The messenger logo

The News in Brief

Monday, March 16
Rugby: Georgia whitewashes Russia in European Nations Cup match

Georgia's national rugby team have convincingly defeated Russia in front of a home crowd, with a significant score of 33 points to 0 in a Rugby Europe Championship match.

About 30,000 people attended the game at Tbilisi Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, which also served as a farewell match for long-serving Georgian captain Irakli Machkhaneli.

On the 14th minute of the match the Georgian fans stood up to honor their captain who wore the number 14 shirt and played 67 games and scored 23 tries in the national team. "Thank you, Machkho!” the caption on the stadium screen read.

Meanwhile the Georgians, commonly known among the local fans as the Lelos scored three tries, three conversions and four penalty tries.

To date, the Georgian and Russian rugby teams have played each other 19 times. Of this, Georgia have won 17 matches, one game ended in a draw and one game ended with a victory for the Russian team.

Georgia have now almost secured its leading berth in the tournament with this victory.

After the triumph on March 14, Georgia had secured four consecutive victories in the championship.

Previous matches saw Georgia convincingly defeat Germany 64-8 in the German town of Heusenstamm on February 7, Portugal 20-15 in Tbilisi on February 14 and Spain 26-13 in Madrid on February 28.

Looking ahead Georgia will challenge Romania on March 21.

Meanwhile 2015 will be a historic year for the Georgian side, as they will compete in the Rugby World Cup for the fourth time.

At this event, for the first time ever the Lelos will challenge current world champions, the all-conquering All Blacks from New Zealand in Cardiff in October.

Preparation for the World Cup has been underway for some time, starting with the autumn tests against Tonga, Ireland and Japan. Looking ahead the Georgian side will continue their preparation for the World Cup finals, to be held in England and Wales later this year.
(Agenda.ge)



Georgian Dream releases statement about Adjara developments

The Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia political party has released a statement about the developments in the Supreme Council of Adjara.

The party accuses the National Movement of disrespect towards the constitution and the law, while it expresses regrets over affiliation of its former members - Jemal Putkaradze, Medea Vasadze and Murman Dumbadze with the National Movement.

"The yesterday's events in the Supreme Council once again reminded us that disrespect towards the constitution and the law as well as unprofessionalism characteristic to the National Movement.

Jemal Putkaradze, Medea Vasadze and Murman Dumbadze once again illustrated themselves and proved that they share the National Movement values.

The Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia claims they will not allow anyone, especially the National Movement, to act against the law.

‘’We will ensure that processes in the Supreme Council develop in compliance with the constitution and the legislation’’, - the statement says.
(IPN)



Bidzina Ivanishvili to be first guest of “20/30” TV program

Former Prime Minister of Georgia, founder of “Society 2030” Bidzina Ivanishvili will be the first guest of the “20/30” TV program, the program producer Beso Kurtanidze has told InterPressNews.

According to him, the members of the society will also be invited to participate in the program.

According to Beso Kurtanidze, the program will have two hosts: Maka Tsintsadze and Archil Gamzardia.
(IPN)



Alexander Vershbow: the implementation of NATO-Georgia essential package is going on according to the plan

The Minister of Defense of Georgia Mindia Janelidze received the letter with the deputy of the Secretary General of NATO. In the official letter sent to Mindia Janelidze estimates Alexander Vershbow estmimates his visit to Georgia, reports GHN. "The implementation of NATO-Georgia essential package is going on according to the plan. I am sure that fro 2015 we will be able to fulfill set priorities," there is said in the official letter. The deputy of NATO Secretary General pays attention to the possibilities of the Vaziani military base: "Vaziani polygon and training center impressed me very musch. I want to underline especially the professionalism of Georgia military servants. I consider that Vaziani is string candidate for location of joint training and estimation center." Alexander Vershbow expresses hope that the Georgian side will make decision together with NATO experts about location of the center in near future. At the end of the letter Alexander Vershbow wishes success to Georgian side and expresses readiness for close collaboration. The deputy of NATO Secretary General paid official vivis to Georgia on January 28-31, 2015. Alexander Vershbow met the Minister of Defense and discussed the issues of implementation of NATO-Georgia essential package. In the frame of the visit he also get acquainted with infrastructure of Vaziani military base and het informed about possibilities of the polygon.
(GHN)



14-year-old boy found dead at Mukhrani forest

A 14-year-old boy who went missing three days ago, was found dead at the Mukhrani forest, the MIA press-service has informed InterPressNews on March 15.

Allegedly, the boy hanged himself.

According to the Ministry, investigation is in progress according to the 115th article of Georgia’s Criminal code which applies to making a person commit suicide.

14-year-old Tornike Gakheladze got lost 3 days ago. According to his family members, Tornike Gakheladze was seen with two strange men. No more information has been known yet.
(IPN)