i5 sitting on the streets of tbilisi? , , . sitting on the streets of tbilisi? , m , , tbilisi?icult because as much as _ tbilisi? is difficult because as much as we _ tbilisi? is difficult because as much as we have - tbilisi? is difficult because as much as we have to - tbilisi? is difficult because| as much as we have to hold tbilisi? is difficult because - as much as we have to hold good relations with our neighbors, our relations with eu and us has been the guarantee of our security against the threat of russia. and now the so—called government has officially broken all the ties with the european and american partners. it is placing us in a rather vulnerable political position. especially with internal political crisis that is going on. ~ ., political crisis that is going on. ~ . ., on. we will leave it there for the liza zhvania _ on. we will leave it there for the liza zhvania thank - on. we will leave it there for the liza zhvania thank you i on. we will leave it there for i the liza zhvania thank you very much. let's go to east asia now, and thousands of people have bee

this is the scene now live in tbilisi.er police used water cannon and tier gas against demonstrators who turned out in their thousands near the parliament building in the capital for a third night running. it's 4am they are in tbilisi. the protests continue. thousands of people turned out. police say someone hundred and seven people have been arrested. our russia editor, steve rosenberg sent this report from tbilisi, and a warning it contains distressing images. as night fell in tbilisi, they were building barricades, using anything they could find. people here are angry that the ruling party have suspended georgia's bid tojoin the european union. they believe that russia is pulling the strings. i am protesting against our government who is pro—russian and they don't want to have any relationship to europe or usa. and i am here for my freedom, for my future. suddenly, fireworks, aimed right at the parliament building. we could see a room inside ablaze, and figures who climbed up to the windows. looking, perhaps, for a way

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.ge with the very latest on those protests in tbilisi, for a fourth night in a row, on the bbc news website site and app. this includes a live feed from the pictures outside parliament. exit polls in romania's closely—watched parliamentary election are coming in. nick thorpe has been watching the count. the suggestions of the exit polls there in romania are that the social democrats are in the lead — that's the main governing party at the moment, they're the leader of the current coalition government. also that the far—right parties, led by the alliance for the union of romanians, they're doing well — but not well enough, as far as these exit polls say, to actually replace the current government. so, the alliance for the union of romanians is second to the social democrats in these exit polls, with about 20%, followed by two other centrist parties, with two other far—right parties also looking as though they'll get into parliament. so, again, we should be very cautious with the exit pol

rayhan demytrie on the streets of tbilisi.can see, once again protesters out on the street in georgia. let's speak to investigative journalist in georgia, katie tutberidze. you have tried to interview former manchester city football player. what can you tell us about this man?— player. what can you tell us about this man? thank you for our about this man? thank you for your interest _ about this man? thank you for your interest with _ about this man? thank you for your interest with georgia - about this man? thank you for your interest with georgia and | your interest with georgia and thank you to yourjournalistic correspondence who are covering the ongoing dramatic processes in georgia because according to the thousands of people, georgia is going through one of the most dramatic moment in its history. mikheil kavelashvili. this man has not got a political background from the previous georgian presidents because the first president of independent georgia had anti—soviet background and salome zourabichvili, the incumbent presi

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi. of thousands of people attended a vigil last night in beirut to remember the late hezbollah leader hassan nasrallah — the first public ceremony to mark his killing in an israeli air strike two months ago. across lebanon, people are still going back to their homes as a ceasefire holds. in the south, amid widespread destruction, hezbollah supporters remain defiant and say they've been victorious in the war, as our middle east correspondent hugo bachega reports. as they return home, they also bury their dead. fighters celebrated here as heroes of the resistance. killed, they say, in a war to protect their land. this is more than a funeral. this is a show of strength and support for hezbollah. and whoever thinks they will go away, well, from what seeing here, this is unlikely to happen. hezbollah has been weakened by israel. some say humiliated. but it hasn't been destroyed. in lebanon, it is more a militia, it is also a powerful political and social group. it it is also a powerful politi

