Photo: Profimedia/Peter Dejong/AFP

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today that the former commander of the RS Army, Ratko Mladic, is in a very serious condition and added that he does not understand why he is not allowed to spend his last days outside the International Residual Mechanism's cell in The Hague.

Vucic said that he spoke with Minister of Justice Nenad Vujic, who informed him about Mladic's health.

"He told me that (Mladic's) health was very poor, that they took him in, that he couldn't sit, that they brought him in a lying position along with the bed, that he replied only in the shortest possible way with a 'yes' or 'no' and that he was in a very bad condition. I don't understand why not let someone spend their last days outside of a prison cell, but am I particularly surprised? I'm not," Vucic said in response to journalists asking about Mladic's health.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Participants of different abilities and levels of preparation took to the start line together across all distances - 10, 21, and 42 kilometers. What united them was not the race against the clock, but a shared idea: sport is for everyone. The team competed in all disciplines, setting the tone for the entire weekend and drawing special attention from spectators.

Foto: Promo

This group included not only athletes but also families with children, for whom participation became part of a broader movement toward inclusion, support, and mutual understanding. For many, the race was not about results, but about a personal victory — over fears, limitations, and circumstances.

Along the course, they were supported by an enthusiastic crowd: applause, signs, and shouts of “bravo” turned every kilometer into an emotional dialogue between participants and the city.

This marathon became an example of how a sporting event can go beyond competition and evolve into a platform for meaningful social impact. The united team showed that the most important result is not the finishing time, but the opportunity to be part of something bigger.

Partner — Belgrade Marathon.

(Telegraf.rs/PR)

Photo: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagic

The Belgrade 360 Deck has been officially opened on Belgrade Tower, within the Belgrade Waterfront complex. President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and the founder and chairman of Eagle Hills, Mohamed Alabbar, were both present. The observation deck offers the view of the entire city from the 41st floor of the building.

Special elevators are taking visitors to the observation deck directly from the Galerija Shopping Center. The deck offers a complete 360-degree panorama and an authentic experience of the metropolis from a bird's eye view.

The top of Belgrade Tower is thus becoming a new tourist attraction in the Serbian capital. Belgrade 360 Deck is the highest point in the city, located at 168 meters above ground.

The doors of the observation deck will be open every day from 10 in the morning until 10 in the evening, and guests can use binoculars for detailed observations. There is also a gift shop and a cafeteria with a unique view.

The structure is fully adapted to families and all generations of visitors. The state-of-the-art, most technologically advanced platform in the region offers the opportunity to see Belgrade from a completely new angle.

Belgrade Tower, a 42-story, 168 meters tall building, a part of Belgrade Waterfront - a new urban development on the bank of the Sava River - is the tallest building in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

Belgrade Tower was officially opened in September 2024, with President Aleksandar Vucic in attendance.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: YouTube/Printscreen: Razgovori sa Zlojutrom

The minister without portfolio in charge of Serbia's relations with the diaspora, Djordje Milicevic, today strongly condemned the attack on a Serbian Orthodox church (Crkva Preobrazenja Gospodnjeg) in Zagreb, Croatia, and stressed that such incidents are not in line with the modern European values, while a narrative directed against Serbia, the Serb people and the Serbian Orthodox Church has been present in Croatia for a long time.

Milicevic assessed that an attack on a religious building, a shrine that represents spiritual, cultural and historical value, is not only an act of vandalism, but also a mindless act and one of profound disrespect for basic civilizational values.

"Holy places must not be a target, because they belong to everyone who respects religion, tradition and human dignity," Milicevic said in a statement.

He added that the fact that such incidents are not happening in isolation is particularly worrying and noted that in Croatia, there has been a long-standing narrative directed against Serbia, the Serb people and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

"Certain media outlets and political groups encourage such an atmosphere, which inevitably has its consequences," stated Milicevic.

According to him, the reaction from official institutions in Croatia do not instill enough confidence that there is a clear and unambiguous distancing from such events.

"We saw support for gatherings that turned into outbursts of extreme nationalism, as well as constant attempts to relativize and justify unacceptable actions," the minister said.

He added that such events are not line with modern European values which ​​include "respect for diversity, protection of religious freedom and zero tolerance towards hatred".

"I expect the competent authorities in Croatia to sanction this attack clearly, decisively and without relativizing it, but also to take concrete steps to stop the creation of an environment in which such incidents are possible. Respect for religion, holy places and people must be the foundation of every society that considers itself democratic and civilized," said Milicevic.

The door of the Orthodox church, located in Zagreb's Cvetni Trg (square) was attacked last night, with chairs and other objects from nearby cafes thrown at it. One person has been detained.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo collage: Shutterstock

The Hungarian oil company MOL announced that it will keep the Pancevo refinery working in the long term, if it becomes the majority owner of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia, NIS.

MOL's representatives stated that the Pancevo refinery has a very important strategic role in ensuring a stable and continuous supply of energy.

"MOL's goal is to further strengthen the security of supply in Serbia and the region, while at the same time making use of synergies between refineries. If the transaction is successful, we plan to manage the plant in the long term," the Hungarian company told Forbes.

MOL added that the negotiations regarding NIS are continuing in line with the previously signed basic agreement and reminded that consent in needed from the US Treasury Department's OFAC and from the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia, in order to complete the transaction.

Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said yesterday that there have been meetings with MOL's operational and legal teams in connection with the takeover of the Russian share in NIS and that a number of issues were closed.

Djedovic Handanovic also said that it is important to continue the talks with MOL and that she had a meeting with the executive director of MOL Group on Saturday.

"I expect that by the end of the week we will agree on about 90 percent of positions. I assume there will be a few more open issues for talks at a higher level," Djedovic Handanovic told RTS and added that MOL Group representatives held talks in St. Petersburg as well.

(Telegraf Biznis/Tanjug)

Photo: Salinger Igor

Air Serbia Director of Commercial and Strategy Bosko Rupic said today that because of the sudden increase in the price of kerosene, the ticket prices will increase as well, but that passengers who have already bought them will not pay additional fuel tax.

"There are fuel surcharges, but those who have already bought tickets will not pay extra. We have sold more than a million tickets for this year, we advise customers to make use of promotions, buy tickets in time to avoid additional costs," Rupic said.

He explained that the extra charges for return tickets are mostly double-digit, 20-30 euros, but on long haul flights such as to the US or China, these go up to 100 euros.

European companies are introducing emergency measures - canceling less profitable flights, withdrawing older, less efficient aircraft from service, raising ticket prices and charging additional fuel taxes.

Photo: Tanjug

Rupic also stated that Air Serbia has not made any extreme moves, but emphasized that ticket prices will go up.

According to him, the company is profitable and there are reserves to compensate for the current situation.

"Companies cannot shift all the burden to the passengers, we have reserves from previous years, last year we operated with a profit of 45 million. So, there are reserves, but there is no point in spending them in the short term," Rupic explained.

Air Serbia is supplied with kerosene produced at the Pancevo Refinery.

"When it comes to the fuel supply in Belgrade, there are no problems, there are also reserves. If everything were to stop, we would have reserves in Serbia for a month and a half, but we also fill up fuel at all destinations we fly to. In principle, the situation is stable," Rupic said.

Photo: Tanjug/Zoran Zestic

Rupic explained that traffic has been optimized, but also stressed that existing routes will not be cancelled.

What could happen is a reduction in the number of flights to certain destinations, he said.

Rupic also stated that in March, Air Serbia had 80 percent seat occupancy, while in April that number was almost 81 percent, which shows that the demand is not decreasing.

"With the closure of traffic to Dubai and Doha and the countries in the Gulf, there were certain movements, but some passengers also started flying with us," Rupic said.

Lufthansa shut down Lufthansa CityLine, which flew seven times a week from Munich to Belgrade, so Air Serbia decided to launch flights to Munich from May 22.

"We look at all these events as also an opportunity, but it's a risk, too," Rupic said.

The company is introducing more new routes- from April 30 to Santorini, from May 3 to Baku, while direct flights to Toronto are also coming. Starting in September, Air Serbia will fly to Tenerife and Seville.

(Telegraf Biznis/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/ Strahinja Acimovic

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic today congratulated Minister of Defense Bratislav Gasic, Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Army General Milan Mojsilovic and all members of the Serbian Army on April 23, Serbian Army Day, and pointed out that the country's military represents a strong and reliable pillar of security and peace, a symbol of the state's strength and reliance for all citizens.

"On the occasion of April 23, the Day of the Serbian Army, I send sincere congratulations to all members of our army, with deep respect for your preparedness, discipline, courage and dedication. Today, the Serbian Army represent a strong and reliable pillar of security and peace of our country, a symbol of the strength of the state and reliance for all citizens. Your level of training, professionalism and readiness is to respond effectively to modern security challenges every day, both regarding the daily tasks in the country, as well as in international missions and joint exercises," the Serbian president stated.

Vucic added that the Republic of Serbia remains committed to further developing and strengthening the army, aware of its key importance for the security, stability and progress of the country.

He stressed that Serbia, through continuous investment in equipment, infrastructure, training and improvement of the living standard of the members of the Serbian Army, shows a permanent determination towards a building stronger and more efficient defense system, as well as creating better conditions for life and professional development.

"I congratulate you the holiday, confident that, safeguarding what has shaped us throughout history and relying on knowledge, modern standards and modernization, we will continue to build a strong Serbian Army in the interest of the state and future generations. Long live the Serbian Army! Long live Serbia!," Vucic concluded.

Serbian Army Day is celebrated on April 23, in commemoration of the day when the Second Serbian Uprising against Ottoman Turk occupiers started in 1815, which marked a turning point in the restoration of the Serbian state, and of its army.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Shutterstock

Prime Minister of the Provisional Institutions in Pristina Albin Kurti has appointed Agron Bajrami as Pristina's chief negotiator in the technical dialogue with Belgrade, Kurti's government has announced.

Bajrami is also the representative of Pristina in Belgium.

Pristina's chief negotiator in the dialogue with Belgrade during the previous government in Pristina was Besnik Bislimi.

The provisional institutions' interior minister, Glauk Konjufca, said at the end of February in a conversation with EU's special envoy for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Peter Sorensen that the dialogue will conducted be under the leadership of his ministry.

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic said that the time that regardless of who they are, the negotiator from Pristina is exclusively a representative of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government and pointed out that, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and UN General Assembly Resolution (2010), the dialogue is status-neutral.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: MATTHIAS BALK / AFP / Profimedia

Paolo Zampolli, a special envoy of US President Donald Trump, has visited Belgrade, and on that occasion wanted to see the Partizan football club's Trophy Room in Humska Street.

The club has now issued a statement to say that this businessman did not visit the premises in his official capacity, and that the Partizan management was not officially informed about this.

We carry the statement in its entirety:

"In relation to inaccurate and tendentious information that appeared in some media, which refer to the visit of Donald Trump envoy's visit to our club, FC Partizan points out that the club's management was not officially informed about the arrival of Mr. Paolo Zampolli, and therefore there was no need for an official welcome.

Mr. Zampolli visited the Partizan MMA club, after which he expressed his desire to visit the Trophy Room of Partizan FC. His request was immediately accepted, and he was allowed to visit the club's premises.

We believe that there is no need to make a case out of an informal visit and spread sensationalist narratives that do not contribute to informing the public in a truthful manner.

Partizan FC is appealing on the media to demonstrate a responsible and professional approach and do their reporting in line with the facts, without unnecessary dramatizations.

Once again, we point out that allegations that any guest has been ignored or disrespected are absolutely unfounded."

Zampolli is also supposed to be in the VIP box during the second half of the match between Partizan and Red Star basketball clubs.

