Juglander Review

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Leading opposition MP calls against legislative reform

Irakli Bneladze, member of the Mktvartvelo's National Assembly, has called members of the Council of State, the Upper House of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo's parliament, to vote against and reject Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze's parliamentary reform, which is expected to have its final reading later this week.

Bneladze has argued that the bill desnaturalizes the institutional role of the parliament and the nature of the work of the lawmakers.
 
The lawmaker has become a leading member of the conservative block in the National Assembly, particularly since he finished runner-up in the election to Speaker of the National Assembly, after he received 192 votes, only being defeated by incumbent Speaker Ramaz Kintsurashvil.

However, reports that Bneladze is personally in negotiations with a number of lawmakers to establish a large parliamentary group from the opposition MPs, in case Prime Minister Samkharadze's legislative project is passed, has led to accusations of hypocrisy. "We, as parliamentary representatives", Bneladze replied, "we will be ready to use all the instrument to our disposals to fought against the aim to turn the parliament into a weak and empty institution".

It is still unclear if the majority of the Council of State will be inclined to follow Bneladze's advice, who despite his recent prominence, has no experience in national government and he's not afraid to bring controversial issues to the public opinion. More recently, he voiced his proposal to establish a register of religious organizations operating in Mktvartvelo which would also establish that only Mktvartvelo-born residents can be members of the clergy for any cult or church based in the country.

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Juglander Review

Tour of Ardia: Emma Asserssen wins first mountain stage

Juglander rider Emma Asserssen won the fifth stage in the women's Tour of Ardia, in the first day the peloton in mountainous terrain. Asserssen was the only rider who was able to follow climber Sanae Osumi in her final attack, defeating the Higanbana rider in the final metres of the stage.

"We know that such a tough stage after a time trial was going to be rather unpredictable, and we would have our chance", Asserssen declared. "I felt soon and I had my legs, and I'm so glad to have obtained this victory, for me and four our team as well".

It was the first Tour of Ardia win for the Juglander rider, and her first professional win since she joined her new team this season, as well as her biggest result since she obtained a silver medal in the 2021 Mundus Games road race.

"Both through the season and the previous stages, we were certain that Emma was close to such a victory", MKTkom sports director declared. "We know she had a complicated season last year, but we had confidence that she was able to be between the best riders of the peloton, and we were proved right today".

Achkaerinese Niamh Fernley, who finished third six seconds after Asserssen and Osumi, is the new leader in the general classification.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Parliament reform fails to pass in Council of State

The Council of State, Mktvartvelo's Upper House of the parliament, has rejected the Financial and Parliamentary Regulations Act, recently passed by the National Assembly, the parliament Lower House, by a 71-58 vote.

As a consequence, the legislation will be sent back to the National Assembly. However, the likeliness of a required majority in the National Assembly or negotiated chances in the bill to be passed in the Council of State does not seem very likely, something than most pro-government lawmakers and national media seem to agree.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze, while declaring that he was disappointed by the result, announced that his government will continue to work toward bringing legislative changes in behalf of the citizens of the nation. However, some pro-government MPs have called for a more confrontational stance in order to bring legislative changes after some key legislative reforms failed to pass in the Council of State. Still, although there has been reports on divisions in the national government regarding the failure to pass some of the important legislative projects, it is not expected that the situation may change until the next year legislative election.

Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers have called the Prime Minister to resign after proving the failure of his political project.

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Juglander Review

New Legislative Assembly

Juglander voters returned to the polls as legislative elections to the Legislative Assembly, the state unicameral parliament in Jugland, to choose between the two run-off candidates where a candidate failed to obtain the required majority in the first round.

The Progressive Liberal Party was the most voted political party again, and will become the largest political party in the Legislative Assembly, with 37 representatives.

The second largest political party in the Legislative Assembly will be the Betse coalition, which ended with 12 representatives, most of them obtained as expected in Yamato-majority constituencies. Their main rival, the Reiwa party, obtained 8 representatives.

Secretary Theudbald Salovaara's Accord for Jugland only obtained 9 representatives, which has arisan comments regarding a possible early case of buyer's remorse by voters. However, a source close to Salovaara, while showing some disappointment about the result, have blamed tactical voting against the coalition as the main reason why the coalition obtained fewer representatives than expected.

The State Governorate parties obtained a clear majority in the Legislative Assembly, which leaves the disagreement between the political parties and coalition within the government as the main obstacle to the activity and agenda of the executive.

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Juglander Review

Tour of Ardia: Hadewynda Salonen wins stage as Mydland takes general classification

Hadewynda Salonen gave Kommuna Ladies their first win in the Tour of Ardia after defeating Sanae Osumi and Aleksandrina Chaykovsky in the final metres of the seventh stage.

