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Rayo Vallecano’s Unlikely Journey to a European FinalThe club from the Vallecas barrio has become the first team in its century‑old history to play a European final, facing Crystal Palace in Leipzig. Captain Óscar Trejo describes the experience as “kids gifted a toy”, highlighting the emotional weight of the achievement.From the Barrio to Leipzig: The Story Behind the Semi‑Final TriumphKey moments that defined the run:Óscar Trejo handed in his captain’s armband in solidarity with club workers.Striker Sergio Camello called the side “the last team from another time”.Midfielder Óscar Valentín led the squad onto the pitch in Leipzig.Rayo’s semi‑final against Strasbourg featured a squad largely composed of players with no recent top‑flight trophies.Financial Realities: Budget, Stadium Costs and European QualificationAnnual rent for the municipal ground: €81,784.Rayo operate with the lowest budget in La Liga.They have endured 24 relegations and only one prior European appearance, which they missed due to administration.Top scorer Álvaro García holds 36 first‑division goals for the club.Community Identity and Political Tensions Shaping the Club’s RiseThe Vallecas neighbourhood, home to over 300,000 residents, provides a left‑wing, working‑class identity that permeates the club. Fans, known as the Bukaneros, greet players with street‑level hospitality, and political protests are a regular feature of matchday culture. Owner Raúl Martín Presa has sparked controversy by inviting far‑right politician Santiago Abascal, underscoring the clash between club leadership and its grassroots supporters.What Lies Ahead for Rayo Vallecano After Their Historic FinalIf Rayo clinches the Conference League trophy, it could reshape perceptions of small‑budget clubs in Europe, attract new sponsorship, and reinforce Vallecas’ cultural pride. Even without a win, the exposure may improve financial inflows, aid stadium upgrades, and inspire a new generation of players rooted in the barrio’s ethos.

The Rollercoaster Road to European GloryIf following a football club can be a rollercoaster, this season has been the equivalent of the Oblivion ride at Alton Towers for Crystal Palace supporters. The ride offers "physical trauma, psychological breakdown and chaos" – and Palace fans have been through all that and more over the last 12 months, culminating in a place in the European Conference League final.From FA Cup Triumph to European DemotionIt all started when Crystal Palace won the FA Cup for the first time, beating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley last May. The mixture of elation, euphoria, disbelief and relief lasted for days, weeks, months and still lives on a year later. After securing that long-awaited first major trophy, the realization sank in that there would be a European campaign to enjoy.However, deep down there was a nagging feeling that this somehow was not real, and sure enough, the lightning bolt landed courtesy of Uefa and Evangelos Marinakis. Nottingham Forest's owner suggested Palace had not conformed to the rules regarding multiclub ownership as one of the club's shareholders, John Textor, had a stake in Lyon. Uefa agreed and Palace were removed from the Europa League and jettisoned into the lesser Conference League.Palace fans were devastated, especially as their place in the Europa League was given to Forest. The Palace owner, Steve Parish, launched an appeal, backed by some vociferous protests from Palace fans, led by the Holmesdale Fanatics, which included taking a suitcase of cash to Uefa's headquarters and spawned a new ditty "Fuck Uefa" that would get plenty of airing.Navigating European Competition with a Thin SquadThe pressure showed in their European debut. The first leg of the playoffs against Norwegian club Fredrikstad was an eye opener. Preparations for the match were disrupted by Eberechi Eze's impending departure to Arsenal and in his absence they struggled to overcome a team that defended so deeply they were almost subterranean. This was to become a recurrent theme in the early stages of the competition. Palace won a scrappy tie 1-0 on aggregate. Glamorous it was not.The team enjoyed an unprecedented unbeaten run, which reached 18 games in all competitions with a relatively comfortable 2-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv in Lublin. That run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at Everton after a very late goal from Jack Grealish. The novelty of playing in Europe, which necessitated a Thursday-Sunday schedule, was a hurdle that a thin squad struggled to cope with.Overcoming Adversity