Archive June 29, 2025

Serbia’s president vows more arrests after huge antigovernment protests

As a result of months-long public outcry, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced that many more anti-government protesters will be detained as a result of violent clashes with police at a sizable nighttime rally calling for early parliamentary elections.

The populist leader charged the organizers of Saturday’s student-led protest in Belgrade of inciting violence and police attacks at a press conference on Sunday.

Vucic accused the protesters of causing “terror” and declared, “There will be many more arrested for attacking police… this is not the end.”

After the rally’s official portion was over, there were verbal altercations. When protesters threw rocks, bottles, and other items at police, they used pepper spray, batons, and shields.

Since taking office more than a decade ago, Vucic has been in charge as first deputy prime minister from 2012 to 2014 and as prime minister from 2014 to 2017, which has stifled democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish. He refutes the accusations.

The largest rally on Saturday was one of the eight consecutive months of demonstrations that resulted from the roof collapse at a Novi Sad train station in November, which was widely believed to have been the result of corrupt government behavior.

Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned following the outcry over the disaster, but Vucic and the ruling party maintained control.

Authorities estimate the crowd to be 36, 000, which is significantly below the archive’s own estimate of 140, 000.

Vucic also criticized “terrorists and those who tried to destabilize the state,” mentioning Vladan Djokic, the head dean of the University of Belgrade, who was a participant in the demonstrations.

Take your own life into your own hands, I say.

Serbia won,” he said. Vucic remarked, “You cannot use violence to destroy Serbia. They had a conscious desire to cause bloodshed. The time for accountability is near.

The current populist government is “illegitimate,” according to protesters, and it bears the brunt of any violence.

On Sunday, police claimed that 22 protesters sought medical attention while 48 officers were hurt. 38 of the 77 people who were detained are still in custody, with the majority facing criminal charges, according to Interior Minister Ivica Dacic.

Before the protest on Saturday, Vucic had requested that he call elections in an “ultimatum,” which he has repeatedly rejected.

Following the rally, the organizers issued a statement to the crowd, urging Serbians to “take freedom into your own hands” and “give them the green light.”

In a statement posted on Instagram, the organizers wrote that “the authorities had all the tools and the means to meet the demands and stop an escalation.”

Vucic reiterated on Sunday that there would not be a national vote until 2026.

Without providing any supporting proof, he has repeatedly asserted that the protests are part of a foreign plot to end his 12-year government.

In recent weeks, more than a dozen people have been detained, a crackdown that has since become routine in the wake of significant demonstrations.

Married At First Sight star Laura Vaughan left ‘devastated’ by family tragedy

Laura Vaughan, the star of MAFS, announced a break on social media after a tragic event that left her family “devastated” and opened up about her “guilt.” “At this point, it feels very heavy,” she wrote.

MAFS star Laura Vaughan left ‘devastated’ by family tragedy (Image: E4)

Laura Vaughan, a Married At First Sight star, was left devastated by her stepfather’s unexpected passing, which came shortly after her biological father’s tragic passing. Laura, 35, made an open letter to her family saying she was “devastated” on social media and admitted guilt.

Laura, who appeared on Married At First Sight in 2023, wrote: “I’ve been sitting with this for weeks, not knowing where to put the words.” My family lost my stepdad Rich, who had just passed away, very suddenly from cancer. My family is devastated by this.

She also mentioned that she hasn’t been as close in recent years, which has sparked guilt. She said, “That’s a guilt that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life, and right now it feels very heavy.”

Laura also considered the passing of her biological father, who passed away a few years earlier from cancer. Many of you are aware that I lost my father to cancer, which is the same age as my half-sister is now, she said. Life seems to play out the most agonizing patterns occasionally.

MAFS star Laura Vaughan has been left heartbroken after the sudden death of her stepfather
MAFS star Laura Vaughan has been left heartbroken after the sudden death of her stepfather(Image: Ricky Vigil/GC Images)

She paid her stepfather Rich, a special someone who “brough light and laughter into our family when we really needed it,” in a moving tribute to him. I’m hopeful that West Ham will win every game they play, that you are now painless and in peace, and that you are free of pain.”

