TBILISI, Dfwatch–The Islamic State military commander Tarkhan Batirashvili, a native of the village Birkiani in Georgia’s Pankisi valley, widely known under his nom de guerre Umar Shishani, was confirmed dead by Amaq Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic State.
DFWatch staff
Georgian Dream announces top 15 candidates for parliament – 8 are women
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream Party on Wednesday announced its top 15 people on the party list for the parliamentary election in October.
The list consists of eight women and seven men. There are no MPs or cabinet members among them. Three of them are deputy ministers.
Who will be Georgia's next defense minister?
TBILISI, DFWatch–It is still unknown who will replace Tina Khidasheli as defense minister, but local media name three possible candidates: Irakli Sesiashvili, Koba Kobaladze and Kakhi Kakhishvili.
The decision will be made by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili,
New runway opened at Tbilisi International Airport
TBILISI, DFWatch–A new runaway was opened at Tbilisi International Airport on Monday.
During the 12 weeks of construction work on the new runway, no flights were cancelled but some were rescheduled. The runaway was closed for ten hours
Keti Tsikhelashvili becomes acting minister for reconciliation and civil equality
TBILISI, DFWatch–Keti Tsikhelashvili, Deputy Minister for Reintegration and Civil Equality, will be the acting minister as Paata Zakareishvili from the Republican Party leaves his post in connection with the 2016 election campaign.
Zakareishvili said on Tuesday
Tbilisi buys 143 new longer, gas-powered buses
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi is buying 143 new natural gas powered buses that are more environmentally friendly and accommodating to people with disabilities. But the ticket price will remain the same, City Hall assured us.
The new 30-seat German-made
Johannes Hahn to visit Georgia tomorrow
TBILISI, DFWatch–On 14 July, the EU commissioner for enlargement Johannes Hahn will visit Georgia.
Mr Hahn will hold meetings with Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, President Giorgi Margvelashvili, minister of foreign affairs Giorgi Janelidze,
Two Islamist militants from Georgia killed in Syria
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two men from Pankisi valley in Georgia, one aged 26 and the 34, have been killed in Syria.
The younger of them, Bekkhan (Beka) Tokhosashvili, was a native of the village Birkiani. Tokhosashvili left Georgia in 2014 and joined the terrorist group Islamic State in Syria,
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake rattles Tbilisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 caused slight shaking in the Georgian capital Tbilisi Tuesday afternoon.
The quake occurred at 2:14pm local time and had its epicenter 10-15 km away from Dmanisi, a town in southern
Two Republican members of government resign
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republican Party in Georgia announced on Tuesday at its members of the government are resigning.
The ministers who will be leaving their posts shortly are Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli and Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Paata Zakareishvili.