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Serbia’s Prime Minister Resigns Amid Growing Anti-Corruption Protests 

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Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned Tuesday in an effort to ease political tensions following weeks of mass anti-corruption protests triggered by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy in Novi Sad.

The November 1 tragedy, which claimed 15 lives, including two children, has become a rallying point for widespread discontent with President Aleksandar Vucic’s administration. Critics accuse Vucic of undermining democratic freedoms despite Serbia’s formal pursuit of European Union membership. 

“It is my appeal for everyone to calm passions and return to dialogue,” Vucevic said during a news conference announcing his resignation. Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric also stepped down on Tuesday, he added. 

Vucevic’s resignation could prompt an early parliamentary election. Serbia’s parliament has 30 days to either confirm a new prime minister or call for a snap vote. Pro-government media reported that President Vucic would attend a cabinet meeting Tuesday evening to decide the next steps. 

Opposition parties have demanded the establishment of a transitional government to ensure free and fair elections, citing past allegations of electoral irregularities under Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party. 

Vucevic, who took office in April 2024 after a contentious election, has faced mounting criticism over the government’s handling of the Novi Sad disaster and its aftermath. 

The protests, initially led by university students, have drawn widespread support from various sectors, including lawyers, judges, farmers, and actors. On Monday, tens of thousands joined students in a 24-hour blockade of a key intersection in Belgrade, demanding accountability for the canopy collapse, which has been linked to alleged government corruption. 

Students and protesters have also held daily 15-minute traffic blockades across Serbia at 11:52 a.m., the time the canopy collapsed, to honor the victims. 

In an attempt to defuse tensions, Vucevic, Vucic, and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic called for dialogue with the students on Monday. However, the protesters have largely dismissed these invitations. 

Vucevic cited an attack on a female student in Novi Sad, allegedly carried out by members of the ruling party, as the immediate cause for his resignation. 

“Whenever it seems there’s hope to return to dialogue, it’s like an invisible hand creates a new incident, and tensions mount again,” he said. 

While urging calm, Vucevic claimed the protests were being orchestrated from abroad to destabilize Serbia but provided no evidence for the allegation, echoing similar statements from President Vucic. 

Prosecutors in Serbia have charged 13 individuals, including a government minister, in connection with the Novi Sad canopy collapse. However, the release of former Construction Minister Goran Vesic from detention has raised concerns about the investigation’s impartiality. 

The canopy, part of a recently renovated railway station in Novi Sad under a Chinese-backed infrastructure deal, collapsed on November 1, leading to the ongoing unrest. 

Protests have been marked by sporadic violence, including incidents where drivers rammed into crowds, injuring two women. 

As Serbia navigates its political crisis, the growing protests underscore public frustration with corruption and demand accountability from the government.

Seven Hezbollah Fighters Held by Israel During Hostilities, Source Says 

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Seven Hezbollah fighters were detained by the Israeli military during more than a year of hostilities before a November 27 ceasefire, a source close to the Lebanese group said Monday. 

“Seven fighters from Hezbollah were taken prisoner” before the truce went into effect, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. 

The source added that four additional individuals were apprehended by Israeli forces in southern Lebanese border villages on Sunday but did not identify them as fighters. 

Under the ceasefire deal, Lebanon’s military and United Nations peacekeepers were to deploy in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces withdrew over a 60-day period that ended Sunday. Despite this timeline, the Israeli military, which launched ground operations in Lebanon in September 2024, has not completed its withdrawal. 

Hundreds of displaced residents have been attempting to return to their homes in the south. The White House confirmed Sunday that the ceasefire agreement has been extended until February 18, while Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Lebanon would comply with the extension. 

The ceasefire requires Hezbollah to pull its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and dismantle remaining military infrastructure in the south. 

Mikati stated Sunday that the United States would begin negotiations to secure the return of Lebanese detainees held in Israeli prisons, following Lebanon’s request. These detainees were reportedly arrested after October 7, 2023, when war erupted in Gaza. 

Hezbollah initiated cross-border attacks on Israel the following day. The conflict escalated into full-scale war in September 2024 after months of sporadic hostilities. 

On October 15, the Israeli military announced that troops had captured three Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, days after apprehending another fighter from an underground tunnel shaft. 

