-
Hong Kong court set to sentence activist Joshua Wong in security case
-
Korea’s Labor Share of GDP Hits Record Low Amid Semiconductor Boom
-
Australia raises benchmark rate to highest level in 18 years
-
littlefish and Halo Dot Partner to Replace Payment Terminals with SoftPOS
-
'The Remarried Empress' Cast Discusses Bringing Fantasy Royal Drama to Life
-
Kuwait inspectors destroy 115 kilograms of unverified meat in Farwaniya
-
Asian stocks retreat as AI worries outweigh steep oil-price drop
-
Egypt Accelerates Construction of 341km Sinai Railway Linking Arish and Taba
-
Hamad International Airport stages emergency drills during WATAN 2026
-
John Schneider Admits Owes Millions in 'Dukes of Hazzard' Divorce Battle
-
Global failure to punish attacks leaves journalists at continuing risk
-
Philippine Authorities Report Progress in Thomas Markle Sr. Child Pornography Probe
-
Researchers Warn 'Bookkeeping Trick' Masks Beef Industry's Methane Emissions
-
Web Summit Qatar 2026 generated QR1 billion economic impact, report says
-
Climate Change Intensified Atlantic Hurricanes, Study Finds
-
UAE oil spill raises questions for desalination operations
-
Qatar solar expansion opens scope for technical performance gains
-
Doha hotel and Carolina Herrera launch fragrance-inspired afternoon tea
-
IXOPAY Announces IXO One, a Modular Payments Platform Built for an Era of Fluid Commerce
Serbia schools to shut amid new protests over station collapse
Serbia's government on Friday announced plans to close schools early for winter holidays, as teachers and students joined nationwide protests over the collapse of a train station roof that killed 15 people last month.
The decision to start the holiday break on December 24 -- a full week in advance -- comes as the government has been under pressure following demonstrations by university students in the wake of the tragedy.
Outrage at the deaths in the northern city of Novi Sad has not abated, with many protesters accusing the government of corruption and inadequate oversight.
Serbia's four education unions called on teachers and other staff to walk out Friday to support the protests, resulting in some closures.
"Employees will stop work in solidarity and support of students in the fight for a better and fairer society," unions said in a letter to pupils' parents this week.
The government had already released official documents on the building works at the station and bowed to student demands to raise higher education funding by a fifth in a bid to calm the anger.
"We fulfilled all the (students') demands. We do not accept additional ones," President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier this week.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of the prime minister and the Novi Sad mayor over the disaster, and want to see those found responsible prosecuted.
But students continue to protest, saying their demands have only been partially met.
Earlier Friday, students led their weekly protest across Serbia commemorating the tragedy with traffic blockades.
In Novi Sad, high school students marched through the city’s streets, calling on authorities to take responsibility.
Fourteen people, aged between six and 74, were killed at the scene on November 1 when the roof collapsed after major renovation works on the station.
A 15th victim died in hospital weeks later.
Seven weeks on, tensions remain high with violence breaking out at some protests, with students accusing pro-government football hooligans of targeting demonstrations.
A video widely shared on social media showed opposition leader Dragan Djilas scuffling with supporters of Vucic's party on Thursday night.
C.Cassis--PC
