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Wednesday, November 5, 2025

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This article was published 1 year ago

https://nordictimes.com/europe/georgian-dream-wins-the-election-opposition-rejects-the-results/

Europe

Georgian Dream wins the election – opposition rejects result

Updated October 28, 2024, Published October 28, 2024 – By Editorial staff
Representatives of Georgian Dream during election rally.
3 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, won this weekend's elections with over 54% of the vote.

But the pro-Western opposition refuses to accept the result, and the country's president goes so far as to claim that they are "victims of a Russian special operation".

According to the country's electoral authority, Georgian Dream won a clear majority of the vote, while the four main opposition parties together received around 38% - but the election was chaotic as both the ruling party and the opposition declared themselves the winners on Saturday night.

– We do not accept stolen election results and we are not going to recognize these stolen results. The victory won by the Georgian people does not belong to any one party, but belongs to the entire country and the opposition, which was jointly given a mandate of trust by the Georgian people, said opposition leader Tina Bokuchava.

The opposition, which wants Georgia to move closer to the EU and the West, claims that the vote count was rigged and the results manipulated - allegations that are denied by the election authorities.

The country's president, Salomé Zurabishvili, who also belongs to the opposition, claims without presenting any evidence that the election results were manipulated by Russian interference.

– We became witnesses and victims of a Russia special operation, she said, calling on opposition supporters to protest in the capital on Monday.

Risk of violence

Already on Saturday, there were reports of violence and clashes outside several polling stations as opposition and government supporters clashed, and it is considered likely that the situation will escalate further on the streets today and in the coming week.

The pro-Western opposition and its allies in the EU and the US have long criticized the Georgian Dream for refusing to impose sanctions on Russia or cease trade and other cooperation, and the party has frequently been described as "pro-Russian".

The ruling party's own representatives say they are on the side of the Georgian people, and that the opposition parties want to drag the country into war with its neighbor Russia.

According to observers, the Georgian Dream's success is largely due to its focus on strengthening Georgian identity and traditions and the conservative world in general. It has also promised to invest in economic development and poverty reduction.

It should also be noted that Western organizations such as the OSCE and NATO have also publicly made allegations of irregularities linked to the elections and that the EU is calling for a thorough investigation of the electoral process.

Moldova said yes to the EU

Moldova also held an important election recently, with a referendum on 20 October on future EU membership and the inclusion of EU provisions in the country's constitution. The referendum was very close, but according to official data, the "yes" side narrowly won with 50.2% to 49.6% of the vote.

Shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Moldova applied for NATO membership, and although negotiations have not yet started, the country's leaders are hopeful that membership will be granted before 2030.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/europe/shein-sold-sex-dolls-with-childlike-appearance-faces-ban-threat-in-france/

Europe

Shein sold sex dolls with childlike appearance – faces ban threat in France

Published yesterday 11:58 am – By Editorial staff
The sex dolls were marketed as "male masturbation toys" with "erotic bodies" and were depicted holding teddy bears.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Chinese e-commerce giant Shein has sold sex dolls with childlike appearance on its platform. Now the company faces a potential ban in France and the finance minister is demanding a legal investigation.

The Chinese e-commerce giant has plans to open its first physical store in the world on November 5 in Paris, France. The company, known for selling so-called ultra-fast fashion, has faced criticism in France for undeclared microplastics in products and for working conditions in its factories.

Over the weekend, however, new problems emerged for the fast-fashion giant when it was revealed that there was more than fast fashion in their product range – the company was also selling sex dolls.

The dolls, approximately 80 centimeters long, have the features and body shape of a small girl and hold teddy bears in their arms. The product description contained, according to French newspaper Le Monde, sexually explicit language and described the items as "male masturbation toys" with "erotic body".

"Horrible"

After the French anti-fraud authority DGCCRF drew attention to the dolls, they were removed from sale and Shein stated that it has initiated an internal investigation into the matter.

But French Finance Minister Roland Lescure was not satisfied with that. On Monday, he threatened to ban the company from the French market.

— For terrorist acts, drug trafficking and child pornographic objects, the government has the right to request that access to the French market be prohibited, he said according to French BFMTV and continued:

— These horrible things are illegal. There will be a legal investigation.

Since the establishment of the Paris store became known, several brands have withdrawn their products from the department store in protest. In addition to Paris, the fast-fashion giant plans to open five more stores in France during November.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/europe/knife-attack-on-train-in-england-nine-critically-injured/

Europe

Knife attack on train in England – nine critically injured

Deteriorating safety

Published November 2, 2025 – By Editorial staff
"Not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident", according to police.
3 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Ten people have been taken to hospital following a knife attack on a London-bound train in eastern England, with nine of the injured suffering life-threatening injuries. Two people have been arrested and counter-terrorism police are participating in the investigation, but no motive has yet been established.

Bloodied passengers streamed out of the intercity train when it made an emergency stop in the town of Huntingdon, where dozens of police officers were waiting, shortly after multiple stabbings were reported on board. Two people were arrested by armed police at the station.

Police have not identified the suspects or revealed any motive, but state that counter-terrorism police are supporting the investigation.

"Ten people have been taken to hospital with nine believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. This has been declared a major incident and Counter Terrorism Policing are supporting our investigation whilst we work to establish the full circumstances and motivation for this incident", the British Transport Police said in a statement early Sunday morning.

Police stated that "Plato", the national code word used by police and emergency services during suspected terrorist attacks, was activated. This declaration was later withdrawn, but no motive for the attack has been made public.

Unwilling to comment on motive

— We're conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened, and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further, commented Chief Superintendent Chris Casey, according to AP.