Chavkovsky and the Juglander rider were the only ones who were able to follow Osumi last attack, in which Salonen showed a higher power as she did when she surprised winning the Lacuna Classic earlier this season.

Her teammate Sygnyr Mydland is the new leader of the general classification, with thirty one seconds ahead over local rider Aurelia Junia, with only one mountain stage before the end of the tour.

"It was a perfect day", Mydland declared. "Not every day things go as we hope, indeed, but today we proved the stronger team. We must continue this day in these last days".

Mydland, who finished third last year, aims to become the first Juglander to wins the Tour of Ardia. Meanwhile, local fans are putting their hopes in AureaTerra-Sinus Aurelia Junia and her teammate Aquila Caelia to end a negative streak of several years without an Ardian winner.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Student unions call for high education strike demanding more spending and electoral reform

The two largest students organizations in Mktvartvelo have published an open letter calling for a national strike in higher education.

In their open letter, they call for a peaceful mobilization in behalf of the education system and structural changes. Between their demands, they call for an increase of spending in education at all levels, calling the government to abandon its plans to increase private funding in higher education, and a reform of the electoral law, as well as removal of charges against those facing tiral for their participation in the national strike months ago.

The All-Mktvartvelian Labour Union (SMSK), has expressed sympathy for the demands of the students union, although their spokesperson has declared they will only consider the proposal in their next executive meeting at the end of the week.

The Confederation of Workers and Independent Professionals (MDPK), meanwhile, have declared that they will consider the proposals and offer dialogue with the student organizations. However, they have declared that they will not join any protest or mobilization of political nature.

Tour of Ardia: Peloton leaves Ardian mountains in tumultuous stage

Juglander riders did not have their best day in the women's Tour of Ardia last mountain stage. When the main group was descending one of the stage climbs, several riders ended in the group as consequence of an unfortunate crash.

Emma Asserssen got the worse impact and she had to abandon the stage. MKTkom spokesperson confirmed hours later, to everyone relief, that her injuries were not too serious, although the Juglander rider will likely require a period of recovery. The leader of the general classification, Sygnyr Mydland, was also involved in the crash, and although she could continue and finish the stage, it damaged considerably her performance, as she was unable to return to the main group and ended arriving about ten minutes after the winner of the stage.

Ardian Aquila Caelia became the new leader of the general classification, with a lead of one minute and twenty seconds over Kommuna Ladies Hadewynda Salonen, with only a last stage remaining to decide the champion.

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Juglander Review

Sports: Hadewynda Salonen wins Tour of Ardia

Hadewynda Salonen became the first Juglander to win the Tour of Ardia. The Juglander rider gave the first grand tour to Kommuna Ladies team after leading the general classification in the last stage.

The strong winds proved critical to decide the winner of the general classification. Higanbana Sanae Osumi and Phoenix Cycling Niamh Fernley completed the podium.

While she was not considered one of the contenders to the title, not even in her own team, Salonen proved to be a consistent rider, winning one stage and wearing the general classification jersey for three days.

"This victory belongs to the whole team", Salonen declared. "It would have been impossible without them. Not going to lie...our mood was not great after the previous stage. But they have proved they are the best and that we could do this. I'm as proud of them as I'm happy about this victory".

Salonen, 26, could not have started better his first season riding for Kommuna Ladies. She declared that she will continue to work hard during the season. "It is time to celebrate and rest a bit", she added. "Then, we will see.".

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Juglander Review

Sports: FK Albrektberg wins 2023 Juglander Cup

FK Albrektberg defeated FK Sandberg 4-0 to win the Juglander Cup final, the second most important football domestic championship in Jugland.

FK Sandberg, the incumbent champions, were willing to repeat glory after a rather disappointing season, but they could barely offer a challenge against the rivals.

FK Albrektberg took an early lead, with goals in 18th and and 26th minutes. While the Sandberg side seemed to aim to put up a fight during the first minutes of the second half, this expectation soon faded away as striker Thabo Marhanele scored the 3-0 at the 59th minute. Erwyn Seppa completed the victory scoring the final 4-0 at the 69th minute.

It is the 36th cup title for FK Albrektberg which hopes to continue their celebrations next week, as they only need a win in their next match to decide the league title for another season. With only three matches to end the league, FK Albrektberg has currently a 8-point lead over their main rivals EMAC Albrektberg.

In an almost perfect season, in which FK Albrektberg has only lost one game in all the season. "We needed this win", manager Okoda Shingo. While FK Albrektberg command on the league championship have remained uncontested in the last seasons, if there are no surprises, they will win their first "double season" (winning league and cup the same season), for first time since 2020, which was the last time until yesterday that they won the Juglander Cup.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Priestesses expelled from the clergy in controversial case

Two former priestesses from the Order of Simartlea, Veriko M. and Tsisana B., faced yesterday the conclusion of one of the most mediatic religious trials in the Unitary of Mktvartvelo in recent memory.

