A top aide to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin today called Ukraine’s election dispute a major test of Russia’s relations with the West and accused politicians in the United States and Europe of fomenting political change in former Soviet republics.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators were flooding the centre of the Ukrainian capital Kiev today in protest at the alleged fraud in electing a pro-Moscow president.

Georgia’s new president Mikhail Saakashvili was sworn in today, taking the helm amid high hopes that he can bring prosperity to the beleaguered ex-Soviet republic.

Georgian opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili claimed victory in the country’s presidential elections and vowed to root out corruption after an exit poll showed him with an overwhelming lead.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday no support should be given to Georgia's restive regions, a day after Georgia accused Russia of meddling in its domestic affairs.

GEORGIA decided yesterday to hold an election on January 4 to replace ousted president Eduard Shevardnadze as its interim leaders sought to make a fresh start and rescue the stricken economy.

GEORGIA’S new interim president met security officials and told a key minister to quit yesterday after a “velvet revolution” toppled Eduard Shevardnadze.

Georgia’s interim president pledged today to hold elections in 45 days and called on police and security services to restore order after a wave of protest swept longtime President Eduard Shevardnadze out of power.

Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze was swept out of power by a wave of opposition, stepping aside without bloodshed after a decade of mounting discontent and three weeks of protests over parliamentary elections his critics said highlighted the corruption that has plagued the former Soviet republic during his reign.

Georgia President Eduard Shevardnadze, under increasing pressure for weeks over fraud in parliamentary elections, announced his resignation on Georgian television today.

Protest leader Mikhail Saakashvili announced Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze’s resignation today.

Fears were growing today that the political crisis in Georgia could lead to bloodshed after protesters stormed the parliament, demanding the resignation of the president.

The opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili and his supporters stormed into the Georgian parliament today, interrupting Eduard Shevardnadze’s speech.

IN A season of success stories at the San Siro, Kahka Kaladze has warmed more hearts than most. It’s not just his conversion from a tough-tackling midfielder into an astute, marauding wing-back, even though the relish with which he has taken to that role has ensured Paulo Maldini will delight them for a few more years in Milan.

A number of men were today understood to have been arrested in Georgia in connection with the kidnapping of British businessman Peter Shaw.