to Reach the FinalBehind the scenes, the clouds were gathering. Oliver Glasner met Parish to inform him of his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, bemoaning the lack of depth. Things were beginning to unpick. For the home tie with AEK Larnaca, a tifo based on TV comedy Dad's Army was unveiled showing the way to Leipzig, the venue for the final. That felt a bit premature, especially after the Cypriot club ground out a gritty 1-0 win.Next stop Dublin, a trip as relaxed and enjoyable as the warm welcome accorded to Palace fans. Their goalless run continued; Palace coasted to a 3-0 lead and expended little energy preserving their clean sheet. Finnish team KuPS were the last opponents in the group stage, and after a stunning early goal from Christantus Uche, it looked as if Palace would wrap up a comfortable victory. Two quickfire goals for the away side left Palace fans wondering if the European dream was going to be railroaded, but a late Justin Devenny equaliser ensured they made the playoffs.Seminal Victories and European ProgressThe next European tie was two months away and, after beating Fulham at Craven Cottage in early December, Palace were fourth in the Premier League. But more turmoil was on its way. The defence of the FA Cup started, and ended with a trip to Macclesfield, a National League North club 117 places beneath them in the league pyramid. To add to this humbling, Glasner made public his plan to leave, club captain Marc Guehí joined Manchester City and leading scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta was a medical away from joining Milan.A new low was reached when an irate Glasner let rip into the club after losing to Sunderland, saying: "We feel that we are being abandoned completely. Selling our club captain one day before the game makes me really upset today." Eight months after winning the FA Cup, the boat wasn't just listing, it was being dashed against the rocks.The return to European action was a welcome distraction. A win over Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar in the playoffs set up a last-16 tie with Larnaca, who shut them out at Selhurst Park before a double from Ismaila Sarr in the away leg secured victory. Finally, they landed a glamorous tie with a club steeped in European competition. Fiorentina had been to six European finals including two Conference League finals in the last few years.This was proper European football and, sure enough, as soon as they shed their favourites tag, they put in their most convincing performance at Selhurst Park, winning 3-0 at home to put the tie to bed in the first leg. They had begun the competition proper against a Ukrainian team, so facing Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-final felt like completing the circle. Palace put in another excellent performance. Ismaïla Sarr scored after just 21 seconds – the quickest goal in Conference League history – and the 3-1 win in Krakow made the second leg at Selhurst pretty much a formality.The Significance of Palace's European JourneyCrystal Palace's journey to the Conference League final represents more than just a successful European campaign. It demonstrates the resilience of a club that has consistently punched above its weight in English football. Despite facing significant challenges – including being demoted from the Europa League, losing key players, and dealing with managerial uncertainty – the Eagles have shown remarkable character to reach their first European final.This achievement also highlights the changing landscape of European football, where smaller clubs can make meaningful progress in competitions that were once dominated by established powerhouses. Palace's run has captured the imagination of neutrals and given their passionate fanbase something to celebrate during a season of domestic disappointment.What Comes Next for PalaceAs Crystal Palace prepares for their European final, questions remain about the club's future direction. With manager Oliver Glasner set to depart and key players potentially leaving, the Eagles face the challenge of maintaining their momentum beyond this historic European campaign. The club will need to balance their European ambitions with the realities of Premier League competition while navigating the complexities of squad building and financial fair play.Whatever happens in Leipzig, Crystal Palace's topsy-turvy season has already secured a place in the club's history books. Their journey from FA Cup winners to European finalists, filled with drama, controversy, and ultimately triumph, will be remembered as one of the most remarkable seasons in the club's 116-year history.

