Serbian police detain 79 protesters as dissent persists against populist president

Serbian police detain 79 protesters as dissent persists against populist president

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian police said they detained 79 university students and other protesters as they broke up street blockades in several cities that are part ofpersistent dissentagainst President Aleksandar Vucic's populist government. Officers in riot gear intervened late Wednesday and early Thursday in the capital, Belgrade, the northern city of Novi Sad and the southern cities of Nis and Novi Pazar. Authorities denied reports of police brutality and excessive force against demonstrators. University students behind the protests said police charged and injured many peaceful demonstrators. Witnesses told local media that riot police beat up protesters with batons and shields and that four students were hospitalized, including one with a broken clavicle. Four officers were injured and a police vehicle was damaged, the Interior Ministry said in a statement, noting officers "acted in accordance with the law" while responding to the unrest Wednesday and early Thursday. Tensions in the Balkan country have soared since a rally Saturday demanding early parliamentary elections. The gathering by tens of thousands of people in Belgrade ended withclashes between riot police and groups of protesters. Vucic has refused to schedule a snap vote despite more than eight months of persistent demonstrations. Theprotests began in Novemberafter a renovated rail station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people and triggering allegations ofcorruption-fueled negligencein state infrastructure projects. Parliamentary and presidential elections are due in 2027. While rejecting the election demand, Vucic has stepped up government pressureto curb the proteststhat he describes as "terror" and attempts to bring down the state. Critics sayVucic has become increasingly authoritariansince coming to power over a decade ago, stifling democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish, which he has denied. Serbia is formally seeking entry to theEuropean Union, but Vucic's government has nourished relations withRussia and China.

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July 03, 2025

Serbian police detain 79 protesters as dissent persists against populist president

Serbian police detain 79 protesters as dissent persists against populist president BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian police said they detained...

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That cucumber recall? You might want to check your fridge

That cucumber recall? You might want to check your fridge

Does it feel like there have been lots of cucumber recalls lately? You are not wrong. The Food and Drug Administration has classified 137 potential salmonella recall reports for food products containing cucumbers in 2025, more than in any other year with available data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked cucumbers to a current salmonellaoutbreak. Salmonella bacteria are a major cause of foodborne illness, infecting 1.35 million people and killing 420 peopleeach year. Since 2012, the Food and Drug Administration has classified over 3,200 salmonella food reports, according tofederal data. On average, a salmonella recall lasts nearly a year, a USA TODAY review of the FDA data found. Currently, there are 217 salmonella recall reports ongoing. You can explore the products here: The FDA has the authority to mandate a recall, but about 99% are voluntarily issued by the companies that make the products. After a recall is initiated, the agencyclassifiesthe health hazard presented by the product from Class I (a reasonable probability that the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death) to Class III (the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences). About 44% of food recall reports have been classified as Class I. On the other hand, 80% of salmonella food reports are classified as Class I. Most people get infected with salmonella byeatingcontaminated food like raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, raw or unpasteurized milk and other dairy products, and produce. According to theCDC, 1 in 25 packages of chicken in the grocery store is contaminated with salmonella. Department of Human and Health Services SecretaryRobert KennedyJr. is among the many promotingraw milk, but experts caution against it. "We have people whose families have had children and parents and others sickened after drinking raw milk," said Sandra Eskin, CEO at the nonprofit Stop Foodborne Illness. "It has salmonella in it, it can have E. coli, and it can have any number of pathogens. That's why they invented pasteurization." Warmer weather can also create ideal conditions for the bacteria to grow, so it's recommended to refrigerate perishable foods. Other sources of salmonella include contaminated water and the handling of animals. Symptoms start within six hours to six days from the time of exposure andincludefever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Most people recover within 4 to 7 days without treatment, but some cases lead to hospitalization and death. Since the start of PresidentDonald Trump's second term, there have been severe cuts and the federal health services workforce is expected to drop from 82,000 to 62,000, USA TODAY previouslyreported. Trump argued the cuts are a way to save taxpayers' money, but experts say allocating resources towards food safety is critical. An FDA spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email statement that the agency prioritizes food safety and is committed to working with all stakeholders. "The layoffs relate to administrative staff positions in the FDA. There has been no impact to operational investigators conducting food safety inspections," the FDA spokesperson said. Over a decade ago, when annual salmonella numbers were estimated to be lower, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that foodborne illness cost the country $3.7 billion per year, most of which was attributed to premature deaths. Eskin, who previously worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture overseeing food safety and inspections, said recalls are essential for public health. "A recall is the last line of defense that you and I have to prevent getting sick," Eskin said, "if we're going to a restaurant, or more importantly, going to the grocery store." Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said in an email statement that federal funds support a wide range of state-level activities related to foodborne illness, like laboratory testing, case reporting, and guiding providers and the public on prevention and treatment. "Loss of funding and staffing decreases our national capacity to do these activities and therefore quickly detect and respond to foodborne illness," Kansagra said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:After flood of cucumber recalls, you should check your fridge

