Category: World

According to the Georgian Central Election Commission, after counting 70.91% of the ballots, the ruling Georgian Dream party gains 52.99% of the vote. The Coalition for Change is in second place with 11.2%, and Unity is in third place with 9.83%.

Previously, the ruling Georgian Dream party won the majority of votes in the elections in Georgia. This is reported by Echo of the Caucasus, UNN reports.

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According to CEC chairman Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Georgian Dream party gains 52.99% of the vote after counting data from 2,206 polling stations, which corresponds to 70.91% of the total.

The situation with other parties is as follows:

"Coalition for Change – Gvaramia, Melia, Ghirchi, Droa" – 11.2%;

Unity (National Movement, Agmashenebeli's Strategy, European Georgia) – 9.83%;

"Strong Georgia (Lelo, For the People, Freedom Square, Citizens) – 9.02%;

Gakharia – For Georgia – 8.22%;

"Hirchi (Iago Hvichia) – 3.22%;

"Alliance of Patriots / Alt-Info – 2.53%;

The Labor Party – 0.75%.

Parliamentary elections in Georgia: results of the first exit pollsOctober 26 2024, 04:32 PM • 10366 views

Iceland's economy grew by 5% in 2023 after the introduction of a 4-day workweek without a salary cut. 51% of the country's employees switched to a reduced schedule while maintaining productivity.

Iceland's economy grew by 5% in 2023 after the country's authorities introduced a 4-day working week without loss of pay. According to a new study, Iceland's economic growth rate is now ahead of most European countries. UNN writes about this with reference to CNN.

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Last year, Iceland experienced faster economic growth than most European countries, and the country's unemployment rate was one of the lowest in Europe, according to the UK's Institute for Autonomy and the Association for Sustainable Development and Democracy in Iceland (ALDA).

Iceland's economy grew by 5% in 2023, the second fastest growth rate after Malta among rich European economies, according to the International Monetary Fund's latest World Economic Outlook report released this week. This is much higher than the country's average growth rate of nearly 2% in the decade from 2006 to 2015.

According to two think tanks, between 2020 and 2022, 51% of workers in the country accepted the offer of reduced working hours, including a four-day work week. According to them, this figure will be even higher today.

This study demonstrates a real success story: reduced working hours have become widespread in Iceland. Their economy is strong in a number of ways

– said Gudmundur D. Haraldsson, a researcher at Alda.

The Autonomy Institute and ALDA also stated that the low unemployment rate in Iceland is "a strong indicator of the vitality of the economy.

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During an experiment to reduce the workload, civil servants in Iceland worked 35-36 hours a week without a pay cut. Many participants had previously worked 40 hours a week.

The experiment initially involved 2,500 people – more than 1% of the working population of Iceland at the time – and was aimed at maintaining or increasing productivity while improving work-life balance. The researchers found that productivity remained the same or improved in most workplaces, while employee well-being "dramatically" increased across a range of indicators, from perceived stress and burnout to health and work-life balance.

After litigation, Icelandic trade unions agreed to reduce working hours for tens of thousands of their members across the country.

Recall

At the same time, in Greece, starting from July 1, 2024, many employees will be required to work six days a week as part of a labor law reform aimed at combating "black employment" and simplifying management in companies.

Icelandic Parliament approves long-term policy of support for UkraineApril 30 2024, 07:15 AM • 21043 views

At a polling station in Tbilisi, a clash broke out between Georgian Dream activists and observers. Georgia is holding parliamentary elections with the participation of 18 parties under a new proportional system.

A massive clash broke out in Tbilisi near a polling station between several dozen activists of the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party and observers. UNN reports with reference to News Georgia.

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A massive brawl took place near the polling station #60 in the Głdani district.

According to media reports, the fight was attended by supporters of the Georgian Dream and observers. It is known that the deputy of the Tbilisi Sakrebulo from the National Movement party, Irakli Edzgveradze, was also present at the scene.

The police arrived at the scene. The Georgian Interior Ministry has not yet commented.

Some time ago, a fight involving supporters of the ruling party and the opposition was also reported from a polling station in Tbilisi's Isani district.

Recall

On October 26, parliamentary elections are being held in Georgia . 18 parties are running, including the ruling Georgian Dream, which has been in power for 12 years.