The Graduation Backlash Against AI OptimismWhen Jacob Pagel graduated from Middle Tennessee State University this spring, predictions about artificial intelligence already had him questioning the value of his degree. Then a music executive started preaching about AI's transformative power during a commencement speech."This industry will change on you in a heartbeat. It has already changed more in the last 10 years than in the 50 years prior … AI is rewriting production as we sit here," said Scott Borchetta, CEO of the record label Big Machine. After a few stray boos from graduates, he doubled down: "Deal with it."The students' jeering grew louder, but Borchetta barreled through: "You can hear me now or you can pay me later … then do something about it. It's a tool. Make it work for you." He continued: "The things you learned in your first year here may already be obsolete."Multiple Universities, Same Student FrustrationBorchetta's speech is one of several at commencement ceremonies this spring that have revealed a disconnect between the executives championing AI and students, eliciting derision in real time even for Google's former CEO. Recent graduates at the University of Central Florida and the University of Arizona booed speakers who compared the advent of AI to the Industrial Revolution and the development of the laptop and smartphone.At the University of Arizona, 20-year-old Arian Chavez, was angry about his school's decision to let ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt speak, even before he got on stage. Chavez, a junior studying chemical engineering, is part of a group called Students for Socialism, and helped them organize an online petition to remove Schmidt as a commencement speaker."I know what many of you are feeling about that. I can hear you," Schmidt said, amid a chorus of boos. "There is a fear in your generation that the future has already been written, that the machines are coming, that the jobs are evaporating, that the climate is breaking, that politics is fractured, and that you are inheriting a mess that you did not create, and I understand that fear."Public Sentiment: AI's Poor ReceptionThe students at these ceremonies "are a mouthpiece for the population at large", according to Cornell University professor Sarah Kreps, who has studied societies' reactions to new technology. "These tech executives are not reading the room … These kids have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a degree that they don't know will serve them well."While they may feel AI's disruptive effects acutely as entry-level job seekers, AI has proved unpopular among the general US public. A national survey conducted for NBC News earlier this year polled 1,000 registered voters and found only 26% view AI positively and 46% view it negatively. AI scored worse than US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on the same poll, but better than the Democratic party and Iran.Anger against AI is palpable across the country – from communities protesting against datacenters powering the AI boom, to workers disputing their CEOs' claims that AI can, effectively, replace them.The Economic Reality Behind the Student AnxietyPagel and his peers are entering a job market where AI's efficiency is already being used to justify mass layoffs. While it's unclear which jobs may be entirely replaced by AI – and whether AI could eventually create more career pathways than it destroys – recent graduates are feeling betrayed."We've been pushed our entire lives to get our diplomas. Then you pulled the rug out from underneath us, and said: 'Oh, you know those four years you spent learning how to do very specific things, you don't need to do it any more,'" Pagel says. "We can get a computer to do it for two-thirds the price."CEOs' graduation speeches about AI have become a preventable PR disaster, according to Parry Headrick, founder of Crackle PR, a tech public relations agency that has worked with startups. Executives should have acknowledged and reassured students' anxieties, while also advising them to adapt."What in the heck is anybody who is young and in school supposed to do when you have these tech executives beating their chests about the next Industrial Revolution when they can't afford to buy groceries or pay for rent?" Headrick asks. Nearly half of college students said their financial stress made it hard to concentrate on their coursework, according to a 2026 report from Trellis Strategies, a research group focused on postsecondary education.AI's Practical Impact on Education CeremoniesAt Glendale Community College in Arizona, it wasn't a graduation speaker that drew students' ire, but the AI-powered machine reading out their names. Turns out, it missed some.College president Tiffany Hernandez apologized and told graduates towards the end of the ceremony: "Here's what's happening. We're using a new AI system as our reader," she said, as boos roared through the arena. Hernandez paused for a few seconds and let out a few nervous laughs. "That's a lesson learned from us."Aidan Benjamin, who is graduating from Glendale Community College this summer with an associate's degree in accounting, was at the ceremony to support his cousin. He thought she would be walking the stage. She never did, because the AI announcement system never called her name."I was booing because I was like, this sucks. This is such a big moment for students." Benjamin said they both laughed about the malfunction afterwards. "But it just didn't feel good at the end of the day, like, it shouldn't have happened that way," he says.The Future of AI in Education and CareersPagel is considering a career in helping children undergoing medical treatment, or entering politics – perhaps running for office, or working as a liaison for federal agencies. "That sphere depends on human face-to-face interaction. No computer can take that," he says, calling AI-generated campaign ads "the cheap route"."It's up to us as engineering students to use our knowledge for the service of the planet and not billionaires," says Arian Chavez, who wants to work in the environmental regulation of chemical plants.As AI continues to reshape industries and education, the graduation protests may represent an early indicator of a generational shift in how technology is perceived – not as an unqualified good, but as a force that requires careful management to avoid displacing workers and devaluing human expertise.

