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Issue no: 871
• AUGUST 19 - 22, 2016
• PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY
PRICE: GEL 2.50
In this week’s issue... Armenian Opposition Party to Boycott Elections
NEWS PAGE 2
FOCUS ON GOLD
Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze wins Georgia's first 2016 gold at Rio Olympics, breaks world record PAGE 14-15
German Ambassador Completes Her Mission in Georgia POLITICS PAGE 5
The Best of a Bad Lot: Ogden on Who to Vote For
New Airport Planned for Georgia’s Mountainous Racha Region
POLITICS PAGE 7
BY NICHOLAS WALLER
Batumi’s Modern Street Art & Freedom of Expression
C
onstruction works for a new airport in Ambrolauri – a town located in western Georgia’s mountainous Racha region – are moving into their final stages, according to a statement released by the Government on Tuesday. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said the future airport would promote tourism in the region and help boost Racha’s economy, which suffers from high unemployment and depopulation. Continued on page 2
Iranian Airlines Launches Seasonal Direct Flights to Georgia SOCIETY PAGE 10
CULTURE PAGE 11
Going for Gold & Smiling When You Lose Racha. Photo: Maia Chkhaidze
SPORTS PAGE 14