Latest news with #Georgians'
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Georgia wants more Korean visitors, companies
'Guests are God's gift for Georgians' Georgia wants more Korean tourists and businesses, said Maia Omiadze, head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, in an interaction with The Korea Herald on Wednesday. Omiadze is in Seoul leading a high-level Georgian delegation to South Korea from June 3 to June 9. She says that tourism is not just economic activity for Georgia, but also a point of cultural pride. 'A guest is a gift from God in Georgia,' she said, quoting a Georgian saying. 'We treat tourists not just as business opportunities, but as honored guests.' 'My personal feeling toward Korea has always been very warm. When I studied in New York City, I had a very good friend from Seoul, and from that time, I fell in love with Korea.' Despite the lack of direct flights, Georgia saw a remarkable 72 percent rise in Korean tourist arrivals in 2023, reaching 27,000 visitors. 'That's a positive trend,' she noted. 'We are in a recovery phase post-COVID, and the Asian market — especially Korea — is strategic for us.' During her meeting with Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young, the administration and the media group discussed how to expand tourism and business ties. 'The way you (Koreans) make kimchi — in underground vessels — is similar to how we make wine. Both were recognized by UNESCO in the same year, in 2013, at the Intergovernmental Meeting in Baku. That connection is very special.' 'Georgia is a hidden gem,' Omiadze said, listing adventure, ecotourism, hiking and wine as some of her country's top draws. 'We know Korean tourists prioritize these experiences, and Georgia is the perfect destination in Eastern Europe for that,' she said. Choi expressed optimism for increased people-to-people ties through tourism. 'Many Koreans have not yet visited Georgia — this is where the potential lies,' said Choi, referring to Korea's evolving outbound travel patterns. 'The more exchanges we have, the more productive it will be,' said Choi, before also mentioning an impending free trade agreement that he believes will expand economic ties and open doors for Korean companies across sectors. Echoing Omiadze, Georgian Ambassador to Korea Tarash Papaskua pointed out that Georgian tourism is nearly 10 percent of its gross domestic product, and before COVID-19, "we welcomed 9.7 million tourists — almost triple our population.' Papaskua also added hope for direct flights and deeper partnerships with Korean travel agencies to follow successful charter operations like those by Hanjin Travel. sanjaykumar@
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Woman files phony claims to steal $305,000 in Medicaid scam, GA officials say
A business owner accused of helping herself to more than $305,000 meant for the 'most vulnerable Georgians' is going to prison, according to Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. Teresa Renee Owens, 60, was convicted of Medicaid fraud after pleading guilty in DeKalb County Superior Court earlier this year, Carr said in a May 12 news release. The Brookhaven woman also pleaded guilty to false writings and identity fraud in the scheme involving phony claims that were filed with the state's Medicaid program, officials said. Owens' business, Better Home Healthcare of Georgia, provided behavioral health therapy and services to children and adults, according to Carr. As the operator, she allegedly oversaw the submission of false Medicaid claims on multiple occasions and had employees create phony patient records to support those claims, he said. The business received $305,685.75, which was deposited into Owens' personal bank account, according to the attorney general's office. McClatchy News tried reaching Better Home Healthcare of Georgia for comment May 13, but contact information wasn't available. 'Medicaid Fraud isn't a victimless crime – it's theft of taxpayer dollars and it undermines a system meant to care for our most vulnerable Georgians,' Car said in the release. A judge accepted Owens' guilty plea March 31 and handed her a 10-year sentence, according to Carr. She will spend one year in prison and serve the remainder on probation. At a restitution hearing April 28, she was also ordered to repay the money, the attorney general said. 'As this case shows, we will not hesitate to hold accountable those who use their positions to exploit our Medicaid program,' Carr said. Brookhaven is about a 10-mile drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill banning sale pets on sidewalks, parking lots signed into law
ATLANTA (WSAV) — A bill making it illegal to sell dogs, cats and rabbits on roadsides, parks and parking lots was signed into law on Friday. Governor Brian Kemp has officially signed House Bill 331 into law. Advocates have called the bill a victory for efforts to combat backyard breeding, puppy mills and illicit pet sales. Dogs, cats and domestic rabbits can't be sold, exchanged or advertised for commercial purposes on any roadside, public right of way, parkway, median, public or commercial parking lot or sidewalk, park, recreation area, fair, transient or seasonal flea market or similar transient market or outdoor location, the bill said. 'Puppy mills frequently sell on roadsides and parking lots to prevent the public from seeing the oftentimes cruel and dire conditions these pets are bred in,' said Senior Director of Advocacy and Network Partners, Best Friends Animal Society Laura Donahue. 'I'm extremely grateful to Governor Kemp for taking a stand for Georgia's pets.' Individuals who violate the law could face fines up to $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses. Corporations would face a fine up to $1,000, between 200-500 hours of community service or both. Additionally, each animal sold would represent a separate offense. 'I backed the roadside sales element because every Georgians' pet deserves a safe and loving home,' a sponsor of the bill, Rep. Beth Camp (R) said. 'By ending roadside and parking lot sales, we're protecting our neighbors, our families, and our community's most vulnerable animals.' Read the full bill here: Georgia-2025-HB331-EnrolledDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
With Brian Kemp not running for Senate, which Georgia Republicans could challenge Jon Ossoff?
