Turkey kicks off its Euro 2024 journey against newcomer Georgia, aiming for a strong start to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages. Despite mixed recent form, Turkey’s hopes rest on captain Hakan Calhanoglu. Meanwhile, Georgia faces an uphill battle in its first major tournament, relying on star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Turkey aims to make amends after a disappointing Euro 2020 campaign, facing off against first-time participant Georgia in their opening match. The Turkish team, led by captain Hakan Calhanoglu and rising star Arda Guler, seeks to secure a strong start in a group also featuring Portugal and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, Georgia, led by Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, hopes to make history and leave its mark on the tournament despite facing a challenging group.
In Tbilisi, Georgia, the future of the city’s oldest gay bar, Success, is at risk due to a package of anti-LGBTQ laws proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The laws, which mirror similar legislation in Russia and Hungary, would ban the promotion of same-sex relationships, outlaw sex changes, and prohibit same-sex marriage and adoption. While the laws would not directly target gay bars, they could have broader consequences, such as discouraging LGBTQ gatherings and events and fostering an atmosphere of fear within the community. LGBTQ rights groups, such as Tbilisi Pride, have expressed concerns about the proposed laws and have faced increasing political homophobia in recent years. Despite opposition from the EU and warning signs of decreasing Western influence in Georgia, the ruling party is expected to consider the bills during the current parliamentary session.
The United States has imposed new visa restrictions and is reviewing its relationship with Georgia due to the country’s Russian-style ‘foreign influence’ law. The new visa policy will target those responsible for undermining Georgia’s democracy, along with their family members. The US is also considering a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation with Georgia. The law requires NGOs and media outlets receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as bodies ‘pursuing the interests of a foreign power.’ Critics argue that the move resembles Russian legislation used to silence dissent and may hinder Georgia’s aspirations for EU membership. The Georgian government maintains that the law aims to increase transparency but faces accusations of steering the country away from Western influence and back towards Russia.
In a heart-wrenching incident, three young Indian students lost their lives in a devastating car accident in Alpharetta, Georgia. The victims, identified as Aryan Joshi, Sriya Avasarala, and Anvi Sharma, were 18 years old and pursuing their academic dreams in the United States. The crash, which occurred on Monday, also left two other students critically injured. The Alpharetta High School graduate, Aryan Joshi, was preparing for college, while Sriya Avasarala and Anvi Sharma were pursuing their freshman year at the University of Georgia.
Former White House political director Brian Jack, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has moved on to the GOP primary runoff election for Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District. Jack will face opponent Mike Dugan on June 18 after a winner could not be declared in Tuesday’s primary election. The Peach State seat became available after incumbent Drew Ferguson announced his decision not to seek re-election in 2024. The runoff election will determine the Republican candidate who will compete in the general election. Meanwhile, District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the Georgia investigation into Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, is also up for re-election on Tuesday’s ballot.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has won the Democratic primary in her bid for reelection. She will now face Republican challenger Courtney Kramer in the general election. Willis beat challenger Christian Wise Smith in the primary. She is known for her role in the racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and is one of the most high-profile judges in Georgia. Meanwhile, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee has also won the primary election. McAfee was appointed to fill an empty seat just over a year ago and is now set to serve a full four-year term.
A female student at Georgia’s Kennesaw State University was fatally shot on campus on Saturday, May 18th, by an ‘armed intruder.’ The incident, which occurred around 4 PM, has been confirmed by university officials. A suspect has been detained, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation. The identity of the victim has not yet been released. The campus community is strongly advised to avoid the South Campus Housing area due to police activity.
Former President Trump has filed an appeal to the Georgia Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn a court decision that denied his request to disqualify Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis from the case against him. Trump and several co-defendants allege that Willis had an inappropriate affair with special counsel Nathan Wade, whom she hired, and that she financially benefited from the relationship. Willis and Wade have denied these allegations.
Amidst concerns from the US, approximately 50,000 people marched peacefully in Tbilisi, Georgia, to protest a controversial “foreign agents” bill. The legislation requires organizations receiving significant foreign funding to register as “agents of foreign influence”. Protesters, including older individuals and young people, waved Georgian, EU, and Ukrainian flags, expressing their opposition to the bill, which they believe aligns with Russia’s policies and undermines democratic values.
