Thousands protest lithium mining in Serbia. Officials say it's a plot against populist president

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Tens of thousands gathered Saturday for a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite officials' warnings of their alleged plot to topple populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government.

Vucic said earlier he had been tipped by the Russian intelligence services that a “mass unrest and a coup” were being prepared Saturday in Serbia by unspecified Western powers that wish to oust him from power.

The big crowd chanted “There Will Be No Mining” and “Treason, Treason.”

Government officials and the state-controlled media have launched a major campaign against the rally, comparing it to the Maidan uprising in Ukraine's capital Kiev that led to the toppling of the country's then pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2013. Organizers of the Belgrade protest have said the protest would be peaceful.

“Our rally today is ecological and has no political ambitions but the government has accused us of seeking to stage a coup,” said popular actor Svetlana Bojkovic.

“We came here today to raise our voice against something that is beyond politics.”

The rally in the downtown of the capital comes after weeks of protests in dozens of cities throughout Serbia against a government plan to allow lithium mining in a lush farming valley in the west of the country.

This plan had been scrapped in 2022 after large demonstrations were held that included blocking of the key bridges and roads. But it was revived last month and received a boost in a tentative deal on “critical raw materials” signed by Vucic's government with the European Union.

The Balkan nation is formally seeking EU membership while maintaining very close ties with both Russia and China. The EU memorandum on the mining of lithium and other key materials needed for green transition would bring Serbia closer to the bloc and would reduce Europe's lithium battery and electric car imports from China.

While the government insists the mine is an opportunity for economic development, critics say it would inflict irreparable pollution on the Jadar valley, along with its crucial underground water reserves and farming land.

Locals in the valley are strongly opposed to the mine that would be operated by multinational Rio Tinto mining company. Both the government and the company have pledged highest environmental standards in the mining process but opponents haven't been convinced.

Tens of thousands have turned out for environment protection rallies held throughout Serbia in the past weeks posing a major challenge to Vucic and his increasingly autcratic rule. Opponents want the government to formally outlaw any lithium and boron mining in the entire country.

The government has set up a medical team to monitor any potential health hazards and a call center that citizens can dial to voice their concerns, an apparent bid to cushion some of the opposition.

Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic told The Associated Press earlier this week in an interview that Serbia would not only export raw materials but would develop a “value chain” in the country linked to producing batteries and electric vehicles to help develop new technologies.

Residents of the Jadar valley, however, said nothing could persuade them to agree to the mine. They said they were ready to do everything to prevent the mine from opening.

Associated Press writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed to this story.

People attend a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in the country, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Thousands were gathering Saturday at a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite government warnings of alleged planned unrest designed to topple the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. The banner reads 'lithium is good only for F diagnosis' in Serbian. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A sign saying: "We won't give Jadar" on a road in the village of Gornje Nedeljice, in the fertile Jadar Valley in western Serbia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

FILE - European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, left, shakes hands with Serbia's Mining and Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic after a signing ceremony at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, on July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)

A sign saying "Access forbidden to unauthorized persons" is displayed in front of a house bought by Rio Tinto company in the village of Gornje Nedeljice, in the fertile Jadar Valley in western Serbia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Abandoned and roofless houses bought by Rio Tinto company in the village of Gornje Nedeljice, in the fertile Jadar Valley in western Serbia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in the country in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Thousands were gathering Saturday at a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite government warnings of alleged planned unrest designed to topple the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in the country in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Thousands were gathering Saturday at a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite government warnings of alleged planned unrest designed to topple the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in the country, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Thousands were gathering Saturday at a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite government warnings of alleged planned unrest designed to topple the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. The banner reads 'lithium is good only for F diagnosis'. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in the country, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Thousands were gathering Saturday at a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite government warnings of alleged planned unrest designed to topple the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A man waves a flag combined of Russian and Serbian colours as he attends a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in the country, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Thousands were gathering Saturday at a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite government warnings of alleged planned unrest designed to topple the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have benched 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young after the second-year quarterback’s rough start to the season.

Andy Dalton will take over as the starter for Carolina’s next game on Sunday at Las Vegas.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he made the decision after watching game film from Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

He informed both QBs of the decision on Monday after consulting with general manager Dan Morgan and vice president of football operations Brandt Tillis.

“After watching the film and taking in all of the information I feel like Andy gives us the best chance to win,” Canales said.

Canales wouldn't say if Dalton will remain the starter beyond this week saying “right now the focus is on this week.”

Canales also wouldn't say exactly what led to the decision to bench Young.

“I don't want to get into the specifics as those are private conversations,” Canales said.

Canales had worked with Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, helping turn their careers around. He was hired in part to get the most out of Young, who struggled last season as a rookie with nearly as many interceptions (10 ) as touchdown passes (11).

But Young's struggles as a rookie have carried over to this year.

He's completed just 31 of 56 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions as the Panthers have started 0-2 this season for the second straight year and have been outscored 73-13 by the New Orleans Saints and Chargers. Young has run for one touchdown, the only one of the season for Carolina.

When asked if Young still has the support of the locker room, Canales said “that's a loaded question. Right now our focus is to make sure that we fix the film from yesterday and get ready for the Raiders.”

Young is 2-16 as a starter overall since the Panthers traded up eight spots in the 2023 NFL draft to get him.

The Panthers made a significant investment in that deal with Chicago, sending wide receiver D.J. Moore and four draft picks to the Bears — one of which turned out to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft after the Panthers finished a league-worst 2-15 last season. The Bears used that pick to take quarterback Caleb Williams.

Young becomes the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the common draft era starting in 1967 to be benched for non-injury reasons in his second season.

He hasn’t looked much like a No. 1 overall pick since his arrival, continually looking flustered in the pocket and often making poor decisions and throwing into double coverage. His first throw this season was an interception against the Saints in the opener and things only seem to have gotten worse.

Young was booed repeatedly by the home crowd on Sunday after the offense stalled time and time again.

Carolina was 1 of 12 on third down conversions and the Panthers were outgained 349-159.

When asked about his confidence after the game, Young said, “I draw my confidence from the Lord. I’m very blessed. I’m grateful for this challenge. Not an ideal start, but God does everything for a reason. I have faith in that.”

Young said he needed to do a better job with his decision-making.

“You always want to make a play. You want to do something,” Young said. “Obviously, part of the position is being the game manager. Some bad instances of that on film today. I definitely take accountability for that.”

Dalton is 83-78-2 as a starting quarterback in the NFL, including one last season with the Panthers. He has thrown 246 touchdown passes and 144 interceptions since coming into the league in 2011 with Cincinnati.

Dalton said Monday he was surprised by the move, but is excited about the opportunity to start again in the NFL.

“When I came here, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get another opportunity, and so I’m really looking forward to it," said Dalton, who missed a portion of training camp with a quad injury. "I’m excited about what’s ahead. And, you know, it’s a tough situation. I’ve been on both sides of it, and it’s hard. I mean, it’s hard on everybody, but for me, I mean, I’m looking forward to it.”

Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble said he still feels Young is a great quarterback and said the blame shouldn't fall all on the QB's shoulders.

“We haven’t done the best (as teammates) to help him show his ability,” Tremble said. “I’ve seen the flashes and what he does on a daily basis in practice. I think just together as a group I feel bad that we couldn’t show that on Sundays.”

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert hug on the field after an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young leaves a news conference after their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young hands off to running back Miles Sanders during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales right talks to quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young passes against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)