A Hezbollah spokesman later acknowledged that members of the group had been detained but did not disclose the total number. 

The recent developments highlight ongoing tensions despite the truce, as both sides navigate the terms of the agreement and broader regional dynamics.

Google Maps to Rename ‘Gulf of Mexico’ to ‘Gulf of America’ for U.S. Users 

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Google Maps will rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America” for U.S. users, the company announced Monday in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The change will align with the U.S. Geographic Names System following an official renaming by the Trump administration’s Interior Department. 

The update will apply to U.S. users, while the name will remain “Gulf of Mexico” within Mexico. Outside both countries, Google Maps will display both names: “Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico).” 

The renaming is part of a series of executive actions President Donald Trump signed hours after taking office on January 20, fulfilling a campaign promise to restore “traditional” American geographic names. Along with the Gulf of America, Trump also ordered North America’s tallest peak, Denali, to revert to its former name, Mount McKinley. 

“As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America, and North America’s highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley,” the U.S. Interior Department said in a statement last week. 

Google, owned by Alphabet (GOOGL.O), confirmed the change in response to the executive order, mirroring a similar update for Mount McKinley. A Google spokesperson directed Reuters to the company’s announcement on X, emphasizing that the platform applies locale-based labeling for regions with naming disputes. 

Google Maps has previously handled contested names by using dual or alternate labels. For instance, the water body between Japan and South Korea is marked as the “Sea of Japan (East Sea)” outside the respective nations. Similarly, the Persian Gulf is labeled “Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)” in some regions after a 2012 dispute involving Iran. 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently joked about renaming North America as “Mexican America,” referencing historic maps of the region. The U.S. renaming, however, has sparked debates on cultural and political sensitivities tied to geographic names. 

For U.S. users, the Gulf of America update is expected to roll out in upcoming Google Maps updates, alongside the changes to Mount McKinley. Mexican users will continue to see the original Gulf of Mexico label, preserving the country’s historical and cultural ties to the region. 

US Military Aircraft with Deported Migrants Lands in Guatemala Amid Tensions with Colombia 

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The U.S. continued its controversial military deportation flights on Monday, with a planeload of migrants landing in Guatemala as President Donald Trump pressed forward with his hardline immigration policies. The move followed a tense standoff with Colombia, which refused to allow U.S. military aircraft to land, escalating trade tensions. 

Two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the military transport plane, a C-17, carried 64 migrants and arrived in Guatemala on Monday afternoon after departing from Texas. A Guatemalan official corroborated the report. 

This marks the third successful military deportation flight to Guatemala since the program’s inception last week. Guatemala remains the only country so far to accept migrants via U.S. military aircraft. 

Tensions flared Sunday when Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the deportation flights as inhumane and blocked two C-17 planes from landing after their departure from California. Trump responded by threatening severe tariffs and sanctions, emphasizing that nations refusing to accept deported individuals would face steep economic consequences. 

Colombia, heavily reliant on trade with the United States, issued a conciliatory statement Sunday evening to de-escalate the situation. The two nations have significant economic ties, with a 2006 free trade agreement facilitating $33.8 billion in trade in 2023, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. 

Meanwhile, Bogota announced plans to send Colombian air force planes to retrieve its nationals from the U.S., challenging Trump’s assertion that Colombia had capitulated to his demands. 

Speaking to Republican lawmakers at his Doral golf club on Monday, Trump hailed the use of military aircraft for deportations as a landmark achievement in his immigration crackdown. 

“For the first time in history, we are locating and loading illegal aliens into military aircraft and flying them back to the places from which they came,” Trump said, receiving applause from the audience. “We’re respected again, after years of laughing at us, like we’re stupid people.” 

The Pentagon has committed to providing flights for the deportation of more than 5,000 migrants currently held in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California. This deployment follows Trump’s national emergency declaration on immigration last week. 

The use of military aircraft for deportation flights is unprecedented, officials say, marking a significant departure from past practices. While military aircraft have been employed for evacuations and relocations, such as during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, this is the first instance of their use for deporting migrants. 

Critics, including Colombian President Petro, have labeled the flights as inhumane, fueling debate over Trump’s broader immigration policies. These policies include deploying military personnel to the border, restricting asylum applications, and attempting to limit birthright citizenship. 

