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The News in Brief

Friday, March 30
One man dies as yacht sinks off Nova Scotia coast

One man died on after the boat he was sailing on sank off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada Monday night.

The Canadian media is reporting the man was a citizen of Georgia, although reports have yet to be confirmed.

Five foreign nationals rescued from the boat are now being examined by the Canadian Border Services Agency. The five survivors will be processed at facilities in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick.

As reported, the trip was part of a botched human smuggling attempt.

The men are all in their 40s and are suspected to be nationals of Russia, Ukraine and Georgia.

Three remain missing, presumed drowned.

The men were on a yacht that floundered late Monday night about 150 kilometres from Cape Sable Island. Of the nine people who were onboard, five were rescued, one died, and three remain unaccounted for. (Rustavi 2)



Scientists believe Georgian honey older than that of Egypt

A fascinating discovery has been made that has Georgian archaeologists suggesting Georgian honey is two thousand years older than that of Egypt, currently home to the title.

So far, it was believed that the first sample of honey was found in ancient Egyptian Pharaoh King Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The recent discovery is of honey that is potentially 5,500 years old, while King Tut’s honey is merely 3,500 years old.

The honey was found in a noblewoman’s burial vault, which was itself discovered during the construction of the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline in 2003. The tomb had been robbed, although scientists were able to collect remnants of honey on the inner surface of vessels found inside. (Rustavi 2)



Tsagareishvili calls planned changes to rules of Parliament “unconstitutional”

MP Giorgi Tsagareishvili, a member of the parliamentary faction Unity for Justice, calls the planned changes to the Rules of Parliament “unconstitutional”.

According to Tsagareishvili, the Constitution clearly states that the new Kutaisi Parliament building can host parliamentary sessions only after parliamentary elections are held.

The MP says Khatuna Gogorishvili, head of the Committee of Procedural Issues, initiated the changes because "she received an order".

Tsagareishvili visited the unfinished building in Kutaisi and he asserted that only its roof will be ready to host Parliament on May 1, the scheduled date for the spring session.

Amendments will be made to the Rules of Parliament in order to allow for sessions in Kutaisi before the election. According to the bill, it will be possible to conduct plenary sessions both in Tbilisi and Kutaisi.

The bill was initiated by the Parliamentary Committee of Procedural Issues. (IPN)



Buddha Bar opens in Tbilisi

A new location of the Buddha Bar opened in Tbilisi on Wednesday evening.

The bar and restaurant boasts a Parisian concept, and has locations in 15 other cities.

Guests were met with the sounds of Japanese drums and a show of Geishas and dragons, at the Asian-themed opening.

Georgian singers performed an Asian-themed show, accompanied by duduki, the Georgian national instrument.

French DJ Ravin was a special guest.

Buddha Bar is a Parisian bar and restaurant famed for its atmosphere. The franchise has locations in Prague, Kiev, and London, among other cities. (Rustavi 2)



Georgia U17 bests England

Georgia’s national under-17 football team defeated England in the Elite Round Qualifier on Wednesday.

A Giorgi Papunashvili goal in the third minute of over-time gave Georgia a late victory over England in the second match of the Elite Qualifying Round for this summer’s European Championship.

England came into the game buoyed by Monday’s 1-0 win over Ukraine, the goal coming courtesy of Southampton’s Calum Chambers.

Head Coach John Peacock had long predicted Georgia to be tough opposition, and was correct, as his team dominated possession but was unable to breach their hosts’ rearguard.

This win has given Georgia greater hopes of making it through to the finals, which are being held in Slovenia. (Rustavi 2)