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi. more, i spoke to stephenjones, the director of the georgian studies program at the davis centre at harvard university. i asked him what he makes of the political situation unfolding right now in georgia? right now what is emerging are two governments, you have the government of the while police officers have been accused of assaulting protesters. you must have seen videos of the brutal way in which the police have treated some of the protesters in the last few days. what is your reaction to that? an investigation will happen against this kind of incidents, but also, in this case, it's important to have a clear position with regard to the violence from both sides. the protesters accuse the government of selling out to russia, which the authorities deny. neither side shows any sign of backing down. steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi. for more, i spoke to stephenjones, the director of the georgian studies program at the davis centre at harvard university. i asked him what he makes of the

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.emytrie says the protesters plan to remain on the streets. i am at the protest site, we are about one kilometre away from the parliament building which has been the focal point for clashes between the police and protesters overnight. this is the third night that the protests have continued. they were sparked by the government's decision to put georgia's accession talks with europe on hold. and the protest — they have moved to the street. they are blocking quite an important intersection outside the country's main university. well, with me here is one of the protesters. she has been protesting for days. can you please tell me how important is this fight that is happening now for georgians? the fight that is happening right now has been going on actually four years, which is our integration in europe. we want to be a democratic country of european union, and we have been fighting for this for years and we definitely do not want to be part of russia who has occupied 20% of our country, wh

a little earlier, our correspondent rayhan demytrie gave us this update from tbilisi. country's parliament and the protesters, a short while ago, they blocked the main street from traffic. we can show you the number of people who are gathering here. it's still quite early in georgian terms, and it is expected that more people willjoin the protest. it's day eight of these protests in georgia, not only in the capital, tbilisi, but also in other parts of the country, against the government's move to suspend eu accession talks. and these people are demanding fresh elections. they're also angry at their government for what they're saying were rigged october parliamentary elections. and that has become the main demand from the country's civil society, from the opposition and from these protesters. tell us more about why those people are so angry. i mean, it sounds quite dry, doesn't it, when you talk about suspending accession talks to the european union. but what is it that is so important to those demonstrators? why do they believe the future of georgia is at stake? it sou

on saturday, thousands of protesters in georgia formed a human chain in the capital, tbilisi, to markallies have been held in other towns and cities across the country. mass protests have gripped georgia since the government said it would delay talks onjoining the eu until 2028. the outgoing president, salome zourabichvili has left the presidential palace, but insisted she is still the legitimate holder of the office of president. translation: six years ago i swore allegiance to you on the constitution. and this allegiance will not change. wherever i am, in the palace or outside the palace, i will come out of here to you, and i will be with you. legitimacy comes from one source. and that source is you. and where there is no trust of the people, there will be no legitimacy. meanwhile, the new president mikheil kavelashvili addressed parliament after being sworn in. translation: georgia has faced numerous storms over _ the centuries and our people, having endured many hardships, have achieved what once seemed impossible in their quest to protect their homeland and dignity. they have fou

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.ia analyst at the geopolitical risk group rane. he's in houston, texas. good to talk to you. obviously another night of protest, the fifth night in a row now. it would seem the demonstrators are not yet ready to stand down and demonstrate peacefully. give us your take on what is happening at the moment. that is exactly right _ happening at the moment. that is exactly right and _ happening at the moment. twat is exactly right and there will definitely be a small kadri that will never completely give up. —— cadre. they are willing to go to prison and so forth. it does remain to be seen how long process can continue at the side they have been recently. after the contested october election, there was this period where the government probably was lulled into a sense of security that the protest movement had been somewhat overwhelming but the size of literally these past five days has grown immensely and now gets to level the government might perceive as a bigger threat than it did in the pa

on saturday, thousands of protesters in georgia formed a human chain in the capital, tbilisi, to markemonstrations. similar rallies have been held in other towns and cities across the country. mass protests have gripped georgia since the government said it would delay eu accession talks until 2028. the outgoing presiden has left the presidential palace after making a defiant speech to supporters. she said she remained the legitimate officeholder. translation: six years ago. as the new president of georgia mikheil kavelashvili — has been sworn in, despite weeks of rallies against his governing georgian dream party, and the election results. the former manchester city footballer is a hardline critic of the west and the 4 main opposition groups have rejected him and boycotted parliament. they insist that the elections held in october were rigged. on saturday, thousands of protesters in georgia formed a human chain in the capital, tbilisi, to mark a month of daily pro—europe demonstrations. similar rallies have been held in other towns and cities across the country. mass protests have gri

