UR MAG

Serbia Tensions Media

The gathering in Belgrade was organized after journalists reporting on local elections inSerbiaon Sunday faced attacks during violent incidents that were reported in at least three out of 10 towns where the balloting was held.

"We want to show solidarity with colleagues who were attacked on that day (Sunday) ... but also to stress the ever harder and more dangerous position of journalists in the field," Serbia's Independent Journalists' Association said in a statement.

The group added that "attacks on journalists are not isolated incidents, they are a systematic blow to the public's right to know."

International observerssaid they witnessed violence and irregularities on Sunday.

The vote was seen as a test for Vucic following more than a year of youth-ledstreet proteststhat have shaken his tight grip on power. His right-wing populist Serbian Progressive Party won in all 10 municipalities.

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Around 20 journalists were attacked on Sunday while more than 100 attacks have been recorded this year, the Serbian media association said.

Authorities have promised to investigate but hardly any of the assailants have been held responsible.

Serbia is formally a candidate nation for EU membership, but Vucic has been accused of clamping down on democracy, including media freedoms, while nourishing ties with Russia and China.

Tensions also soared Tuesday whenpolice raidedthe headquarters of the University of Belgrade, saying they were investigating a student's death. The university said authorities were abusing the case to exert pressure following the student-led protests that first started in November 2024 after atrain station tragedyin the country's north.

Thousands gathered later Tuesday outside the rectorate building in downtown Belgrade to protest the police action. Scuffles briefly erupted when police pushed protesters away from the building.

The youth-led movement formed after a railway stationcanopy collapse in Novi Sadthat killed 16. It has posed the biggest challenge to Vucic's leadership in more than a decade.

The trip will mark the first state visit by a British ruler since ‌2007, when Charles' mother ​Queen Elizabeth made ​what was the ​fourth such U.S. trip ‌of her reign.

In a statement post on X, Johnson said the king had been invited to address U.S. Congress ‌on April 28 during his ‌visit to Washington D.C.

In a separatestatement releasedone day earler, Buckingham Palace announced Queen Camilla will accompany the king, and said the "long-planned" trip came on the advice of the British government and, "at the invitation of The President of the United States."

"Our two nations share one of the most consequential partnerships in history, and together we will mark the historic milestone of America's 250th year of independence,"Johnson wrote in a post on X.

"I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect,"President Donald Trumpwrote ina post on Truth Socialafter the announcement. "It will be TERRIFIC!"

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The royals' itinerary includes celebrating "the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States," the palace wrote in a news release.

Trump said the monarchs' trip is planned April 27-30.

The king is expected to speak to lawmakers on April 28, and attend a banquet dinner ​at ‌the White House later that day.

The king will then continue to the island of Bermuda to undertake his first royal visit as monarch to a British overseas territory.

This is a developing story.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit US, meet Trump

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has run Sweden since 2022 at the helm of a three-party center-right coalition thatrelies on supportfrom the Sweden Democrats for a parliamentary majority but doesn't give it seats in the Cabinet.

The Sweden Democrats were founded in the 1980s by people who had been active in right-wing extremist groups, including neo-Nazis. They toned down their rhetoric and expelled openly racist members under Jimmie Åkesson, who has led them since 2005.

He oversaw their growth from a marginal movement to Sweden's second-biggest party, with 20.5% of the vote inthe 2022 election— ahead of all its rivals on the right, including Kristersson's conservative Moderate Party. The party has moved toward the mainstream but retains a hard line on immigration. Its rise echoes that of parties on the populist right in many other European countries.

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As a Sept. 13 parliamentary election approaches, center-right parties have been reconsidering their reluctance to bring the Sweden Democrats into government directly. Last month, the Liberals, a junior partner in the government, opened up to accepting them in a future Cabinet.

Kristersson cited that "courageous decision" as a game-changer as he and Åkesson held a joint news conference Wednesday to announce that the prime minister's Moderates would allow the Sweden Democrats into a future government, Swedish news agency TT reported.

Kristersson will be the candidate for prime minister, even if the Sweden Democrats end up as the stronger party, and the Sweden Democrats would get significant responsibility for migration issues.

"In the most difficult situation since World War II, Sweden cannot do without an effective government," Kristersson said, an apparent allusion to crises including the Iran war and Russia's war in Ukraine.

Congo Jamaica WCup Soccer

Across the country, people danced, yelled, and hugged each other in what became a rare moment of joy for a nation battered by conflict in its mineral-rich eastern region.

Congo's World Cup qualification came courtesy of Axel Tuanzebe's extra-time goal following a cornerto secure a 1-0 win over Jamaicain Tuesday night's game in Guadalajara, Mexico.

That goal and the victory over Jamaica brought a huge relief for millions in the central African nation who have long been accustomed to news ofRwanda-backed M23 rebelsfighting with government forces in the east in a decades-long conflict that has resulted in one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with at least 7 million people displaced.