Both served as priestesses in a temple consacrated to Mamtsvari for a number of years. However, it was discovered they were in an intimate relationship. The Order of Simartlea, the largest religion in the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo, and which enjoys close to official recognition, establishes a compulsory vow of celibacy for their female clergy.

After a preliminary ruling had declared them guilty, the General Disciplinary Court of Martvilisi confirmed the ruling in the charges of dereliction in the religious duties, violation of the code of conduct of the Order, and desecration of sacred spaces. As consequence, the General Disciplinary Court confirmed by unanimity that they would be immediately suspended and expelled from the clergy and forbidden to assist any religious rite of the Order of Simartlea in the next following 5 years. The court, however, did not endorse their excommunication from the Order for their cooperation during the trial and their admission and understanding toward the consequences of their acts.

The violation of the vows of the clergy was once a serious offense. Before Brzdmtsveli Malkhaz Kapanadze's 1859-1861 legal reforms, a priestess who would have violated the vow of celibacy could face the death penalty. The notoriety that the case has received has increasing calls that consider that such vows, including the compulsory and official abandon of one's family and clan before the ordainment of a priestess, are meaningless archaic rules which should disappear in present society. It is not likely that the Order itself is likely considering those calls for reform, however, as they are viewed as existing since ancient times and innate of the nature and function and duties of the clergy in the role as mediators with the supernatural, according to the Order of Simartlea doctrinal documents.

Conservative critics, on the contrary, have blamed the recent approval of same-sex marriage as having a negative effect on the clergy in such cases. "It is inevitable that in weak hearts", a prominent writer wrote in Akheli Ambebi, "that an endorsement by secular and religious authorities of such conduct has a likely effect to increase the chances of temptation and weakness in their minds toward such opprobrious conduct".

In any case, the legal case seems to have finally reached an end, as the two defendants seem to have accepted the sentenced, and agreed that they will not appeal to the High Court of Appeal, the ultimate appellate court on religious matters.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Student protests continue in Azavrelia after national education strike

Students organizations has called their national education strike a success, despite the Ministry of Education denial that it had a significant effect on the activity of universities and other higher education institutions.

They promised to continue their struggle until their demands are heard and a path to real change is established. Meanwhile, students representatives in Azavrelia held a large meeting in which they called for a second day of strike the following day.

While the strike had a limited impact compared the previous day, compared to a spokesperson of the university, a large demonstration was held through the university campus. At the end of the demonstration, a block of protesters gathered in from of the Azavrelia Technicall University building, at after chanting slogans and holding an assembly for two hours, they entered the building and locked themselves up inside in one of the main halls of the building.

The university administration called the police, who surroundering the building. After some hours of tension between some of the students of the police, the students who were occupying the building finally decided to put an end in their action and left the building. The police identify the students who were involved in the action, although no arrest was made. Students assured that the action only resulted in minor material damage.

The university administration has announced that those who were identified as leaders and inciters of the action will be put under disciplinary suspension.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Authorities announce the closure of Azavrelia university

After another day of clashes between police and students, and further interruption of the classes, including through the use of intimidation and violence according to police authorities, Azavrelia authorities have announced the temporary closure of the University of Azavrelia.

The University of Azavrelia is the largest university in the city of Azavrelia, and one of the most important unversities in the country. The university will be shut down for a week.

Shalva Virsaladze, mayor of Azavrelia, has declared that "the use of violence and threats is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated". He announced that those involved in those disrupting actions will face legal consequences for their acts. Meanwhile, university authorities announced their own administrative measures.

However, one of the main student unions have called for a peaceful protest in opposition to the closure of the university and the threatened expulsion of several students by university authorities.

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Juglander Review

Sports: SK Midtenstadt football women's team wins another league title

SK Midtenstadt women's team won their seventh league title in eight years after drawing at home against Kaeshigai FC. It was exactly their best match, as their crowded defense of their rival became a challenge for the home strikers, who had not exactly their day. Still, the final 0-0 was enought to certify their title with one point ahead of the Albrektberg-based club AJK.

AJK defeated AC Albrektberg by 5-1, but their effort proved useless as they ended runner-up only one point behind. However, they have proved that the difference between the two clubs has considerably reduced.

While SK Midtensadt male counterparts have failed to touch success (winning their last domestic cup in 2006), the women's team has continued their success since they joined the league in 1979. After winning their first league in the 1981-1982, they have collected titles until winning their 24th league title this season.

AS Menzushigai will suffer delegation as they lost 0-2 in the final match against Stromendalen Naiset.

