Latest news with #OttomanTurks
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Ancient Christian town discovered in Jordan
Faith is an integral part of millions of Americans' daily lives. 'One Nation Under God' is committed to reflecting America's voices, values and communities covering stories of faith and religion, from the latest headlines to stories of hope. Subscribe here. (NewsNation) — Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Christian settlement in Jordan that dates back to the mid-sixth century. A professor and his team from Mutah University unearthed the archaeological site of Tharais in southern Jordan. Their findings were recently published in Gephyra, an academic journal that covers the ancient history and cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean. The archaeological remains show evidence of human settlement during the Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods from the first century B.C. through the 13th century A.D., according to the scholars. Illinois town buys Pope Leo XIV's childhood home Among the findings were the remains of a Byzantine church built in the basilica style. They also found an olive oil press, pottery shards, stone tools and glass remnants as well as fragments of mosaic art. The archaeologists say that Tharais could have been a Byzantine site for Christian pilgrimage, given its location overlooking the Dead Sea and the Holy Land, as well as an agricultural hub. The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, lasted for 1100 years from 330 to 1453 A.D. Its capital was Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul. It fell when the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in 1453. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Egypt Independent
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Police clash with anti-government protesters calling for early elections in Serbia
Belgrade Associated Press — Riot police fired tear gas at thousands of anti-government protesters in Serbia's capital on Saturday. The major rally in Belgrade against Serbia's populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, was called to back a demand for an early parliamentary election. The protest by tens of thousands was held after nearly eight months of persistent demonstrations led by Serbia's university students that have rattled Vucic's firm grip on power in the Balkan country. The huge crowd chanted 'We want elections!' as they filled the capital's central Slavija Square and several blocks around it, with many unable to reach the venue. Tensions were high before and during the gathering. Riot police deployed around government buildings and close to a camp of Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade. Skirmishes erupted between riot officers and groups of protesters near the camp. 'Elections are a clear way out of the social crisis caused by the deeds of the government, which is undoubtedly against the interests of their own people,' said one of the students, who didn't give her name while giving a speech on a stage to the crowd. 'Today, on June 28, 2025, we declare the current authorities illegitimate.' At the end of the official part of the rally, students told the crowd to 'take freedom into your own hands.' University students have been a key force behind nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people on Nov. 1. A drone view shows Serbian students and other demonstrators lighting mobile phones flash lights during an anti-government protest demanding snap elections at the Slavija square, in Belgrade, Serbia, June 28, 2025. Djordje Kojadinovic/Reuters Many blamed the concrete roof crash on rampant government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring mass protests. 'We are here today because we cannot take it any more,' Darko Kovacevic said. 'This has been going on for too long. We are mired in corruption.' Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have repeatedly refused the demand for an early vote and accused protesters of planning to spur violence on orders from abroad, which they didn't specify. Vucic's authorities have launched a crackdown on Serbia's striking universities and other opponents, while increasing pressure on independent media as they tried to curb the demonstrations. While numbers have shrunk in recent weeks, the massive showing for Saturday's anti-Vucic rally suggested that the resolve persists, despite relentless pressure and after nearly eight months of almost daily protests. Serbian police, which is firmly controlled by Vucic's government, said that 36,000 people were present at the start of the protest on Saturday. Saturday marks St. Vitus Day, a religious holiday and the date when Serbs mark a 14th-century battle against Ottoman Turks in Kosovo that was the start of hundreds of years of Turkish rule, holding symbolic importance. In their speeches, some of the speakers at the student rally on Saturday evoked the theme, which was also used to fuel Serbian nationalism in the 1990s that later led to the incitement of ethnic wars following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Hours before the student-led rally, Vucic's party bused in scores of its own supporters to Belgrade from other parts of the country, many wearing T-shirts reading: 'We won't give up Serbia.' They were joining a camp of Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade where they have been staying in tents since mid-March. People walk under a large Serbian flag during a major anti-government rally in Belgrade on Saturday. Darko Vojinovic/AP In a show of business as usual, Vucic handed out presidential awards in the capital to people he deemed worthy, including artists and journalists. 'People need not worry – the state will be defended and thugs brought to justice,' Vucic told reporters on Saturday. Serbian presidential and parliamentary elections are due in 2027. Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, to several people from Croatia and a theater director from Montenegro. Serbia's railway company halted train service over an alleged bomb threat in what critics said was an apparent bid to prevent people from traveling to Belgrade for the rally. Authorities made similar moves back in March, before what was the biggest ever anti-government protest in the Balkan country, which drew hundreds of thousands of people. Vucic's loyalists then set up a camp in a park outside his office, which still stands. The otherwise peaceful gathering on March 15 came to an abrupt end when part of the crowd suddenly scattered in panic, triggering allegations that authorities used a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters – an accusation officials have denied. Vucic, a former extreme nationalist, has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power more than a decade ago. Though he formally says he wants Serbia to join the European Union, critics say Vucic has stifled democratic freedoms as he strengthened ties with Russia and China.