Despite the backlash, Trump has vowed to continue using military resources to enforce his immigration agenda, warning other nations of potential economic retaliation should they refuse to accept deported individuals. 

DeepSeek AI Sparks Tech Stock Selloff; Nvidia Posts Record $593 Billion Market-Cap Loss 

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DeepSeek AI Sparks Tech Stock Selloff; Nvidia Posts Record $593 Billion Market-Cap Loss 

Tech stocks plunged Monday as the launch of DeepSeek, a cost-efficient Chinese artificial intelligence model, triggered fears of disrupted market dominance for AI leaders like Nvidia. The chipmaker suffered a staggering $593 billion market-cap loss—the largest single-day loss in Wall Street history. 

The selloff began after DeepSeek’s free AI assistant, launched last week, surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT in downloads on Apple’s App Store. Investors reacted swiftly, wiping out significant market value across the tech sector. Nvidia shares dropped nearly 17%, closing at $118.42, marking a historic one-day loss, according to LSEG data. 

The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 3.1%, led by Nvidia and other tech giants. Broadcom dropped 17.4%, Microsoft declined 2.1%, and Alphabet lost 4.2%. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index slumped 9.2%, its steepest drop since March 2020, with Marvell Technology plunging 19.1%. 

The selloff rippled across global markets. In Asia, Japan’s SoftBank Group fell 8.3%, while in Europe, ASML tumbled 7%. Safe-haven assets like U.S. Treasuries rallied, with the benchmark 10-year yield falling to 4.53%. 

Kenyan President William Ruto called for an emergency summit within 48 hours to address economic uncertainties stemming from the tech sector volatility. 

DeepSeek, developed by a Hangzhou-based startup, has been praised for its cost efficiency and performance. Its R1 model is 20 to 50 times cheaper than OpenAI’s models and uses Nvidia’s lower-capability H800 chips, costing less than $6 million for training. 

The emergence of DeepSeek represents a significant challenge to incumbent AI firms. Silicon Valley venture capitalist Marc Andreessen called it AI’s “Sputnik moment,” likening it to the Soviet Union’s space race breakthrough. 

While the selloff underscored fears of disruption, some analysts argued it was overblown. “DeepSeek targets mobile and PC AI applications, not data centers, which remain Nvidia’s core business,” said Daniel Morgan, senior portfolio manager at Synovus Trust Company. 

Despite Monday’s plunge, Nvidia shares remain up 171% in 2024 and 239% in 2023. Investors like Morgan view the selloff as an opportunity to buy high-quality tech stocks at lower valuations. 

The hype around AI, which has driven massive capital inflows over the past 18 months, faced its first major setback. AI-related power utility stocks, like Vistra (-28.3%), Constellation Energy (-20.8%), and NRG Energy (-13.2%), also plummeted as investors recalibrated expectations for data center demand. 

Meanwhile, Vertiv Holdings, which builds data center infrastructure, fell 29.9%, reflecting concerns over reduced growth prospects for AI-related infrastructure. 

DeepSeek’s entry signals a turning point in the AI race, with Chinese tech innovation challenging U.S. market dominance. The disruption underscores the rapid pace of technological advancement and its implications for global markets. 

Former 72-Year-Old Youth Center Leader Gets 20-40 Years for Role in Teen’s Sexual Assault

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Former 72-Year-Old Youth Center Leader Gets 20-40 Years for Role in Teen’s Sexual Assault

A former New Hampshire youth detention center leader received a 20- to 40-year prison sentence Monday for holding down a 14-year-old boy during a sexual assault in 1998.

Bradley Asbury, 70, was convicted in November on two counts of being an accomplice to aggravated sexual assault at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester. Before sentencing, Asbury maintained his innocence and announced plans to appeal.

Judge William Delker imposed the sentence after noting that Asbury’s position of authority “compounds the seriousness” of his actions. Despite character witnesses describing Asbury as a devoted family man, Delker said the defendant “crossed a line that cannot be crossed.”

Prosecutors proved Asbury, while serving as house leader, restrained Michael Gilpatrick on a staircase while other staffers sexually assaulted the teen. Gilpatrick, now 41, testified about struggling to cope with the attack for years.

Asbury’s case stems from a broader investigation launched in 2019 into abuse at the detention center. Eleven former staffers face criminal charges. Of those cases reaching trial, there have been two convictions and two mistrials.