For the first time, 150 members of parliament are elected not under a mixed-member system, as before, but under a fully proportional system. To enter the legislature, parties must overcome a five percent threshold.

Violations have already been reported. In particular, police are investigating mass ballot stuffing at a polling station in Marneul. In the Baghdad municipality, a voter smashed electronic voting equipment.

Georgian President voted in parliamentary electionsOctober 26 2024, 06:15 AM • 14111 views

In the state of Guerrero, 16 people were killed in clashes between security forces and criminals. In Guanajuato, car bomb explosions injured three police officers and damaged buildings.

Amid the escalation of cartel violence in Mexico, 16 militants were killed and 3 police officers were wounded in a car bomb explosion. This was reported by the Associated Press agency, UNN writes.

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In Mexico's violent southern state of Guerrero, at least 16 people were killed in multiple clashes between Mexican security forces and suspected criminals on Thursday. On the same day, three police officers were injured when a car bomb exploded near a police station in western Mexico.

The first firefight took place in the city of Tekpan de Galeana, near the Pacific coast, where two people were killed and four others were wounded. Later, security forces clashed with a criminal group that attacked a military base in the same area, killing 14 militants.

Also on Thursday, a car bomb exploded near a police station in the state of Guanajuato, injuring three police officers. The explosion damaged the police station, four buildings and several residential buildings, but only the police officers were injured, the department said.

Authorities reported that another explosion, likely a second car bomb, occurred in the neighboring town of Yerekuaro. Although no one was injured, the force of the second explosion was enough to rip the tiled roof off the building, blacken the facades of surrounding shops, and set a police patrol pickup on fire.

The near-simultaneous attacks in two different cities, located about half an hour away from each other, point to the involvement of drug cartels that have been fighting bloody battles for territory in Guanajuato for years.

Officials say the violence in the state is linked to a conflict between the local Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the Jalisco cartel New Generation, one of the most powerful in all of Mexico.

Libya's Governor Garcia said that an air and ground operation involving state security forces has begun to support the municipal police.

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In Mexico, there have been more than 450,000 drug-related murders since the government began using the army to fight the cartels in 2006.

President Claudia Scheinbaum, who took office on October 1, promised to continue her predecessor's strategy of using social policies to fight crime at its roots and to make better use of intelligence.

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The northwestern region, a stronghold of the Sinaloa cartel, has also seen a surge in violence following the July arrest of drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the United States. Last month, he pleaded not guilty to a drug trafficking case in the United States, in which he is accused of participating in a conspiracy to murder and ordering torture.

On Monday, Mexican troops shot dead 19 suspected Sinaloa cartel members after they were attacked.

Mexico links kidnapping of drug boss Mayo Sambada to the release of drug trafficker Ovidio Guzman in the USAugust 30 2024, 07:14 AM • 11451 view

SVOLT Energy Technology stops producing batteries for electric vehicles in Europe and closes its German subsidiaries. The company scales back a €2 billion investment project due to high costs and a trade conflict.

A leading company producing components for electric vehicles is cutting production amid a trade conflict. This was reported by Nikkei Asia, UNN writes.

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Leading Chinese automotive battery manufacturer SVOLT Energy Technology will close its European production sites and German subsidiaries starting in January 2025. An unspecified number of employees will be laid off.

The officially stated reason is that the cost of the projects is too high for the company, which is already experiencing a lack of funds.

However, the publication notes that the closure of SVOLT's business will be another example of Chinese companies reducing their operations in Europe amid an escalating trade conflict and falling sales.

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SVOLT, formerly part of Great Wall Motor, announced in 2019 the opening of its first foreign production base and research center in Europe. Investments in the project amounted to about €2 billion. Svolt planned to build two factories in Germany: a battery module and battery pack plant in Saarland and a cell plant in Brandenburg. The company intended to produce batteries with a total capacity of 24 gigawatt-hours at the European site. However, the construction of the plants was suspended.

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The European Commission has introduced temporary countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China ranging from 17.4% to 37.6%. At the same time, the new duties do not apply to hybrid cars, which allows Chinese automakers to continue selling partially electric hybrids in Europe at lower tariffs, although they face competition from European manufacturers in this segment.

