Pope Leo XIV on Thursday visited Spain's Canary Islands, the once-notorious centre of the European migration debate, where he threw a bouquet of flowers in the sea in tribute to the migrants who perished trying to reach the Atlantic archipelago. The pontiff made a plea for "human dignity" and condemned leaders, including Christians, who turn them away with "indifference".  

At an expanded-format meeting held at the Presidential Palace of Kyrgyzstan, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze thanked Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of high-level visits for the further development of bilateral relations. The two sides discussed the existing potential for deepening cooperation across various sectors.

At an expanded-format meeting held at the Presidential Palace of Kyrgyzstan, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze thanked Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of high-level visits for the further development of bilateral relations. The two sides discussed the existing potential for deepening cooperation across various sectors.

Officers of the Main Investigation Division of the Tbilisi Police Department of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, specifically the Anti-Fraud Unit, have detained one person on charges of fraudulently obtaining a large sum of money through abuse of official position. The information was reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

South Korea won their first World Cup match on Thursday beating the Czech Republic 2-1, thanks to a decisive late goal from substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu. 

All eyes were on Mexico and the Estadio Azteca as the 2026 World Cup kicked off Thursday. El Tri dominated South Africa in the Group A opener with two goals but it was two red cards for Bafana Bafana that sealed the hosts' victory. Read our blog to see how the match unfolded. Mexico made a commanding statement in the 2026 World Cup's opening match, defeating South Africa 2-0 at its Azteca Stadium. Two red cards in the second half left the Bafana Bafana chasing ghosts.  

The FIFA World Cup begins today. The tournament will open with a match between the national teams of Mexico and South Africa.

Israel and Iran appeared to pull back from further military action on Monday after exchanging fire for the first time since a US-brokered ceasefire two months ago. Both sides warned they would retaliate if attacked again, while regional powers and the Trump administration pushed to prevent the conflict from escalating into a wider war. 

The US Congress on Tuesday passed a $70 billion funding bill for President Donald Trump's immigration agenda, sending the measure to the White House after months of partisan debate. The legislation allocates $38 billion for ICE, $26 billion for Border Patrol and $5 billion for contingency costs through fiscal 2029. 

The National Bank of Georgia has set new exchange rates.

As a result of police operations conducted by Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs over a 48-hour period in Tbilisi and across the country's regions, 119 individuals were arrested on drug-related charges, including 49 suspected drug dealers. This was announced at a briefing by the Director of the Tbilisi Police Department, Vaja Siradze.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed reports that he asked Roman Abramovich to pass on an offer of direct talks to Vladimir Putin. A Russian oligarch loyal to the Kremlin may be a surprise choice of messenger for Kyiv, but the former Chelsea owner has a history of acting as go-between since the start of Russia’s invasion. 

We analyzed data from approximately the past year and found that, unfortunately, there is no direct correlation between increased fines and improved statistical indicators, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said at today’s briefing.

The Civil Contract party of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan won the parliamentary elections held on June 7. According to the country's Central Electoral Commission, which announced the final results on June 8 after all ballots had been counted, Civil Contract received 49.81% of the vote.

SOCAR has officially completed the acquisition of 99.82% of the shares of Italiana Petroli (IP) from API Holding, following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. The transaction represents a major milestone in SOCAR’s long-term strategy to expand its integrated energy value chain and strengthen its position in the European market.

A road traffic accident involving excursion minibuses occurred on the Rustavi–Tbilisi highway.

The ruling party “Georgian Dream” has commented on the statement by the U.S. Secretary of State regarding Georgia. The ruling party expressed hope that a reset in relations between the two countries would become possible.

“Today, a second meeting was held with the parents of children suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. During today's meeting, we agreed to establish a working group with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Health and parents, which will actively work on the issue of providing specific medications for these children,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said at a briefing today.

Fortunately, everyone who caws over Georgia and the Georgian people like crows, expecting the country's failure, is defeated every time—whether it is the opposition within the country or Georgia’s “well-wishers” abroad, said Georgia’s Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, in comments to the media.

The physician of U.S. President Donald Trump has assessed his health as "excellent." The corresponding report by Dr. Sean Barbabella was published by the White House.

The National Bank of Georgia has set a new exchange rate. Following trading on May 29, the US dollar depreciated to 2.6693 lari. The rate in effect today was 2.6708 lari.

The Georgian Education Minister, Givi Mikanadze, presented the government’s ongoing general education reform while speaking in Parliament during an interpellation session.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the Georgian people on Independence Day and stated that Ukraine is ready to develop mutually beneficial relations with Georgia. The Ukrainian president wrote about this on the social network X.

According to the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Shalva Papuashvili, the signals that have recently been coming from the Ukrainian authorities give hope that a reassessment of policy toward Georgia and the Georgian people is taking place.

“Congratulations on the commemoration of the Venerable Father David of Gareji. I always feel profound gratitude when I visit his holy grave and pray here. We pray for Georgia, for our Church, for this sacred monastery, and the revival and strengthening of monasticism throughout Georgia,” His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Shio III, made these remarks during a sermon at the David Gareji Monastery on the Feast Day of the Venerable Father David of Gareji.