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July 03, 2025

That cucumber recall? You might want to check your fridge

That cucumber recall? You might want to check your fridge Does it feel like there have been lots of cucumber recalls lately? You are not wro...

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Trump had his military parade. Now he's launching America's yearlong 250th birthday party.

Trump had his military parade. Now he's launching America's yearlong 250th birthday party.

WASHINGTON – TheFourth of Julyisn't until Friday, but forPresident Donald Trump, the party begins one day earlier on July 3. And then the celebration will continuefor the next 365 days. To mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the White House isplanning a full year of eventsacross the country that will culminate in one year on July 4, 2026, exactly 250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Trump is set to kick off the yearlong countdown to America's 250th birthday with a speech Thursday night at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines that will include "patriotic entertainment" and fireworks. Trump ‒ who haslong embraced patriotic themes and imageryto complement his "America first" agenda ‒already had a controversial taxpayer-funded military paradeon the streets of Washington, D.C., last month. (The parade marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and also fell on the president's 79th birthday.) Now he has an opportunity to drape himself in the red, white and blue for the next 12 months. "We are planning parties. We are planning a national celebration to really unite the country," Monica Crowley, the White House's ambassador for major U.S.-hosted events, including the 250th anniversary celebration,said this week in an interview on Fox News, where she was previously a contributor. "Bring the country together out of shared patriotism, shared values and a renewed sense of civic pride." More:Army 250th anniversary parade: Trump presides over tanks, troops on DC streets; recap By losing the 2020 election but winning in 2024, Trump has noted that he now gets to be president for America's 250th birthday and when the United States hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world's most popular sporting event both in the same year. In the summer of 2028, while he's still in his second term, Los Angeles plays host to the Summer Olympics. "Can you imagine? I missed that four years and now look what I have. I have everything,"Trump said May 26 at National Arlington Cemeteryon Memorial Day. "Amazing the way things work out. God did that. I believe that, too," he added with a laugh. The festivities,dubbed America250, are organized under a nonprofit with the same name created in 2019 after Congress took action three years earlier to create the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to begin organizing the country's 250th anniversary celebration. The initiative is supposed to be a nonpartisan affair,but The Atlantic reportedthe group has effectively been operating "as an arm of Trump's White House operation." More:Trump has big plans for Fourth of July 2026. What we know about America's 250th. America250's newly named executive director isAriel Abergel, a former producer ofFox News' Fox and Friends who interned at the White House during Trump's first term. He's brought with him other former Fox News employees, according to The Atlantic, and enlisted the help of Trump campaign aides, including senior adviser Chris LaCivita. Corporate sponsors of America250include several led by executiveswho have sought to curry favor with Trump, including Ultimate Fighting Championship, Amazon, Coinbase and Oracle. Trump,in a post on Truth Social, said the America250 kickoff in Iowa "will be a very special event, honoring our Great Country, and our Brave Heroes who fought to keep us FREE." It could also give Trump his first chance to publiclytout passage of his so-called "big, beautiful bill"‒ but only if he's able to push House Republicans to sign off on the massive tax and spending bill before his self-imposed holiday deadline. Trump has a history of turning traditionally nonpartisan events into supercharged political spectacles. Ina June 10 speech to troops at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Trump slammed California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as "incompetent" ‒ prompting some soldiers to boo their names ‒ and referred to Los Angeles as a "trash heap." He also singled out media covering the event as "fake news," making the speech sound more like a Trump campaign rally than an address to uniformed troops. More:President Donald Trump reinstates order to build 'National Park of American Heroes' Trump signed a Jan. 29 executive orderdirecting his administration to organize "a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion" of America's 250th birthday. That included creating a task force on celebrating the 250th anniversary, composed of Trump Cabinet secretaries and chaired by Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Each federal department and agency has assigned a point person to coordinate with the White House on America250 planning, a White House official told USA TODAY. The full slate of America250 activities and projects have not been announced, but some are in the works. More:Trump installs pair of 88-foot-tall new flag poles at the White House The most widely publicized plans are for a "National Garden of American Heroes" that will honor 250 American heroes across a wide range of fields. Trump reinstated plans for the garden, which he had pushed in his first term,as part of his America250 executive order. A location for the garden hasn't been decided. An updated timeline calls for it to be completed "as expeditiously as possible." Transportation Secretary Sean Duffyannounced a "Great American Road Trip"to mark America's 250th birthday that will highlight popular travel routes, historic landmarks and scenic destinations in all 50 states. The White House has started unveiling videos showing a narrated cartoon version of signers of the Declaration of Independence,such as President Thomas JeffersonandThomas Heyward Jr. of South Carolina. In the final year of his first White House term, Trump created a "1776 Commission" to promote what he called "patriotic education." There'salso a nationwide student writing and artwork contestin which children are asked to answer, "What does America mean to you?"A storytelling project looksto preserve firsthand accounts of Americans, both famous and lesser-known. Andan America Gives initiativeaims to increase volunteerism. An effort is underway for all 50 states to collect items for a "time capsule" that will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026. A traveling tech expo is set to display American innovations across the country. And celebrations will also mark the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Air Force ‒ though neither is expected to include a parade like the U.S. Army received for its 250th anniversary. And you can bet Trump will headline several more America250 events after Iowa. "It really is a gift to have him in office," Crowley said. "Can you imagine the other team being in office for America250?" Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump had his military parade. Now he's got America's 250th birthday.

