Georgia was hit by another nationwide power blackout on the evening of August 5, marking the third such incident in two weeks and forcing services like the Tbilisi Metro to halt operations.

Two individuals have been arrested for selling horsemeat that was falsely labeled as beef to nurseries in Georgia.

Two individuals have been arrested in Georgia for allegedly supplying horse meat instead of beef to kindergartens in Kareli and Marneuli municipalities, defrauding the state budget.

Construction of the First Tower of Ambassadori Island Batumi, the Black Sea's inaugural artificial island project, is reportedly progressing on schedule across two zones.

The Facebook page of Studio Monitori, a Tbilisi-based investigative journalism outlet, was temporarily disabled and later restored, with the organization alleging it was a cyberattack.

Georgia plans to make state university tuition free, with the condition that half of a student's tuition fees in later semesters will depend on their academic performance.

Starting August 3, Georgian citizens applying for U.S. business and tourist visas may be required to post a bond of up to $20,000 under a permanent U.S. Visa Bond Program that also covers nationals from 50 other countries.

A now-former Georgian police officer has been charged with stalking and illegally obtaining intimate photos, facing a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison.

A Meskhetian imam and his family were reportedly attacked in Georgia by a group of people after they heard him speaking Turkish, in what appears to be a hate crime.

A new initiative group has been formed in Georgia to prepare legislative proposals aimed at protecting 'traditional values' and other aspects of the country's national identity.

The Georgian government has undergone a reshuffle, abolishing Mamuka Mdinaradze's months-old ministry and creating a new one for him, where he will now serve as the State Minister for Regional Policy.

The family of a Thai tourist who died in Georgia reportedly remained unaware of his fate for over two weeks, with questions raised about when Tbilisi informed Thai authorities.

Tinatin Rukhadze, Georgia's Culture Minister, has resigned from her position after less than two years, citing health reasons.

Tinatin Berdzenishvili was re-elected as the director general of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) for a second six-year term, running as the sole candidate in the selection process.

Georgia's Culture Minister, Tinatin Rukhadze, has resigned from her position, citing health reasons in a letter published on the Ministry of Culture's official Facebook page.

A decree in Georgia mandates the uprooting of nearly 10,000 vulnerable trees to make way for a new wind power plant, with obligations for compensation and environmental restoration included.

Georgian authorities are investigating nationwide blackouts as potential acts of sabotage but have not specified who could be behind them.

An MMA fighter has launched a 'people's movement' in Georgia aimed at defending Georgian 'values and traditions' against 'pseudo-liberal' and 'foreign-funded' groups. The initiative seeks to promote conservative cultural ideals.

Police in Tbilisi, Georgia, arrested 10 individuals for holding 'insulting banners' in a public space, with media reports indicating the arrests were related to anti-government protests concerning Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Georgia’s State Security Service has launched a 'sabotage' investigation following two separate incidents of nationwide power outages on July 24 and 25, as authorities have yet to provide an official explanation for the cause.

Activist Giorgi Akhobadze, a doctor and anti-government figure, has been sentenced to 25 days of administrative detention after being found guilty of administrative offenses for allegedly insulting officials.

The EU has sanctioned Georgia's Kulevi oil refinery for its involvement in processing Russian oil. Following the sanctions, the refinery announced it would cease using Russian crude.

This article provides a weekly digest of key developments and discourses concerning the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, as well as Tbilisi-Moscow relations from July 17-23.

George Zurabashvili, Georgia's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with heads of accredited diplomatic missions on July 23 to brief them on recent amendments to the country’s Law on Grants and related procedures.

A podcast episode features a discussion on the Georgian authorities' crackdown on free speech, including fines, prison time for insulting public figures, and state surveillance.

A minor died in a hospital following a shooting in Tbilisi on July 22 that also left three other individuals injured; the alleged shooter was arrested shortly after the incident, according to the Interior Ministry.

Georgia's opposition United National Movement (UNM) held its 13th congress, electing an interim 'governing council' and Irakli Pavlenishvili as its head to lead the party for six months until a new permanent chair is chosen.

George Zurabashvili, Georgia's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with a UK Foreign Office delegation, including Mark Clayton, Deputy Director at the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate and a former UK ambassador to Georgia.

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, has indicated that new legal changes might be necessary to counter what he perceives as an 'attack on national identity,' following initiatives launched by various groups.

Vano Zardiashvili, who previously served as a Georgian Dream MP, has reportedly resigned as the head of Georgia's Electrosystem after a series of nationwide power outages.

The head of Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE) has resigned days after Georgia experienced two nationwide blackouts on July 24-25.

Georgian authorities have sentenced Tornike Toshkhua for displaying a poster mocking Bidzina Ivanishvili, just days after he was arrested and previously fined on the same grounds.

Georgia's public universities will transition from fully state-covered tuition to a system where funding becomes partly merit-based from the third semester onwards, tied to ECTS credits.

Zurab Menteshashvili, a Georgian protester, has been released from prison after serving a nine-month sentence for repeatedly blocking a road during demonstrations. His release follows a period of incarceration for his protest activities.

Georgia's real gross domestic product (GDP) saw an 8.6% year-on-year increase in June 2026, according to rapid estimates from the National Statistics Office. The average real GDP growth for January-June reached 7.9%.

Georgia recorded 1.3 million international visitors in the second quarter of 2026, a 5.2% decrease year-on-year, with Russian visitors remaining the largest group despite the overall decline.

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has revoked its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, reducing the number of countries that recognize their independence to four. This decision marks a significant diplomatic shift for the two disputed territories.

