Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Georgia police free teen detained with toy pistol at rally

TBILISI, September 20 – Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed the release of a teenager who was arrested during a rally in Tbilisi on September 15 for allegedly displaying a gun. The ministry said forensic experts determined that the object seized was not a real firearm. Police had initially reported that a person born … Read more

Tbilisi gas outage leaves 17,000 without supply after pipeline accident

TBILISI, September 19 – A pipeline accident in Georgia’s capital has cut gas supplies to around 17,000 customers, energy provider Tbilisi Energy confirmed to Interpressnews. The shutdown, which began just after midnight today, September 19, hit large parts of the Dighomi and Gldani districts. Both residential neighborhoods and major facilities, including hospitals, schools and businesses, … Read more

Georgia and China to update free trade deal

TBILISI, September 18 – Georgia and China are preparing to update their free trade agreement, which has been in force since May 2017. The news was announced by Georgia’s Ministry of Economy. Talks have already taken place between the two governments. On the Georgian side, the negotiations were led by Deputy Minister of Economy and … Read more

Nearly all Georgia’s minibuses and trucks are over 10 years old

TBILISI, September 18 – Georgia’s public transport fleet is showing its age. According to the country’s statistics office, almost 93 percent of all minibuses and buses in Georgia are more than ten years old. The 2024 data show a total of 54,600 buses and minibuses registered nationwide. Of these, 50,600, or 92.7 percent, were built … Read more

Russia to Abkhazia flights top 70,000 passengers since May reopening

TBILISI, September 18 – More than 70,000 passengers have flown on direct routes between Russia and Abkhazia since Moscow resumed air links to the breakaway region earlier this year, according to Russian aviation chief Dmitry Yadrovo in a briefing with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Flights into Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, restarted on May 1, … Read more

Ruling party runs unopposed in one-third of Georgia’s mayoral races

TBILISI, September 18 – As Georgia heads toward local elections, in 25 municipalities across the country, only the ruling Georgian Dream party has put forward mayoral candidates, according to official data released by the Central Election Commission (CEC). The country has 74 election districts outside the capital Tbilisi, meaning one-third of races will be uncontested. … Read more

Russian fuel shortages deepen as refinery shutdowns hit supply

TBILISI, September 18 – Russia is facing its worst gasoline shortage in two years, with wholesale sales dropping sharply while prices hit record highs, according to business daily Kommersant. On September 16, sales of A-92 gasoline at the St Petersburg commodity exchange fell 21.7% to 15,600 tons, the lowest level since 2023. A-95 gasoline sales … Read more

Opposition sounds alarm over landslide hit villages

TBILISI, September 18 – The joint Lelo and For Georgia candidate for mayor in landslide hit Kharagauli surveyed affected villages today, as the elections are only weeks away. Inga Maghradze was joined by Aleko Elisashvili, who is running for deputy mayor of the capital for the same two party ticket, although he is leader of … Read more

Tbilisi mayor’s opposition challenger meets Brussels mayor

TBILISI, September 18 – Georgian opposition leaders are turning to Europe for support ahead of the country’s heated municipal elections. On Thursday, Mamuka Khazaradze, chairman of the Lelo coalition, and joint opposition mayoral candidate Irakli Kupradze met with Brussels Mayor Philippe Close in the Belgian capital. They were joined by their campaign chief, Tazo Datunashvili. … Read more

Georgia’s opposition splits over calls for ‘peaceful revolution’

TBILISI, September 18 – The opposition in Georgia are divided ahead of the October 4 local elections, a day some groups have called for using to stage a “peaceful revolution,” while other disagree. Former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia, now leader of the For Georgia party, dismissed the plan as an illusion and “the biggest mistake.” … Read more