ITV News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Police clash with anti-government protesters in Serbia as thousands rally against president
Dozens of protesters were detained during clashes with riot police in Serbia on Saturday, as thousands demanded early parliamentary elections in a rally against populist President Aleksandar Vucic. The protest was held after nearly eight months of dissent led by Serbia's university students and has been fuelled by allegations of corruption and negligence. As they filled the capital's central Slavija Square, the crowd chanted "we want elections!". Tensions were high before and during the gathering, with riot police deployed around government buildings and close to a camp of Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade. Police said dozens of 'hooligans' were detained but did not provide the exact number. 'Elections are a clear way out of the social crisis caused by the deeds of the government, which is undoubtedly against the interests of their own people,' one of the students, who didn't give her name, said to the crowd. 'Today, on June 28, 2025, we declare the current authorities illegitimate.' At the end of the official part of the rally, students told the crowd to 'take freedom into your own hands.' University students have been a key force behind nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people in November. Many blamed the concrete roof crash on rampant government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring mass protests. 'We are here today because we cannot take it anymore,' student Darko Kovacevic said. 'This has been going on for too long. We are mired in corruption." Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have repeatedly refused the demand for an early vote and accused protesters of planning to spur violence on orders from abroad, which they didn't specify or provide evidence of. Vucic's authorities have launched a crackdown on Serbia's striking universities and other opponents, while increasing pressure on independent media as they tried to curb the demonstrations. While numbers have shrunk in recent weeks, the massive showing for Saturday's anti-Vucic rally suggested that the resolve persists, despite relentless pressure and after nearly eight months of almost daily protests. Serbian police, which is firmly controlled by Vucic's government, said that 36,000 people were present at the start of the protest on Saturday. Serbia's Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said participants in the protest attacked the police, and that police used their powers to restore public order. Saturday marked St. Vitus Day, a religious holiday and the date when Serbs mark a 14th-century battle against Ottoman Turks in Kosovo that was the start of hundreds of years of Turkish rule, holding symbolic importance. Vucic, a former extreme nationalist, has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power more than a decade ago. Though he formally says he wants Serbia to join the European Union, critics say Vucic has stifled democratic freedoms as he strengthened ties with Russia and China. Serbian presidential and parliamentary elections are due in 2027.
Powys County Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Serbian riot police fire tear gas at anti-government protesters
Riot police fired tear gas at thousands of anti-government protesters in Serbia's capital on Saturday. The major rally in Belgrade against Serbia's populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, was called to back the demand for an early parliamentary election. The protest, attended by tens of thousands of people, was held after nearly eight months of persistent demonstrations led by Serbia's university students that have rattled Mr Vucic's firm grip on power in the Balkan country. The huge crowd chanted 'We want elections!' as they filled the capital's central Slavija Square and several blocks around it, with many unable to reach the venue. Tensions were high before and during the gathering. Riot police were deployed around government buildings and close to a camp of Mr Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade. Skirmishes erupted between riot officers and groups of protesters near the camp. Students gave speeches to the crowd. One, who didn't give her name, said: 'Elections are a clear way out of the social crisis caused by the deeds of the government, which is undoubtedly against the interests of their own people. 'Today, on June 28 2025, we declare the current authorities illegitimate.' At the end of the official part of the rally, students told the crowd to 'take freedom into your own hands.' University students have been a key force behind nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people on November 1 2024. Many blamed the concrete roof crash on rampant government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring mass protests. 'We are here today because we cannot take it any more,' Darko Kovacevic said. 'This has been going on for too long. We are mired in corruption.' Mr Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have repeatedly refused the demand for an early vote and accused protesters of planning to spur violence on orders from abroad, which they didn't specify. The president's authorities have launched a crackdown on Serbia's striking universities and other opponents, while increasing pressure on independent media as they tried to curb the demonstrations. While numbers have shrunk in recent weeks, the massive showing for Saturday's anti-Vucic rally suggested that the resolve persists, despite relentless pressure and after nearly eight months of almost daily protests. Serbian police, which is firmly controlled by Mr Vucic's government, said that 36,000 people were present at the start of the protest on Saturday. Saturday marks St Vitus Day, a religious holiday and the date when Serbs mark a 14th-century battle against Ottoman Turks in Kosovo that was the start of hundreds of years of Turkish rule, holding symbolic importance. In their speeches, some of the speakers at the student rally on Saturday evoked the theme, which was also used to fuel Serbian nationalism in the 1990s, which later led to the incitement of ethnic wars following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Hours before the student-led rally, Mr Vucic's party bused in scores of its own supporters to Belgrade from other parts of the country, many wearing T-shirts with slogans including: 'We won't give up Serbia'. They were joining a camp of Mr Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade, where they have been staying in tents since mid-March. In a show of business as usual, Mr Vucic handed out presidential awards in the capital to people he deemed worthy, including artists and journalists. 'People need not worry — the state will be defended and thugs brought to justice,' Mr Vucic told reporters on Saturday. Serbian presidential and parliamentary elections are due in 2027. Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, to several people from Croatia and a theatre director from Montenegro. Serbia's railway company halted train service over an alleged bomb threat, in what critics said was an apparent bid to prevent people from travelling to Belgrade for the rally. Authorities made similar moves back in March, before what was the biggest ever anti-government protest in the Balkan country, which drew hundreds of thousands of people. Mr Vucic's loyalists then set up a camp in a park outside his office, which still stands. The otherwise peaceful gathering on March 15 came to an abrupt end when part of the crowd suddenly scattered in panic, triggering allegations that authorities used a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters — an accusation officials have denied. Mr Vucic, a former extreme nationalist, has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power more than a decade ago. Though he formally says he wants Serbia to join the European Union, critics say he has stifled democratic freedoms as he strengthened ties with Russia and China.