Women's First Division (JNED) - Final classification

Pos.	Team	Matches	Points	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals for	Goals against
1	SK Midtenstadt	14	35	11	2	1	35	8
2	AJK	14	34	11	1	2	30	11
3	Stromendalen Naiset	14	24	7	3	4	20	16
4	Hiyoken United	14	17	4	5	5	20	25
5	SK Nordheim	14	15	3	6	5	13	14
6	Kaeshigai FC	14	12	3	3	8	8	14
7	AC Albrektberg	14	10	2	4	8	10	27
8	AS Menzushigai	14	8	2	2	10	10	31

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Students protests continue in Azavrelia

The city of Azavrelia witnessed another week of protests as students marched toward the university campus in protest of the temporary closure of the University of Azavrelia. The day before, a small group of students had thrown balloons filled with paint against the walls and doors of the university rector's office building, causing minor damages.

On the morning of the next day, protests lasted several hours, after students participated in sits-in in the university campus and blocked nearby roads. On the evening, students marched again toward the campus, but this time they met a harshed response by the police.

As soon as they were entering the campus, the police charged wielding their batons, dispersing  the crowd. Riots surged in the nearby neighborhoods for several hours until midnight. Police responded with wars, and dozens of student were arrested.

Yesterday, protests continued as high school students spoke in solidarity with the protests and marched through the streets of the largest city of Mktvartvelo. They were joined later by university students in a protest meeting called by prominent activists from "Tsvlileba Tsvlilebistvis", the youth protest movement which had mobilized during weeks last Winter. The organizers of the gathering, along a few representatives from the student unions, read a manifesto demanding that administrative suspensions and legal charges against students are dismissed, police leaves permanently the university campus, the university reopened, and that a delegation of students are able to visit the parliament to give voice to their demands and concerns.

After the gathering had ended, a group of students marched toward the Ketildgheoba District, gathering in a sit-in in the parks and fields around the Golden Villa. They attempted to continue with the protests until the next day, establishing an encampment with tents in one of the main parks of the district nearby Tsarmatebebili Building. However, police intervened and the encampment was dismantled before the morning.

Government and local authorities have warned that the use and threat of violence is unacceptable. Meanwhile, student unions have called to continue with their protests until their voices and demands are heard and advanced.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Students protests in capital city

Student protests restarted in Ktsatskuri, Mktvartvelo capital city, in solidarity with the student protests in Azavrelia. The protests were peaceful and mostly without incidents.

At the end of the demonstration, MP Eter Vazhkania met with representatives from the student unions. The move was criticized by a number of members of the parliament, particularly those belonging to the opposition block.

Speaker of the National Assembly Ramaz Kintsurashvili rejected rumours that some of the student leaders or representatives to address their grievances or proposals in one of the permanent parliamentary committees. "The National Assembly is not a gathering for street protest", he declared, rejecting those rumours as absurd.

A national government spokesperson also denied a false report that the national government could have been pressured Azavrelia's authorities to reopen the university campus.

It is expected that protests will continue, as a student union confirmed that negotiations with university authorities have broken down. Police is expected to be mobilize to the campus to avoid acts of violence and vandalism.

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Juglander Review

Sports: FK Albrektberg wins men's football Elite League once again

FK Albrektberg celebrated with their fans the conclusion of an almost perfect season as the club won both the Juglander Cup and the Juglander Elite League, the two domestic national championships in Jugland's football.

While they were virtually champions since the previous matchday, FK Albrektberg received the title, the sixth Elite League in a row.

FK Albrektberg ended three points above EMAC Albrektberg as both teams drew their final matches. Their rule over the league remains uncontested as they conquest their 42th league league title in the history of the club.


Juglander Elite League (Men's) - Final classification

Pos.	Team	Matches	Points	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals for	Goals against
1	FK Albrektberg	28	64	19	7	2	71	23
2	EMAC Albrektberg	28	61	19	4	5	63	26
3	SK Stromendalen	28	38	11	5	12	32	41
4	SK Midtenstadt	28	37	10	7	11	29	44
5	FK Sandberg	28	35	9	8	11	29	33
6	SK Nordheim	28	34	9	7	12	26	35
7	AC Keskus	28	29	8	5	15	19	38
8	Hiyoken SC	28	15	4	3	21	13	42

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Protesters occupy Electoral Commission

Following a demonstration in front of the State University of Ktsatskuri, a large group of students marched through the capital city. It seems that their intention was to protest in front of the National Palace, but the students were blocked by the police. During their way, the students chanted political slogans including "We do not need a charter, we need a constitution" and "Down with the Council of State". They finally ended in front of the National Electoral Commission building, the state agency which regulates both national, provincial, and local elections.

After one tense hour in which demonstrators had a heat discussion with the police as the students blocked the main road in front of the building, a group broke into the building and they made their way into some of the main offices. Police failed to intervene as another group started to block their entry to the building.

