TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Protests that blocked bridges to the capital of the Russia-backed Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia ended Tuesday after authorities freed five opposition supporters who were jailed the night before.
The unrest was sparked by a parliament session considering ratification of an agreement with Russia, which recognizes Abkhazia as independent, that would allow Russians to buy land and residences. Abkhazia's mountains and Black Sea coast make it appealing to Russian tourists.
The session sparked a protest by opponents of the measure, who contend it would sell out sovereignty of Abkhazia's 245,000 people to its giant northern neighbor.
Five protesters were arrested. Their supporters blocked three bridges that give access to the capital, Sukhumi, causing long backups on the region's twisting roads.
All five were released by nightfall on Tuesday and protesters lifted the blockade, Russian and Georgian news reports said.
Abkhazia has been largely under separatist control since the end of a war in 1993. Georgia lost control of the rest of the region in the short 2008 war with Russia.
Aside from Russia, only four countries recognize Abkhazia as independent: Venezuela, Syria, Nicaragua and Nauru.
Protesters block the bridge over the Gumista River, about 5,5 kilometres south of Sukhumi in the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia, Georgia, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo)
In this photo taken from video released by the Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, protesters block the way to the bridge over the Gumista River, about 5,5 kilometres south of Sukhumi in the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia, Georgia. (Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia via AP)
In this photo taken from video released by the Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, protesters block the way to the bridge over the Gumista River, about 5,5 kilometres south of Sukhumi in the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia, Georgia. (Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia via AP)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republicans and Democrats awaited the outcome of vote-counting for crucial U.S. House districts in California on Wednesday, as the GOP moved within one win of maintaining control of the chamber next year.
In a rematch from 2022, Rep. Ken Calvert — the longest-serving Republican in the state’s congressional delegation — defeated rival Democrat Will Rollins in the 41st District, which lies east of Los Angeles and was a top target for national Democrats.
In Southern California's Orange County, Republican Scott Baugh conceded his race against Democrat Dave Min in a closely divided swing district, ending his bid to seize the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Katie Porter.
The Associated Press has not yet declared a winner in that contest because thousands of ballots have not yet been counted.
In a post on the social media platform X Tuesday night, Baugh said that “despite running a strong campaign … that effort is going to come up a little short.”
The 47th District, southeast of Los Angeles, was a top target for national Republicans looking to protect and possibly expand the their narrow majority.
Calvert, who was backed by President-elect Donald Trump, claimed his 17th term in a district narrowly carried by Trump in 2020.
“This is a hard-fought victory that shows voters want someone who will put results above partisan politics,” Calvert said in a post on X.
On Tuesday, Republican Rep. David Valadao’s victory in California’s 22nd District moved Republicans within two wins of retaining the House gavel, with the tally 216-207 in favor of the GOP, as counting continued in a sliver of races across the country.
With Calvert's win, the Republican tally reached 217.
Several races remained in play in California that could determine control of the House.
Min, also posting on X, said that in Congress he will “fight to protect our democracy, safeguard our freedoms and expand economic opportunity.”
California is known as a liberal protectorate — Democrats hold every statewide office, dominate the Legislature and congressional delegation and outnumber registered Republicans by a staggering 2-1 ratio. Still, Republicans retain pockets of political clout in the Southern California suburbs and vast rural stretches, including the Central Valley.
Orange County was once considered conservative holy ground, where white, suburban homeowners delivered winning margins for Republicans year after year. It was a foundational block in the Reagan revolution. But the county has become more demographically diverse and Democratic over time, like much of the state.
The 47th District, which includes Huntington Beach and other famous surf breaks, has been occupied by Porter, a progressive favorite who in 2022 narrowly defeated Baugh, a former Republican legislator. Porter, known for grilling CEOs during Capitol Hill hearings, stepped aside to run for U.S. Senate, but lost in the primary.
Given the stakes in the closely divided district, the contest was especially rancorous. Min ads called Baugh a “MAGA extremist” who would endanger abortion rights. Baugh said Min’s “extreme liberal views” were out of step with the district.
FILE - Scott Baugh poses outside a polling place after voting in Huntington Beach, Calif., June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Krysta Fauria, File)
FILE - California state Sen. Dave Min speaks to reporters in Huntington Beach, California, on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia, File)
FILE - Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