Donald Trump's confidante and longtime friend is an Italian businessman and diplomat, who is also known as the founder of the ID Models agency.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Ana Paunkovic

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic commented today on future Prime Minister of Hungary Peter Magyar saying that he wants to deepen ties with neighboring countries, especially Austria, building on strong economic ties and common history dating back to the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

"I don't think it's a return to the empire. Hungary made the most progress after the Austro-Hungarian settlement. I see that in Brussels they insist on that," Vucic said after the opening of anew production facility at Vaider Srpska Fabrika Stakla in the town of Paracin.

The president also touched on yesterday's conversation with Magyar.

"As far as our conversation is concerned, I'm not swapping friends or anything of the kind. It's in our interest to have good relations with Hungary. The conversation was better than I expected, there were no unpleasant tones. We have many projects. They are trying to become the owners of NIS, Hungary gets gas through Serbia, I didn't mention the railway, there are many things that bind us. It's good to have the best possible relations. I am happy, as a responsible man, with the tone that has been established," said Vucic.

Earlier, Magyar stated that Austria is Hungary's key economic partner, and that they once shared the same country.

"We used to share a country, and Austria is Hungary's key economic partner. I would like to strengthen relations between Hungary and Austria for historical, but also cultural and economic reasons," said he.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: MUP

By order of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - UKP, Service for Combating Terrorism - and of the Security and Information Agency (BIA) arrested 20-year-old F.DJ. on suspicion that he committed the criminal offense of participating in a war or armed conflict abroad.

Photo: MUP

During the arrest, a military ID card issued by the Ukrainian army was found, along with a complete camouflage uniform with the insignia of the Ukrainian army, a helmet with a built-in camera, and documentation on the enlistment of F.DJ. in the Ukrainian army.

Photo: MUP

The suspect will be detained by the police for up to 48 hours before he is brought to the competent prosecutor's office, along with a criminal complaint.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: mup.rs

A man has been arrested for recruiting a minor, giving him a hand grenade and guiding his actions via the Signal app, as if in a video game - and all this for a promised reward of 1,000 euros.

Our newsroom is publishing a video of the arrest of 25-year-old N.V., who is believed to be the organizer of abomb attack on the Jovalex business premises in the town of Kragujevac.

The moment the suspect is handcuffed:

The video clearly shows the moment when the Kragujevac police officers intercepted the suspect. N.V. had no time to resist; he was immediately thrown on the ground and arrested.

Photo: mup.rs

Unscrupulous plan: Using minor as a tool

The investigation revealed a shocking scheme devised by the suspects. N.V. is accused of providing a hand grenade and a mobile phone to a 16-year-old from Belgrade, and then on April 11, around 02:45 in the morning, guiding him to his destination in Kragujevac.

While the minor was risking his life by activating the device, N.V. was sending him instructions via Signal, promising a "salary" of €1,000 after the job was done.

This dangerous duo was quickly identified thanks to intensive operational work carried out by the police.

The juvenile bomber has already been detained.

N.V. faces serious charges related to causing public danger and illegal possession of weapons and explosives. He will be brought before the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Kragujevac.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Serbian Government

Prime Minister of Serbia Djuro Macut initiated an urgent meeting on Tuesday with the head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerat, dedicated to the key issues regarding the stability of the academic community and improvement of cooperation with institutions of the European Union.

The meeting was primarily focused on an equal relationship and even representation of the academic community outside of Serbia. The prime minister emphasized the need to harmonize the representation of the academic community, stressing that any activity on its behalf requires a harmonized platform by all representatives in Serbia, in order to avoid further politicization and polarization.

Macut assessed that this approach is crucial and necessary to preserve the hard-won stability in the academic community after the period in 2025 when the work of all state academic institutions was blocked.

Photo: Serbian Government

The need to raise the level of the culture of the media dialogue, as well as to reduce tension in the public space, was also highlighted during the meeting.

The steps taken in the implementation of the Reform Agenda, to which the Government of the Republic of Serbia is fully committed, were considered and analyzed, with the aim of achieving the set goals, despite the fact that some are not defined in the most realistic way.

The prime minister thanked the head of the EU delegation for responding to the urgent invitation, and said that the talks with representatives of the EU delegation to Serbia, as well as with officials of the European Commission, will continue at the regular level, since continuous dialogue is crucial for solving open issues and making further progress in all areas.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Ana Paunkovic

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic spoke on Tuesday with the newly elected Prime Minister of Hungary Peter Magyar.

Vucic was among the first leaders who established a direct dialogue with Magyar, thus confirming the strategic partnership between Belgrade and Budapest.

"I congratulated Peter Magyar on his election victory. We had an important, good and substantive conversation about the key topics for the further improvement of overall Serbian-Hungarian relations.

We also considered some of the key energy and other issues of importance for the further development of relations between our countries, a stable development, more secure supply and stronger regional connectivity.

We exchanged opinions about the position of Serb and Hungarian minorities in our countries, as well as about Serbia's EU path. I invited Peter Magyar to visit Serbia," President Vucic wrote on Instagram.

(Telegraf.rs)

Collage: Private archive, Shutterstock/PhotoTamara

The peaceful village of Hrtkovci in the Srem region was stunned by an unprecedented crime.

Police from Ruma and Sremska Mitrovica arrested 19-year-old A.DJ. on suspicion that he brutally murdered M.P. (48), and then tried to destroy the body.

The drama began on the night of April 19 in the family home where A.DJ. lives with his mother and younger brother. According to the police, after a heated argument and physical confrontation, the teenager grabbed an ax and killed the 48-year-old victim by striking him on the head.

However, what followed shocked even experienced investigators.

The following night, the suspect transported the body to the fields, doused it in gasoline and set it on fire.

While the police were looking for M.P., whom family and friends were trying to locate through social networks for two days, A.DJ. acted as if nothing had happened.

Photo: Private archive; Shutterstock/PhotoTamara

"We knew bad things were going to happen"

And while forensic experts are still collecting evidence in front of the house of horror, neighbors are telling Belgrade media that A.DJ. was terrorizing their village for years.

"You couldn't talk to him. He'd beat people up out of the blue, he vandalized property, stole money from people returning from work. We'd report him, the police would come, but no one could put an end to it," said one local.

According to unofficial information, the motive for the murder was the teenager's dislike of the victim, who was in a relationship with his mother.

Swift police action

The body was found on Monday around 21:00, which was followed by a swift police action. A.DJ. was located and arrested, and the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Sremska Mitrovica ordered him kept in police detention for up to 48 hours.

The suspect is charged with the criminal offense of aggravated murder, which carries a multi-year prison sentence.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagic/bs

President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic today received a delegation of the Committee of Population, Resources and Environment of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Brnabic said she was satisfied with with the meeting with Zhang Jinan, Vice President of the Committee of Population, Resources and Environment of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as well as with the opportunity to talk and exchange opinions, the Assembly of Serbia said in a statement.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Pixabay.com/Illustration

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said today that the last section of the Belgrade-Kraljevo highway, from Preljina to Adrani, which is about 30 kilometers long, will be completed by Vidovdan (June 28), and pointed out that it will be "the most modern highway".

Vucic stated that the bypass around Kragujevac will also be completed.

"We will continue to work, we will also finish the bypass around Kragujevac, connect via Vuckovici, Knic and Mrcajevci with the Cacak-Kraljevo highway, continue from Kraljevo to Raska, Novi Pazar, Jarinje, and I believe Kosovska Mitrovica," he said.

The president pointed out that, "without big dreams, almost nothing can be achieved, let alone great deeds" and added that when he became prime minister, he "never even imagined that the highway to Kraljevo would be completed".

"After today's meeting with the companies Bechtel and Enka, and the ambassadors of the US and Turkey, after everything we have done over these years, I can tell you that before Vidovdan, we will open the Belgrade-Kraljevo highway, the last section from Preljina to Adrani, so, those 30 kilometers," Vucic said in a video posted on Instagram.

He added that he announced the completion of the highway on a day when there was "a lot of bad news about conflicts, wars, rising oil and gas prices".

Vucic stressed that even in the most difficult times, Serbia is finding the strength to lift itself up, to build its future and to believe in itself.

"Thank you for your support. There is no end to new wishes, new dreams. If you raise the bar high, then you can also jump over it. When you don't have dreams and when the bar is low, then your results are also low. Serbia can and will move forward and only achieve the best possible results. Long live Serbia!," said Vucic.

(Telegraf Biznis/Tanjug)

Photo: Shutterstock

Serbia is currently affected by a new cooler weather spell with rain, showers and thunder, but also snow on some mountains.

Unstable and cool weather is expected today and tomorrow.

Starting on Thursday, the weather will stabilize, so it is expected to be mostly sunny, but on Thursday morning, light frost is also expected.

Then until the end of April, it will be mostly stable but not too warm, more or less within the average temperatures for this time of year.

According to current forecasts, it will be cool in the night ahead of May Day (May 1, Labor Day in Serbia). The temperature will range from 6 to 12 degrees Celsius, so warm clothing will be needed by those who will, as is tradition in Serbia, spend that night and morning outdoors, picknicking.

The first day of May will bring unstable weather and overcast skies. It will be moderately warm, with maximum temperatures between 16 to 20 degrees.

Accroding to forecasts, there is little chance of significant precipitation.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/AP

Darko Mladic, the son of Serb General Ratko Mladic, says that his father is dying in prison in The Hague, that the doctors told him he cannot eat or drink water, but that he did not receive a clear answer to the question as to why Mladic is not receiving IV fluids.

"The situation is very bad. He is on his deathbed," Darko Mladic told Banja Luka-based ATV.

He said that the doctor in The Hague in a way confirmed that his father was dying. "Not explicitly, because they won't make that statement, they distance themselves, but it's clear to everyone that he is dying there and in that sense he meets the criteria that the judge set last year, to be released," says Darko Mladic.

He added that the general will be examined by Serbian doctors tomorrow, and that his mother will travel to The Hague on Thursday.

"Yesterday I was there for two hours. It was as much as he could do. Today they gave me an hour because of his treatment schedule. Tomorrow the doctors from Belgrade will come to examine him, I will visit afterwards, and on Thursday and Friday my mother will be there, since their 60th wedding anniversary is on Friday," Darko Mladic said, and added:

"After I was told yesterday that he can neither eat nor drink properly, I didn't get a clear answer to my question as to why he is not on IV. I hope that the doctors will answer that. Our goal at the moment is to get him released, because if we cannot save his life, at least we could prolong it a little, and we'll see what the judge will decide. We will submit a formal request after the doctors (see him), because we did not want to submit a request without expert opinion, but also based on what we got from The Hague, it's evident that he is in the terminal phase," said Darko Mladic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/AP

After former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev won the early parliamentary elections on Sunday, it is estimated that the Progressive Bulgaria coalition will independently form a government with 130 parliamentary seats, while North Macedonia expects that its leader will soften the rhetoric and that the open issues between the two countries will be resolved.

"You should know that Bulgaria will make efforts to stay on the European path, but believe me, a strong Bulgaria and a strong Europe require critical thinking and pragmatism, because Europe has become a victim of its own ambition to be the moral leader in a world without rules," said Rumen Radev, the leader of Progressive Bulgaria.

Radev, who is considered a hardliner when it comes to relations with North Macedonia, received congratulations from North Macedonia politicians, but also messages that they expect him to soften the rhetoric, Skopje-based 21TV is reporting.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski congratulated Radev on his victory in a phone conversation, saying he expects the open issues between the two countries to be resolved.

RSM leader Gordana Siljanovska Davkova says that so far they have not come to an understanding with Radev, and that she "has not forgotten the incident with the Macedonian flag either."