Iran’s star forward Sardar Azmoun will miss the 2026 World Cup after being left out of the preliminary squad, a move tied to his outspoken social‑media posts and a controversial meeting with the ruler of the United Arab Emirates. The exclusion has ignited a heated debate across the country, pitting football fans against political authorities.Azmoun’s Omission from Iran’s World Cup Squad Amid Political TensionsThe Iran Football Federation announced that the 31‑year‑old striker, who plays for Shabab Al‑Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, is not part of the provisional list for the tournament in the United States. Coach Amir Ghalenoei cited “technical reasons” for the decision, but the timing coincides with:Azmoun’s Instagram post condemning the killing of Iranian women after the Mahsa Amini protests.A photo of him meeting Mohammed bin Rashid al‑Maktoum, a figure Tehran labels an antagonist.Public statements from the Iran Revolutionary Guard calling his actions “cooperation with Iran’s enemies.”Numbers Behind the Controversy: Goals, Caps, and Squad SizeAzmoun’s on‑field record underscores the sporting cost of his exclusion:57 goals in 91 appearances for the national team.He is the second‑most‑capped forward after Mehdi Taremi.At 31 years old, he remains one of Asia’s most experienced strikers.Iran’s provisional squad contains 26 players, leaving no room for a late‑season recall.Political Fallout: Social Media Statements and Government ReactionsThe episode has polarized Iranian society:TV pundit Mohammed Misaghi called Azmoun “unworthy of the national jersey.”Vice‑president Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh urged the federation to reconsider, emphasizing national unity.The Revolutionary Guard’s Telegram post labeled Azmoun’s silence on “American and Zionist attacks” as betrayal.Meanwhile, Iran’s training camp has been moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, amid ongoing visa uncertainties for the team’s travel to the United States.Implications for Iran’s World Cup Campaign and Regional FootballExcluding a player of Azmoun’s caliber could affect Iran’s attacking options against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. The decision also highlights the growing entanglement of sport and state politics, potentially influencing:Team morale and public support.International perception of Iran’s willingness to separate politics from sport.Future selection policies for players who voice dissent.Possible Paths Forward: Reinstatement or Continued ExclusionTwo scenarios loom:Reinstatement: If Ghalenoei yields to political pressure, Azmoun could be added before the final squad deadline, bolstering Iran’s attack.Continued exclusion: The coach may stick to his technical rationale, forcing Iran to rely on younger forwards and risking a less experienced lineup.Regardless of the outcome, Azmoun’s case underscores the delicate balance between athletic merit and political loyalty in Iranian football.

The Controversy Over 'Forever Chemicals' Protests over the production of cancer-linked PFAS chemicals have spread across India, after an investigation revealed that an Italian factory shut down due to an environmental scandal was bought by an Indian company and partly rebuilt. The Relocation of the Miteni Factory At the end of last year, the Guardian revealed that the former Miteni plant in Vicenza had been acquired by the Indian company Laxmi Organic Industries. The factory produced PFAS and was shut down in 2018 after being linked to one of Italy's worst environmental contamination scandals. The Environmental Impact of PFAS The factory left behind the contamination of one of Europe's largest aquifers, affecting more than 350,000 people across the provinces of Vicenza, Verona and Padua through the drinking water. Miteni's workers were worst affected, with one former employee showing one of the highest concentrations of PFAS ever recorded in human blood. The Protests and Debate in India Since early 2025, Laxmi's site in Lote Parshuram has been fully operational, producing chemicals that will be used in pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, cosmetics and other products. After publication of the Guardian's investigation, protests and political debate have spread across India. On 8 January, the first protest took place outside the gates of the Lote plant, followed live by multiple television channels. The Future of PFAS Regulations in India Several key questions remain unanswered around the relocation. Documents seen by the Guardian show that by March 2018, months before the Italian plant shut down, the plans for the Indian facility were ready and work had begun on the environmental impact assessment report and the applications for construction permits. The national debate is only expected to grow, with thousands of people taking to the streets in Lote to protest against PFAS production and call for regulations.

