February 2024 - Page 2 of 10 - Riverdale Standard

Sophia Johnson

CEC Responds to NDI Recommendations on Parliamentary Elections

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia has issued a statement regarding the recommendations made by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024. The CEC said it is actively working to ensure the professionalism and adherence to international standards of the election process, especially in relation to the use of electronic technologies. CEC Welcomes NDI Report The NDI has completed its first pre-election…

Meliora 2024: Georgia celebrates its most responsible businesses

Georgia is gearing up for its fifth edition of the annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Contest, Meliora 2024. The contest, supported by the European Union and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), aims to recognize and reward the most inspiring and outstanding CSR projects and initiatives in the country. A growing initiative Meliora 2024, which means “better things” in Latin, was launched in 2018 by the Center for Strategic Research and…

Georgian Currency Faces Downward Pressure Amid Economic Challenges

The Georgian Lari (GEL), the national currency of Georgia, has been losing its value against the US dollar (USD) in recent weeks, reaching its lowest level since 2020. The depreciation of the Lari has raised concerns among the public and the authorities, as it affects the purchasing power, inflation, and external debt of the country. What are the causes of the Lari’s decline? According to experts, there are several factors…

Navalny’s mother receives his body after long struggle with authorities

The mother of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has finally obtained his body from the authorities, who had been holding it for more than a week. Lyudmila Navalnaya, 69, was given the remains of her son on Saturday, according to his spokesperson Kira Yarmysh. Navalny died in prison under mysterious circumstances Alexei Navalny, who was the most prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, died on 16 February in…

Middle Corridor: A Strategic Route for Eurasian Trade and Cooperation

The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is a multimodal transport network that connects China and Europe via Central Asia and the South Caucasus. It is one of the key initiatives to boost trade, connectivity, and cooperation among the countries along the route. However, to realize its full potential, the Middle Corridor requires a common vision, coordinated policies, and strategic investments from all the stakeholders.…

Georgia’s Gold Export Declines by 40% in January 2024

Georgia, a country rich in mineral resources, has seen a significant drop in its gold export in the first month of 2024. According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia (GEOSTAT), the country exported only 0.21 tons of gold worth $7.08 million in January, which is 40% less than the same period in 2023. What Caused the Decrease in Gold Export? There are several factors that may have contributed to…

US Embassy praises Georgian people’s spirit of freedom on Soviet Occupation Day

Georgia marks 103rd anniversary of Soviet invasion On February 25, 2024, Georgia commemorated the 103rd anniversary of the Soviet invasion that ended its brief period of independence in 1921. The Georgian government and people paid tribute to the soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the country’s sovereignty and freedom. The Georgian flags were flown at half-mast across the country and abroad to honor the victims of the Soviet…

Georgia Invests in Road Infrastructure to Boost Economy and Tourism

Georgia is planning to spend more than 1 billion GEL on the construction and rehabilitation of several road sections across the country, aiming to improve its connectivity, trade, and tourism potential. Tbilisi-Sagarejo Road to be Completed by 2023 One of the major projects that the Georgian government is implementing is the construction of a new 35 km Tbilisi-Sagarejo Road, which will connect the capital city with the eastern region of…

Doug Rice to Retire After 36 Years of NASCAR Broadcasting

Doug Rice, the president and lead anchor of Performance Racing Network (PRN), has announced his retirement from NASCAR broadcasting after the 2024 season. Rice has been a prominent voice of racing on the radio for more than three decades, covering over 210 NASCAR Cup Series races and 13 different racing series. A Distinguished Career in NASCAR Broadcasting Rice began his career in radio as a weekend engineer for WSTP/WRDX in…

NDI warns of low trust in electoral body after recent changes

The National Democratic Institute (NDI), a non-governmental organization that promotes democracy and good governance, has released a report on the pre-election situation in Georgia, ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26, 2024. The report, based on the findings of a delegation that visited the country from February 19 to 25, 2024, expresses concern over the recent amendments to the Electoral Code, which do not comply with the recommendations…