Mali

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday opens a week-long tour of Africa's west coast as he seeks to bolster U.S.-friendly democracies with security deteriorating in the Sahel.

The purchase comes as French lawmakers express concern over a Franco-German project to develop a successor to the Rafale. The Future Combat Air system, as it is known, is not expected to enter service before 2045 or 2050, according to the French Senate's defense committee, writes Defense News.

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali met with the UK's Ambassador to Belgrade Edward Ferguson on Thursday to discuss opportunities for further development of bilateral cooperation.

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali says funding is the least problem when it comes to the idea of reinstating compulsory military service and notes that there should be "no question about money" in that regard.

He says putting army barracks back into use would be a boost to local economies and cities.

"Our deadline to hand over the keys to the EXPO participants is December 1, 2026. I invite the citizens of Serbia, when they pass by the ring road, to take a look - the works are already underway. We are the hosts of the world's largest manifestation in 2027.

BELGRADE - Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali says work on numerous major projects including the Belgrade Metro, EXPO 2027, a new Belgrade bus station, the BIO4 Campus, the road and rail network and Belgrade Waterfront are expected to be continued in 2024 and that funds for those purposes are available in this year's budget.

BELGRADE - Serbia's Finance Minister Sinisa Mali says Serbian inflation will continue to decline in 2024 and drop to 3 or 3.5 pct, and announced further wage and pension increases for as early as this year.

BELGRADE - Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Friday that, according to preliminary figures released by the national statistical office, Serbia's 2.5 pct economic growth in 2023 was in line with expectations and estimates and represented yet another confirmation of good economic results.

"Serbia is a leader, that does not suit anyone in the neighborhood, except for ourselves. And those who declare themselves to be against violence only give us demolition and destruction. This is all an insult to the intelligence of the citizens of Serbia," Mali said.

BELGRADE - Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Friday the IMF Executive Board had approved a second review of an arrangement with Serbia and that the institution's report confirmed the Serbian economy was fully stable, strong and still growing.