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July 03, 2025

Trump had his military parade. Now he's launching America's yearlong 250th birthday party.

Trump had his military parade. Now he's launching America's yearlong 250th birthday party. WASHINGTON – TheFourth of Julyisn't u...

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Candace Cameron Bure, 49, Shows Off Legs in Denim Mini Shorts as Fans Rave Over Her 'Western' Style

Candace Cameron Bure, 49, Shows Off Legs in Denim Mini Shorts as Fans Rave Over Her 'Western' Style

Candace Cameron Bure, 49, Shows Off Legs in Denim Mini Shorts as Fans Rave Over Her 'Western' Styleoriginally appeared onParade. From the looks of it,Candace Cameron Bureis making the most of the sweltering season! TheFull Housestar, 49, took to Instagram on Wednesday, July 2 to share a "summer check-in" with fans, and they couldn't get enough of her stylish ensembles in the snaps. Included in the 10-slide gallery was a cover photo of the Great American Family actress showing off her toned legs in a pair of denim cutoff shorts. She channeled cowgirl vibes with the look, pairing the bottoms with a Western-style collared shirt worn casually unbuttoned over a white tank top and turquoise cowboy boots. Related:'Underrated Gorgeous Gem' '90s Actress, 60, Is Aging So Gracefully in Fabulous Photo From Italy The upload also found a video of Cameron Bure sporting athleticwear while completing a cartwheel, theUnsung Herostar laying out on the beach, some tasty-looking bites, and a collection of welcome mats with inviting phrases. Additionally—and arguably what caught fans' attention the most—she added slides showcasing several different colorways of striped button-up shirts. "Summer check-in!☀️🏖 Are we thriving or just sweating??😎," the social media post was captioned. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) In the comment section, folks raved over her outfit and the stylish collection of tops featured. "Gonna need all those adorable tops. Please and thank you. 😍," one declared, while another asked, "Where is your wester [sic] shirt from on the first picture 😍 love it all!" "I need those boots. Link please," a third implored. (For what it's worth, someone added that "they are from tecova. [sic] I have the same pair!") More comments read, "I love the outfit on the first slide!" "Love this pic!" and "You go girl ! Love the boots !!!" while one supporter appropriately took a page from the iconic '90s sitcom's Uncle Jesse's (John Stamos) book, gushing, "HAAAVEEE MEEERCYYY🔥." Still, someone else made their wishes clear: "Please tell me this is a hint to your clothing line coming back?!?!" to which a separate fan surmised in response, "@lizzy_singletonit is.. if you look at the one slide of the shirts, it has her tag with her CCB line on them." The inquiries about her attire continued, with yet another pleading, "Hi can I ask... where is that gorgeous brown western style top from that you wore in the latestAinsley McGregor Mysteries. Is it available to purchase somewhere?" in part. Luckily for this particular fan, the mom-of-three actually replied, writing, "@declairehopeI'll link it in Candy's Closet! Follow on my home page." Next:Beloved Actress Inspires Fans With Touching Backstory of Hit '90s Sitcom That Initially 'Wasn't Picked Up' Candace Cameron Bure, 49, Shows Off Legs in Denim Mini Shorts as Fans Rave Over Her 'Western' Stylefirst appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

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July 03, 2025

Candace Cameron Bure, 49, Shows Off Legs in Denim Mini Shorts as Fans Rave Over Her 'Western' Style

Candace Cameron Bure, 49, Shows Off Legs in Denim Mini Shorts as Fans Rave Over Her 'Western' Style Candace Cameron Bure, 49, Shows ...

