Georgia rations electricity

TBILISI (AP) - The former Soviet republic of Georgia, hit by its worst energy crisis for 50 years, announced it was rationing electricity to five hours a day as the temperature dropped to minus 24C in the capital. The Deputy Energy Minister, Omar Kheladze, said homes would get electric power only from 6am to 8am and for three hours each evening, starting at 10pm. The cutback was necessary to ensure that hospitals, bakeries and railways could stay open, he said.