"I met with Mr. Radev, I met with him many times, we don't agree on many things, but we know how to listen to each other. I expect to see each other, to talk, of course with both flags, and to look for a new solution," said Siljanovska Davkova.

North Macedonia Minister of Foreign Affairs Timco Mucunski announced "dynamics in contacts with Bulgaria".

"Immediately after the formation of the government, we will take appropriate actions and measures to develop dialogue and we hope that an appropriate and fair solution can be found that confirms our desire for progress towards the path of European integration, but also takes into account self-respect of our identity, language and history," he said.

The president of the Macedonian assembly, Afrim Gashi, hopes that Bulgaria will finally have a stable government with which Skopje will be "closing the issues". As for constitutional amendments, Gashi said that the parliament will adopt these amendments, but that they need guarantees from Bulgaria first.

"The European path is part of our agenda, but the dilemmas we have should be solved by a stable political authority. I hope we will overcome them and catch the first train for (EU) enlargement and be part of that process. The parliament is ready to adopt constitutional amendments right away, but it is necessary to have an agreement that there will not be questions about (North Macedonia) identity going forward," says Gashi.

Radev's party won the elections in Bulgaria in the wake of mass public discontent and mass protests against high levels of corruption, which led to a political crisis that prevented the forming of a government for several years. Radev previously resigned as Bulgaria's president and formed his own party, 21TV recalled.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Private archive

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement that a graffiti spelling out "UCK" (Albanian for "KLA", "Kosovo Liberation Army"), that was scribbled on the road leading to the Brnjak administrative crossing, near Lake Gazivode in the municipality of Zubin Potok, is a threat and provocation against the Serb people in the north of Kosovo, as well as a consequence of the anti-Serb policy conducted by the government in Pristina.

The Office points out that Albin Kurti is a factor of instability in Kosovo and Metohija because he does not want peace and coexistence.

"The graffiti of the terrorist organization KLA in the municipality of Zubin Potok, near Lake Gazivode, is a new threat and provocation against the Serb people in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as a consequence of Pristina's anti-Serb policy. As we have been warning all along, Albin Kurti is a factor of instability in Kosovo and Metohija and someone who does not want coexistence and peace in these areas," the statement said.

Kurti bases his policy on anti-Serb rhetoric and chauvinism, but the Serbs in Kosovo are familiar with this "tactic", the statement added.

"Precisely because he has nothing else to offer to his voters, he bases his policy on anti-Serb rhetoric and actions and on fueling chauvinistic and ethnically motivated attacks and incidents directed against the Serb people. The Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija saw through his tactic a long time ago and are not falling for any provocations and scenarios coming from Pristina," stated the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

(Telegraf.rs/Kosovo Online)

Photo: Tanjug/Video

Leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and presidential advisor Milos Vucevic said on Monday that University of Belgrade Rector Vladan Djokic has violated all academic and legal norms.

"Politician Djokic is going from EU door to EU door, in order to slander Serbia. Today in Brussels, tomorrow who knows where. With the same task, to lobby against Serbia, to cause as much damage as possible to the people and the state," Vucevic said in a post on X, reacting to a meeting the rector of the University of Belgrade had with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

Vucevic pointed out that Djokic previously refused to talk to the president of his own country.

"He does not respect the institutions of his country, while in Brussels he humbly bows down. Resign as rector, a role you have disgraced and abused, then travel wherever you want, politician Djokic," was Vucevic's message.

Rector Djokic met with Marta Kos in Brussels on Monday, and information about the meeting was published by Kos on her X account, stating that universities must remain places of critical thinking and open debate.

According to some media, the topics of discussion were the situation in Serbia, the state of universities, the election process, the path to the EU and reforms.

Djokic previously said that he was ready to become politically engaged if the anti-government students ("blockaders") and citizens who support them ask him to do so.

According to the Law on Higher Education, political activity is not allowed at higher educational institutions.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: M. Boskovic

The number of foreigners who immigrated to Serbia during 2024 was 34,155, 17.2% less than the previous year, the Statistical Office of Serbia (RSZ) has announced.

At the same time, the number of foreign nationals who emigrated from Serbia was 17,331, up 12.2%.

Between 2014 and 2024, 167,244 foreigners immigrated to Serbia, while 72,512 emigrated from the country.

A positive migration balance of 94,732 was achieved.

Observed by gender, men accounted for 66.1% of the total number of foreigners who immigrated, while the share of women was 33.9%. Among foreigner nationals who emigrated from the country in the same period, the share of men was 74.2%, and women 25.8%.

In 2024, 34,155 foreign nationals immigrated to Serbia, while 17,331 emigrated the same year. The result of these migrations was a positive migration balance of foreign citizens, which amounted to 16,824 persons.

The largest share of the positive migration balance was achieved in the Belgrade region (8,932 persons), which participated in the total migration balance of foreigners with 53.1%.

At the same time, South and East Serbia regions participated the least (275 persons, 1,6%) in the total migration balance.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Printscreen: RTS

President Aleksandar Vucic said today that he believes that by the Orthodox holiday of Djurdjevdan (St. George's Day, May 6) or a few days after, it will be known when early parliamentary elections will be held in Serbia.

"I believe that we will know by Djurdjevdan or a few dasy after exactly when the elections will be held," Vucic said, answering questions from journalists as he was attending the opening of a new bridge over the Tamis River near Tomasevac.

His message for the opposition is they will have a chance to win.

"After all, they now ride a big wave from Hungary, they are a little quiet about Bulgaria and Slovenia, but well, that's the way it goes. They have a big wave and a huge opportunity. Everything is going their way. Maybe the people want them, if the people want them, we'll congratulate them, but then get ready, people, there won't be any new railways, they'll just have to shut them down, like they did before, there won't be any new roads, like there weren't any before, and there's no great philosophy to it. But let's wait, we'll fight," said Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Zagreb police

Another series of anonymous reports about bombs allegedly planted in schools in Croatia and Montenegro arrived today.

As many as 20 schools in the town of Split in Croatia received reports about bombs this morning, the students were evacuated, and the police went to the locations, Croatian media reports.

"This morning, we received information that an e-mail with identical content was sent to official e-mails of a number of schools in the Split-Dalmatia County, which stated that explosive devices were placed in the educational institutions," the police told N1 in Croatia.

According to this, police officers went to the field immediately after receiving the reports, and inspections of educational institutions and all necessary measures and actions will be carried out.

At the same time, students in two secondary schools in the town of Bar in Montenegro were evacuated during the morning following reports about planted bombs, and these cases are currently investigated by the police.

The Bar police told Podgorica-based Vijesti unofficially that their officers are in two schools - the Niko Rolovic grammar school and the Vocational High School in Bar.

They said that the students were evacuated and that the police will check the facilities.

The bomb threats also mentioned the Secondary Economic and Hospitality School which shares the building with the grammar school.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/RADE PRELIC

Ruling SNS party leader and adviser to the president Milos Vucevic spoke for Pink TV to say that he "will never forgive himself" because of one thing he gave up on while he served as the prime minister of Serbia.

"I will never forgive myself for abandoning the Law on Higher Education while I was prime minister, and for not allowing big foreign universities and faculties to come here, that is, (for not) being guided by the principle of competitiveness, allowing the most prestigious universities to come to Serbia and for our children to not go abroad, but to study at those prestigious universities in our country," Vucevic said, adding:

"We (could have) attracted children from other countries to come and study here. And with that, 'force' state universities to get serious and act in a much more responsible manner."

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Instagram/buducnostsrbijeav

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has congratulated Rumen Radev on the victory in the parliamentary elections held in neighboring Bulgaria.

"I congratulated Rumen Radev on his success and victory in the elections in Bulgaria.

I am convinced that this result will be an opportunity to strengthen stability and progress, as well as to improve cooperation between Serbia and Bulgaria in the spirit of good neighborly relations and common interests. Serbia remains committed to building partner relations and regional stability," stated Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs)

Foto: MUP

Serbian Deputy PM and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic said on Sunday that Serbia and the Serb Republic (RS, Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzgovina) are united in preserving the truth about the WW2 death camp Jasenovac and will never allow the crimes committed there to be relativized, or the number of victims to be presented as lower than it was.

Dacic stated the following in a post on Instagram:

"The commemoration of the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the NDH (Independent State of Croatia) Genocide in the Jasenovac concentration camp and its largest execution ground, Donja Gradina, carries a message of remembrance and warning.

In that place where human history has written its darkest pages, where an attempt was made to wipe out entire nations just because of their name, religion and origin, most monstrous crimes were committed against the innocent Serb, Jewish and Roma people.

We dedicate our memory to those who were guilty of being born. Over 20,000 children died (in Jasenovac). Every child whose life was extinguished there represents a wound in the heart of our people that will never fully heal. The Republic of Serbia and the Serb Republic stand united in preserving the truth, they will never allow the relativization of crimes and the reduction of the number of victims. It is our duty to remember, to never forget, to tell the truth about the Jasenovac martyrs and to preserve it.

Glory eternal and peace to them."

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: AP/Tanjug

The best tennis player of all time - Novak Djokovic, announced today that he will not compete at the Masters in Madrid, although this had been expected.

Due to injury, Djokovic will have to skip this tournament, and here is what the Serbian will be hoping for to happen in order to stay in a position that would give him much better chances at the upcoming Grand Slams in Paris and London.

The current ranking shows that Novak is fourth on the ATP list and 610 points behind Felix Auger Aliassime, who is in fifth position.

At the previous Masters in Madrid, the Canadian was defeated in the second round by Juan Manuel Cerundolo, so he won only 30 points, which is the number he will defend this year.

The calculations are clear - in order for Novak Djokovic to remain in fourth place, Felix Auger Aliassime must not reach the final, because in that case he would receive 650 points.

Even better news concerns Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz, who would both need to win the title in Madrid in order to climb to the number 4 spot in the ATP ranking.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Ostoja Juric

Prime Minister of Serbia Djuro Macut met today with President of Slovenia Natasa Pirc Musar on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026).

The interlocutors discussed improving bilateral relations between Serbia and Slovenia, with special reference to strengthening economic cooperation, investments and trade.

Prime Minister Macut and President Pirc Musar assessed that there is significant room for further deepening cooperation in numerous areas of mutual interest, including energy, infrastructure and innovation.

Macut pointed out the importance of an even more intense political dialogue, stressing the need for more frequent meetings between officials and joint meetings of the two governments.

The president of Slovenia said that relations between the two countries are at a high level and stressed that Serbia is one of Slovenia's main partners, as well as that economic relations are very developed.

She said that Slovenia will continue to support Serbia's EU path and its accession to the bloc.

Macut and Pirc Musar also spoke about current regional and international issues, where it was emphasized that the Western Balkans is a common priority, as well as the process of EU integration of the region.

The interlocutors expressed their determination to continue the political dialogue and further strengthen overall relations between the two countries.

The importance of stability and cooperation in the region was highlighted as a key prerequisite for economic development and progress of all countries in the Western Balkans, with an agreement to intensify contacts at all levels in the coming period in order to implement joint initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador of Serbia in Ankara Aca Jovanovic.

Prime Minister Macut leads the Serbian delegation at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026), "Mapping Tomorrow: Managing Uncertainties", which is held April 17-19 under the auspices of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

(Telegraf.rs)

Illustration; Photo: Tanjug/Jaroslav Pap

A powerful explosion occurred around 08:00 this morning in Vranje, in the immediate vicinity of the Bujkovski Most market. A passenger vehicle was destroyed in the blast, Telegraf.rs has learned.

According to unofficial information, the target was the car used by well-known MMA fighter Milos Kostic from Vranje.

