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Arab News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Belgrade braces for another anti-government protest, calling for an early parliamentary election
BELGRADE: Belgrade is bracing for yet another student-led protest on Saturday to pressure Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic to call for a snap parliamentary election after nearly eight months of rallies that have rattled his firm grip on power in the Balkan country. Tensions have soared ahead of the protest organized by Serbia's university students, a key force behind nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people on Nov. 1. Many blamed the concrete roof crash on rampant government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring mass protests. Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have refused the demand for an early vote and accused protesters of planning to spur violence at orders from abroad, which they didn't specify. In a show of business as usual, the Serbian president handed out presidential awards in the capital to people, including artists and journalists, he deemed worthy, as his loyalists, camping in a park in central Belgrade, announced they would hold a 'literary evening.' '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. 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. Police earlier this week arrested several people accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country to several people from Croatia and a theater director from Montenegro without explanation. 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, ahead of 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, which they have denied. Vucic, a former extreme nationalist, has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power over 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.
Washington Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Belgrade braces for another anti-government protest, calling for an early parliamentary election
BELGRADE, Serbia — Belgrade is bracing for yet another student-led protest on Saturday to pressure Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic to call for a snap parliamentary election after nearly eight months of rallies that have rattled his firm grip on power in the Balkan country. Tensions have soared ahead of the protest organized by Serbia's university students, a key force behind nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people on Nov. 1.
Free Malaysia Today
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
No mechanical fault in Gerik bus crash, says early report
It is highly likely that the accident was caused by other factors such as human error, road conditions, or similar external factors, the early technical report said. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The bus involved in the crash near Tasik Banding, Gerik, that killed 15 university students was in sound mechanical condition before the accident, according to an early technical report released by Puspakom. A post-crash inspection found that the vehicle's brakes, tyres, steering, and suspension were all in good condition and met safety standards. 'Based on observations and the technical investigation, there was no evidence of mechanical system failure that could have caused the accident. 'Therefore, it is highly likely that the accident was caused by other factors such as human error, road conditions, or similar external factors,' the investigators said in the report. The report said the air brakes of the bus were in satisfactory physical condition, without any sign of excessive wear. The air compressor tank was also intact without any leaks identified. It said two sets of leaf springs and shock absorbers were found to be faulty but it might be a result of the crash. The bus sustained major structural damage in the crash, including a crushed front end, shattered windows, broken support pillars, and severe body panel deformation. The report also said the bus underwent its last inspection before the accident on April 13 at Puspakom's Kota Bharu centre, where it was given a 'pass'. Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said appropriate measures will be implemented by the ministry based on the final findings to ensure road safety. 'Meanwhile, enforcement of compliance with safety standards set by the ministry, driver's qualifications, and the monitoring of the transport company's operations will continue to be tightened. 'The ministry expresses its deepest condolences to the victims' families, and it is committed to ensure that such tragedies do not recur,' he said in a statement.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment furious mother storms into student house party packed with 300 revellers to demand they turn the music down because her daughter has GCSE exams the next day
This is the moment a desperate mother confronted 300 university students at a noisy house party, pleading with them to turn the music down as her daughter had GCSEs the next day. The woman, who has not been named, was among 30 householders who complained about the racket coming from late-night rave in a garden on Cliff Road in Leeds. In the video timestamped 1.34am on Monday, June 2, she can be seen telling the partygoers to leave as her daughter has an exam at 9am. The woman was said to have gone straight up to the DJ and asked him to turn the music off. However, the students who were at the end-of-year party in the quiet cul-de-sac said she had 'no right' to 'barge into the house' to try to shut it down. First-year cybersecurity student Gene Vale, 19, who attends Leeds Beckett university, arrived at the outdoor garden party at quarter to one in the morning. He said: 'We were just chilling and this woman just barges in - there's an alleyway next to the house, so you can just walk through an alleyway. 'She walks through the alleyway and barges through everyone, goes straight up to the DJ and says "can you turn it off?" This is the moment a desperate mother confronted 300 university students at a noisy house party, pleading with them to turn the music down as her daughter had GCSEs the next day 'He says "oh, you're ruining the party" and everything and then she tries to explain her daughter has a 9am exam the next morning and says "you're not being very considerate". 'Obviously, it didn't really end up working out for her, because the guy who actually was DJing didn't really care.' The student - who plans to change his course to content creation and media studies come September - filmed the party and uploaded clips to TikTok. Police were eventually called to the end-of-year send off event after the neighbours' pleas to turn the music off were ignored. After leaving the party at 2am, the students continued the party in the street, blasting music from a car until 3am on Monday, June 2. Gene continued: 'When everyone was at the front of the street, a car was playing music on full blast. 'That ran for another half an hour until the police - everyone was gone by 3am. It took quite a lot of time to get people away because everyone was stood about wanting to see what was going on.' While Gene says he does have some sympathy for the upset neighbours, ultimately, he says, they should be more empathetic. He said: 'If I was in their situation, I'd be upset and I'd be angry - especially if my daughter's got a 9am exam, for example. 'But, I'd never complain - I don't think I could ever bring myself to complain - because there's clearly a reason they're doing it. 'Obviously it was their last big send-off party, you just have to put yourself in their shoes and think how gutted I would be if someone was complaining.' On TikTok commenters, however, were sympathetic to the neighbours. One user said: 'Not a Karen, it's reasonable? I had a 9am chemistry exam and the uni house next door had a party. 'Went into the exam absolutely knackered. Just go clubbing or do the party on a weekend like a normal person.' Another wrote: 'This is one of the many reasons why people are against the amount of students in cities as there are no caps on students numbers any more, too many students and things like happening too.' A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: 'Incidents like this remain rare, largely due to the strong partnership working and investment that's been made over time by Leeds City Council's Dedicated Service, a project jointly funded by University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. 'With regards to this incident, the Dedicated Service out of hours noise team received two calls from one resident relating to a large house party with external speakers and laser lights. 'Council officers arrived on site and unacceptable noise was witnessed from a distance of 100 metres. 'When the officers approached the house there were approximately 300 people in the garden area and an unknown number inside the house itself. 'Initial requests to turn the music off were refused, however once the tenant of the property had been spoken to the music was turned off and people started to disperse. 'Due to the number of people leaving the address, police attendance was requested. 'The occupants of the address in question have been dealt with under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 via the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team with further investigations on-going.'
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
China women pay US$14 to unwind with charming men who take them on luxury car rides
Young women in southern China are spending 99 yuan (US$14) to relax with fit, handsome men who treat them to luxury car rides after work. Advertisement According to the mainland media outlet Vista Hydrogen Business, a new trend called 'city ride' is gaining traction in cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Xiamen. This service features so-called 'man bodhisattvas,' who provide companionship rides in expensive vehicles. These men are often affluent university students who use their families' luxury cars during their free time to offer rides to female passengers. These young men are typically wealthy university students who use their families' luxury vehicles during their leisure time to provide rides to women. Photo: Shutterstock Active on social media and confident in showcasing their physiques, they have earned the nickname 'man bodhisattvas' due to their charm and perceived generosity.