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi. toria georgian studies at harvard university. we have seen some striking images from the capital tbilisi about these protests are not restricted to the capital, what does that tell us?— does that tell us? thank you for having — does that tell us? thank you for having me, _ does that tell us? thank you for having me, this - does that tell us? thank you for having me, this is - does that tell us? thank you for having me, this is kind . does that tell us? thank you | for having me, this is kind of a point of no return the current protests really have escalated beyond the scope of previous demonstrations, you may have seen the protest demonstrations in the spring, against the so—called foreign agent law called the russian law, which restricted civil society in georgia but now we are having more nationwide resistance. which is fuelled by collective rejection of the ruling georgian dream parties not only perceived by already documented, well articulated retreat from the western aspiration,

she is in tbilisi. this is the first day of these protests.he momentum around these protests at the moment? the momentum is that there are all signs that protesters are refusing to back off. they have been returning over and over again, there is no doubt they will be back again tonight outside parliament to express their anger with the government's decision to put eu accession talks on hold. this announcement was made last week by the country's prime minister, that is what sparked this latest wave of protests not only in the capital tbilisi birch countrywide, protests are taking place in other major cities. yesterday we saw high school students protesting, joining the protest and saying they want to see their country's future in europe. there have been months of protests in georgia and this latest announcement, i think, is what made people... their patients boiled over. there is a lot of frustration, young people are protesting, they say they want a european future for their country. they have been suspected that the ruling party, georgian dre

it's really cold in tbilisi, the georgian capital.pite that, we're seeing more and more peoplejoining the protests and there have been nightly protests here for more than two weeks. earlier, some people were kicking the football as a kind ofjoke and saying that mikheil kavelashvili, perhaps he was a good footballer in his previous career, but they do not believe that he is fit to be the country's next president. they were holding red cards and also people here are saying that he is not qualified to be the next head of state. all of this is happening with the incumbent president, salome zurabishvili, who earlier today walked past the protest area and she was cheered by the crowd. she has said that she won't be stepping down, and she won't be leaving her office because she considers the current parliament illegitimate and anti—constitutional. and the main demand from the protesters here in the streets, from the opposition and president salome zurabishvili, is to hold new elections to, they are saying this is the only way out of the curr

rayhan demytrie in tbilisi.ontinuing in new york city to find a gunman who shot dead the boss of a us health insurance company. this is the moment that 50—year—old brian thompson was fatally shot in the back and the leg in manhattan — close to times square. the suspect appeared to be waiting for thompson, who ran united health care, outside the hilton hotel. the suspect then fled the scene on foot and was last seen riding an electric bike through central park. 0ur north america correspondentjohn sudworth is in new york with more. as brian thompson arrived early for his meeting, behind him a figure can be seen stepping out of the shadows. the gunman fires at least three rounds before running away — all caught on cctv video. the police have released this image showing the suspect moving further away from the scene by bike, and this one revealing part of his face. taken, officers say, minutes before the shooting. mr thompson was ceo of unitedhealthcare, this country's biggest health insurer, providing cover for som

reyhan demytrie reports from tbilisi. are inside the building, havejust started using the hose. started using the hose to spray at the protesters. and the protesters, in turn, are launching fireworks against the police. fireworks have really become a feature of this protest movement. the protest was sparked by the statement that was made by the country's prime minister on november the 28th. he said that the government made the decision to put georgia's eu integration process on hold. and these people are now chanting, "russians, russians". the protesters believe that by turning its back on europe, the government is serving russia's interests and the country's pro—western president, who has emerged as a leader of this resistance movement, the president has refused to step down. her term is due to end later this month. she considers, as well as the opposition and the protesters who are standing here now, they consider the current parliament illegitimate because of what they say were rigged elections in october. salome zoura

steve rosenberg reports from the capital, tbilisi.tbilisi, now every night is fireworks night. a fourth night of protests outside parliament, while inside, police try to keep protesters at bay. a brolly helps at moments like these. so the police right now are firing streams of water from inside the parliament, and going the other way, fireworks hurled by the protesters. it is the most surreal stand—off. the crowds are huge. so is the disappointment that the government here has frozen accession talks with the eu. but people are still hoping. every single day, there is more and more people coming. and it gives me hope that this government will finally go away. no sign of that. earlier, the head of the government praised the police and condemned the protests. many of the protesters have said to me that by suspending until the end of 2028 georgia's bid tojoin the european union, you have stolen, your government has stolen their european dream, their european future. people feel betrayed. can you understand that? the response is very clear