Nobody has been injured, and the police are at the scene. Fortunately, at the time of the detonation, there was no one in the vehicle, nor its immediate vicinity. According to eyewitnesses, the detonation was extremely strong and disturbed the residents in the surrounding buildings and the vendors at the nearby market.

"There was a terrible bang, we thought something had exploded in the market. Only later did we see smoke and the police blocking off the whole neighborhood," said one of the passers-by.

Investigation in progress

Members of the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) immediately went to the scene and cordoned off the area. A police investigation is currently underway to determine what type of explosive was used, how the device was activated, and what the motive was.

Traffic in this part of the city temporarily slowed down, and more details are expected after the police in Vranje issue an official statement.

Kostic was previously involved in serious incidents. In April 2025, he was shot at from an AK-47 but managed to survive. In December 2023, he was involved in a shooting in a Vranje restaurant after getting into a fight with a local businessman. Kostic was injured on this occasion as well.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/RADE PRELIC

The leader of the ruling SNS party and adviser to the president of Serbia, Milos Vucevic, told Pink TV that the "blockaders" (anti-government protesters) are behaving irresponsibly toward their people because they refuse to talk to representatives of their state, but are instead defaming it.

"What is unacceptable is that you go to other countries and spit on your own and its citizens, constantly complaining. It's interesting that the same people who want to talk to everyone in Europe and the world, will not talk in their own state, will not have social dialogue that leads to social peace. Logically, the question arises, what would the country be like (if they came to power) since they don't engage in conversation? They sign petitions, demand elections, and then when they receive an invitation from the president of the Republic, they won't talk. But they will talk to Picula, Goci. These people show inconsistency and irresponsibility. What could they offer to the citizens tomorrow," asked Vucevic and added:

"And now we have a below average European politician, I would say that he is not someone who has much political weight in Europe. A man who challenges the president of a sovereign state, and then doesn't show up anywhere. And N1, who all the time provokes debates with them, and when the president says he is coming, then N1 says, you won't be our editor. If it wasn't funny it would be tragic. I repeat, it's worrying when the blockaders create divisions. They should be believed about one thing - when they talk about each other, that's when they should be believed."

Vucevic also said it was "an interesting moment" when Serbian National Assembly President Ana Brnabic scheduled a session to discuss trust in the government, and the opposition said this was "deceptive".

"They initiated the session themselves, and when it got scheduled, they said we were up to something. You're supposed to be thinking about the quorum. Without talks, there is no peace in the country, and we really need that. Dialogue leads us to elections. But it must exist even afterwards. I expect serious people to be running for office. I'm afraid they (opposition) are not accountable. We desperately need dialogue. It's now up to the president to assess the reach of the actors of that dialogue. It's not only a question of the date (of elections), but of Serbia's position," Vucevic said.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Milos Milivojevic

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut is leading Serbia's delegation taking part in the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which will be taking place in Turkey over the next two days.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is held under the auspices of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the theme of this year's forum is "Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties".

The gathering will bring together numerous officials, diplomats and representatives of international organizations, who will discuss key global political and security challenges.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Telegraf.rs

The Red Star (Crvena Zvezda) basketball players were defeated (103-82) last night by Real Madrid in an away game played in Movistar Arena in Madrid, so they will have to try to reach the EuroLeague play-in the hard way, through the play-offs.

Serbia's best tennis player, Novak Djokovic watched the game and supported Red Star, and he was accompanied by LA Laker's Luka Doncic.

An interesting moment was seen after the match, as Luka Doncic left his seat before the end, but Novak waited to applaud the players of both teams.

However, only three players approached him at the end to say hello, namely - one from Real Madrid and two from Red Star. They were Sergio Llull, Ognjen Dobric, and Dejan Davidovac.

Then Djokovic spoke with agent Misko Raznatovic, who also approached him in the stands.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Jadranka Ilic

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic spoke today by phone with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. According to a post on Vucic's official Instagram account, they had "an excellent and important conversation about bilateral cooperation, energy, regional stability and current geopolitical circumstances."

"An excellent and important conversation with Landau about bilateral cooperation, energy, regional stability and current geopolitical circumstances. Serbia attaches special importance to the development of strategic partnership and overall relations with the US, which we consider to be one of the key foreign policy partners.

We discussed strengthening energy security and stability of supplies, as well as challenges in the energy sector, including the functioning of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), with the aim of preserving market safety and predictability.

Speaking about regional and global trends, I said that preserving peace and stability is one of the imperatives for further development and progress of the Western Balkan region and the wider international environment.

Intensifying bilateral talks on all open issues is of key importance for strengthening trust and stability in our relations. I am convinced that Serbia and the US will continue to develop a strategic partnership through an open and continuous political dialogue," the president of Serbia wrote in the post.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Danilo Mijatovic

EPS (Electric Power Company of Serbia) General Director Dusan Zivkovic said today that EPS should be the operator of the country's future nuclear power plant, since as the largest energy company in the country, it has the development capacity for that role. He added that the focus should now be on educating future personnel.

Speaking at the expert meeting "Energy, Projects, Security" held on Mt. Zlatibor, Zivkovic pointed out that through the process of decarbonization, EPS understands that a new era is coming and that the basic energy source must be different.

Zivkovic stressed that countries that own nuclear power plants are among the most developed and that Serbia should find its place and space in this technology, EPS quoted him as saying in a statement.

"The most significant, strategic investment is the construction of the reversible hydroelectric power plant Bistrica and that project is making progress. We have location conditions for the power plant, which is the basis for further development of the project, and at the beginning of next week we will announce the initial tenders for infrastructure works," said Zivkovic.

Zivkovic added that natural gas is certainly a transitional energy source, as well as that the gas power plant in Nis is being discussed intensively.

He reminded that EPS has had very good financial and production results in the last three years.

"It's the result of the work of the team I lead, of all employees. Today, EPS is a stable, profitable company with clear, set plans for development. Over these three years, EPS has gained an additional capacity of 426 megawatts. We completed block B3 in Kostolac and provided 350MW of new safe, base power. We also put into operation our first wind farm in Kostolac, with a capacity of 66MW and a 10MW solar power plant Petka. We finished desulphurization plants in TENT A and TENT B (coal-powered plants)," said Zivkovic.

He stressed that now all Serbia's large thermal capacities have drastically reduced sulfur dioxide emissions, by as much as 30 times.

"We invested significant funds in environmental protection. We completed the revitalization of the reversible HPP Bajina Basta and ensured energy security for decades to come. By renovating the largest hydroelectric power plants, we gained another 100MW, and during the last few years the total is almost 550 megawatts of new power on the grid," said Zivkovic.

Speaking about the challenges, he pointed out that "we should insist on a solution for the CBAM tax for energy produced from OIE, because in this way, 550MW from wind farms with an annual production of up to 2,000 GWh could generate up to 250 million euros in income from energy exports."

Zivkovic also said that currently energy from the region is uncompetitive in the EU, and that the EU itself often lacks energy.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Telegraf.rs

A drama that unfolded today in Rovinjska Street 12 in Belgrade has had a fatal outcome.

A man who was initially believed to be a worker of the Geological Institute of Serbia,  has died despite the efforts of the doctors, Telegraf.rs has learned. According to reports later in the day, the victim was a passer-by who stopped by the scene when he was taken ill.

Although the structure was on fire, the initial results of the investigation indicate that the man may not have died as a direct result of suffocation or burns. There is reasonable suspicion that the unfortunate man died of natural causes, possibly due to heart failure caused by the extreme stress and shock.

The prosecution has ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Belgrade, which will provide a definitive answer.

Details from the scene

The fire broke out around noon in the facility owned by the Geological Institute.

In addition to the worker who died, two others received medical help due to the shock they suffered.

As of the early afternoon firefighters were still at the scene, extinguishing the blaze and searching through the affected area.

Investigation in progress

The police have cordoned off the area in Rovinjska Street, as investigative teams are trying to determine how the fire broke. The two men who witnessed the event are in a state of severe shock and have been provided with psychological help.

Traffic in this part of the city is slow. An official statement from the Geological Institute is expected.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagic/bs

The president of the National Assembly, Ana Brnabic, says that by not enabling the holding of a session where the opposition proposal for a vote of no confidence in the Government of Serbia was on the agenda, opposition deputies showed fear and panic from early parliamentary elections.

"Those who shout 'Vucic, coward, call elections' on a daily basis - when it came to the possibility of the government falling, that is, the possibility to cast a vote of no confidence, to consider, at their request, whether there is trust in the government in the Assembly, they suddenly became engulfed in a vortex of chaos and panic that the government might actually fall, and that there would be early parliamentary elections," Brnabic told Pink TV.

She added that not only the "blockaders" from the former government, but also those who occupied the faculties, as well as the rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Djokic, do not want elections, and added that all of them only want - for Serbia to stop.

According to Brnabic, some opposition deputies are now saying that it is not in their interest to have "pro-European laws" adopted in the National Assembly.

"Biljana Djordjevic from the Green-Left Front (ZLF), the so-called pro-European option, said, and I quote, 'It's not in our interest to adopt pro-European laws'. Why? Because instead of helping Serbia on its European path, they are making it harder. Here you have blockader politicians who say, 'We are pro-European, but it's not in our interest to adopt pro-European laws in the parliament, because that will be good for Serbia, and what is good for Serbia is bad for us'," said Brnabic.

The session of the Serbian National Assembly, whose agenda includes a no confidence vote proposal submitted by 62 opposition deputies, has been rescheduled for tomorrow, the Assembly announced on Thursday.

That session was originally scheduled for today, but due to a lack of quorum, it had to be postponed.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/Jadranka Ilic

The president of the Missing Persons Commission, Veljko Odalovic, says that the adoption of a so-called resolution "on protection of historical truth and dignity of war victims" represents an attempt by Pristina to grant amnesty to all those who committed crimes against Serbs.

Odalovic told RTS that it was an attempt to impose "one truth" and prohibit any other view.

"This resolution absolutely only identifies what they establish and their truth and their angle. It is a ban on any other truth or mention of anything else," Odalovic said.

He believes that it is no coincidence that the assembly of the self-proclaimed state is taking such a stance at this moment, with all political parties representing Kosovo Albanians behind it.

"The initiator of this resolution is the party of Hashim Thaci, who is awaiting the (Hague) verdict against him," said Odalovic.

According to him, the resolution demands that the criminal code of self-proclaimed Kosovo be amended and that penal provisions be included against anyone who tries to in any way to explain and tell the truth about an event.

Asked how the international community is reacting to the resolution, Odalovic pointed out that a large part of the responsibility for what happened in Kosovo and Metohija lies with the international community.

Secretary of the Association of the Families of Kidnapped and Missing Persons in Kosovo and Metohija, Olgica Bozanic, nee Kostic, who had 15 members of her family either murdered or kidnapped by the KLA ("Kosovo Liberation Army") - two of her brothers being among the victims - stressed that she will not give up the fight for the truth.

"It's important for us, as representatives of the association, to have good cooperation with the Commission of the Government of the Republic of Serbia. No one can deny that crimes against Serbs took place because we are the living, surviving members of the families who are rightly demanding answers about what happened to our loved ones," said Bozanic.

She added that it was regrettable that representatives of the provisional institutions in Pristina have never shown respect toward Serb victims.

"It's sad, and we heard that from representatives of the families of missing Albanians informally, not publicly. They weren't even allowed to speak publicly because they were under pressure," says Bozanic.

She stressed that until 2005, her family held on to the hope that her brothers would be found alive, however, in April 2005, the Volujak mass grave near Klina was opened, where the remains of her brothers and other victims were destroyed with explosives.