About one hundred of protesters allegedly participated in the action. A group of them went to the roof of the building, chanting slogans including "Equality! Equality! A nation for all!". Riot police was quickly sent to end the occupation, by they were met with a group of protesters throwing eggs, sticks, fruits, and other objects. The occupation of the building lasted four hours. The action was described as "a form of urban terrorism" by a prominent conservative MP.

Finally, after some negotiations, protesters decide to peacefully left the building. A group of them were arrested and other simply identified by the police. Windows, computers, furniture, and doors were reported to have considerably damage in certain areas of the building. A government spokesperson has declared that charges could be brought against both those who incited and participated in the action.

"For first time in decades", argued opposition MP Irakli Bneladze, "the state institutions were dishonoured by a bunch of criminals with pseudo-political aspirations". He blamed Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze's "irresponsible policies" and "unrealistic and hopeless failed reforms" for the recent protests. "The legislative fantasies of the liberal block have instigated the feeble hearts of mindless apprentices of revolutionaries who are willing to operate as the government's shock troops, even if without the government approval, to demolish the constitutional order". He demanded the government puts an end to the chaos in the streets and suggested the students union should be suspended and disbanded for breaking the law.

The main student unions, however, rejected to have being involved in the occupation of the Electoral Commission in a joint statement, in which they have insisted that they condemn any form of violence but they will continue with their protests peacefully until their demands are heard and considered by the authorities.

The protests resulted in traffic jams in the area until at least two hours after the occupation had ended. While the Electoral Commission plays an important institutional role for the supervision of elections and their financial regulations, it has a minimal activity at this time of the year, and it is not expected that the occupation will not have an impact besides the material damage caused by the protesters inside the building.

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Juglander Review

Controversy as Secretary Kolseth meets with Mktvartvelian students in Albrektberg

Secretary Emmeline Kolseth received criticism, particularly in Mktvartvelian media, after reports that she had met with Mktvartvelian students in the University of Albrektberg, including representatives from one of the student unions which have been involved in the recent wave of protests in the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo.

The Secretary of Education and Science had attended the University of Albrektberg in official capacity in representation of the State Governorate to participate in the Fifth Gathering of Young Researchers, which is jointly organized between the University of Albrektberg and the Juglander Department of Education.

During the Gathering, in which students and young researchers are rewarded with several prizes of academic nature, Secretary Kolseth met with representatives of local student unions, cultural organizations, NGO volunteers, and other youth organizations. In one of those meetings, Kolseth was witnessed talking with a group of Mktvartvelian students. They had attended the university to attend a political meeting which was organized by local students in solidarity with the protests in Azavrelia and other cities, it was later reported. They are expected to participate in a roundtable with other students in a political center linked to a Juglander left-wing political party today.

Kolseth's office denied that such meeting was part of an agenda and it was limited to "an informal dicussion" which they described as "cordial and mostly apolitical". They have denied accusations that the State Governorate may be supporting the movement of protests happening along Mktvartvelo, and defined the controversy as "a mere misunderstanding".

Secretary Kolseth has declared that "the right to protest peacefully remains a basic constitutional right in any democratic society" but she has insisted that neither she nor the Juglander authorities have any involvement with any protest or political movement in Azavrelia or any other place in mainland Mktvartvelo. "We are focused to serve the Juglander citizens", she added, "while we remain in contact in cooperation with Mktvartvelo's national government as usual".

Grimwaldyna Nygaard, the President of the State Governorate, has downplayed the importance of the controversy, declaring that the Juglander authorities are focused to solve and attend the internal issues in Jugland with "the highest respect toward both Mktvartvelo's authorities and their citizens".

Meanwhile, student unions in Mktvartvelo have announced another day of protests in a joint press conference in Azavrelia.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Violence in Ktsatskuri in student protests

A tense and violent night was experienced in some neighborhoods in Ktsatskuri after students and police clashed in another day of protests.

The events unchained after a large crowd congregated nearby the State University of Ktsatskuri. A number of students started to block some of the nearby roads while chanting slogans about parliamentary reforms. After police failed to convince the protesters to disperse, riot police intervened, attacking the students, in a confrontation that produced hundreds of arrests and injured, lasting after midnight.

The night of riots was not completely extinguished until dawn. While there are certainly an element of exaggeration, witnesses and local media described the scene as an "urban war zone". Shops and government buildings were attacked, and dozen of cars were burned down. A law enforcement spokesperson declared that more than forty policemen were injuried during the night. Local media reported that two students required hospitalization, as well as a passerby who suffered light burnings. "Akheli Ambebi" newspaper described the events as "the most violent day in Ktsatskuri" since the 1977 failed coup d'etat.

Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze has declared that "violence will not be tolerated" and those who bring danger and destruction will face the legal consequences of their criminal actions.

Meanwhile, one student union denounced that police incited violence through agent provocateurs hidden between the protesters.