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Laura ended the post by announcing a temporary break from social media as she ‘doesn’t know’ how to ‘show up’ for her followers. She said: “I don’t know how to show up online for you guys at the minute and therefore I am going to take a break. Sometimes this world feels so painful, so I’m sending an enormous amount of love to anyone struggling.”

This follows after Laura opened up to The Sun and shared another difficult chapter in her life. In 2016, at the age of 26, Laura underwent a medical abortion after unexpectedly learning she was nearly eight months pregnant.

In 2016, at the age of 26, Laura underwent a medical abortion after unexpectedly learning she was nearly eight months pregnant
In 2016, at the age of 26, Laura underwent a medical abortion after unexpectedly learning she was nearly eight months pregnant(Image: Ricky Vigil/GC Images)

The pregnancy had gone undetected, and during that time, she had been taking a powerful acne medication—unaware that it posed a serious risk. Doctors informed her that the drug could cause severe birth defects and “extreme” harm.

She told The Sun, “It was very difficult because I went from not believing I was pregnant to being seven months pregnant, and then having a very long abortion.” “I was gone forever,”

Laura’s body appeared to be responding to the procedure as though she had given birth when she came home. She recalled that when my milk arrived, it was just really difficult to deal with, as you might imagine. “I spent weeks lying in bed at home, talking to no one.”

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Laura is now in a happy relationship with Hayden Clottey
Laura is now in a happy relationship with Hayden Clottey(Image: Instagram)

Laura, who is currently dating Hayden Clottey well, also revealed that she was discouraged from having children because she “doesn’t want to be reminded of what happened in 2016”.

Oasis make last minute tour changes but plans will make fans happy

The band is still tweaking their live performance because Noel and Liam Gallagher want it to sound amazing.

Liam Gallagher will be on stage with brother Noel on Friday night in Cardiff, and beforehand in rehearsals now too(Image: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)

Oasis are heading into ‘extra time’ in Cardiff’s Principality stadium – by holding rehearsals this week at the venue.

Some bands would only soundcheck on the day of gigs, but with this being such a huge comeback show when they have not played together for over a decade, Noel and Liam Gallagher are leaving nothing to chance. The band, which also includes new drummer Joey Waronker and guitarists Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, have lined up rehearsals this week in the rugby and football stadium to make sure they sound their best right from the start of the tour.

A source close to the band told the Mirror: “With a new line up and it being such a huge first show, the boys will do some songs inside the venue too.

Some tours begin with a smaller show, while others take a week or two to regain their momentum. However, Liam and Noel want every night to be huge, and there is no such thing as a timer.

They are taking this show very seriously because it is such a big comeback,” she said. It all points to a fantastic comeback tour.

Liam Gallagher confirmed the band will walk on stage in Cardiff for the first night’s show at 8.15pm on Friday night. He posted on X about the start time adding “don’t be late or we’ll start without you and you don’t want that now”.

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The post was later removed, but Richard Ashcroft will play at 7pm and Cast on at 6pm, according to the Mirror. The band has also provided DJs for those arriving early because the stadium’s gates open at 5 p.m.

Oasis are making last minute changes
Oasis are making last minute changes(Image: PA)

The band are anticipated to entertain the 74,500 fans with a set that will last roughly two hours.

Noel told TalkSport last week he has the weekend off but that in rehearsals last week the band were sounding “huge”.

Liam was asked on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday if the stadium’s roof would be open or shut down for concerts. It will be coming off either way, Liam replied.

As well as Cardiff there will also be dates in Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin as part of the tour. New merchandise by the band made with Adidas has been a huge hit with some items selling out.

Noel, 57, left the Manchester rock band on August 28, 2009, saying he “simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.” The brothers had previously made disparaging remarks about one another.