The last time Congo participated in the World Cup was the 1974 edition in Germany. Then, the country had a different name, Zaire. It also had a different reality from today's in which Rwanda-backed rebels control large swathes of land and territories in itsmineral-rich eastern region.

"Look at this crowd, we are full of joy because the victory is ours, we are very happy," said an overjoyed Alain Kagama at a bar in the city of Goma, the epicenter of the violence which has been under rebel control for over a year.

"It has been a long time since we smiled, but today we are happy," Kagama added.

The victory also united the country, drawing commendations from both the government and rebels.

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Videos showed Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi hugging and celebrating with soccer fans and officials as his government commended the soccer team for their victorious outing. M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka told The Associated Press the whole nation is excited for the team.

"It's a matter of joy, it's a pleasure that at the next World Cup, the Congolese national team will be represented," Kanyuka said.

Since January 2025, fighting has flared between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 after the rebels swept through the eastern region in lightning attacks and seized key cities of Goma and Bukavu.

The conflict has raged on despite a truce brokered by the United States and Qatar. And clashes and drone strikes continue, including aFebruary drone strikethat killed a senior rebel official.

With its victory in the intercontinental playoff, Congo completed Group K at the World Cup, where it will face Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.

As its team celebrated and danced at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, many stayed glued to their screen, holding tight to the excitement they wished would not pass.

"Today is truly a historic day, we are full of joy as you can see. ... It was our parents who last saw us at the World Cup, but today we are part of a story that we will tell our children," said Christian Mihigo, a fan in Goma.

McMakin reported from Dakar, Senegal.

The remaining four teams —No. 1 UConn,No. 1 UCLA,No. 1 TexasandNo. 1 South Carolina— have been powered to the Final Four by superstar talent. We're talking about UConn'sSarah Strong, UCLA'sLauren Betts, Texas'Madison Bookerand South Carolina'sRaven Johnson.

But the national title might come down to an unsung hero that steps up when the lights are the brightest. Here's a look at a player from each team that must make an impact when it matters most for their team to hoist a trophy:

The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

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See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

Agot Makeer, South Carolina

South Carolina is back in the Final Four for the sixth consecutive year, but the key to defeating the reigning champion UConn Huskies might come down to an 18-year-old freshman coming off the bench. Agot Makeer, a 6-foot guard from Canada, was limited to 5.8 points across 26 games this season after dealing with various injuries. But Makeer has made an impact during March Madness and quickly became "a vital piece to our success," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said.

Makeer scored double-digit points off the bench in four consecutive tournament games, including a career-high 18 points in No. 1 South Carolina's Elite 8 rout of No. 3 TCU. She's averaging 14.8 points in the tournament, nearly tripling her scoring average, while shooting an efficient 55.6% from the field. "I'm in a flow right now," said Makeer, who only had three double-digit games all season heading into the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

It's more than just her offense. Makeer uses her length and size to be a disruptive defender and is averaging nearly three steals in March Madness.

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Blanca Quiñonez, UConn

UConn's depth has been its strength all season long, with Sarah Strong confidently stating, "No other team has a bench like us." Freshman Blanca Quiñonez has been the biggest X-factor coming off the bench. Quiñonez scored 20 points in UConn's Elite 8 win over No. 6 Notre Dame, where she knocked down a career-high four 3-pointers in the win. The 6-foot-2 guard from Ecuador has reached double-digit scoring in four consecutive March Madness games and is shooting 9-of-19 (47.4%) from deep.

Quiñonez also grabbed a career-high eight rebounds, highlighting her ability to impact the game in many different ways. UConn has won 54 games in a row and will be pivotal to extend the win streak as defenses zero in on Sarah Stong and Azzi Fudd.

Angela Dugalić, UCLA

Angela Dugalić opted to come off the bench and the decision has paid dividends for both the Bruins and the Big Ten Women's Basketball Sixth Player of the Year. Dugalić is a 6-foot-4 forward, but has the skillset of a guard. She creates instant mismatches, spreads the floor and brings a different level of intensity that "our team was really feeding off of," head coach Cori Close said after UCLA's Elite 8 comeback win over No. 3 Duke. Dugalić finished with 15 points and six rebounds in the win, making her third double-digit game in March Madness. She's also posted two double-doubles in the Round of 64 and Sweet 16. UCLA is one win away from its first national championship appearance in program history.

Kyla Oldacre, Texas

"You win with guard play, but you win championships with guard play and size," Texas head coach Vic Schaefer. That statement is especially true heading into the Final Four. Schaefer will deploy Kyla Oldacre to contain UCLA's 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts in the paint. Oldacre has come off the bench for Texas, but has averaged over twenty minutes through the tournament. The 6-foot-6 center is coming off a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in Texas' Elite 8 blowout of No. 2 Michigan, her sixth double-double of the season.

Reach USA TODAY National Women's Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Women's Final Four X-factors: Who will be key to national title?