, with further deaths reported in Lebanon, Israel and the UAE
Shipping, aviation and energy markets have been severely disrupted, more than 11,000 flights have been cancelled, Gulf stock markets have closed temporarily, and oil and gas prices have surged amid Strait of Hormuz fears

Oil prices surge amid rising Middle East conflict risks

Crude oil surges 7% amid fears of Middle East conflict; Strait of Hormuz disruptions may push Brent over $100.

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil surges 7% amid fears of Middle East conflict; Strait of Hormuz disruptions may push Brent over $100.

Crude oil prices spiked dramatically as investors react to the growing risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East. U.S. crude surged 7.2 percent, trading near $71.84 a barrel, signalling heightened concern across energy markets.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint, has come under intense scrutiny. Rising war-risk insurance premiums and suspended tanker traffic are already slowing the movement of oil, creating ripple effects in global supply chains.

JPMorgan has warned that prolonged disruptions over three weeks could force Gulf producers to reduce output, potentially pushing Brent crude prices to between $100 and $120 a barrel. Markets are closely watching for developments that could reshape global energy pricing.

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News

Trump warns of last opportunity to hit Iran as conflict escalates

Trump declares final chance to strike Iran, aiming to dismantle missile systems and prevent nuclear weapons amid U.S. troop losses.

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump declares final chance to strike Iran, aiming to dismantle missile systems and prevent nuclear weapons amid U.S. troop losses.

President Trump has declared this is the final opportunity to strike Iran as conflict intensifies across the Middle East, outlining four key military objectives including dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities and targeting its navy.

The U.S. says its mission is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and to halt its alleged support for terrorist groups abroad, signalling a potentially prolonged campaign in the region.

Four U.S. troops have already been killed, with officials warning further casualties are possible as operations continue.

#Trump #Iran #MiddleEast

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