The Lead: A Fiery Opening Masks a Disjointed NarrativeWe’re Nothing at All launches with a double‑decker bus exploding on Valentine’s Day in Hong Kong, setting up a police‑procedural framework that quickly veers into a queer romance. The Guardian’s review praises the visual contrast but criticises the film’s tonal inconsistency and shallow treatment of LGBTQ+ characters.The Bus Explosion that Triggers a Multi‑Layer InvestigationDirector Herman Yau uses the catastrophe to introduce forensic specialist Lung (played by Patrick Tam) who pieces together CCTV footage, charred bodies and flashbacks. The narrative interweaves the lives of lovers Fai and Ike (pop stars Anson Kong and Ansonbean), whose economic hardship and family rejection become a secondary thread.Box‑Office Prospects and Release WindowUK theatrical release: 29 May 2026Target audience: mainstream cinemagoers and niche LGBTQ+ viewersNo disclosed budget or opening‑weekend figures yetWhy the Film’s Approach Matters for Hong Kong’s Cultural LandscapeThe movie attempts subtle political commentary by echoing the 2019‑2020 protests, yet its portrayal of queer characters falls into stereotypical archetypes, potentially reinforcing rather than challenging existing prejudices. This tension highlights the difficulty of balancing commercial appeal with authentic representation in a region still grappling with censorship and social division.Looking Ahead: Reception and the Future of Queer Storytelling in Asian CinemaIf the film’s visual style cannot compensate for its narrative shortcomings, it may struggle to find critical acclaim beyond its opening weekend. However, the very act of placing a queer romance at the centre of a Hong‑Kong thriller could encourage more filmmakers to experiment, provided they invest in deeper character development.

The LeadUnited States President Donald Trump has abruptly shifted position on potential negotiations with Iran, telling his representatives not to rush into any deal as the 87-day-old war continues. This reversal comes just a day after Trump had suggested an agreement had "largely been negotiated," including the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil supplies.The Diplomatic ShiftThe US blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz would "remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed," Trump wrote on Truth Social. This statement significantly downplays the optimism that had been building after Trump's previous comments about a nearly completed deal.A senior Trump administration official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, outlined what he claimed were the latest contours of negotiations: Iran had agreed "in principle" to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its naval blockade, and to dispose of Tehran's highly enriched uranium. However, the official criticized the Iranian system for not moving fast enough.Regional ImplicationsThe ongoing conflict continues to have severe consequences across the Middle East. In Lebanon, Israeli air attacks have destroyed houses in southern Lebanon's Tyre area, while Israeli drones were reportedly hovering over the Lebanese capital for a second consecutive day. The Israeli military confirmed one soldier was killed during combat in southern Lebanon.In Iran, the domestic situation remains tense with state media reporting the execution of a man identified as Abbas Akbari over charges related to nationwide antigovernment protests. Meanwhile, some shipping activity has resumed in the Strait of Hormuz, with a liquefied natural gas tanker heading to Pakistan and a China-bound supertanker with Iraqi crude leaving the Gulf after being stranded for nearly three months.Global Economic FalloutThe conflict's impact on the global economy continues to ripple outward. State-owned fuel retailers in India have increased diesel prices by 2.71 rupees ($0.0283) per litre and petrol by 2.61 rupees, marking the fourth hike in May as authorities attempt to recoup losses driven by higher crude costs due to the war.Conversely, Japan's Nikkei Stock Average surpassed the 65,000 threshold for the first time, driven by increased appetite for risk assets amid growing optimism surrounding a potential agreement to end the war. This demonstrates how market sentiment can be highly sensitive to diplomatic developments in the conflict.Political CalculationsSecretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that "the president is not going to make a bad deal," suggesting a "pretty solid" proposal is on the table. However, Trump is facing intensifying pushback from prominent hawks within his Republican Party, including Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, who oppose a negotiated end to the US-Israel war on Iran.The Iranian government has not responded directly to Trump's latest statements, but the Tasnim news agency, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed the US was still obstructing parts of a potential deal, including Tehran's demand for the release of frozen funds. The two sides remain at odds on several difficult issues, such as Iran's nuclear ambitions, Israel's war in Lebanon, and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran.Path ForwardAs the conflict enters its third month, the prospects for a diplomatic resolution remain uncertain despite the intermittent signs of progress. The fundamental disagreements between Washington and Tehran suggest any potential deal would require significant compromises from both sides.Lebanese President Joseph Aoun observed Resistance and Liberation Day, marking the 2000 end of Israel's 22-year occupation of southern Lebanon, and reiterated that "the path to a complete Israeli withdrawal remains a steadfast national demand." This statement highlights that even if a US-Iran agreement is reached, regional conflicts may continue to complicate the situation.