"Then we waited for a year and a half for the burned and destroyed samples to be matched with the blood samples taken from our relatives. In 2006, we buried eleven members of the Kostic family, four Bozanics, in Orlovaca (cemetary). The youngest was Nemanja Bozanic, who had turned 16 on May 5, and was kidnapped on July 18 the same year along with his father, uncle, and a cousin," said Bozanic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Marko Jovanovic, Nikola Tomic

Last night a bloody confrontation took place in the Brace Jerkovic settlement in Belgrade, in which Marko K. (44), a GSP driver, was injured.

After the incident, the attacker left his car and walked away in an unknown direction.

The horror that took place last night disturbed citizens in the Vozdovac municipalty. According to information we obtained, a verbal conflict over the right of way escalated into a physical attack and then into an attempt to drive over the victim.

Clash started at bus stop

It all started when the city bus, traveling on route 18, stopped at a bus stop for passengers to get off. At that moment, the driver of a Citroen blocked the way in front of the bus, making it impossible for it to move.

After a short verbal argument, the Citroen driver approached the bus driver's window and stabbed Marko K. twice in the arm.

Attempt to run victim over and collision

Despite his injuries, the enraged bus driver got out of the vehicle and kicked the attacker's car. Then the situation almost turned deadly.

The driver of the Citroen suddenly stepped on the gas in order to run Marko K. over.

Fortunately, he missed the bus driver, but because of the speed at which he was traveling, he lost control and crashed into a parked vehicle.

After the collision, the aggressive driver abandoned his car at the scene and fled on foot.

Condition of victim

Marko K. was rushed to the Military Medical Academy (VMA) in an ambulance, where he received treatment. The extent of his injuries has not yet been officially confirmed, but according to initial information, his life is not in danger.

"It was terrible, there was shouting, and then the car hit another hard. The driver just ran and disappeared in the dark before the police arrived," one of the eyewitnesses told our portal.

The police carried out an investigation and are intensively searching for the driver of the Citroen, whose identity is known to the law enforcement thanks to him abandoning the vehicle.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Profimedia/Peter Dejong/AFP

General Ratko Mladic has suffered a minor stroke and is now in a very serious condition, according to his Darko Mladic.

Darko Mladic told the SRNA agency that it happened on Friday, April 10, and that he expects to receive documentation from the healthcare service of the tribunal in The Hague, to understand what exactly happened.

"The general was transferred to the hospital, then they sent him back to the detention unit the same day. He most likely had a mild stroke. They promised us that they would send us that documentation. Apart from the oral conversation with the doctor, we have not received anything. We are waiting for them to send us the results (of medical tests), which they performed the same day, but we have not received anything yet," said Darko Mladic.

According to him, Ratko Mladic is in a very serious condition and can no longer even sit in a wheelchair, and is communicating poorly.

SRNA is reporting that Ratko Mladic has had several strokes and suffers from serious cardiovascular issues resulting in high blood pressure, neurological damage, and kidney disease.

Ratko Mladic has been hospitalized several times and has undergone various medical and therapeutic interventions, including surgeries on his heart and legs.

Ratko Mladic has been held in the detention hospital in The Hague since 2024.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Shutterstock, Tanjug/Milos Milivojevic

It will remain partially overcast but warm in Serbia until Friday. In the afternoon, showers with thunder are expected in the southwest, south, and southeast of Serbia.

Maximum temperatures until the end of the week will range from 18 to 24°C.

Already on Monday, the weather will change, bringing more rain, showers and thunderstorms, along with a drop in temperatures, so in the middle of next week it will be cooler, occasionally with precipitation.

Maximum temperatures will be around 15°C.

Therefore, a change in weather and cooling is expected from April 20.

According to current forecasts, the weather will stabilize from April 25 and the temperatures will gradually increase, to reach around 25°C towards the end of the month.

(Telegraf.rs)

Printscreen: RTS

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said today that it is the citizens of Serbia who decide who will be in power in our country, and that some people go into the election processes with "the unbearable ease of irresponsibility" and always "win" - but before elections actually take place, and once they are over, those people do not know how to congratulate the one they lost to, but look for someone to blame.

Responding to a journalist asking him to comment on the claims made by certain opposition-oriented media that "the Hungarian scenario will be repeated in Serbia," Vucic said that he has been hearing such stories since the fall of the former prime minister of Romania, Victor Ponta.

"So they said, 'there he is, Vucic's main friend in the region, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponte is out of office, Vucic is next'. Do you know how many prime ministers of Romania have come and gone in the meantime? Six or seven. And I saw each of them, talked to them and so on. So much for that. They were saying the same in relation to Sebastian Kurtz. In 2020 we heard that in relation to Milo Djukanovic, Zoran Zajev, and every time it was, 'Vucic is next'," he remarked.

Vucic added that the only problem for him is that some people in Serbia think that foreigners should decide who will be in power.

"Therefore, the problem is in their heads. The citizens of Serbia are the ones who decide who will be in power in Serbia, and that is why the citizens of Serbia support me, not them (opposition)," Vucic pointed out.

He added that opposition leaders here will never be have the sense of responsibility like those in Italy, who stood up for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni when US President Donald Trump attacked her, and when they told Trump that he cannot attack their country's prime minister, and that Italy is a sovereign country.

"That's how responsible opposition leaders behave, which ours never have been, and never will be, and that's why the people know how to choose very well. And I like those who go into the electoral processes with the unbearable ease of irresponsibility and always win, but before elections. And when the elections are over, they don't know how to congratulate the one they lost to, but start whining that someone else, a third party is to blame. At this moment, we have many other, important things that we must discuss, problems that we have to we solve and people know who is dealing with their problems, who is working to provide a better standard of living, and who on the other hand is dedicated to themselves and their own position - and people will make their decision accordingly," said President Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/Rade Prelic

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic met today with top officials of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army, as well as the entire leadership of the Serb Republic (RS, Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The meeting started a little after 08:00 in the building of the General Staff of the Serbian Army in the Banjica 2 Barracks in Belgrade, and lasted about two hours.

"(We discussed) the state of our military power, defense potentials, defense capacities, and I would say the capacities that we are still planning to acquire so that we can further improve those capabilities. Today, as the commander-in-chief of the Serbian Army, I proposed developing and adopting a robotization strategy, forming a battalion-level unit equipped with robotic platforms, carrying out organizational preparations for the formation of divisions and battalions using long-range attack drones and loitering munition, training special reconnaissance units that determine target coordinates to guide artillery and aircraft fire, further equipping and training (personnel) to use of drones in other units, and I would say I presented historical lessons from our officer. Many of them are legendary commanders from the time of the NATO aggression, there are also many young people who have learned from them and from others," said Vucic.

"The digitization and robotization of our army, I told the officers to participate in that with enthusiasm," he added.

"The security situation is more complex than in January, primarily due to the actions of the triple alliance (Albania, Croatia, Pristina). In the coming days, we will sign big and important contracts to buy weapons and military equipment, we are expecting big and important visits, we've made large orders for our army, the units are filled with soldiers and supplied with weapons like never before, I am never satisfied, but progress is evident," the president said.

"Nothing will slide past us, we will see everything, we will have a strong air defense," Vucic said.

(Telegraf.rs)

Traditionally, a bank was perceived as a symbol of stability and strength - a large building, complex infrastructure, well-established processes, and attentive service. It was an institution people turned to, trusted, and that visually and organizationally demonstrated its significance.

Today, this model is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Physical presence, architecture, personnel, and familiar forms of interaction are losing relevance. The question arises: can all of this truly be replaced by a digital interface on a smartphone - and if so, what remains of the very concept of a bank?

This transition cannot be unequivocally described as either a crisis or a breakthrough. Rather, it is a new reality in which familiar forms disappear and their functions are reinterpreted. And it is important to acknowledge: there will be no return to the previous model.

How a Neobank Differs from a Banking Ecosystem

Let us begin with the basics. It is important to distinguish between neobanks and banking ecosystems. To the uninitiated, they may appear identical: both have apps, marketplaces, delivery services, subscriptions, sleek interfaces, and discounts for every occasion. But the difference between them is roughly the same as between a startup and a corporation trying to “act like a startup.”

A neobank is a bank that was born digital and has never known any other existence. It never had marble offices, queues at service desks, or folders filled with stamped paperwork. It appeared directly as an app, a service, a product. A neobank does not reminisce about how “things used to be better,” because it simply had no “before.” It operates according to the logic of IT: it launches quickly, makes mistakes quickly, fixes them quickly, and moves on.

A banking ecosystem is a different story. It is a large traditional bank that at some point realized the world had changed and decided to change with it. It begins building services around itself: marketplaces, delivery, healthcare, education, taxi services - everything that can be neatly connected to the banking core. An ecosystem is an attempt to expand a conventional bank into a “super-app” without dismantling it entirely.

Put simply: a neobank was first a technology and then became a bank. A banking ecosystem was first a bank and then tried to become a technology.

A neobank is lightweight, fast, and sometimes bold. It does not worry about fitting a new product into an old organizational structure - it simply creates it. An ecosystem moves more cautiously: it must account for legacy systems, regulators, millions of customers, and complex internal mechanics. It is more powerful and larger in scale, but slower.

It is important to understand: ecosystems are not “bad,” and neobanks are not “good.” They are simply different stages of evolution. Ecosystems are a compromise between the past and the future. Neobanks are a forward-looking model without looking back. The market has already decided that both models will coexist - but with different roles.

Ecosystems will become large digital continents. Neobanks will serve as fast, intelligent navigators within the new financial reality. And perhaps it is the neobanks that will teach ecosystems how to live without the heavy legacy of the past.

Foto: Promo

When a Bank Stops Being a Bank

Not long ago, a bank was a place you had to visit - preferably during working hours, with a passport, documents, and patience. Its world consisted of branches, counters, stamps, and internal regulations that customers preferred not to know about. This model seemed immutable for decades - until smartphones appeared in people’s hands.

In recent years, it has become clear to many that a bank as an institution is no longer necessary. What is needed is a service - fast, intuitive, and preferably invisible. Financial operations have moved into mobile apps, user expectations have changed, and money itself has ceased to be an “event.” It simply has to work, without unnecessary steps or physical visits.

The modern bank no longer stands apart. It dissolves into everyday life and becomes a platform that combines finance with commerce, delivery, logistics, subscriptions, and business services. What matters is not the range of features, but how seamlessly users move between them. If everything works, the bank is invisible. If not, it becomes noticeable - and that is a bad sign.

The Neobank as a Living Organism

Neobanks fit especially naturally into this new reality. They did not “digitize branches” - they never had branches. They were born as applications and think like technologies. That is why they are often compared to living organisms.

A neobank has sensory systems - data, analytics, transactions, and user behavior. It has a nervous system - algorithms and machine learning that make decisions faster than any committee. It has organs - payments, lending, marketplaces, logistics, insurance, communications. And, of course, immunity - antifraud and cybersecurity, because in the digital world, survival without them is impossible.

As a result, a neobank reacts to market changes not “by regulation,” but situationally. Where a traditional bank needs months of approvals, a neobank may need weeks or even days. Speed becomes not just an advantage, but a condition for survival. In a world where users become accustomed to convenience within a day, slow decisions simply stop working.

A Banker Without Borders or Time Zones

The profession of banking itself is also changing. The bank of the future is no longer a network of branches, but a distributed team of people located across countries, time zones, and cultural contexts. Geography matters less than competence.

The modern banker increasingly resembles a product architect rather than a person behind a counter. This is an analyst, developer, data specialist, AI expert, and digital platform designer. The task is not to service processes, but to design a system that operates autonomously.

