Thousands celebrate as fire-devils light up Catalonia's La Patum festival
Thousands of revellers packed Berga's main square as fire-devil performers showered the crowd with sparks during Catalonia's UNESCO-listed La Patum fe...
The European Commission has announced plans to dispatch a technical mission to Georgia in the coming weeks to investigate alleged violations during the October 26 parliamentary elections.
The European Commission has announced plans to dispatch a technical mission to Georgia in the coming weeks to investigate alleged violations during the October 26 parliamentary elections.
Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Commission on external relations, confirmed the preparations, noting that details would be disclosed later. Stano also highlighted that the head of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission will deliver a report to EU member states, assessing how complaints about electoral irregularities were handled.
On November 18, Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reiterated the EU’s concerns about the election process, describing it as indicative of a "democratic backslide" by Georgia's government. Following the EU Foreign Ministers’ Council meeting, Borrell announced that a specialized mission would examine the election proceedings.
The election results, which saw the ruling party "Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia" secure 53.93% of the vote and 89 parliamentary seats, have faced mixed reactions from the EU. While Hungary and Slovakia acknowledged the results, other member states, such as Lithuania, questioned the elections’ fairness. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called for an independent international investigation, urging Georgian authorities to cooperate fully.
Amid the controversy, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze expressed the government’s readiness to assist the EU mission, stating that Georgia is open to scrutiny and willing to provide access to ballots.
The October 26 elections were marked by notable opposition resistance. Key opposition parties, including the “Coalition for Change,” which secured 19 seats, and the “Unity – National Movement,” which won 16 seats, rejected the results. Protests erupted in Tbilisi on November 16, with demonstrators blocking entrances to the Central Election Commission (CEC).
As the EU mission prepares to arrive, questions about the integrity of Georgia’s electoral process remain under scrutiny, reflecting growing tensions between the nation’s ruling party and opposition forces.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party has won the Armenian elections, picking up nearly half the vote. With a majority in parliament, Pashinyan is set for a third term as Prime Minister. But an opposition politican has said he will challenge the election results.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
Barcelona is preparing to mark a historic milestone in the legacy of architect Antoni Gaudí as Pope Leo XIV visits the city this week to inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família basilica, almost exactly 100 years after the visionary architect’s death.
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have meanwhile made pleas for peace.
A powerful earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday (8 June), killing at least 32 people and triggering tsunami warnings across the region.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
Uzbekistan and Russia have agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, energy and food security following high-level meetings held during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the U.S. would bear direct responsibility for any escalation in West Asia after Iran and Israel resumed strikes for the first time since the April ceasefire.
Four Palestinians, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Monday (8 June), according to local health officials, as mediators continued efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Kazakhstan will require major businesses to introduce five-year water-saving plans as authorities warn that worsening shortages could threaten not only the environment but also the country's economy.
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