our corespondent rayhan demytrie has more from tbilisi.lice and journalists from the opposition media. a short while ago, one of the members of the opposition party was arrested outside the hotel, where opposition leader is a short while ago held a meeting, and they announced their plan, what to do next. they are calling for a general strike, they are saying the protest should continue, that outside the hotel where this meeting was held, there is a huge number, a massive number of police. it has been a tense day in tbilisi, the georgian capital. earlier on wednesday, the police raided offices of all opposition parties and one of the opposition leaders was violently kind of detained, as he confronted the police, and about 200 metres away from where i'm standing now, huge protests have resumed for the seventh night. the nato secretary general mark rutte urged the united states to send more ammunition to ukraine. speaking at a meeting of nato foreign ministers on wednesday he said it was necessary for ukraine to get from being on the back foo

our correspondent reyhan demytrie sent this report from tbilisi.that are hiding — we can just see their helmets — and these protesters are saying, "come out, come out!" day six of mass protests in georgia, in the capital tbilisi, but a completely different feel to it today because there are... ..the lights are switched off at the parliament building, the lights in the streets are dimmed and there are no fireworks. fireworks have really become one of the features of this protest movement. but today the authorities have restricted — severely restricted — the sale of any fireworks or pyrotechnics across the city. some of the protesters are trying to confront the police and asking them, "why have they used so much violence over the past few days?" there are more than 250 people that have been detained throughout these protests here in tbilisi, and there's a lot of evidence of police brutality, of beatings and humiliation of those who have been detained. how long can it last for? how much energy do you have to...? until we get our country back, because

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.s a senior fellow at european centre for international political economy and a former presidential foreign relations adviser. he explained more about the current protests. the main detonator was the statement of the georgian dream. they made itjust two days ago about suspension of the european integration process. and you are absolutely right, talking about manifestations not only in the capital of georgia, but in the other big cities. and i would say that this is once again proving how strong this commitment of georgian nation is towards european and euro—atla ntic integration and this is written in our constitution. so where those protests will lead, this is the main question today when asking about that. but i would say that this will lead to the strengthening of the georgian democracy and georgian statehood, and get back georgia as soon as possible to its european and euro—atlantic path and restoration of strategic partnership with the european union and with the united states. the

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.or more, i spoke to stephenjones, the director of the georgian studies progam at the davis centre at harvard university. we have seen a fourth night of protests. how much longerjevity do you think these demonstrations could have? the you think these demonstrations could have? ., , ., ., , , , have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent — have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent and _ have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent and i _ have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent and i suspect _ have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent and i suspect the - are persistent and i suspect the georgian — are persistent and i suspect the georgian people in the streets will continue _ georgian people in the streets will continue this demonstration until they see — continue this demonstration until they see this government fall. the question— they see this government fall. the question is— they see this government fall. the question is how long can th

in tbilisi, now, every night is fireworks night.e parliament, while inside, police try to keep protesters at bay. a brolly helps at moments like these. so the police right now are firing streams of water from inside the parliament, and going the other

it is sam now in tbilisi in georgia. 5am now in tbilisi in georgia.

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.hat the number of migrants crossing the channel in small boats since the labour government came to power is, has increased by 20,000. we have more on this story and about half—an—hour. also here in the uk, masterchef presenter gregg wallace, has been criticised for saying the complaints about his alleged misconduct have come from a "handful of middle—class women of a certain age". gregg wallace stepped aside from presenting the cooking programme last week after a bbc news investigation revealed gregg wallace stepped aside from presenting the cooking allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and behaviour, which he denies. noor nanji reports. in the newspaper, i can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle—class women of a certain age, just from celebrity masterchef. this isn't right. gregg wallace in an instagram video yesterday, hitting back at his critics. the presenter has been under pressure after bbc news revealed a string of misconduct allegations against him. we spo