Thus, a bank increasingly resembles an IT company, while financial products become just one module within a larger digital structure. Money remains important, but no longer central. What matters most is how quickly, conveniently, and invisibly the bank integrates into people’s lives.

How the Market Is Already Reshaping

Looking at the global market, it is clear that neobanking is no longer a local experiment. In the United Kingdom, Monzo and Starling Bank live in the smartphones of millions and have long replaced “traditional” banks. In continental Europe, Revolut and N26 have turned banking apps into universal financial tools. In the United States, Chime is growing faster than many traditional players. It is proven: banks no longer need giant offices to be influential - a convenient interface, speed, and effective data use are enough.

Russia is not an exception, but rather a testing ground. Neobanking is developing particularly quickly - the market is large, users are demanding, and tolerance for inconvenience is declining. Several players already demonstrate what the financial sector will look like in the coming years.

T-Bank: A Bank That Never Became an Office

Tinkoff started as one of Russia’s first fully digital banks and challenged conventions from the beginning. It had no branches, but it had technology, analytics, and an understanding of how people actually use money. Around the banking core grew an entire environment: cards, loans, investments, business services, subscriptions, marketplace offerings, and loyalty programs. It proved that a bank can be fully digital and still scale.

Today, in Russia it operates under the brand T-Bank, while the model has gained new life abroad. In Mexico, a former team launched Plata - a branchless digital bank with cashback, installments, delivery, and a mobile app where everything happens in a few clicks. Rapid growth, hundreds of thousands of customers, and billion-dollar valuations show that the neobank model is universal.

Finstar: A Neobank Factory, Not Just an Investor

Finstar Financial Group demonstrates how one can participate in banking transformation without launching a bank. With assets of around $2 billion, the group operates at the intersection of finance and technology, investing in and launching fintech projects in more than 30 countries. Online lending, scoring, automation, and digital lending platforms - the building blocks of neobanks.

Finstar does not limit itself to passive investment. It acts as a production line: creating startups, restructuring companies, implementing technologies, and preparing projects for scaling. This approach shows fintech is no longer an experiment but a full-fledged industry.

Sber: When a Traditional Bank Becomes an Ecosystem

Sber is a special case. It is not a neobank, but an example of a traditional bank adapting by expanding into an ecosystem. Under Herman Gref’s leadership, services unrelated to banking emerged: e-commerce, delivery, telemedicine, education, insurance, cloud solutions.

The 2020 rebranding formalized this shift: Sber declared itself a technology company, with finance as only one function. The ecosystem now spans daily scenarios and has become a benchmark for the industry.

Kaspi Bank: When Banking Becomes the Background of Everyday Life

Kaspi is neither a pure neobank nor a traditional bank in the conventional sense. It is a rare case where a financial institution gradually and consistently accumulated services until it ultimately transformed into a fully-fledged super app. In Kazakhstan, Kaspi is not just a bank but a universal digital tool without which everyday life is difficult to imagine. About 13.5 million people use the application each month — a figure comparable to the majority of the country’s adult population. For many, it is the first app they open in the morning and the last they close in the evening.

Within a single interface, Kaspi integrates everything that is usually scattered across dozens of services: payments and transfers, loans and installment plans, online shopping, a marketplace, delivery, and business tools. Kaspi is designed so that users do not “go to the bank” — they simply live within the app, pay bills, make purchases, transfer money, and handle daily tasks without thinking about where finance ends and services begin.

Kaspi’s defining feature is that it has effectively become the country’s digital operating system. A significant share of payments and purchases flows through it, while thousands of entrepreneurs use the platform as their core infrastructure for commerce and payment acceptance. As a result, Kaspi has moved beyond being merely a financial service and has taken on the role of a central node in the economy — a clear example of how a bank can quietly evolve into the foundation of a nation’s digital life.

A Moment of Humor: When Your Neobank Knows Too Much About You

One of the surprises of neobanks is that they know us extremely well - sometimes even better than we know ourselves. While traditional banks quietly kept the secret of our overdrafts for years, digital banks behave differently: they do not judge, but they honestly reflect reality. And, as it turns out, not everyone is ready for that.

For example, the British neobank Monzo regularly reminds users how many times in a month they visited McDonald’s, Starbucks, or ordered delivery. Just dry analytics, no commentary. Yet that is precisely where the drama lies. Users began sharing screenshots: “19 McDonald’s transactions this month.” The caption: “I’m not ready for this level of honesty in a relationship.” Monzo said nothing — it simply looked users in the eye through data. And that proved more painful than any bank call.

The American neobank Chime also became a source of memes, albeit for more everyday reasons. On rare occasions, salaries arrived slightly later in the morning than usual — and the reactions followed. Users wrote on social media: “Chime, if you need coffee, just say so — I’ll wait for my paycheck.” Or: “My bank wakes up later than I do, but I still love it.” In a traditional bank, such a situation would have triggered a wave of formal complaints. In a neobank, it produced a stream of memes and friendly teasing. Because here, the bank is no longer a strict institution — it is almost a living character.

Sometimes neobanks even become part of family pedagogy. Monzo offers children’s cards, and parents began using them to teach financial literacy. But, as usual, children went further. They turned transfers into a real household role-playing economy: “Take out the trash — £1,” “Hug the cat — £0.50,” “Stay quiet for 10 minutes — priceless.” Parents thought they were teaching children about money, while the children built their own quest-based reward system. A payments app unexpectedly became a platform for family gamified capitalism.

All these stories may seem humorous, but they reveal something important. Neobanks have ceased to be faceless structures. They live alongside users, react to their habits, and become part of everyday life — sometimes too candid, sometimes unexpectedly human. And if a bank can become the subject of memes, then it has clearly stopped being just a bank.

Why the Bank in Your Smartphone Will Win

Traditional banks are not doomed because they are bad, but because they are too heavy. Their physical infrastructure — offices, branches, queues, large staff, and complex IT systems — made sense in the past, but in the digital economy it has turned into costly ballast. Maintaining it is becoming increasingly difficult, and explaining to users why they should travel to a branch is becoming even harder.

Against this backdrop, the bank in a smartphone appears strikingly efficient. It does not need buildings, it does not require on-site personnel, and it does not need time to “run approvals.” It serves millions of users, operates around the clock, and updates faster than users can get used to the interface. This is no longer just a technological advantage — it is a different economic model. Faster, cheaper, and closer to real life.

It is also important that, ultimately, users do not care what this model is called — whether it is a neobank or an ecosystem. They are not interested in organizational structures or regulatory classifications. They care about one thing: that everything works in a single application, without unnecessary steps or surprises. Money should arrive on time, payments should be instant, and services should be available when needed.

In the coming years, the bank will finally cease to be a separate element in a person’s life. It will become a background service. Risk management and lending will move into algorithms, borders between countries will lose significance, and the financial function will dissolve within super apps, where payments coexist with logistics, healthcare, education, and government services.

Ultimately, the winners will not be those with the most branches, nor even those who first called themselves a “neobank.” The winners will be those who become convenient, invisible, and reliable companions for users. Because in the future, a bank has only one place — in the smartphone. Everything else will remain in history.

(Telegraf.rs/PR)

Photo: TANJUG/ RADE PRELIC/ bg

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Adrijana Mesarovic met yesterday with ambassadors of Poland, Greece, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Austria and Romania, regarding the problems faced by Serbian professional drivers.

"A constructive meeting with representatives of the Polish embassy in order to overcome the challenges in solving the problems of professional drivers, when it comes to them doing their jobs in the territory of EU member states. We continue the talks with the aim of finding sustainable solutions, in line with the policy of peace, progress and development conducted by President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian Progressive Party led by Milos Vucevic," the minister wrote on Instagram.

Mesarovic also held a meeting with a representative of the Greek embassy.

After talking with the representative of Greece, the minister met with Slovakia's ambassador to Serbia. Mesarovic also had a constructive meeting with the ambassador of Bulgaria, and also with the aim of overcoming challenges in solving the problems faced by professional drivers.

A constructive meeting was also held with Austrian and Romanian ambassadors to Serbia.

The minister will meet with representatives of the Italian embassy today.

Professional drivers are blocking border crossings with Montenegro because of the Brussels' decision to reduce the period of stay in EU countries, as well as because of the EES system. Carriers say that additional solutions must be found with the Schengen countries.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Jadranka Ilic

President Aleksandar Vucic will on Wednesday, April 15, hold a meeting with top officials of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army, the presidential press service announced today.

The meeting will be start at 08:00 in the Banjica 2 Barracks in Belgrade.

Statements for the media are planned for after the meeting.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Nikola Tomic

After the commemoration held in the Belgrade City Assembly, Dusko Vujosevic, the legendary basketball coach who died last Wednesday, was today laid to rest in the New Cemetery.

Several thousand people gathered to attend the funeral, during which it started to rain heavily. All those who were at the commemoration continued to the New Cemetery to say goodbye to their friend, the legend, the man they respected.

Apart from representatives of KK (basketball club) Partizan - Ostoja Mijailovic, members of the staff led by Joan Penarroya, Vanja Marinkovic and Aleksej Pokusevski - Partizan basketball players who were in the past coached by Vujosevic also showed up: Novica Velickovic, Joffrey Lauvergne and his wife, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Milenko Tepic, Uros Tripkovic, Slavko Vranes, Dusan Kecman, Cedomir Vitkovac...

Fellow basketball coach Zeljko Obradovic was among the first to arrive, as were other Partizan legends like Predrag Danilovic, Aleksandar Beric, Mladjan Silobad, Vujosevic's associates from Partizan Vlada Jovanovic and Velimir Gasic... Moka Slavnic was also there, as well as Vlade Djurovic and Darko Milicic.

Vladimir Kuzmanovic, Vule Avdalovic, Neno Asceric, Milija Vojinovic, Misko Raznatovic with Dubai players Aleks Avramovic, Dzanan Musa, Klemen Prepelic were in attendance.

Representatives of the Partizan football club were also there - Rasim Ljajic, Danko Lazovic and Predrag Mijatovic - as well as a number of footballers, such as Sasa Zdjelar, while coach Srdjan Blagojevic and Dragan Bjelogrlic also paid their respects. Former Red Star football coach Aleksandar Jankovic was among the mourners.

Politicians Ivica Dacic and Milorad Dodik attended the funeral, as well as singer Aco Pejovic, Stefan Cvijovic, Milan Djurdjevic, and many other public figures.

Partizan supporters representing various groups and a large number of citizens all turned up to expressed their deep respect.

Apart from Dusko Vujosevic's family, his most faithful friend, Zuta the dog, was also at the cemetery today.

(Telegraf.rs)

Printscreen: Tanjugrs

One of Serbian Army's most elite units, Kobre ("Cobras") special purpose military police unit, is today marking its day. Those who don't know the words, "I can't" and I "won't" are sent to where the tasks are the most difficult to accomplish and the responsibility is the greatest. Today we celebrate top training, iron discipline and unconditional loyalty to the fatherland.

The ceremony took place in the Vasa Carapic Barracks in Belgrade, and was attended by President Aleksandar Vucic.

The president inspected the unit and greeted the soldiers. This was followed by a salute to the flag and the sounding of the national anthem of the Republic of Serbia, God of Justice.

The ceremony began with a minute of silence in honor of the fallen Kobre soldiers.

"Thank you for being here, dear veterans, for always being there for your country, for your Serbia. I am honored and proud to see you. We were building something that was not cheap. We built it thanks to your willingness, sense of belonging and professionalism," said Vucic.

"I have not seen such a serious and responsible approach in other parts of the system," noted the president.

