Georgia’s National Intelligence Service confirms that it has launched an investigation into an alleged plot by “former high officials” to “violently overthrow” the government and assassinate Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
While details are scarce, at least six people have reportedly been summoned for questioning, and local media report links to Ukraine. Georgians living in Ukraine have also been accused of plotting a coup against the government in Tbilisi.
“The aim of the criminal activities is to violently overthrow the state government by destructive forces in the midst of creating unrest in the country and weakening the government”, a statement said.
“Active investigations and operative-search measures are underway in which specific persons are sent to the investigative body for questioning”, it added, according to Al Jazeera.
The statement accused “former high officials” of being behind the plot, and local media reported links to Ukraine. In the past, unnamed Georgians living in Ukraine have also been accused of plotting a coup.
The Georgian government has good relations with Moscow and Bidzina Ivanishvili, who has been identified as the main target of the coup plotters and is the country’s richest man. He founded the ruling party in 2012, served as prime minister between 2012 and 2013, and is still believed to have considerable influence over the party.
Limiting “foreign influence”
The allegations of a planned coup come shortly after Georgia introduced a law to limit “foreign influence” over the country – requiring media outlets, NGOs and other non-profit groups to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.
The government says the law is necessary to curb malicious foreign actors seeking to destabilize the country in various ways – but its critics say it is instead aimed at limiting independent media coverage and debate ahead of parliamentary elections later this fall.
Opponents have dubbed it the “Russian law” because it resembles in many ways recent measures pushed by the Kremlin to counter what they say are influence campaigns by media and organizations serving foreign interests.
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Poland’s government is being shaken by a growing scandal after it was revealed that parts of Poland’s EU recovery funds for post-covid recovery ended up with businesses that can hardly be described as socially critical – including a swingers club, a pizzeria with a solarium, and a chain of vodka bars.
The revelation came when the government published an interactive map of grant recipients to show how the money was distributed. Instead of confirming responsible use, it exposed how support from a program worth 1.2 billion złoty (approximately 282 million euros) went to yachts, entertainment establishments, and other projects that raise questions about the authorities’ judgment and control over how EU citizens’ tax money is actually used.
One of the most notable cases involves a business in southern Poland registered at the same address as a swingers club.
The national-conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) describes the affair as a textbook example of cronyism and waste of taxpayer money.
— One of the biggest scandals since 1989, declared PiS parliamentarian Tobiasz Bocheński.
He staged a protest on Saturday outside the prime minister’s office with a fake sign for the made-up “Ministry of Herring and Vodka” – a reference to one of the businesses that received funding.
PiS is now demanding parliamentary hearings and that prosecutors examine “the link, dependency and decision-making chain”.
Grants for luxury and entertainment
The HoReCa program is part of the 254 billion złoty (approximately 59.8 billion euros) that Poland was allocated from the EU’s recovery plan. The money was frozen by the EU for a long time due to alleged rule of law deficiencies under the PiS government, and releasing the funds was one of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s main campaign promises in 2023.
The program was created to save hotels, restaurants and cultural activities and make them more resilient to crises. Instead, parts of the support have been used to buy luxury goods and finance activities far from the program’s core purpose.
A restaurant owner in Łódź, whose grant was used to buy two yachts, defended himself, claiming that they “didn’t get this money for vacations”. Instead, he argued that the EU-financed luxury boats could be rented out to tourists when the restaurants were closed.
The owner of the business registered at the same address as the swingers club claims in turn that the grant went to metalworking machines – not to adult entertainment.
Officials emphasize that many of the criticized purchases, despite their questionable utility, actually followed the program’s rules – rules that were formulated by the previous government and allowed investments in, for example, tourist rentals or “environmentally friendly attractions”.
Miliardy euro z KPO to wielkie projekty rozwojowe Polski. Włożyliśmy za dużo wysiłku w ich odblokowanie, by pozwolić komukolwiek na marnotrastwo. Każdy, kto popełnił błędy, poniesie (lub już poniósł) konsekwencje. Niezależnie od stanowiska i partyjnej przynależności. A to, że PiS…
To quell criticism from outraged citizens who have grown tired of widespread corruption, Prime Minister Donald Tusk assures that improper use of the funds will not be tolerated.
“We put too much effort into unlocking these billions to allow anyone to waste them”, he wrote on X on Saturday, also promising that “anyone who made mistakes will face consequences, regardless of their position or party affiliation”.