That all changed when the tour was announced in August of last year. The pair exchanged several photos to confirm the band’s long-awaited reunion on Tuesday, saying, “The great wait is over.

In a new poll released in advance of the band’s eagerly awaited reunion tour this summer, Live Forever by Oasis was named the best British song of all time in April.

Noel and Liam Gallagher’s Manchester band placed 16 incredible tracks in Radio X’s top 100 results. The top 10 also included “Don’t Look Back In Anger,” “Slide Away,” and “Champaign Supernova.” The 10th annual Best of British, hosted by B&amp and Q poll, was on Radio X.

Richard Ashcroft and Cast, who are band friends, will also be playing in the new live performances.

How to purchase new Oasis tickets for their UK tour if you missed out?

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Rod Stewart at Glastonbury: Most astonishing moments in error-strewn set

In the recognizable Legends slot at the Glastonbury Festival, Sir Rod Stewart performed a set to remember, but it wasn’t without a hitch. The Mirror revisits his Worthy Farm set.

Sir Rod Stewart gave a set to remember at Glastonbury Festival. The iconic singer took over the Pyramid Stage this Sunday afternoon in the important Legends slot and was joined by a string of special guests.

He performed some of his biggest songs, including Maggie May, Do You Think I’m Sexy, and Sailing, while also performing other hits like Love Train, with the assistance of Mick Hucknall, Ronnie Wood, and Lulu.

Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac was the subject of a beautiful tribute. Although the legendary musician passed away in November of this year, Rod projected her face onto the big screen at Glastonbury to honor her.

Rod’s enormous set had a hushed crowd, with Glastonbury festivalgoers soaking up the hot sun and keeping fans cool at the front with water cups.

However, the show didn’t go off without a hitch – or a number of them. Here, The Mirror takes a look at Rod’s huge hour and a half set and what exactly what happened when the iconic singer graced Worthy Farm.

Overheating

Rod was forced to leave the stage twice during his hour and a half set to make two different outfit changes. Amid the high temperatures at Worthy Farm, the heat seemed too much for Rod in his jacket and long-sleeved white shirt.

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He then returned to the stage to declare to the crowd, “The girls are going to do a song for you while a change my shirt,” before changing into a bright pink suit. The band then performed Lady Marmalade.

Rod vanished without any warning this time, changing into a bright green suit, and the band then sang another song.

Rod wowed Glastonbury(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Unexpected announcement

Rod’s guests for this afternoon’s set included Lulu. However, things didn’t go as smoothly for her on stage. Ronnie Wood and Lulu were both introduced by Rod. Lulu was nowhere to be seen, but Ronnie made his way on stage quickly.

As Ronnie played for the enormous Glastonbury crowd, Rod stopped and said, “Oh Lulu is coming on in a bit.” Later, Lulu and Rod sang Hot Legs while sporting a stunning white suit.

Maggie might make up.

Rod allegedly messed up his introduction on one of his most well-known songs, Maggie May. The singer sang the enormous hit before it was too early, but fans weren’t frightened.

Fans were out in force for Rod
Fans were out in force for Rod(Image: Getty Images)

The enormous crowd, which rod rod over the famous Pyramid Stage for an hour and a half, was the biggest singalong of the set.

finish after 2:00

Rod must have finished his set a short while late because he must have been enjoying himself. Rod ended up finishing his set about five minutes later due to the outfit changes and celebrity guests.

Continue reading the article.

Before singing the hit song Sailing, he said, “We have to get off the stage soon, we are done.” He also thanked all of his famous guests for their contributions to his show, which received favorable reviews from viewers.

Eubank and Benn agree September rematch

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Chris Eubank Jr will fight fellow Briton Conor Benn in a rematch in London on 20 September.

Eubank beat Benn by unanimous decision after a thrilling bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, though the venue for their second meeting has yet to be confirmed.

“Spurs is contracted – it’s a fantastic stadium and it worked extremely well the first time,” Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn earn told Ring magazine.