in tbilisi, now, every night is fireworks night., police try to keep protesters at bay. a brolly helps at moments like these. so the police right now are firing streams of water from inside the parliament, and going the other way, fireworks hurled by the protesters. it is the most surreal stand—off. the crowds are huge. so is the disappointment that the government here has frozen accession talks with the eu. but people are still hoping. every single day, there is more and more people coming. and it gives me hope that this government will finally go away. no sign of that. earlier, the head of the government praised the police and condemned the protests. many of the protesters have said to me that by suspending until the end of 2028 georgia's bid tojoin the european union, you have stolen, your government has stolen their european dream, their european future. people feel betrayed. can you understand that? the response is very clear. so, we have not suspended anything related to the european integration. it'sjust a lie. and there are

our correspondent sent this report from tbilisi. chanting.st see their helmets. these protesters are saying, "come out, come out!" day six of mass protests in georgia, in the capital tbilisi, but a completely different feel to it today, because the lights are switched off at the parliament building, the lights in the streets are dimmed, and there are no fireworks. fireworks have really become one of the features of this protest movement, but today, the authorities have restricted — severely restricted — the sale of any fireworks or pyrotechnics across the city. some of the protesters are trying to confront the police, and asking them, "why have they used so much "violence over the past few days?" there are more than 250 people that have been detained throughout these protests here in tbilisi, and there's a lot of evidence of police brutality, of beatings and humiliation of those who have been detained. how long can it last for? how much energy do you have to...? until we get our country back, because every single one of the citizens of georgi

on saturday, thousands of protesters in georgia formed a human chain in the capital, tbilisi, to marky pro—europe demonstrations. similar rallies have been held in other towns and cities across the country. mass protests have gripped georgia since the government said it would delay eu accession talks until 2028. there were these two parallel situations taking place. one inside the parliament where mikheil kavelashvili was sworn in as the country's next president. outside the presidential palace in central tbilisi where the outgoing president salome zourabichvili addressed her supporters. they gathered this morning outside this palace, presidential palace. she said she was leaving the palace but she would remain with people. she considers herself as the only legitimate leader, president in georgia. because salome zourabichvili and the opposition have claimed repeatedly that october parliamentary elections in the country were stolen. therefore they do not recognise the legitimacy of the parliament that nominated and voted and today inaugurated mikheil kavelashvili as the next president.

he was speaking to the bbc�*s russia editor, steve rosenberg, who's in tbilisi. it was the georgian prime minister's announcement three days ago suspending — until the end of 2028 — georgia's bid tojoin the european union. it was that announcement that has been bringing people onto the streets here since thursday. let's listen to what the prime minister said three days ago. translation: today we have decided not to put the issue i of opening negotiations with the european union on the agenda until the end of 2028. and because the idea ofjoining the eu is so possible with georgians, that decision to suspend accession talks caused shock and anger here. when i asked the prime minister today whether he understood the public mood, he said, "suspension? i didn't talk about that." many of the protesters have said to me that by suspending until the end of 2028 — georgia's bid tojoin the european union, you have stolen your government, has stolen their european dream, their european future and violated the constitution here, which states that all constitutional bodies in

tbilisi, and also in the second-largest city. and we mentioned _ second-largest city.d earlier _ second-largest city. and we | mentioned earlier comments second-largest city. and we - mentioned earlier comments by the prime minister that appeared to row back on the government decision to suspend talks tojoin the government decision to suspend talks to join the eu. he was speaking to the bbc�*s steve rosenberg. has there been reaction to those comments? there has only been reaction from the country cosmic prime minister. sorry, from the country's pro—western president, who is in opposition to the government. she said the messaging that is coming from the government suggests that they are confused, that they did not expect such a huge reaction from the population. earlier today, the prime minister accused the opposition leaders of instigating the unrest in the country. and he said there will be consequences. but what we witnessed in the past few days is that the protests have been organic, there are no speeches by the opposition. it's not really being organised by the su

the once again my side, the side of the parliament in the capital tbilisi. and they belong to the switch on of the christmas lights. i mean, it's national community pushes for reconciliation and stability in syria. these limits to groups that i stood by sharla side says it will not get dragged into a new complex, the project kind of guy that and welcome to the program. we begin in georgia where the political crisis has deepened with the appointment of a new fall, right. president with close ties to russia. opponents of once again my start aside the parliament to protest against the form of football that'd make a copy liability and stop the lights on the christmas tree from being switched on. the to them all has been rumbling on since the rolling georgia dream policy suspended tools on joining the european union. the last president says she was that done until new elections are held. a very few signs of the holiday season in tbilisi popular anger has replaced seasonal ch here on the streets around george's parliament. demonstrators continued the things off wi