A well-known Polish entrepreneur, Rafał Brzoska – owner of logistics company InPost – directs sharp criticism at how the recovery funds have been handled. He describes the scandal as the end for KPO, the Polish part of the EU’s recovery plan, and believes the causes are “stupidity, haste, human greed, the lack of proper procedures, and the absence of qualified personnel to competently assess applications and separate the wheat from the chaff?”.
KPO = Koniec Programu Odbudowy:(
– z głupoty?
– z pośpiechu?
– z ludzkiej pazerności?
– z braku procesu i zasobów ludzkich do sprawnej oceny merytorycznej wniosków i odsiania plewów od dobrego ziarna?
Żal, że tak ważny dla Polski i polskiej gospodarki i inwestycji program…
“It’s a shame that such an important program for Poland, its economy and investments ends this way, because no one has any doubts anymore that this is THE END”, he added.
“Obliged to take action”
Prosecutors have begun investigating, and the finance ministry says the first results from the review will come at the end of September.
The European Commission has so far been more restrained in its response, but has requested an explanation from Warsaw.
— Poland is obliged to take explanatory action, said EU Commission spokesperson Maciej Berestecki in an interview with radio channel RMF FM.
Brussels emphasizes that if the Polish authorities’ response to any irregularities is deemed insufficient, the European Commission can take further action. In cases where suspected fraud occurs, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud office) can also intervene.
Israel has initiated discussions with South Sudan about expelling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the war-torn East African country.
The plans are described as an attempt at mass expulsion and ethnic cleansing following Israel’s 22-month-long invasion and have drawn strong criticism for violating international law and humanitarian principles.
Six sources with insight confirm to Associated Press that talks are ongoing, but it remains unclear how far they have actually progressed. The proposal involves moving Palestinians from one starvation zone to another, which according to analysts risks worsening the already very difficult humanitarian situation for Gaza’s population.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for what he himself claims is “voluntary migration”, and has previously proposed similar arrangements with other African countries.
— I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there, Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli TV channel i24 on Tuesday.
‼️‼️‼️Prime Minister Netanyahu urges Gazans to leave!! Those who care about Palestinians must open their borders now!!! Important interview with @netanyahupic.twitter.com/JtrMBfTvec
Palestinians and human rights organizations reject the plans, however, stating that it practically amounts to ethnic cleansing, where Israel could annex all of Gaza and reestablish Jewish settlements – a demand from far-right ministers in the government. Many Palestinians also fear they would never be allowed to return to their homeland.
For South Sudan, which has struggled with civil war, corruption and famine since independence in 2011, the agreement is seen as a way to strengthen ties with Israel and Trump. The country’s leadership hopes for eased sanctions and improved relations with the US.
— Cash-strapped South Sudan needs any ally, financial gain and diplomatic security it can get, says journalist Peter Martell, author of the book First Raise a Flag, which is about the African nation.
An Israeli delegation plans to visit the African country to investigate whether it is possible to establish camps for Palestinians, according to Joe Szlavik, founder of a lobbying company that works with the country.
Analysts point out that Israel is likely prepared to finance temporary camps in the country, but Edmund Yakani, leader of a South Sudanese civil society organization, warns of the consequences.
— South Sudan should not become a dumping ground for people. And it should not accept to take people as negotiating chips to improve relations, says Yakani.
Discussions with more African countries
Egypt opposes the plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza. They are concerned that this would lead to increased refugee flows from Gaza, which would negatively affect their own country.
Israel and the US have previously held talks with Sudan, Somalia and the self-declared region of Somaliland, all of which are struggling with war and famine. However, it is unclear how far these discussions have progressed.
Critics argue that the proposal to expel Palestinians from Gaza not only violates international law, but also ignores their right to their land.
Even though many Palestinians would likely consider leaving Gaza temporarily due to war and famine, South Sudan is also considered a particularly poor alternative – not only because the country is poor, chaotic and dysfunctional – but also because bloody ethnic and religious conflicts have long been ongoing in the region.
At a press conference on Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a massive operation to combat crime in Washington, DC.
As part of the measures, the city’s police will be placed under federal control, and hundreds of National Guard soldiers will patrol the streets to make the city safer. Trump simultaneously warned that New York could be next for similar measures.
— I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor – and worse. This is liberation day in DC and we’re going to take our capital back, Trump said during a press conference at the White House.
The president expressed frustration over what he described as the growing crime in the city.
— Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, Trump said and continued: “And we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it”.