The Lead The 2026 Met Gala became a flashpoint for cultural tension as Amazon's $10 million patronage by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos sparked unprecedented protests from both activists and fashion industry insiders. The event highlighted the growing friction between tech billionaires seeking cultural validation and a fashion community increasingly uncomfortable with their presence. The Fashion-Tech Collision The Met Gala has evolved beyond a mere fashion event into a cultural battleground where the values of the fashion industry clash with those of Silicon Valley. This year's gala, honoring "The Garden of Time" theme, featured an unprecedented guest list of tech titans including Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg, and staff from OpenAI. The $42 million raised—tickets priced at a staggering $100,000 each—funds the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, yet the presence of tech barons whose companies have faced criticism for labor practices and political alignments has created an uncomfortable juxtaposition. The Protests and Cultural Resistance Opposition to Bezos's involvement manifested in multiple forms. The activist group Everyone Hates Elon projected interviews with disgruntled Amazon workers onto Bezos's Manhattan penthouse and distributed fake urine containers to highlight reports of drivers urinating in bottles due to relentless work schedules. Former US Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson organized a "Ball Without Billionaires" as an alternative event, featuring Amazon workers on the runway. In a powerful statement, Karefa-Johnson wrote: "Fashion has always had a talent for laundering. In these moments, it wraps the most sinister individuals in silk, under the warm glow of flashing lights, and manages to convince us it's culture. This is not new. But I have my limits." The Hollywood Parallel: Fiction Meets Reality Interestingly, the cultural backlash against tech's infiltration of fashion was mirrored in Hollywood's "The Devil Wears Prada 2," released just before the gala. The film features a tech baron character named Benji Barnes who attempts to buy the struggling Runway magazine for his girlfriend, echoing unsubstantiated rumors about Bezos potentially acquiring Vogue for his wife. The film's villain delivers a chilling monologue about AI replacing human creativity in publishing, mirroring real concerns about tech's influence on creative industries. The Fashion Industry's Faustian Pact Despite the backlash, the fashion industry has increasingly embraced tech billionaires as patrons and collaborators. Lauren Sánchez Bezos has been prominently featured in US Vogue, received a digital wedding cover in 2025, and sits front row at Paris fashion week shows. The couple has also announced millions in grants for sustainable fabric research. This relationship represents a complex interdependence: fashion gains financial support and cultural relevance, while tech billionaires acquire the cultural cachet they crave. Editor Anna Wintour, who continues to oversee the Met Gala after stepping down from her Vogue editor role in 2025, has a history of bringing commercially potent figures into the fashion fold, often against public criticism. The Future of Fashion and Tech Relations The growing tension between tech's wealth and fashion's cultural values may signal a pivotal moment for both industries. As inequality continues to rise and tech companies face increasing scrutiny over labor practices and political influence, the fashion community may need to reconcile its financial dependence on tech patrons with its traditional values of creativity and cultural significance. The question remains whether this relationship can evolve into something more equitable or if the cultural backlash will force a fundamental restructuring of how these industries interact.

The Lead Clashes have broken out between protesters and riot police after an antigovernment rally in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. The protests, led by students, are demanding early elections and an end to government corruption. The Event Details Large crowds of demonstrators poured into central Belgrade on Saturday, many carrying banners and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the “Students win” motto of the youth movement that organised the gathering. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has sought to rein in mass demonstrations that have challenged his hardline rule in the Balkan country. The Data Analysis The size of Saturday’s turnout suggested that dissent remains strong more than a year after protests first began with demonstrators demanding accountability for a train station tragedy in northern Serbia in November 2024 that killed 16 people. Anticorruption protests forced then-Prime Minister Milos Vucevic to resign in January 2025. The Impact Analysis Serbia is seeking to join the European Union while cultivating close ties with Russia and China. Democratic backsliding under Vucic could cost the country about 1.5 billion euros ($1.8bn) in EU funding, the bloc’s top enlargement official warned last month. The Prediction Students on Saturday demanded early elections and the rule of law, accusing the government of crime and corruption. They said they now plan to challenge Vucic in this year’s elections, which they hope will unseat his right-wing populist government. Vucic said on Thursday that the parliamentary elections could be held between September and November.