we see that people continue to come out to the streets, not only in the capital, tbilisi, but in otherave to express their discontent over so many issues that have been happening in this country over the past couple of months, and they believe that the only way to to express their discontent is to take to the streets. last night we saw again, once again, lots of people filling in the main avenue outside the country's parliament. they were holding up the pictures of many of the protesters and journalists who were severely beaten up over the past couple of weeks. and this is the concern that has been raised by human rights organisations. amnesty international published a report on friday, talking about shocking human rights abuses in georgia. over 500 people have been arrested so far, and more than 300 reported being ill treated in the hands of the police and being tortured. so this is quite a grim picture that is emerging now regarding the human rights situation. but we don't see any kind of recognition from the authorities. yesterday i spent several hours inside the parliament while th

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.or more, i spoke to stephenjones, the director of the georgian studies progam at the davis centre at harvard university. we have seen a fourth night of protests. how much longevity do these demonstrations have? well, the demonstrations themselves, i suspect those in themselves, i suspect those in themselves, i suspect those in the streets will continue this demonstration until they see this government fall. the question is how long can the government last? right now the government last? right now the government has the riot police, control of the riot police, the army is neutral. in theory it can stay in power but is facing a population that is massively against their policies and rejects the european union. we heard yesterday from the georgia president and she said she will now not be stepping down at the end of her term, calling the current parliament illegitimate. what do you make a valid? to think she could face risks?— a valid? to think she could face risks? ~ ., _, , , face risks

as night fell in tbilisi, they were building barricades using anything they could find.

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi. ceo at a georgian ceo pushing for reforms in georgia. salome i understand you were down on the streets in georgia what was that like and what with the protesters saying?- that like and what with the protesters saying? thank you for our protesters saying? thank you for your interest, _ protesters saying? thank you for your interest, the - protesters saying? thank you for your interest, the protest | for your interest, the protest situation in georgia is very intense. lots of protesters on the streets it's been horrible here. what is the most important part of it as the government is trying to target journalists especially, ten were beaten and suspended. so i think we are trying to cover our the deeds and they do not want the world to see what they are doing. because after the most brutal night in georgia and afterjournalists covered and after journalists covered these and afterjournalists covered these clashes with our police, and the demonstrators, a lot of people in georgia, came and

with more of this, i speak now with tina teen shelly in tbilisi. she's chair of the georgian think tank civic idea and also served as george's defense minister from 2015 to 2016 or party. the republican party of georgia was in a coalition with the georgia dream party. welcome to dw. so mikhail covet actually has been voted in as george's, you president as well as we see, but incumbent president telling me sort of this really says she's not stepping down until you will actions or health. so how might this impasse be resolved? good morning. thank you for, for having me. um that is correct. unfortunately. introduce him as parliament yesterday took the world for the presidential elections as well. and now they're planning to have that one. need you to into institution out of the law as well. the current president did make a statement that she's not planning to step down. we still don't want you names and she promised that you need to plan for the society as to what her plan is, but the fact stays that. so this country, people in this country motors in

i helped there are a few signs of the holiday season in tbilisi. popular anger has replaced seasonal cheer on the streets around george's parliament. demonstrators continue to think solve with police after recent elections. so the moscow friendly georgia dream party claimed the vote was crazy day. on saturday, the georgia dream control problem and elected this man. miss you have a, she'd be a former football player turned right wing politicians. the opposition fears will steer georgia away from joining the european union to outside the apartment building. protesters cast out on how they treat these qualifications our, our garden gate uh to our election. and our president can do that. you said rather, and they've got to hold us for drugs here in pub, josie, i'll be able to present the channel. he doesn't have an invitation to the president, so we're progressing this way and we are showing our diplomas that we are more capable of being present. because this is no to legitimate problem. they cannot say like the president, this is not because they are breaking the law despite how they se

a protestors have again taken to the streets of the georgian capital tbilisi with the swearing—in oflashvili. there have been weeks of demonstrations against his governing georgian dream party and its victory in the recent disputed elections. the new president is a former manchester city footballer and also a hardline critic of the west — the four main opposition groups have rejected him over fears he will move georgia closer to russia, and they've boycotted parliament. they insist that the elections held in october were rigged. on saturday, thousands of protesters in georgia formed a human chain in the capital, tbilisi, to mark a month of daily pro—europe demonstrations. similar rallies have been held in other towns and cities across the country. mass protests have gripped georgia since the government said it would delay talks onjoining the eu until 2028. the outgoing president, salome zourabichvili, has left the presidential palace but insisted she is still the legitimate holder of the office of president. translation: six years ago, i swore allegiance i to you on the constitution.