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed Monday that he will not run against incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff for the U.S. Senate seat in 2026. 'I have decided that being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family,' Kemp said in part. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] With the governor's decision announced, expect the field to get crowded. 'There will be a broad and spirited GOP primary for senator, a little bit more lively than for the Democratic side where Sen. Jon Ossoff will not have a primary opposition,' political analyst Bill Crane said on Channel 2 Action News at 6 p.m. Ossoff's campaign released a statement that said in part that he is 'well-prepared to defeat any challenger.' While none of the following have announced campaigns, here's a look at potential candidates for the GOP primary and how some of them reacted to Kemp's news. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter Carter represents Georgia's 1st Congressional District along the state's coast. He was first elected to Congress in the 2014 election. He previously considered running for U.S. Senate against Sen. Raphael Warnock before eventual GOP nominee Herschel Walker entered the race. Carter is one of President Donald Trump's biggest supporters in Georgia. U.S. Rep. Mike Collins Collins represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District. In a statement, Collins said that he had urged Kemp to run for the Senate. 'Georgia needs leadership that matches the values of our state. I'm disappointed that my efforts to persuade the governor were not successful, and I wish he and his family the best in whatever the Lord has in store for them,' he said. Collins, another one of Trump's biggest backers in Georgia, said he would 'encourage all interested parties to fully commit and invest.' U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick McCormick represents Georgia's 7th Congressional District after district lines were redrawn. Ryan Mahoney, a political adviser to McCormick, told the Associated Press that 'it's no surprise that hardworking Georgians' would want him to run. He said McCormick would decide 'at the appropriate time.' U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Greene, who represents Georgia's 14th Congressional District, has said in the past that she would consider running for U.S. Senate or the Georgia governor's office. At the White House last week, Greene told Channel 2's Richard Elliot that 'all options are open to me.' Greene has fully backed Trump going back to his first term. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Raffensperger succeeded Kemp as secretary of state. Will he take his place as a potential GOP candidate for Senate? 'All options are on the table,' Raffensperger's spokesperson Jordan Fuchs told the AP. Raffensperger does have a history of tangling with Trump, going back to the president's infamous call to find 11,000 votes. Whether the president would support a potential Raffensperger bid for Senate remains to be seen. Insurance Commissioner John King Kemp appointed King as Georgia Insurance Commissioner when former commissioner Jim Beck was removed in 2019. King won re-election in 2022 after he defeated a Trump-backed candidate in the primary. King called Kemp 'the best governor in America' and said he is grateful for his friendship and leadership. The Associated Press contributed to this report. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Statewide poll shows falling approval for Trump in GA as GOP blames Biden for economic downfall
A new statewide poll shows numbers that suggest President Donald Trump's approval rating is falling, and so is Georgians' confidence in how he is handling the economy. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll shows 49% disapprove of Trump's leadership so far. Republicans are blaming the new economic numbers on former President Joe Biden, as some civil rights organizations here in Georgia are criticizing Trump's job performance over the first 100 days in office. Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't think much of new national polling showing Trump's approval ratings dropping to 39%, according to one poll. 'I don't really listen to those fake polls on fake news,' Greene told Channel 2's Richard Elliot. Channel 2 Action News was the only local station at the White House on Monday to interview Trump administration officials about the president's first 100 days in office. TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta HVAC technician among 19 arrested in 'child predator' operation Have you received a random package you didn't order? It could all be part of a scam to defraud you Mentee remembers local bagpipe player killed in scuba diving accident Greene accuses those national polls of not telling the truth. 'You know what, those polling numbers came out from the same Democratic networks that have lied about President Trump,' Greene said. But new polling in Georgia shows the same thing. The latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution/University of Georgia poll shows 43% of Georgians approve of Trump's handling of the economy, while 43% also oppose his tariffs. Most worrying, 58% of Georgians plan to reduce their spending, which could lead to more economic trouble down the road. That poll also shows only 43% approve of Trump's job performance while 55% disapprove. This comes as new data shows the U.S. economy shrank for the first time in nearly three years, sending more warning flags of possible recession. '100 days of the trump administration is exhausting,' said Margaret Huang, with the Southern Poverty Law Center. On Wednesday, a collection of civil rights organizations along with veterans and teachers, stood on the steps of Atlanta's Big Bethel AME Church to criticize Trump's first 100 days in office. They promised to fight Trump in the courts and at the ballot box. 'Today marks 100 days of the trump administration. 100 days of chaos. 100 days of cruelty,' Huang said. Traditionally, a recession is declared when the U.S. economy experiences two consecutive quarters of negative gross domestic product.