Trump noted that the operations would begin quickly, in the same way as the measures taken at the southern border to stop illegal immigration. “We’re going to clean it up real quick, like we did on the southern border”, he clarified.
BREAKING: DC will now be under FEDERAL control, the National Guard will be deployed
“This is liberation day in D.C. and we’re gonna take our capitol back!” – President Trump pic.twitter.com/RbShJTQlkD
According to US legislation, the Home Rule Act of 1973, the president has the right to take control of Washington’s police force for up to 30 days, with the possibility for Congress to extend the measures. The Trump administration has sent documents formalizing the takeover to Congress, and later in the day, DC’s police chief and other federal officials met to discuss next steps.
— This will be an opportunity for us to come together and collaborate on being able to go out and execute warrants, said MPD Police Chief Pamela Smith.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified in an interview that the National Guard will not just be present but will act proactively in their operation.
— They will be strong, they will be tough and they will stand with their law enforcement partners., Hegseth said, adding: “If you take an action or a shot at them, there will be a consequence”.
“Doubled up on Baghdad”
Trump defended his decision and showed a chart during the press conference comparing murder statistics per capita in Washington, DC with the capitals of cocaine-exporting Colombia, Mexico and Iraq.
— We doubled up on Baghdad, he claimed, describing the situation as “completely unacceptable”.
— They’ll immediately begin massive enforcement operations targeting known gangs, drug dealers and criminal networks to get them the hell off the street, Trump said. He also suggested that certain criminals, whom he claimed came to the US illegally, will be deported.
Photo: screenshot/Truth Social/Trump
— They come from Venezuela, they come from all over the world. We’re going to get them the hell out, he explained.
The National Guard will also assist in a larger operation to remove homeless camps from public places, including parks and underpasses.
— We’re getting rid of the slums, Trump promised and mentioned that beautifying the city’s public areas and repairing median strips and potholes are part of the operation.
“False numbers”
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is a Democrat, confirmed that she will comply with the federal operations but expressed concern that Trump’s decision represents a major interference in local self-governance.
— I’m going to work every day to make sure it’s not a complete disaster, Bowser said, claiming to be particularly concerned about the presence of plainclothes law enforcement personnel.
— All law enforcement be identifiable by uniform, a badge, a jacket, so that people know that they are law enforcement.
Trump addressed the criticism and responded in his way.
— I know it’s not politically correct. We’re going to get them the hell out. They won’t be here long,
New York next?
Defense Secretary Hegseth also clarified that soldiers from other states will assist in the operation.
— They will be standing right alongside our federal agents, like they were in Los Angeles. They’re going to be proactive.
Trump also mentioned that he is looking at other cities that may need similar federal operations.
— You look at Chicago, how bad it is. You look at Los Angeles, how bad it is. We have other cities that are very bad. New York has a problem, Trump said, suggesting that more cities may receive federal support if the situation doesn’t improve.
The president also took the opportunity to express his long-term visions for the city.
— Washington, DC, should be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world, and we’re going to make it that, Trump summarized and promised that he intends to “clean it up real quick”.
Portable “pop-up houses” are now available for purchase on American retailers Walmart and Amazon. The houses are manufactured in China and come in several sizes and price ranges.
The houses, which are built from containers, are called “expandable prefab houses” and are created by Chinese company Chery Industrial. They can be purchased in various sizes, ranging from a simple office with bathroom that costs approximately €14,000, to a larger house with bedroom, living room and dining room along with bathroom and kitchen that costs around €24,500.
The pop-up houses can be bought on Amazon and also at American discount retailer Walmart, but it’s likely cheapest to buy directly from the manufacturer, reports Fortune.
The house can be packed up and becomes “container-sized,” according to the company. Delivery to the buyer is included, but the buyer is responsible for moving the house from the truck. This requires a forklift strong enough to lift the container house, but for the larger houses it’s recommended to rent a crane. The house is delivered folded up and then you need help from friends to unfold it.
China is now building small, affordable homes, that you can buy at Walmarts in the USA.
Buy an acre of land with some friends and put a few of these on there.
Before purchasing, you need to have land to place the house on, but also plan for connecting water and electricity. Toilet and shower are included in most houses, but furniture you naturally choose yourself.
In recent years, so-called “tiny houses” have become a movement, particularly in the USA, where people advocate for more minimalism and simply living more simply with fewer possessions. Often the houses are portable, extremely small in size compared to regular houses, but also planned and well-thought-out in both structure and furnishing.