Earlier this month, Stanley Watson was convicted of three counts of aggravated sexual assault against two boys. A separate trial for Stephen Murphy, charged with assaulting Gilpatrick while Asbury restrained him, ended in a hung jury.

Records show Asbury was previously fired in 1994 from a pre-trial facility in Concord over physical and psychological abuse allegations. He successfully sued for reinstatement with back pay before transferring to Manchester, where he worked until 2001.

The criminal investigation has sparked extensive civil litigation. Over 1,100 former residents have filed lawsuits alleging decades of abuse. In May, a jury awarded former resident David Meehan $38 million, though the state seeks to reduce the amount to $475,000.

Kelly Gilpatrick, the victim’s wife, addressed Asbury before sentencing, stating “the jury saw through you” and noting the lasting impact of his actions.

Defense attorney David Rothstein had requested consideration of Asbury’s age and character references during sentencing. During trial, Rothstein claimed the allegations were “virtually impossible to commit.”

Car Hits Crowd After Eagles Playoff Win, Three Injured

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Car Hits Crowd After Eagles Playoff Win, Three Injured

Three people were injured when a car drove into a crowd celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff victory Sunday night, police said. The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. near Center City following the Eagles’ 55-23 win over the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field.

The driver is in custody, and authorities do not believe the crash was intentional. The victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.

The Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs, the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, in the upcoming Super Bowl on February 9 in New Orleans.

Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Capture Goma, Congo Calls It a ‘Declaration of War’ 

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Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Capture Goma, Congo Calls It a ‘Declaration of War’ 

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claimed control of Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, early Monday, describing their offensive as a decisive step against Congolese forces. Congo’s government has condemned the capture, calling it a “declaration of war.” 

The rebel group announced Goma’s takeover just before their 48-hour deadline for the Congolese military to surrender expired. Gunfire echoed across the city early Monday, according to aid workers on the ground. 

The capture of Goma, a city of 2 million and the regional hub of North Kivu province, has triggered widespread panic. The United Nations reported mass displacement, with thousands of civilians fleeing for safety. 

“We are fleeing because we saw soldiers on the border with Rwanda throwing bombs and shooting,” said Safi Shangwe, a resident fleeing the violence. Others expressed fears that Goma itself was no longer safe, with reports of bombs in the city. 

On Sunday, heavy gunfire erupted near the Kanyaruchinya displacement camp, forcing scores of residents to flee toward Goma and the Rwandan border. 

United Nations peacekeepers began processing surrendering Congolese soldiers on the outskirts of the city late Sunday. The U.N. mission, alongside Congolese and allied forces, has been struggling to hold back M23’s advance, which has gained momentum in recent weeks. 

Two South African U.N. peacekeepers and one Uruguayan peacekeeper were killed over the past 48 hours, with 11 others injured. Additionally, seven South African troops from the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC) lost their lives in the fighting. 

Congo has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, a claim supported by evidence from U.N. experts and other organizations. Rwanda denies the allegations, insisting its presence in the region is defensive. 

Congo severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda over the weekend, recalling its staff from Kigali. In response, Rwanda evacuated its remaining diplomat from Kinshasa. 

“This is a frontal aggression, a declaration of war which no longer hides behind diplomatic maneuvers,” Congo’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner said during an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting. 

The U.N. Security Council condemned the rebel offensive, urging M23 to withdraw immediately. The United States and France joined the call for a ceasefire, appealing to Rwanda to end its alleged support for the rebels. 

“We will consider all the tools at our disposal to hold those responsible for sustaining the conflict accountable,” said acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea. 

M23, a group primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, broke away from the Congolese army more than a decade ago. It previously captured Goma in 2012 but withdrew following international pressure on Rwanda. 

This time, the group appears intent on retaining control over territory in the mineral-rich North Kivu region. Experts suggest their objectives are more deeply rooted in territorial control than political integration, as seen in their 2012 actions. 

The ongoing violence has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in eastern Congo. More than a third of North Kivu’s population is displaced, and the capture of Goma is expected to worsen conditions. 

“If hostilities spill into Goma – a densely populated urban center – the impact on civilians could be devastating,” said Joyce Msuya, U.N. deputy humanitarian chief. 