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.ary rapid support forces — or rsf — and the sudanese army began in april 2023, and last year, two massacres in the city of el—geneina in west darfur, were so vicious human rights groups say it was possible genocide. fewjournalists have been able to visit the region, which is mainly controlled by the rsf, but lyse doucet has managed to travel there. her exclusive report begins in a refugee camp in adre in chad, right on the border with darfur. a people dispossessed and displaced, the people of darfur. this is an informal refugee camp in chad, just across the border from sudan. the women wait, praying someone will help. translation: we used to get food | from our farms when the war began. we couldn't farm and the animals ate our crops, so we were left with nothing. people who escaped the spectre of famine, the fear... when we were fleeing our young brothers were killed. some were too young to walk. our elders escaping with us were killed. yes, within ourfamily they killed my uncles, my a

jill dougherty in tbilisi, georgia, really appreciate getting your your take on all this.hank you so much. sure. unreal. >> you hear that sound? yeah that was a tornado in southwestern mississippi on saturday. >> as the threat of severe weather continues to loom large for millions of americans. at least two people are dead after severe storms and tornadoes tore through parts of texas, louisiana and mississippi on saturday. new tornado watches have just been posted across parts of florida, alabama and georgia. almost 10 million americans are right now under tornado watches, and more than 2 million were under a rare, particularly dangerous situation warning earlier on saturday. that's according to the u.s. national weather service. a number of tornadoes were reported outside houston, texas, on saturday, including the small town of montgomery, where you can see there a family, including young children, had to be rescued from the rubble. the storms moved quickly and unpredictably, impacting those who thought they were out of harm's way. listen to this. >> we were already in th

we're going to go live now to e mail in tbilisi. the chief international correspondent for the cipher brief. thank you for joining me. how are you doing? >> thank you very much, ben. thanks for having me. >> you're so welcome. this has been a crazy few months in georgia. i mean, i've seen the daily protests on social media for weeks now. i've seen the build up to today. i want to unpack all of this. the current president was refusing to leave, even though she was supposed to hand over power today. but then in a speech today, she said that she will leave. and this is all happening as the new president has already been sworn in today. what is going on? >> that's exactly right, georgia. >> today was a very good demonstration of how georgia has been living in this dual or parallel reality created on the one hand by the georgian dream government and on the other hand by those demonstrators that you just referred to. >> today, in today's speech, salome zourabichvili did not say that she will. she's leaving per se. she said that she will t

let�*s speak now to our correspondent rayhan demytrie who joins us from tbilisi.ing outside the country's - outside the country�*s parliament, and the protesters a short while ago what the main street from traffic. we can show you the number of people who are gathering here, it is still quite early in georgen terms. it is expected that more people willjoin the protest. it is day eight of these protests in georgia, not only in the capital, but also in other parts of the country against the government�*s move to suspend eu accession talks, and these people are demanding fresh elections. they are angry at the government for what they are saying were raked 0ctober parliamentary elections, and that has become the main demand from the country�*s civil society, and from these protesters.— society, and from these protesters. society, and from these rotesters. , ., ., protesters. tell us more about why these _ protesters. tell us more about why these people _ protesters. tell us more about why these people are - protesters. tell us more about why these people are so - prot

steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi.ome zourabichvili, has been among those criticising the strong police response. she has been in a standoff with the ruling georgia dream party, and is on the side of the protesters. she says last month's elections were rigged, the current parliament is illegitimate and has vowed to stay in herjob when her term ends in a couple of weeks. in an interview with the bbc on monday evening, she called for more western support. you are calling on western countries to back what you are calling a national movement in your country, referring to the protesters on the street. what exactly are you asking the eu and the us today? well, the same thing they have been doing now for more than 30 years since the independence of georgia, which is to support us in our path towards european integration, euro—atlantic integration, which is enshrined in our constitution and has been supported by our partners, but also the georgian population, more than 80% of them. all over this year, whatever was happening, i