Georgia

Flags flew at half-staff across the United States on Monday as global tributes poured in for the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter — the longest-lived U.S. president, who died aged 100.

Former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and a tireless advocate for peace and human rights, has passed away at the age of 100, his office confirmed on Sunday. Carter, who had been under hospice care since February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia, became the first U.S. president to reach the age of 100.

Georgia inaugurated a ruling party loyalist as president in the midst of a political showdown on Sunday, moments after Tbilisi's outgoing pro-EU leader declared herself the "only legitimate president."

The inauguration of former footballer Mikhail Kavelashvili is set to further escalate a months-long political crisis that has seen huge pro-European Union demonstrations.

Plovdiv has been ranked third among the top Christmas destinations in Europe for 2024 by Forbes.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday Brussels had put forward a list of Georgians to sanction over a crackdown on pro-Western protesters, but Hungary was set to block the measures.

"We have proposed the list for sanctions for these people who are... using really force and violence against the opposition," Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

The European qualification draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, took place today at FIFA headquarters in Zurich. Bulgaria's national football team was drawn into Group E, alongside either Spain or the Netherlands, Turkey, and Georgia.

Four bodies were recovered from a car buried under a landslide in the Arhavi area near the city of Artvin in northeastern Turkey on the morning of December 9.

Prince William will visit Paris on Saturday to attend the reopening of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which was destroyed by fire five years ago, Kensington Palace announced Friday.

William will attend the ceremony on behalf of the United Kingdom at the request of the British government, the palace said.

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside Georgia's parliament in Tbilisi for a sixth consecutive night, protesting the government's suspension of negotiations on European Union accession. Riot police and special forces have continued to use water cannons, tear gas, and other means to disperse the crowds, often resulting in clashes marked by violence and mass arrests.

Georgian opposition supporters launch fireworks towards the police during a protest in front of the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, 02 Dec. 2024.

Georgia's Health Ministry said on Tuesday that 26 people, mostly protesters, were injured in the latest night of anti-government protest in the Caucasus country.