Eurasia / News
Georgia's parliament passes controversial 'foreign agents' bill amid mass protests and U.S. warnings
Washington says it might impose financial and travel restrictions on certain individuals if the bill remains unchanged or if security forces continue to violently suppress protests.
Georgian Dream accuses West of funding violent opposition to its foreign agents law
Controversial Russian-style "foreign agent" law passes final reading on May 14, though it is expected to be temporarily vetoed by the president.
Kazakh ex-minister convicted of savage torture and murder of wife in trial that gripped nation
Kuandyk Bishimbayev jailed for 24 years. Jury members wept as CCTV footage of sickening assault was shown. Campaigners hope for permanent change in attitudes to domestic violence.
Transit fee rivals Russia, Kazakhstan “happy” China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway not progressing
Beijing appears deterred by cost and geopolitical considerations, but if realised “CKU” would open up shortest China-Europe rail route.
Anti-government protests mount in Armenia
The protests are fuelled by public discontent over Pashinian's decision to make unilateral concessions of territory to Azerbaijan in a border delimitation deal.
Georgians rally against "foreign agents" bill in largest protest in country's history
With parliament set to commence the bill's final reading on May 14, organisers have called for continuous protests, urging Georgians to make their voices heard.
EU-Georgia relations hit a new low as Tbilisi warns of foreign-funded power-grab
State Security Service accuses demonstrators of wanting to overthrow the government with foreign funding.
Korea turns to Uzbekistan in bid to meet demand for additional 3,000 automotive workers per year
Wider world of work both east and west appears to be opening up to Uzbek labour migrants.
Nothing concrete has yet emerged from nuclear plant talks with Russia, says Uzbekistan
Tashkent has received proposals from other countries, though as things stand there are no talks on alternatives to Russian bid, UzAtom director says.
Turkey reportedly still loading Azerbaijani oil for Israel despite “total trade ban”
Trade ministry said “all products” are subject to boycott, but tankers on Ceyhan to Haifa crude export route appear unaffected.
Rights groups call on Tajikistan to disclose whereabouts of “forcibly disappeared” opposition leader
“Devastating reports” say Suhrob Zafar may have lost ability to walk following torture. Turkey suspected of role in rendition.
Shocking trial of ex-minister has shifted domestic violence attitudes in Kazakhstan, says brother
Country’s first court hearing to be screened online has included CCTV showing how wife died after torturous beating that lasted several hours.
Russia doesn’t like taking a back seat to China in Central Asia trade
But domestic economic woes may be slowing Beijing’s exports.
Fighting breaks out in Georgian parliament, halting vote on 'foreign agents' law
A debate to approve Georgia’s controversial 'foreign agents' bill in its second reading was disrupted after fights broke out in the chamber between members of the ruling party and opposition MPs on May 1.
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Fighting between protestors and riot police breaks out in Tbilisi
Baton-wielding riot police attacked protestors, firing rubber bullets and tear gas at thousands of demonstrators in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi late on the evening on April 30, as authorities tried to end weeks of demonstrations.
Georgian oligarch Ivanishvili advocates repression, blames Western “Party of War” for country’s ills
Georgian Dream's founder's strong comments indicate that the party is not planning to back down, despite big demonstrations against the 'foreign agents' bill over the past two weeks.
Tajikistan protests to Russia over treatment of citizens with 1,000 stranded at Moscow airport
Central Asians have faced xenophobic backlash since March terror attack allegedly committed by Tajik gunmen.
Police use pepper spray on demonstrators in Tbilisi protesting against foreign agents law
Tensions soared in central Tbilisi after thousands of demonstrators filled the centre of the city on April 28 to protest against the so-called foreign agents law that is making its way through parliament.
It’s no slip-up, there are almost no bananas in Turkmenistan
Analysis shows Turkmens consume less than one banana per person per year.
Germany charges seven Central Asians with forming terror group
Five are Tajik nationals. Headache for Rahmon regime with Tajikistan looking increasingly like a major recruiting ground for international terrorists.