Glasgow Child Abuse Ring Members Receive Lifelong Sentences for ‘Monstrous’ Sex Abuse Crimes

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Glasgow Child Abuse Ring Members Receive Lifelong Sentences for ‘Monstrous’ Sex Abuse Crimes

Seven members of a Glasgow-based child abuse ring received orders for lifelong restriction Monday for operating what prosecutors called a “monstrous” sex abuse operation from a drug den between 2012 and 2019.

The High Court in Glasgow imposed the sentences following a two-month trial that revealed systematic abuse of three children who were exposed to drugs, alcohol, and sexual violence. The victims referred to the location as the “beastie house.”

Iain Owens received a minimum 20-year term, while co-defendants received sentences ranging from 8 to 17 years. The group includes Elaine Lannery, Lesley Williams, Paul Brannan, Scott Forbes, Barry Watson, and John Clark. All were placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Lord Beckett, who presided over the case, warned the defendants they “may never be released” under Scotland’s order for lifelong restriction, a sentence typically reserved for the most serious non-murder cases.

Four of the defendants — Owens, Lannery, Williams, and Brannan — were also convicted of attempted murder for trapping children in various locations, including a microwave and cupboard. Owens, Williams, and Brannan faced additional convictions on drug charges.

Evidence revealed that money changed hands after attacks, with some perpetrators laughing during the assaults. The children endured what prosecutors termed “rape nights” at the hands of the heroin-addicted defendants.

“This court is used to hearing about some of the worst examples of human behavior but such depravity as you displayed against young children is beyond my experience,” Beckett told the defendants during sentencing.

An eighth defendant, Marianne Gallagher, 40, was convicted solely of assault and released on bail. Three others were acquitted of all charges.

Police Scotland reported processing more than 1,000 lines of inquiry during the investigation. Detective Inspector Lesley-Ann McGee expressed hope that the outcome would help the victims move forward.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service praised the victims’ courage in testifying. Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offenses, noted the complexity of prosecuting the case while considering the children’s trauma.

Glasgow’s Child Protection Committee has initiated a case learning review to improve child protection systems. The review aims to develop better safeguards for protecting children and young people in the future.

Defense arguments suggesting the children might have fabricated their accounts were dismissed by prosecutors, who said it would be “off the scale devious” to invent crimes of such severity.

Colorado Springs, USA, Most Wanted: Authorities Seek Public’s Help

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Colorado Springs, USA, Most Wanted: Authorities Seek Public’s Help

Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers, Colorado, USA, is requesting assistance in locating individuals with outstanding felony warrants.

Most Wanted Individuals:

Monique Renee Bustamante, 35, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 150 pounds, brown hair, and brown eyes. Wanted for suspicion of second-degree assault-strangulation, child abuse, third-degree assault, harassment, and false imprisonment. 

Isaiah Bruce Lorenzo Colbert, 18, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 120 pounds, black hair, and brown eyes. Sought for charges including attempted first-degree murder, extreme indifference murder, reckless endangerment, aggravated robbery, felony menacing, multiple assaults, drug-related offenses, and possession of a large-capacity magazine. 

Corey Joseph Connery, 33, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 175 pounds, blonde hair, and blue eyes. Suspected of extortion, theft, second-degree assault-strangulation, possession of controlled substances, careless driving, driving under restraint, and no insurance. 

Phillip John Deardorf, 24, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 145 pounds, black hair, and brown eyes. Wanted for aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft, and parole violation. 

Chad Shane Lapniewski, 53, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 205 pounds, gray hair, and hazel eyes. Wanted for second-degree assault-strangulation and harassment. 

Joan Josue Paez-Mendez, 29, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 175 pounds, brown hair, and brown eyes. Wanted for robbery and theft. 

Dayvonna Jozette Oliver Reid, 28, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 183 pounds, brown hair, and black eyes. Sought for first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and violent crimes causing serious injury. 

Jeffrey Raymond Tate, 39, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, black hair, and brown eyes. Wanted for second-degree assault-strangulation, harassment, and obstruction.

Anonymous Tips: 

If you have information about these fugitives or other crimes, contact Crime Stoppers at 719-634-7867. Tips remain anonymous, and informants may be eligible for rewards of up to $1,000.

For more details, visit the Crime Stoppers website at crimestop.net.

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