NOVI SAD, Serbia (AP) — Thousands of people rallied Saturday in Serbia as university students announced a new stage in their struggle against President Aleksandar Vucic's tenure. They have led more than a year of mass demonstrations that shook his autocratic government in the Balkan country.
Protesters in Novi Sad, chanting "thieves," accused the government of rampant corruption that they believe also led to a November 2024 train station disaster in the northern city that killed 16 people and triggered the nationwide movement for change.
Click to Gallery
People attend a protest led by university students against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People attend a protest led by university students against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People attend a protest, led by university students, against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People attend a protest led by university students, against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People attend a protest led by university students against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Vucic has refused to schedule an immediate early election that students have demanded. Hundreds of people have been detained, or reported losing their jobs or facing pressure for opposing the government.
University students told the crowd in Novi Sad on Saturday that after last year's protests, they will now offer a plan on how to rid Serbia of corruption and restore the rule of law. They proposed banning corrupt officials from politics and investigating their wealth as first steps for the post-Vucic government.
The protest was dubbed “What victory will mean.” Last month, students said that they collected around 400,000 signatures in support of their election bid.
The next protest rally is planned for Jan. 27 in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, organizers said.
Vucic came to power more than a decade ago, promising to take Serbia into the European Union. But he has since strengthened ties with Russia and China, while facing accusations of curbing democratic freedoms in Serbia and allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish.
The student movement has garnered big support among Serbs who are largely disillusioned with mainstream politicians. Vucic has accused the students of working under unspecified Western orders to “destroy Serbia.”
People attend a protest led by university students against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People attend a protest led by university students against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People attend a protest, led by university students, against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People attend a protest led by university students, against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People attend a protest led by university students against corruption, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad and coach Mike Sullivan achieved career milestones Saturday, one day after team president and general manager Chris Drury sent a letter to fans expressing disappointment over how the season has gone.
Zibanejad became the Rangers’ all-time leader in power-play goals and tied the franchise record for career hat tricks in New York’s 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The victory was the 500th of Sullivan’s career.
The 32-year-old Zibanejad scored with a man advantage in the second period for his 117th power-play goal. He had shared the Rangers' record with Camille Henry and Chris Kreider, who had 116.
“It’s definitely special,” Zibanejad said after the game. “It means I’ve been given a chance to be here a long time, long enough to get close to that.”
Zibanejad’s ninth hat trick with the Rangers matched Bill Cook’s franchise record.
Sullivan praised Zibanejad for the example he has shown amid a trying season for the Rangers, who snapped a five-game losing streak Saturday.
“He’s really committed to trying to play the game the right way, the way we’re trying to play,” Sullivan said. “I think he’s personified that most of the year. We’ve challenged him to use his size and his physicality, both offensively and defensively. I think he’s really embraced that challenge. He has played extremely well for us.”
The Rangers’ latest challenge came Friday when Drury sent a letter to fans saying that “we know and feel your disappointment with how the season has gone to this point.” The letter indicated changes could be on the way.
“With our position in the standings and injuries to key players this season, we must be honest and realistic about our situation,” Drury wrote. “We are not going to stand pat – a shift will give us the ability to be smart and opportunistic as we retool the team. This will not be a rebuild. This will be a retool built around our core players and prospects.”
Zibanejad acknowledged that there were “all kinds of feelings” after the letter was sent out and said he liked the way the team responded. He said “it’s not an easy situation” but added that this kind of win could provide a spark.
“If changes are coming, then try to make the most of the time we have as a group, the group that we have right now,” Zibanejad said.
Sullivan had headed into his first season with the Rangers owning 480 career wins after coaching the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He led the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017 during his 10 years in Pittsburgh.
“I’m just grateful,” Sullivan said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach in this league. It’s the greatest league in the world, and it’s an absolute privilege to be part of it in any capacity. To be a head coach for as long as I have at this point has been an incredible honor.”
This latest win was particularly special because of the circumstances leading up to it.
“I just think it speaks volumes for the character of the people in the room,” Sullivan said. “The last couple of days have been pretty emotional for the whole group. To respond with an effort like they did tonight. ... I think is evidence that these guys are quality people, and they care a lot about each other and the Rangers.”
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL
New York Rangers' Mika Zibanejad, center, celebrates with teammates Carson Soucy, right, and Scott Morrow after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