Prominent members of the opposition have called Prime Minister Samkharadze to resign, accusing him of "being unable to restore order from the chaos his government has promoted".

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Brzdmtsveli Ketevan addresses the nation

Brzdmtsveli Ketevan spoke to the nation through a television message in which she addressed the general situation in the country, including the recent wave of protests, which left episodes of violence in Azavrelia and Ktsatskuri. The message, which was not prescheduled, was broadcast on the national television channel.

"The right to protest, peacefully and in accordance to the law, is a constitutional right", the Brzdmtsveli declared. "I have the most utmost confidence toward the youth of this country. They are not afraid of voice their opinion, they work and study hard, and they do their best contributions in the fields of education, cultural initiative, sports, religious and cultural traditions, and their volunteering work...As a mother myself, I have no doubts that they are the best example that a bright future awaits our nation".

However, she warned about "irresponsible behavior" including the violation of the law, damage to the public and private property, threats to citizens and harm to both police and passersby are not tolerable and jeopardise the social and economic stability of the nation, and "inevitably harm any legitimate cause that protesters may have". She declared that she has confidence that both the public authorities and the legislative representatives will realize how to bring together the concern and wishes of both those who express their opinion legally and peacefully and those who may express them in other ways, in a way or another, including through their vote in legislative elections.

"Our Charter and national laws provides for constitutional and peaceful ways for anyone to defend their ideas within the law. Without respect for the law, no democratic and peaceful coexistence is possible. Change may be slow sometimes, but only through the proper channels, we find a way that changes are able to give strenght and conformt to every one. We achieve strength and social cohesion only through unity and respect", she finished.

It has been reported that the Brzdmtsveli's speach was watched in most Mktvartvelian homes. However, it is not clear that it will likely satisfy either the protesters, would have prefered that the head of state had at least backed some of their grievances, neither those who increasingly see the recent violence in student protests as path toward anarchy and social instability and expected a more direct condemnation of the student leaders.

There were rumours that the the Brzdmtsveli could have announced a chance of government, but this was not the case and the Mktvartvelian head of state did not mention Prime Minister Samkharadze directly in her message.

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Juglander Review

Sports: SK Midtenstadt wins 2022-2023 football women's Cup

SK Midtenstadt completed their season winning 4-2 in the women's Juglander Cup final against Hiyoken United. This new trophy came only two weeks after they won another women's league title.

Hiyoken United had taken an early lead through youngster Lena Stettina in a quick counterattack. However, the club from Midtenstadt was able to respond with two goals before the end of the first half. They increased their lead and had a few chances to even increase it. They conceded a penalty kick in the final minutes of the match, in which Hiyoken United was able to score their second goal. However, SK Midtenstadt had relatively comfortable last minutes as they were able to control the match.

Midfielder Saori Takada, with a goal and an assist, was chosen as the MVP of the final.

Mktvartvelo: Union call for national education strike

The All-Mktvartvelian Labour Union (SMSK) has called for a national education strike in support of the ongoing student protests. The union has called students, teachers, and education administrative staff to join the strike.

In their announcement, SMSK leadership has called for political reforms and economic demands, as well as demanding the acquittal of union representatives who were charged in the past general strike.

SMSK is the second largest union in Mktvartvelo.  Their main union rival, the Confederation of Workers and Independent Professionals (MDPK), has announced they will not support the strike but they have demanded a parliamentary investigation to deal the causes of the violence in the recent protests and the role of law enforcement in the crisis.

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Juglander Review

Sports: AABL ready for Tour of Ardia

AABL team have been training for two weeks in the Allied States of Ardia in preparation for the coming Tour of Ardia. The Juglander cycling team will be led by Germund Strand and Lars Aaltonen. AABL squad will be formed by an all-Juglander team, making seven Juglander rider in the tour, as Asketyll Omdahl is riding for MKTkom cycling team.

This year, AABL will be focused on the general classification, although they also hope to achieve to go back with one or more individual stages and maybe also contending in some of the minor classification prizes. Despite Lars Aaltonen recent win in the Ashina Grand Tour, in which he showed his strength and consistency through different terrain, the team plans to start without a preestablished leadership, with veteran Germund Strand and versatile Kimmo Peltonen as alternatives through the two-week race.

This year, however, the days previous to the start of the Tour of Ardia has been marked for some unexpected ausences, with only one of the riders who finished in the final podium joining the start, in particular for absent teams due to financial regulations and code violations, but also more recently for the decision of top teams from Achkaerin and Daito to boycott the race.

"We are athletes, not politicians", Lars Aaltonen declared. "We, of course, understand the effect of history and political rivalry as well as  more recent events have their impact in sports, it is sometimes inevitable", he argues. "However, we are focused to do our best and do our job, bringing joy and entertainment to our fans".