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Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025originally appeared onParade. Wordle 1475 ahead.Let's start with a few hints. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 There is one vowel out of the five letters in the word today. Today's Wordle begins with a consonant. Yes, there are double letters in today's Wordle. A brightly colored flower with delicate petals. OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!Related:16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 HoursWe'll have the answer below this friendly reminder ofhow to play the game.SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed. Today's Wordle answer on Thursday, July 3, 2025, isPOPPY.How'd you do? -Catch Up on Other Wordle Answers From This Week Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

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July 03, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025 Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025origi...

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Fans Congratulate ‘American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: ‘Living Legend’

Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend'

Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend'originally appeared onParade. Fans ofAmerican PickersstarMike Wolfecongratulated the 61-year-old on an impressive accomplishment as he celebrated 16 years working on the hit reality TV series. The TV star shared a video on July 2 in celebration of the long-awaited premiere ofSeason 27of the show on History, taking a moment to highlight how many years it has been sinceAmerican Pickersstarted. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 In the new clip, Wolfe began, "Hey, I just wanted to drop by and let you guys know our new season kicks off tonight, 8/9 Central on the History Channel." "This is our 16th year," he went on, referencing how long it has been since the show first kicked off. "I think we've done something like, I don't know, 1,300 picks total. That's 1,300 different stories that we've told over the years." Wolfe then thanked the fans for their support, saying, "And we obviously wouldn't be able to do any of this without you guys. We're all growing old together, digging on history, and uncovering really cool items that connect each other." American Pickersoriginally premiered on the History Channel in early 2010. In his latest update, Wolfe is likely referencing the time frame from when the show got officially greenlit by a TV network. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Wolfe (@mikewolfeamericanpicker) Fans cheered Wolfe andAmerican Pickerson in the comments, with replies like, "Hard to believe 16 years," "A living legend, keep on picking," and "Watched from beginning and loved every minute of it. Thank you." "Amazing! Always loved the concept. Things get old, but they never really die," said another, while a different fan commented, "That's awesome! Your show will always be therapy for me!! Congrats!" "Still my all time favorite show!" declared someone else in praise ofAmerican Pickers. The comments quickly filled up with more congratulations for Wolfe, as well as personal stories from fans who have connected with the series. Related: 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe and Danielle Colby Make Huge Announcement About Show Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend'first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

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July 03, 2025

Fans Congratulate ‘American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: ‘Living Legend’

Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend' Fans Congratulate 'American ...

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Brisbane 2032 main stadium gets major funding boost from federal, state governments

Brisbane 2032 main stadium gets major funding boost from federal, state governments

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Queensland state officials said Thursday they had secured a deal with the federal government for the2032 Olympicsin Brisbane which commits 50-50 funding for minor venues and 1.2 billion Australian dollars ($788 million) toward a new main stadium at Brisbane's Victoria Park. The federal government is set to invest more than 3.4 billion Australian dollars ($2.23 billion) in the Games — the single largest contribution towards sporting infrastructure in Australia's history, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said. "It is about ensuring that when we hand the keys back after the closing ceremony, Queensland has the infrastructure it needs to build on this incredible legacy for decades to come," King said. The centerpiece of Brisbane 2032 is a proposed 63,000-seat stadium at the inner-city Victoria Park. Investigative works at the site have begun with geotechnical studies and soil sampling ongoing. Brisbane 2032chief executive Andrew Liveris welcomed the agreement and said he hopes construction will begin at major venues by the end of 2026. "Today marks a significant shift in forward momentum following the Queensland government's announcement in March of its 2032 Delivery Plan," Liveris said. The International Olympic Committee has backed the Queensland government's 2032 venue plan afterseveral false starts,saying the Brisbane Games are "on the right path." In May, Kirsty Coventry was in Brisbane for a three-day inspection visit before she took over asIOC president. AP Olympics athttps://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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July 03, 2025

Brisbane 2032 main stadium gets major funding boost from federal, state governments

Brisbane 2032 main stadium gets major funding boost from federal, state governments BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Queensland state officials sa...

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