"When there was a crisis in Kosovo and Metohija, Kobre soldiers responded 100 percent. Not a single young woman, not a single young man, took one step back. I am immensly greateful for that," said Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Shutterstock

At a time when the political map of the region is changing after the Hungarian elections, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says that key projects between the two countries will not be called into question, but admits that the negotiations about the fate of NIS are entering the most sensitive phase. After speaking to MOL Group representatives, it is clear that both parties hold strong positions, but also an interest in reaching an agreement.

Printscreen: RTS

The fate of NIS (Petroleum Industry of Serbia) now depends on a compromise that must be reached quickly, because Serbia is facing concrete deadlines and serious conditions. Vucic stresses that Serbia cannot accept additional obligations when it comes to the operation of the Pancevo refinery, but believes that there is room for a solution that will satisfy both parties. The negotiations are intense, and the outcome could define the country's energy stability in the years to come.

And while a balance is being sought with Hungarian partners, the global situation further complicates things. Vucic is openly warning that the energy market is entering a phase of serious instability. The price of oil is rising sharply, and shortages are already a reality, which the president says will be felt first through problems with kerosene. But he also says that despite that, Serbia has managed to secure an amount of reserves that could soften the first blow.

Photo: Shutterstock

However, even that does not instill a sense of complete security. "Nothing is sufficient when you have complete madness in the world," says Vucic, noting that the crisis will not affect only the energy sector. Disruptions in food supply, as well as in plastic and parts for the auto industry are expected, which directly threatens industrial production. The state tried to ease the pressure by reducing excise duties, but this also means less revenues for the budget, which is only sustainable now thanks to previously created financial reserves.

Despite everything, the president insists that Serbia is not giving up on its development. Plans for new investments remain in focus, and there are announcement that Serbia could start manufacturing humanoid robots as early as in June. If this is realized, our country would be among only a few European countries with such technological capacity, which would mean taking a big step towards the industry of the future.

At the same time, major infrastructure works are taking place throughout the country, which, according to announcements, should be completed by the end of the year. The ambition is for Serbia to look completely different in just six months, with new construction sites and an investment cycle that should absorb global shocks.

Photo: Shutterstock

However, one key risk hovers over everything - the global security situation. Vucic is warning in particular about possible complications in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important energy crossroads in the world. Any escalation in that region could further disrupt markets and endanger supply chains.

In such an environment, Serbia is trying to balance between crisis and development, between shortages and investments. The key message from top state leadership is clear - stability is no longer taken for granted, but is defended and negotiated on a daily basis.

(Telegraf Biznis)

Printscreen: RTS

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday that he spoke with MOL representatives and that they expect to sign an agreement with Serbia soon, regarding NIS.

"Today we had a conversation with representatives of MOL and they expect to sign a shareholder agreement with us soon, and I believe they will be ready for that. Of course, it isn't easy to sign it because they have some difficult conditions, we have some difficult conditions for them. In any case, ours concern is the work of the (Pancevo) refinery and the fact that we cannot take on more obligations than we had with the Russians. So, they have some demands of their own, but I believe that we will find a compromise solution and solve it," Vucic told RTS.

He added that MOL is determination is to continue the talks with both Serbians and Russians, as discussed in the previous period, and to conclude them.

Vucic reminded that the deadline for reaching an agreement has been extended until May 22, and that there is a license to operate the refinery until April 17.

"I expect and hope that the license will be extended, because we worked, our Hungarian friends worked, and I believe that J.D. Vance was informed about it during his stay in Budapest, and I think that in the worst case scenario, we should hope or expect favorable news in that regard," said Vucic.

He added that he hopes that all the projects that have been agreed with Hungary in the previous period, while Viktor Orban was the prime minister, will survive after Magyar takes office.

Vucic pointed out that "the question of all questions" is the construction of a 108-kilometer oil pipeline from Novi Sad to the town of Algyo in Hungary.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/Jadranka Ilic

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said last night that Serbia will extend its hand to the future prime minister of Hungary, Peter Magyar and to the Hungarian government, but that he will not tolerate "any humiliation or anything of the kind from anyone".

Vucic appeared on RTS and was asked to comment on Magyar saying that he will insist that the investigation into the explosives that were recently found near the northern Serbian town of Kanjiza - close to the border with Hungary and a gas pipeline - must be completed, and that it must be determined what happened there, Vucic said that Serbia will continue, and complete the investigation in a very professional and objective manner.

"We will inform him, as good neighbors, as, we believe, good friends, about what our investigation has uncovered and point out to him that he was wrong when he believed the babble of the tabloids and others who said that somebody set something up," said Vucic.

He added that a lot has been established in the investigation so far, but that "we did not want to talk about it because there were many hooks and baits" around the issue.

"Because someone wanted us to say that an embassy here received a call from a Pristina phone number, so that stories would be told about it and one side would be accused of something. And we deliberately didn't want to let the public know about it," added Vucic.

He also said that Serbia is conducting the investigations in a very professional and objective manner.

"This is not his (Magyar's) country and he has no authority whatsoever to conduct investigations in this country. We do it in a very, very professional and objective manner. I was silent even when they lied that someone had set it up and that it was a false flag and all that, because I did not want to interfere in the (Hungarian) elections," said Vucic.

Commenting on Magyar saying that he "knows who is behind" the relationship between Robert Fico, Viktor Orban, and Vucic, the president of Serbia said that the three of them have a common denominator, and that it is freedom.

"Our common denominator is freedom. Freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of action. It is the love for our countries, more than anyone and anything else on the globe. Well, that is what our common denominator is," Vucic said.

He added that it is known who his friend is, and that he is not turning his back on his friend in good or bad times.

As for Magyar saying that he hopes that the good relations between the two countries will continue, Vucic said that he believes they will talk in the future and will know how to say what they think to each other's faces.

Vucic added that he met Magyar when his wife brought him to one of the meetings he had with Viktor Orban.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: NIkola Tomic

Blair Cadet is a young, beautiful, successful, proud African-American, a woman with perfect manners and education, indispensable at elite social events in - now comes the twist - Belgrade, Serbia.

Her TikTok and Instagram reels are loved in Serbia, regardless of political, sports or any other affiliation: people love her because she talks about Serbia and Serbs with so much love and respect, that there simply is no choice but to love her.

She often points out that it was only here that she felt what it's like to live in a country unburdened by any form of racism, and how people here see her as a person, rather than through the prism of color.

Unfortunately, Blair did experience an ugly racist incident a few weeks ago (a woman insulted her on racial basis), and that was one of the reasons to host her at Telegraf and talk with her about work, Belgrade, history, life...

Blair was raised in Massachusetts, in the US, she is 36, and before coming here us she traveled almost the entire planet. She first revealed to us why she decided to live and work in our capital:

"First of all thank you for having me here and I'm so happy to give this interview and share more about my story, and why Serbia. I mean, why not Serbia? I've lived ina lot of, I guess, odd countries, and I just pick in on the map. It was either Belgrade or Tirana at the time, and I just chose Belgrade. I had no idea what to expect, I had no idea about the people, the history, the religion, I just came here with an open mind, because I'd been abroad for ten years, and it's always good to go into a country with an open mind, and expect nothing, and everything just fell into place.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

Blair, you have your own business in Serbia, and a successful one. What is it that you do?

"Yes, I have my company, ABC Experiences and Events d.o.o. Beograd. And that was really attractive for Serbia because as a foreigner, it was easy to set up a company. I provide relocation services, so for foreigners who want to set up a company or buy property, those are my ideal clients. Especially in today's world, a lot of Americans, they want options. People want to find a place where they can easily set up a company with not, you know, two million in capital, and Serbia is very welcoming to foreigners, people that want to start businesses, people that want to invest. I also organize events, I have my "afternoon tea parties" which I introduced about three years ago. And I'm a spokeswoman for a marketing agency providing citizenship by investment.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

What makes working and living in Serbia good? Why would somebody from the US come here and develop their business?

When people say, why come here when I'm American - I don't know, maybe because I'm privileged, I've lived in a lot of different places over the last ten years, and the American dream, unfortunately, is dead. My grandparents achieved that when they immigrated to the US, they retired, they'd sent their kids to private schools, they lived it up. That, for my generation - I'm 36 - is over. I'm an entrepreneur at heart, and it took me ten years before I was able to settle down and choose Serbia. Why not Serbia, I say. I lot of people say, you go to Singapore. I spent time in Asia - but I think the Balkans is the last avenue for entrepreneurs who want to do something different, there's so many things to build here, the people are kind and welcoming, and the business ecosystem is really flexible.

I think, with the EU - because I was invited to France, specifically Paris, to set up a company - and, there's just a lot of bureaucracy. There's not a lot of room for innovation. The French especially, they know they need more entrepreneurs, they need innovators, people with new ideas, but there's just not a lot of... I don't know, maybe the French don't like to work as much. As an American, yes, we're obsessed with working, but the EU is very difficult to set up a company, especially as a foreigner, and as a non-EU citizen. In the US you can set up a company, you can scale, because of the size of the population, to build a unicorn, that's the dream, but it's expensive to live. So if you want to be a bootstrapping entrepreneur like myself, to be able to live well and set up a company is very difficult. And now you can do everything online. I do have US clients with my YouTube page, people find me with my TikTok, so I don't necessarily need to be located in the US to have a business.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

Unfortunately, the issue of racism is current again, even in some countries where that was not expected. Still, you claim Serbia is not one of those countries. What is your experience in our country in this regard?

One thing that really captured by heart about Serbia is the history. The history of no systemic or institutionalized racism. The history of Yugoslavia, the history of when Serbia became independent from the Ottomans. It shows they never systemically colonized any other people, they've always been welcoming. This is a very welcoming country. As a black woman, as an American woman I do have a lot of privilege here, but people see me first as a human being, then a woman, then I happen to be black, I'm American. So living here and choosing to be in a country where I can live my best life, of course, respect the locals and bring my ideas, it's great for my nervous system. And I think many black Americans have no idea what it's like to just be first seen as a human, because in the US, given the long history and current events, no matter how much money you have, what neighborhood you live in, or the car you drive, you're seen as black first. And it's deeply in the American fabric. So Serbia for me is really like a safe haven, I will never stop talking so positively about this country, even though people are like, "Blair, it's insufferable, everything's not so perfect." But Serbia's been good to be, so I'm going to continue to share my honest experience.

When that racist incident happened, out of nowhere, unprovoked, when I was just trying to pay my phone bill... of course, it was by an American woman. I would never expect it from a local. In today's political environment, people have become really emboldened with their hate. And even just existing - some people just don't like other people living happy or being who they are. So this American woman just spewing out a lot of hate to me, unprovoked, everyone was really uncomfortable, I was uncomfortable, but of course, I stood up for myself. And mostly, this is just not a country where because you're white, and people here are white - they're not going to agree with you, you know. So everyone was just looking like, "Can she leave?" You just can't do this here. This is Serbia, okay? She eventually left and I guess everyone was relieved, I was relieved. But it was a bit traumatizing, so I had to go on my TikTok to share my story, so people know - if you're going to welcome people, we shouldn't let just anybody in this country, to be fair. We can't. We screen people when they come to the States, about their background. We should screen, specifically Americans, "Are you racist? If you are, please don't come. Do not come with your hate, with your negativity, we don't need that here."

Photo: Nikola Tomic

What was Blair Cadet's life like before Serbia?

So, born in Queens, New York, I'm a New York girl, but my family moved to Massachusetts that has a better educational system. In New York, everything is about private schools. I spent most of my time growing up in Massachusetts, spending my summers in New York with my grandparents. I studied political science, I worked in politics, that was my career before, but I left the US in 2014. And that's when my journey began from grad student in Israel, to spending five years in Asia and just traveling the whole entire continent as an English teacher at a point, and had a business doing hair products. And that's what brought me to all parts of Asia. Singapore, Japan, South Korea, China, Kazakhstan, I've been as far as New Zealand. I've lived a very interesting life, let's just say.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

How do you spend your days in Belgrade?