Italian artist Edoardo Ettorre has created a poetic mural in Georgia, continuing the collaboration between the Italian Embassy and the Tbilisi Mural Fest, following previous evocative works.

Two Georgian protesters were sentenced to 10 days in prison, while others received fines, for displaying posters during demonstrations.

Five protesters were fined and four sent to administrative detention in Tbilisi after being arrested for holding banners deemed 'insulting' towards Georgian Dream honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The 'Rike Tubes,' modernist cylindrical structures in Tbilisi's Rike Park built during the previous government, are being demolished after Tbilisi City Hall issued an order.

Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili expressed concerns about the benefits of EU membership if the bloc eliminates the unanimity principle in decision-making, calling such a move 'catastrophic'.

Georgia's State Security Service arrested a former law enforcement employee accused of fraud, allegedly using the names of high-ranking officials to promise defendants' release.

Georgian authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against four foreign nationals and five legal entities, accusing them of a transnational criminal scheme involving the alleged transfer of a "particularly large amount" of illicit funds into Georgia for laundering.

Claw machines, also known as crane games, have become increasingly common across Tbilisi, particularly on the city's outskirts where permits are reportedly easier to obtain.

Georgian officials have launched a new technological hub in Kutaisi, repurposing the city's former parliament building, which had been largely unused since the legislature relocated.

The Georgian wine industry is explored, highlighting the tension between traditional qvevri production and modern international styles, alongside the political implications of its relationship with Russia.

A man in Marneuli, Georgia, has been accused of attacking his wife and mother with a knife and could face 20 years in prison.

A smoky, refreshing highball inspired by Georgia’s amber wines and qvevri winemaking tradition, featuring orange wine and mezcal.

The 133rd meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IRPM) took place on July 23 in the village of Ergneti, near the occupation line in Georgia’s Russia-occupied Tskhinvali region.

Onise Okriashvili, a Georgian comedian and vocal critic of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was reportedly attacked following a smear campaign by pro-government media.

Onise Okriashvili, a stand-up comedian and anti-government activist in Georgia, was physically assaulted near his Tbilisi apartment following extensive negative coverage by pro-government media over a joking remark he made about writer Nodar Dumbadze.

A conflict has erupted between local residents and clergy at the 10th-century Lamaria Monastery in Ushguli, Georgia, over unauthorized construction activities.

Ahead of the August 2008 war anniversary, Georgian Dream accused its critics of 'fake Russophobia' directed by foreign actors, claiming the Georgian opposition and society are 'instructed' to be Russophobic by external forces.

A Tbilisi court has convicted two men of torturing businessperson Besik Khardziani nearly a decade ago, in a case related to seizing Turtle Lake shares.

Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused opposition parties and government critics of ignoring Russia's 2008 war against Georgia. He claims they only became 'Russophobic' after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Georgia has been included as the only European country on the permanent US visa bond list, potentially requiring its citizens to post a bond of up to $20,000 for tourist or business visas.

Georgia's annual inflation rate stood at 5.5% in July, despite consumer prices falling by 0.4% compared to June, according to data released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

Imprisoned Georgian opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili is facing a new criminal charge of 'contempt of court' after being accused of insulting a police officer testifying as a witness in court.

This weekly digest covers key developments and discourses in and around the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, as well as those concerning Tbilisi-Moscow relations.

DillaNext, an influential underground artist from Georgia, has released a new four-track EP titled 'Titrebi,' which explores themes of memory, recovery, and maturity.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, currently the State Minister for Coordination of Law Enforcement Bodies in Georgia, will transition to the newly created position of "State Minister for Regional Policy," leading to the abolition of his current role.

Iranian dissidents who arrived in Georgia hoping for stability are now reportedly facing new risks. Many find themselves living in constant fear, with an uncertain future ahead.

Nauru has severed diplomatic relations with Georgia's Russia-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions, a move welcomed by the Georgian Foreign Ministry.

Georgia participated in Sea Breeze 2026, a major U.S.-led multinational maritime exercise involving NATO Allies and partner nations, aimed at strengthening interoperability.

The US Embassy in Georgia has voiced concerns over the country's 'hate speech' monitoring initiative, with a spokesperson stating the Trump administration's strong opposition to censorship and warning of potential free speech infringements.

Georgia has arrested protesters over posters questioning if Ivanishvili is a 'dick', with most detainees standing in solidarity with their fellow protester.

A Georgian citizen, who was illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the Tskhinvali occupation line, has been released and is now in Georgian territory.

The National Bank of Georgia announced it purchased $612.6 million in foreign currency through the BMatch trading platform in June, bringing the country's international reserves to $7.1 billion.

The Georgian government has prolonged its financial assistance program for Ukrainian citizens and individuals eligible for permanent residence who sought refuge in Georgia due to the war, extending it until October 1, 2026.

Niko Khurtsilava, accused of assaulting stand-up comedian and anti-government protester Onise Okriashvili, has been released on GEL 5,000 bail by the Tbilisi City Court.

The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) has stated that three Georgia-based crypto-related service platforms, recently included in the EU's sanctions package against Russia, are not under its regulation.

Georgia experienced a rare nationwide power outage, plunging the country into darkness, with the cause yet to be announced.

Georgia's Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the EU's decision to conditionally include the Kulevi oil refinery in its 21st Russia sanctions package, stating there were no factual or legal grounds for the move and hoping for a review.

Widespread power outages have been reported across Georgia, including major cities like Tbilisi, Batumi, Zugdidi, and Kutaisi, with authorities yet to issue a statement on the cause or scale of the disruption.

A shooting incident in Tbilisi resulted in the death of a teenager and injuries to three other individuals, including two more teenagers and a woman.