"There are always surprises", Aaltonen declares when he is asked about whom he sees as the main favourite for the race. The young Juglander rider insists that he has come with great hopes for the race, although without a clear answer about what he hopes to achieve in the race, maybe aware of the considerable reduction of kilometres against the clock this year. "As we say", he argues, "the road will speak. I will do my best for sure, and I will be glad to help my teammates if that is the case".

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Mass protests following national education strike

Hundreds of thousands marched in the main cities of the nation last evening. SMSK and students union declared the national education strike "an unquestionable success".

Some of the organizators behind the protests have claimed that more than two million of people peacefully marched only in the cities of Azavrelia and Ktsatskuri. However, authorities have considered that number much lower.

Union representatives have called Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze to listen to "the voice of the streets" and start negotiations to find a reasonable political settlement that end the current crisis. They have also stressed the mostly, with only a few exceptions, peaceful character of the strikers and protesters during the day.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Protesters released, University of Azavrelia to restart classes

All the remaining students arrested for violent clashes with the police have been freed although with charges, local media has reported. A government spokesperson has denied that it was part of some kind of deal with student organizations or an attempt to alleviate tensions with the protesters. Instead, he has insisted this was a purely judiciary decision in which the government had not involvement.

Meanwhile, the University of Azavrelia has announced that it will reopen tomorrow, following a meeting between the leadership of the main universities in the country with the Ministry of Sports and Civic Education.

Yesterday, one of the most prominent talk shows in Channel 9, one Mktvartvelian private television channel, resulted in a tense situation in one of the sections of the program, in which student leaders had been invited to voice their opinions and demands for reform. The heated discussions, in which also participated journalists and a former MP, was described as an "unfortunate performance" but one of the producers of the television channel.

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Juglander Review

Sports: EMAC Albrektberg to play in women's First Division next season

EMAC Albrektberg women's team will return to the First Division after they drew 0-0 against FK Sandberg in the last match of the season. It ends six seasons playing in the women's Second Division and their return to the highest level of the Juglander women's football league system.

They had suffered relegation during the 2016-2017 season, back then under their old denomination as SK Albrektberg. It will be the first time they will play in the women's First Division since the club was acquired by foreign investors.

Both teams were unable to score, despite several clear changes by both sides, but the club from Albrektberg was able to be promoted to the top division next season as consequence of having scored more goals than their Sandberg rivals during the final promotion group stage. But along a great performance of their goalkeeper, EMAC Albrektberg showed a greater consistency in their defense in comparison to the regular season. While EMAC Albrektberg were the top scorers during the season with 39 goals in 28 matches, they were also the seventh team who received more goals against.

They were not easy last weeks from the Albrektberg club, as they were only able to qualify to the group stage thanks to in extremis win against AC Keskus by 2-0 in the final match of the regular season. EMAC Albrektberg manager Martin Kokemus was rumoured to be about to be sacked by the club administration due to bad results in the last two months who seemed to move the team closer to another failure this season. However, their win last Tuesday against AC Albrektberg by 2-3 gave the virtual first place in the group stage and they will accompany SK Hamarrland, this season Second Division champion, to First Division next season.

"It was not easy, Martin Kokemus declared, "but we were always confident that this team will be able to turn the tables and achieve our aim". Kokemus had been previously main coach of SK Albrektberg men's youth team from 2010 to 2014. "There will be time to think about the next season", he declared when asked if he expects to continue leading the team next season in the First Division, "the players deserved this moment and I am certain that a new age has started for this team. These last seasons were not easy, and they have the right to be hopeful about the future about this difficult years".

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Student to continue with their protests; unions call for national strike

Students organizations have welcomed the release of protesters who were arrested in the previous ways, although they have insisted no student involved in "peaceful resistance" should face legal charges and that their struggle will continue. They have argued that university campus should remain as open space and free from the interference of the police.

In several cities, youth and student organizations have announced the creation of committees aimed to agree in petitions and grievances against the authorities. Eventually, they hope to present them to the parliament. Meanwhile, an "University Occupation Council" was established in Azavrelia, which has published a manifesto in which they listed a number of additional demands.

The All-Mktvartvelian Labour Union (SMSK) has agreed with two student unions to call a two-day national strike. They have demanded the establishment of a special parliamentary committee aimed to "bring a pathway to political change", an increase in the minimum wage, higher wages for both teachers and administrative staff in the education system, as well as a "progressive reform of the labour legislation".

Authorities have warned that such call would be another violation of the law and their promoters would face legal consequences, as non-economic strikes are not legal in the country.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Opposition calls Prime Minister to resign as protests continue

Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze faced a tense parliamentary session in the National Assembly, in which he and other members of his government faced questions from members of the National Assembly. The session was particularly heated when Samkharadze argued with MPs from the conservative block regarding the current wave of protests.

