Serbian protests and Chinese drills heighten global tensions overnight

It happened while you were sleeping. Here's what global agencies reported overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.

• Anti-government protests organized by Serbian and pro-Russian organizations took place in Podgorica, where - accusing the Montenegrin government of treason - demonstrators opposed the UN resolution on the Srebrenica genocide, which is set to be discussed by the UN General Assembly on Thursday. Protesters called on Prime Minister Milojko Spajić outside the government headquarters to refrain from supporting the resolution, which has been causing disputes and increasing tensions in the Balkans for weeks. The crowd of protesters in Podgorica called for Spajić's government to resign, accusing him of "treason." "The aim of the resolution is to blame only one nation for war damages. The resolution provokes new conflicts in the Balkans," one of the rally participants told Radio Free Europe's Serbian section. Several hundred demonstrators carried Serbian and Russian flags, some of them bearing images of Vladimir Putin and symbols of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Protesters chanted slogans in support of Russia, Serbia, and Serbian claims over Kosovo.

• According to the Chinese state media, the Chinese military has started joint exercises around Taiwan. This happened just two days after the inauguration of Taiwan's new president. According to the news agency, the exercises are conducted in the Taiwan Strait, north, south, and east of Taiwan and around the Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin islands. "Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense stated that it 'strongly condemns such irrational provocations and actions that undermine peace and stability in the region'" - reported AFP.

• Milorad Dodik, president of the Republic of Srpska - the autonomous part of Bosnia and Herzegovina - announced a proposal for Sarajevo 'a peaceful resolution of the state' - reported RTRS television. With the passing of the UN resolution on the Srebrenica genocide, "the end of Bosnia and Herzegovina's existence will be signed," Dodik announced. On Thursday - the day the UN General Assembly begins debating the resolution - the Republic of Srpska government will hold an off-site session in Srebrenica (part of the majority-Serb area of Bosnia and Herzegovina).

• - We can confirm that, unfortunately, one person lost their life as a result of this incident - conveyed the Yorkshire County Police. Torrential rains hit the northeast region of England. In 12 hours, as much rain fell as usually falls in a month. In one of the towns, this led to a mudslide. About 140 millimetres of rain fell, equivalent to around 5.5 inches.