“Obviously, it was sold out and this fight’s even bigger, so you could possibly look at Wembley to increase the capacity.”

The April fight took place 35 years after their legendary fathers – Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn – first fought, and garnered huge attention despite no title being on the line.

All three judges scored it 116-112 in favour of Eubank, who extended his record to 35 wins in 38 fights.

“Experience gained, lessons learned,” said Benn in a post on social media after September’s fight was confirmed.

There had been a controversial and at times chaotic build-up to their first fight, fuelled by the intense rivalry between their fathers.

The pair were scheduled to face each other in 2022 but the fight was cancelled because Benn failed a drugs test.

Benn denied intentional doping and was cleared to fight by anti-doping authorities two years later.

But at an extraordinary media conference in February, Eubank slapped Benn across the face with an egg during a head-to-head, with the pair exchanging foul-mouthed insults throughout.

The stunt was an apparent reference to an independent report that said the failed drugs test could have been caused by a “highly elevated consumption” of eggs. Eubank was fined £100,000 for the slap.

The day before the fight, Eubank was fined £375,000 for missing weight at the first weigh-in.

Eubank is the bigger of the two men and normally fights two weight classes above Benn, who is a natural welterweight.

The 35-year-old is to appear before the British Boxing Board of Control in July over reports he used a sauna to cut weight, which is against its rules.

On the day of the fight, Eubank arrived at the stadium with his father by his side, despite the pair having apparently been estranged for a number of years.

‘Serious questions despite excitement’ – Analysis

BBC boxing reporter Kal Sajad

With a two-fight deal in place, it felt inevitable that the storied Benn-Eubank family rivalry would continue for another chapter.

The money involved is massive – Eubank Jr reportedly earned £10m for the first fight with Benn pocketing £8m, and similar figures are expected again.

Their first bout was a cracking contest where Benn did better than many expected, but Eubank was the clear winner.

Away from the excitement, there are still serious questions, especially around weight. The image of a drained and gaunt-looking Eubank during fight week sparked real concern. It was a reminder that, in physical terms, these two are built very differently and maybe shouldn’t be meeting in the ring under such tight weight restrictions.

Eubank will be five months older this time, and cutting down in weight will not get any easier. But if they agree to fight at a heavier limit, then you would imagine Benn – the naturally smaller man – would be at a real disadvantage.

The first build-up had egg slaps, chaos and the last-minute appearance of Eubank Sr. Recreating that kind of hype with any real authenticity will be tough.

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Henry wins gold as GB clinch World Rowing Cup title

EPA

Lauren Henry claimed another gold to help Great Britain clinch the World Rowing Cup title in Lucerne on Sunday.

The 23-year-old won the women’s single sculls final in Varese two weeks ago and followed that up in Switzerland as GB won two golds and a bronze.

The Olympic quadruple sculls champion recovered from a sluggish start to win by a tight margin over Ireland’s Fiona Murtagh in second.

Denmark’s Frida Sanggaard Nielsen was right behind in third in a repeat of the European Championships podium a month ago.

“It’s so special for us to win the World Cup,” said Henry. “I was told it was quite close earlier, so I’m really pleased that I managed to get the points we needed to win the trophy.”

GB’s other gold came in the men’s quadruple sculls final, with the team moving through from fourth to second, before catching Poland in the closing stages, with the USA third.

“We were down for most of the race, but we just had to trust that the Poles had put in the work and were going to be tired and we could really shift through,” said GB’s Matthew Haywood.

Eleanor Brinkhoff and Megan Slabbert added a bronze in the women’s pair final behind the Czech Republic, while Romania’s European champions Maria Magdalena Rusu and Simona Radis raced clear for the win.

GB did not top the medal table on Sunday or in Varese two weeks ago, but the five golds they won across the two events was enough to secure this year’s overall World Rowing Cup title.

This year’s World Championships take place in Shanghai from 21-28 September.

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  • Rowing