— At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.

The attack took place when the train from Doncaster in northern England to London's King's Cross station was approximately halfway through its two-hour journey and approaching Huntingdon, a market town a few miles northwest of the university city of Cambridge.

Passenger Olly Foster told the BBC that he heard people shouting "run, run, there's a guy literally stabbing everyone", and initially thought it might be a Halloween prank. But when passengers pushed past him to escape, he noticed his hand was covered in blood from a chair he had leaned against.

"Horrendous scenes"

Emergency services, including armed police and air ambulances, arrived quickly as the train rolled into Huntingdon. The attack appears to have been stopped quickly after the train arrived at the station, and officers in forensic suits, along with a police dog, could be seen on the platform.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the local police force, stated that officers were called at 7:39 PM on Saturday evening to the scene, approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of London.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his "thoughts are with all those affected" by the "appalling incident".

Paul Bristow, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said he had heard of "horrendous scenes" on the train.

London North Eastern Railway, LNER, which operates the East Coast Main Line service in Britain, confirmed that the incident occurred on one of its trains and announced there would be major disruptions on the route until Monday.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/europe/riots-erupt-in-dublin-following-assault-on-ten-year-old/

Europe

Riots erupt in Dublin following assault on ten-year-old

Migrant violence

Published October 22, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Large crowds gathered outside the asylum accommodation in Saggart, Ireland, where protests soon turned into riots
3 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

An asylum-seeking man in his 30s with a deportation order has been arrested, suspected of sexual assault against a 10-year-old girl in Dublin, Ireland.

The incident quickly triggered violent riots when thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the asylum accommodation in the suburb of Saggart.

The assault allegedly took place on Monday near the former Citywest Hotel, which now functions as permanent asylum accommodation. The man came to Ireland from an African country approximately six years ago, reports the Irish Times.

The victim, a 10-year-old girl, had been in the care of Tusla, the Irish Child and Family Agency, since earlier this year due to what the agency describes as "significant behavioral issues". The girl was being cared for at a special facility where staff were available around the clock.

According to Tusla, the girl escaped from staff during a planned outing in central Dublin, after which she was reported missing to police. She was later found at a relative's home but escaped from there again, and thereafter only maintained phone contact with staff without revealing her exact location.

The girl later told staff that she had been involved in a serious incident, and through the information she provided, staff were able to determine where she was and contacted police.

Received rejection of asylum application

The suspected man had his asylum application rejected in 2024, according to Irish media. Since March of this year, there has been a deportation order against him, but he has not left the country.

The man is being held for questioning and police have 24 hours to press charges or release him.

Several thousand demonstrators gathered on Tuesday outside the asylum accommodation. The situation quickly escalated when the protests turned into full-scale riots where some participants threw projectiles at police, fired fireworks, and set fire to at least one police car.

Police were forced to deploy reinforcements and used a water cannon to gain control of the situation, and an area has been cordoned off as a crime scene outside the hotel.

"Fundamental duty to protect children"

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin acknowledges that authorities have failed to protect the girl.

— It is the fundamental duty of the state to protect the children of the state, and irrespective of the complexity or severity of any case, that duty must be fulfilled, he says.

Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris calls the case "horrifying" but appeals to the public to show restraint.

— It's important that we have an opportunity to establish the facts, and that the agencies also have an opportunity to present those facts, he argues.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan condemns the attacks on police and says that "peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not".

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/europe/portugal-set-to-ban-burqas/

Europe

Portugal set to ban burqas

Published October 21, 2025 – By Editorial staff
NOTE: The image is an archive photo from Denmark, 2021.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Portuguese Parliament has voted to ban face coverings in most public spaces.

The proposal was initiated by the Chega party and is justified as a measure to strengthen gender equality and women's rights in society.

Burqas and niqabs are expected to be banned in public places in Portugal if the bill is approved by the country's president.

The measure applies when these are worn for "reasons related to gender and religion" and carries fines of between €200 and €4,000 for violations. Anyone who forces someone to wear a face covering also risks up to three years in prison.

If the law comes into force, Portugal would join other European countries that have already introduced full or partial bans on burqas and niqabs, including France, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa can, however, veto the bill or refer it to the constitutional court for review.

André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, said during the debate: – Protecting female members of parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from having to use burqas in this country one day.

Women from left-wing parties oppose the proposal

Several female parliamentarians from left-wing parties opposed the proposal and confronted Ventura in the chamber, but the bill was approved with support from the center-right coalition governing the country.

– This is a debate on equality between men and women. No woman should be forced to veil her face, declared Andreia Neto from the Social Democratic Party before the vote.

Only a small minority of Muslim women in Europe wear full face coverings, and in Portugal they are very rare. However, due to immigration from Muslim countries, their use is gradually increasing.

Full veils such as niqabs and burqas have long been a highly controversial issue in Europe, where critics argue that they symbolize gender discrimination, religious fundamentalism, or may pose a security threat.

The bill in Portugal has therefore become a central issue in the debate about balancing religious freedom, gender equality, and security. If finally approved, it is expected to resemble the rules already in place in several other EU countries.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Portugal and the burqa ban

  • Ban on: Burqa and niqab in public places in Portugal
  • Origin of the bill: Introduced by the Chega party (a Portuguese right-wing populist party)
  • Fines: €200–€4,000 for violations
  • Imprisonment: Up to three years for anyone who forces someone to wear a burqa or niqab
  • President's role: Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa can veto or refer the proposal to the constitutional court
  • European comparisons: Similar to laws in France, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands
  • Background: Only a small minority of Muslim women wear face coverings in Portugal. However, the trend is increasing somewhat due to immigration

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