Glasgow Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Serbian riot police fire tear gas at anti-government protesters
The major rally in Belgrade against Serbia's populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, was called to back the demand for an early parliamentary election. Tens of thousands of people turned out (Marko Drobnjakovic/AP) The protest, attended by tens of thousands of people, was held after nearly eight months of persistent demonstrations led by Serbia's university students that have rattled Mr Vucic's firm grip on power in the Balkan country. The huge crowd chanted 'We want elections!' as they filled the capital's central Slavija Square and several blocks around it, with many unable to reach the venue. Tensions were high before and during the gathering. Riot police were deployed around government buildings and close to a camp of Mr Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade. Skirmishes erupted between riot officers and groups of protesters near the camp. Students gave speeches to the crowd. One, who didn't give her name, said: 'Elections are a clear way out of the social crisis caused by the deeds of the government, which is undoubtedly against the interests of their own people. 'Today, on June 28 2025, we declare the current authorities illegitimate.' At the end of the official part of the rally, students told the crowd to 'take freedom into your own hands.' Skirmishes erupted between riot police and protesters (Marko Drobnjakovic/AP) University students have been a key force behind nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people on November 1 2024. Many blamed the concrete roof crash on rampant government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring mass protests. 'We are here today because we cannot take it any more,' Darko Kovacevic said. 'This has been going on for too long. We are mired in corruption.' Mr Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have repeatedly refused the demand for an early vote and accused protesters of planning to spur violence on orders from abroad, which they didn't specify. The president's authorities have launched a crackdown on Serbia's striking universities and other opponents, while increasing pressure on independent media as they tried to curb the demonstrations. The rally fell on St Vitus Day, a religious holiday that holds symbolic importance in the country (Marko Drobnjakovic/AP) While numbers have shrunk in recent weeks, the massive showing for Saturday's anti-Vucic rally suggested that the resolve persists, despite relentless pressure and after nearly eight months of almost daily protests. Serbian police, which is firmly controlled by Mr Vucic's government, said that 36,000 people were present at the start of the protest on Saturday. Saturday marks St Vitus Day, a religious holiday and the date when Serbs mark a 14th-century battle against Ottoman Turks in Kosovo that was the start of hundreds of years of Turkish rule, holding symbolic importance. In their speeches, some of the speakers at the student rally on Saturday evoked the theme, which was also used to fuel Serbian nationalism in the 1990s, which later led to the incitement of ethnic wars following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Hours before the student-led rally, Mr Vucic's party bused in scores of its own supporters to Belgrade from other parts of the country, many wearing T-shirts with slogans including: 'We won't give up Serbia'. They were joining a camp of Mr Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade, where they have been staying in tents since mid-March. In a show of business as usual, Mr Vucic handed out presidential awards in the capital to people he deemed worthy, including artists and journalists. 'People need not worry — the state will be defended and thugs brought to justice,' Mr Vucic told reporters on Saturday. The protesters called for an early election in the country (Marko Drobnjakovic/AP) Serbian presidential and parliamentary elections are due in 2027. Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, to several people from Croatia and a theatre director from Montenegro. Serbia's railway company halted train service over an alleged bomb threat, in what critics said was an apparent bid to prevent people from travelling to Belgrade for the rally. Authorities made similar moves back in March, before what was the biggest ever anti-government protest in the Balkan country, which drew hundreds of thousands of people. Mr Vucic's loyalists then set up a camp in a park outside his office, which still stands. The otherwise peaceful gathering on March 15 came to an abrupt end when part of the crowd suddenly scattered in panic, triggering allegations that authorities used a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters — an accusation officials have denied. Mr Vucic, a former extreme nationalist, has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power more than a decade ago. Though he formally says he wants Serbia to join the European Union, critics say he has stifled democratic freedoms as he strengthened ties with Russia and China.