EU postpones vote on tariffs on Chinese electric cars: wants to talk to BeijingSeptember 20 2024, 08:08 AM • 13280 views

Chinese hackers attempted to access the phone data of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance through Verizon systems. The attack raised serious concerns about US national security.

Chinese hackers tried to access the phone data of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. This is reported by The New York Times, according to UNN.

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The hacker attack has reportedly raised serious national security concerns, but it is not yet known whether the attackers managed to obtain any data.

Trump's campaign team learned about the data breach this week when it became known that Chinese hackers had attacked not only them but others in the US administration through Verizon's telecommunications systems.

FBI says Chinese hackers are preparing to attack US infrastructureApril 19 2024, 11:42 AM • 14725 views

The Panama Canal's profit increased by 9.5% to $3.45 billion for the fiscal year. Due to the severe drought, the administration was forced to limit daily ship traffic and reduce the maximum draft.

The Panama Canal's profit increased by 9.5% despite the drought. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.

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The Panama Canal's profits for the fiscal year ending in September increased by about 9.5%, reaching $3.45 billion. This result came despite a severe drought that significantly affected the number of ships passing through the waterway.

One of the reasons for the decline in shipping volume is the third driest year in the history of the canal, which led to a decrease in the amount of water available for operation. As a result, the canal administration was forced to limit the number of vessels allowed to pass through per day and reduce the maximum permitted draft.

President Zelenskyy: Panama has joined the Peace Summit communiquéSeptember 10 2024, 10:58 AM • 15424 views

The G7 leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with $50 billion in loans through the Emergency Revenue Acceleration Facility. The funds will be serviced from immobilized russian assets.

G7 leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with $50 billion in loans. This was announced in a joint statement by the G7, UNN reports.

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The G7 leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with $50 billion in loans through the Emergency Revenue Acceleration Facility. This money will be serviced by future proceeds from the immobilization of Russian sovereign assets in accordance with G7 legal systems and international law. Disbursements are planned to be made through various channels, including budgetary, military and reconstruction assistance to Ukraine.

The leaders expressed their gratitude for the timely implementation of this historic decision and noted the constructive participation of the European Union in reaching the agreements. It was stated that the G7 reaffirms its commitments made at the Puglia summit and focuses on supporting Ukraine in the face of terrorist aggression, which has caused significant damage to the Ukrainian people.

We will be unwavering in our determination to support Ukraine as long as necessary. russia must compensate for the damage caused

– reads the G7 statement.

G7 to announce $50 billion loan for Ukraine on October 25 – European CommissionerOctober 22 2024, 09:17 AM • 107487 views

Parliamentary elections are being held in Georgia, where the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party is leading with 40% of support. The pro-European opposition has a chance to form a government, as the leader will not be able to rule alone.

Today, Georgia is holding parliamentary elections that could significantly affect the direction of the country's development. This is reported by AFP, UNN reports.

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The Georgian Dream party, which adheres to a pro-Russian policy, is reportedly leading the polls. According to recent polls, it is supported by about 40% of voters, which allows it to maintain influence in the country's political life for 12 years.

However, since the Georgian Dream is unlikely to be able to form a government on its own, this opens up an opportunity for a pro-European opposition. Georgia was granted candidate status to join the European Union in December last year, but political changes and internal problems have halted the membership process since last summer.

MP: Georgia introduces additional checks for men with Ukrainian passportsOctober 25 2024, 05:00 PM • 13395 views

The IDF announces targeted strikes on military targets in Iran in response to months of attacks. Israel claims its right to self-defense after attacks on seven fronts.

Israel strikes military targets in Iran in response to the attacks. This was reported by the IDF, UNN reports.

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The Israeli Defense Forces announced targeted strikes against military targets in Iran in response to months of continuous attacks by the Iranian regime.

According to the IDF, since October 7, Israel has been attacked on seven fronts, including direct attacks from Iranian territory.

Israel emphasizes its right to self-defense, pointing out that, like any other sovereign country, it has a duty to protect its territories and citizens.

Israel planned a strike on the residences of Iranian leaders – BildOctober 24 2024, 03:05 PM • 14058 views