MP Vazha Petarashvili argued that the government, despite previous promises, has failed to enforce public order, bringing chaos to the street. But Samkharadze insisted that law enforcement was engaged to restore peace and order with the required proportionality and restraint, and the use of arbitrary force would not be a solution.

A most heated exchanged with MP Irakli Bneladze followed, who criticized harshly Samkharadze's reforms and, in his view, disastrous communication and weak and incompetent leadership. "We do not need an explanation of the government's views and policies here", Bneladze argued. "Such results are quite clear. It is combination of incompetence and ideological malfeasance, wasting time in unrealistic proposals, which has resulted in this ominous path, one that, either by intention or incompetence, is burning down this country".

Bneladze ended his last speech demanding Samkharadze to resign immediately, showing at least "a tiny drop of patriotism...as the continuation of this government has become a definitive threat to our nation". But Samkharadze has insisted that his government will continue trying to find a halfway, in cooperation with all state institutions, to introduce meaningful reforms toward "a stronger and better future".

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Juglander Review

Sports: Germund Strand wins Tour of Ardia stage

Juglander rider Germund Strand won the sixth stage of the Tour of Ardia, the second in mountainous terrain, to give Jugland and his team AABL their first stage win in this Tour of Ardia.

The recent Juglander ITT champion showed that he is also able to shine in the high mountain after a long breakway. He proved to be unstoppable in the final kilometres, leaving behind his chasers from the breakaway.

"While things did not start great for me, I already felt yesterday that I had legs", Strand commented. "We were close the previous days and I knew that today's stage fit well for me. I simply had to try my luck. This win tastes great, but this should be only the beginning for us in the coming days".

The first rider of the main group, Pavlos Antonis arrived two minutes and twenty-seven seconds behind Strand, taking the general classification jersey with close to two minutes ahead Ardian Vespasianus Nissus.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Ktsatskuri mayor to meet with student representatives

Eldar Parjiani, mayor of Ktsatskuri, has invited local university authorities and student leaders to meet him on the even of the recently called national strike.

"Vandalism, intimidation, and any form of violence should be never tolerated", Parjiani declared, "but we hope to reduce tensions and improve dialogue. A clear condemnation of violence should be always the first step toward such dialogue. I am hopeful the student organizations, those which are truly willing to defend the interests of their members as well as the society, and not just behind an ideological crusade, will be albe to understand such responsibility".

The initiative has met criticism from members of the local assembly. However, Parjiani's office has insisted that it is one role of the mayor to meet with representatives of the civil society and promote arbitration when it is required and possible.

Tour of Ardia: Kimmo Peltonen, second Juglander stage win

Kimmo Peltonen gave the second stage win to AABL in this year Tour of Ardia as the Juglander rider left behind Costas Michelakos from Exiles SC in the final two kilometres to win the eight stage.

"I'm very happy for my win today", Peltonen declared. "Not always the effort gets you results but I was convinced that today could be the day", he added. It was the first win for Peltonen this season as AABL rider, the first one after winning the Juglander National Championship road race.

Peltonen also climbs to the sixth place in the general classification, one behind his teammate Germund Strand.

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Juglander Review

Mktvartvelo: Nationwide strike starts

Government and organizers disagree about the extent of the turnout and support of the national strike. Despite hundreds of thousands joined evening demonstrations, the Deputy Minister of National Development that the effect on the economic activity was minimal. However, student organizations have declared the strike a success, assuring that the turnout in the universities was massive and most courses were suspended.

An estimation of 400,000-500,000 protesters marched in Ktsatskuri alone, chanting "Change, change, change" as they passed nearby the National Assembly. Similar demonstrations were held in Azavrelia and other large cities in Mktvartvelo. The demonstration were mostly peaceful besides a few minor incidents in Azavrelia, Abakha, Jvarisi, and Tetrumi. A second day of national strike will continue tomorrow. Organizers have called citizens to join to "fight against the political stagnation of the country".

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Juglander Review

Sports: Germund Strand repeats victory in Tour of Ardia

Germund Strand obtained a second stage win in the Tour of Ardia, the third for Jugland-based AABL cycling team. "I knew I had to move before the final kilometre and so I did", the veteran Juglander rider declared. "It had been a tough day, and everyone's legs were likely more tired than usual".

Strand had arrived in a six-rider group which was formed thirty kilometres before the finish when Juglander Asketyll Omdahl and his teammate Ramaz Gamkrelidze, overcame the main group in a downhill. The move surprised many in the peloton, including some of the favourites in the general classification.

After the stage win, Strand climbs to the fourth place in the general classification, six minutes and twenty-six seconds behind Alkiviadis Papadopoulos from Exiles SC, who became the new leader of the general classification. "It is not going to be easy but we will keep fighting. Everything is still possible", he declared.