Viktor Yushchenko was sworn in as president of Ukraine today, two months after massive protests over his loss in a fraud-plagued election plunged the ex-Soviet republic into political crisis.

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 highest court today invalidated a fraud-tainted parliamentary vote that sparked the peaceful removal of President Eduard Shevardnadze, leaving the old parliament in place until new elections.

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, opposition leader Nino Burdzhanadze, pledged today to hold elections within 45 days and called on security services to restore order after a wave of protest swept long-time President Eduard Shevardnadze out of power.

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.

Opposition supporters broke into Georgia’s Parliament today, scuffling with lawmakers and forcing President Eduard Shevardnadze to flee as thousands of protesters outside demanded his resignation.

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