I start my days very early. I call it my "hot girl morning walk". I walk in a very beautiful neighborhood that has great trees, fresh air, and there's some nice parks. So every morning, I like to start my day before everyone wakes up. I started going to the gym, I hang out with my friends, who are also business owners. The nightlife here is amazing, I've been to all the coolest spots. Lafayette, I remember when I went there first in 2022, I was really impressed. I mean I've been to some cool places in Paris, London, Singapore, Bangkok... and I was like, this is very impressive. World class, it's better than the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Lafayette - the dancers, everyone looks like a supermodel. I tell my clients, go to Lafayette or some of the other places in Beton Hala. Now my two favorite hotels to have dinner or tea is the St. Regis or the Bristol, that's the new "it" place. I like to go there with my friends and experience the best of Belgrade.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

Who are your friends in Serbia and Belgrade?

I have a mix. My Serbian friends, I met them at some of these venues, or at conferences that I went to. I went to a Serbian friend's slava (family patron saint day) last year, and that was a huge milestone in our friendship, because that's a very big deal, to be invited to someone's home for slava. I have American friends, other international friends. We get together to have drinks, go out to dinner. I love to dance, there are a lot of great places to dance here. I'm really blessed to have a good group of friends.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

What about the Serbian customs? Culture, fun, going out? What does all that look like to you?

I've learned people really love to do business over lunch and dinner. I've been to six-hour lunches that turned into dinners... this is very awkward for me as an American, but I've learned that this is how business is done. People are very sociable, they like to drink, I've had rakija (plum brandy) for the first time three years ago, I'd never heard of that drink until I came here, it's still a bit too strong for me, but I will drink a shot. As far as the music, I did see Ceca perform about two years ago. It's funny because I went to this black tie event at the Royal Palace, and when she came out, everyone was screaming, "OMG, Ceca!" And I was like, who is this woman. One of my friends went, look her up on Wikipedia. I've seen a lot of live performances, and as far as culture I was at Palata Nauke (Palace of Science) on Sunday, it really reminded me of the Boston Science Museum or the Natural History Museum in New York, this is definitely world class. I of course go to the Kalemegdan Fortress, which is a massive place, I think I need a proper tour because there's just so much history. A lot of people hang out there, play chess (in the park). Maybe once a week I just walk around the Kalemegdan Fortress.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

So many kind words about Serbia... But, honestly, do you have any advice about what we need to change? Is there something you don't like?

I'm a guest in this country so I would feel very awkward, you don't go to someone's home and say, "You should make all these changes". I would say, though - the indoor smoking... I've learned to live with it. And there are more venues where they have smoking and non-smoking sections. Aside from that, I don't have any advice. I'm just a guest here, that's where I stand.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

Do you follow sports in Serbia?

I went to a Parizan basketball game three years ago, and that was, wow. I was not expecting the level of energy and coordination and dedication from that game. I would love to go to a Red Star game, just to see the other side, I know those are "enemies". But as someone from Boston of course the Celtics have my heart. So I can't pick sides. I just want to go to games, for the experience, because I think in Europe you are really dedicated to your sports clubs, unbelievably - more so than Americans. I love Serbia, those are Serbian teams so I cannot choose anybody.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

What are Serbians like?

When I came here and first saw Serbians... everyone is so tall! The average height for American women is 5'4". Americans are quite short. Of course we have some tall people. In America, I'm considered tall, but here, all my Serbian girlfriends are taller than me. Everyone's tall, everyone's good looking. I've had a whole glow-up because it's very affordable to be beautiful, well-groomed and well-dressed. Actually it's just the standard. I tell my Serbian friends who are like, "Oh she looks basic" - but I'm like, in America, she is top! Because American women, I wouldn't say we are lazy it's just the stress of life, the responsibilities... A lot of my friends have children, they don't have any time for self-care. And here I know Serbian women that have three, four kids - they look like they're coming off the runway. It's just nice to live in a society where everyone's so great looking! And people are really kind. Now Serbians, on the face, they have that Slavic face, they don't look friendly on the outside. But when you talk to them, it just opens up. It reminds me when I was in Kazakhstan, dealing with Russian Kazakhs. They take a little bit more time to warm up, especially Russian Russians, because they're just very serious people. But Serbs, again - not looking friendly, but when you talk to them, they are friendly. Friendly people. Americans have a lot of expressions, so if somebody doesn't look friendly, they're probably not friendly. We're always used to smiling. And my friends (in Serbia) are like, "Blair, you need to stop smiling, that's an invitation, everyone will think you're crazy, you're always smiling". But I'm happy here! That's why I smile. I'm happy to be around people that are just so great looking.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

What about love? Have you found it in Serbia?

I am single, and child-free. I was in a relationship, I was very much in love, and I'm happily single now. He was a Serbian. I don't date Americans. American men are not gentlemen like Serbians... I mean that's a different conversation. Very different mentality, because Americans are very individualistic, you know, your career, 50-50, you do you - but still they have all these expectations of a woman. Especially, social media has really warped a lot of men's expectations of how a woman should be, how she should look - but you're not investing in her. Here's the opposite. So, I was in a relationship with a Serbian man, we were very happy, we're not together any longer, but we're friends. I'm focused on being single, happy, and building a 7-figure business.

Photo: Nikola Tomic

Finally, do you have time for your faith here?

I am part of a religious community, I pray with my community on the weekend. Since I don't have family here, and Serbs are very family-focused, I know (Orthodox) Easter's coming up so everybody's going to be with their families, I have a community to have dinner with, to pray with, to celebrate holidays with, it makes my experience living here not lonely. People ask me, "Aren't you lonely?" No, I have friends, I have my religious community - hi, rabbi! - and people to celebrate the holidays with. There are some foreigners in the community. It's great to meet other Americans and other people to commune with. I'm a part of the local Jewish community and it makes my time here a lot smoother. Just like there's no racism, I feel very safe as a Jewish woman living here. It's great to have a community here.

(Telegraf.rs)

Printscreen: Tanjug News Agency

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic today met with EU's special representative for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Peter Sorensen, with whom he discussed the progress in the dialogue as well as the implementation of the European Union's decision regarding Pristina's so-called law on foreigners, as well as finding a solution for the so-called law on motor vehicles.

Petkovic told Sorensen that the said EU solution is important for the Serb people and the smooth functioning of Serbian educational and healthcare institutions in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, but that on the other hand there are still problems regarding the issuance of documents, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement.

That is why it is important, Petkovic underlined, that EU representatives monitor the process in order to avoid any obstacles, but also for the European Union to engage even more strongly when it comes to finding a solution to the issue of motor vehicles.

Petkovic pointed out that Belgrade is ready to, at any time, continue the dialogue with Pristina at the technical level and to discuss the draft Statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO), especially bearing in mind that April 19 will mark 13 years since the signing of the First Brussels Agreement on normalization of relations, which provided for the establishment of the ZSO.

"For this reason, the Serb people rightly expect that this obligation undertaken by Pristina will be fulfilled, because the EU is the guarantor of its implementation. For Belgrade, the most important thing is to preserve the peace and security for our people in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, respecting their basic human rights, while unilateral and escalating moves by Pristina do not contribute to normalization of relations on the ground," Petkovic stressed.

During the meeting, Sorensen was informed that Belgrade believes it is important to continue implementing the Declaration on the Missing Persons, but also pay attention to the position of the internally displaced persons from Kosovo and Metohija.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/

Ruling SNS party leader and presidential advisor Milos Vucevic said today, on the 27th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Kosare in Kosovo and Metohija that Serbia is not forgetting its heroes who fought it, and that they will remain in the heart of every Serb.

"People say that every person dies twice, once when that earthly life ends and for those who believe in the Lord, the eternal one begins, and they say that there is another, harder, worse death, and that is when those those who have passed on are forgotten. We were on the way to forget people who are, in essence, immortal," Vucevic said in a post on Instagram.

He added that, "because we were silent, we almost got convinced us that we should be ashamed of the bravest and best among us, those who were less brave or had more luck, wanted to impose that on us".

"We will not forget the Battle of Kosare heroes, their fight will remain etched in the heart of every Serb, we will teach Serb children that they are a symbol of patriotism and new generations of young patriots will be growing up with their memory," stated Vucevic.

The Battle of Kosare began on Orthodox Good Friday, April 9, 1999, the 17th day of the 78-day NATO aggression against Serbia.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

The festival will bring together filmmakers, digital creators, representatives of technology companies, industry experts, and investors. It is designed as a platform to foster projects at the intersection of cinema and AI technologies, writes Qazinform.

The centerpiece of the festival will be an international short film competition. Creators from around the world will be eligible to participate.

The program will also include a conference on AI-driven content, pitch sessions for filmmakers and producers, as well as screenings and panel discussions featuring international experts.

The festival will cover the entire content creation cycle - from concept development to final production. Special focus will be placed on emerging formats, including hybrid projects.

Astana AI Film Festival is expected to become a key platform for professional exchange and the advancement of new directions in the digital content industry.

Earlier, Qazinform reported Almaty region's Kaskelen town is set for filming of Armour of God 4, featuring Jackie Chan.

Printscreen: Instagaram/ledex1980

The last few days have been sunny and warm in Serbia, and because of such weather, snakes have started to "wake up" and came out of their winter shelters. Thus a grass snake was filmed wriggling through the beautiful nature close to the Gradac River.

The snake moved over warm rocks and moss right next to the river, and Instagram user ledex1980 captured the scene and published it on his account.

Even after she slipped and fell into the river, the snake continued gracefully with her head held high.

During brumation, snakes become extremely sluggish, their metabolism slows down, they stop eating because they cannot digest food without heat. However, if an exceptionally warm winter day occurs, they may wake up briefly and even drink some water, then return to the shelter.

When the weather gets warms, their become active again and seek to be in direct sun and that's exactly why these days we can see them on rocks, tree stumps, pathsways...

The grass snake in the video was probably on her first hunt after going months without food.

Grass snakes are some of the most recognizable non-venomous snakes in our country. They usually grow up to a meter in length, although females can reach up to 1.5 meters. They love wet areas and are excellent swimmers.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: MSP

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric will on Thursday, April 9, participate in the session of the United Nations Security Council in New York dedicated to the regular six-monthly report of the UN Secretary General regarding the work of the UNMIK mission in Kosovo and Metohija.

The start of the session is at 10:00 local time, 16:00 CET.

The new head of the UNMIK mission, Peter Due, who took office in January of this year, will present the latest report during the session.

The UN Security Council last discussed the six-monthly report about the work of UNMIK on October 21 last year, when Serbia was also represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagic/bs

The president of the National Assembly of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, met on Wednesday with the ambassador of the Russian Federation to Serbia, Aleksandr Botsan Kharchenko.

According to a statement issued by the Assembly of Serbia, the topics of discussion were the work of the Serbia-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group and the further course of inter-parliamentary cooperation.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: MRE

Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic today spoke with Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev about the overall cooperation between the two countries, and announced that a series of visits by high-level officials will begin next month.

"I met with Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev, with whom I discussed our overall cooperation, considering that energy products make up for the largest part of our trade exchange!," Djedovic Handanovic stated in a post on Instagram.

She pointed out that deliveries of natural gas from Azerbaijan have doubled since that cooperation began three years ago, and that negotiations on delivery of energy will continue in the coming period, as well as work on joint infrastructure projects.

"Direct flights from Belgrade to Baku will be established next month, and there will be a series of high-level visits. I am glad that today's talks deepened the dialogue, which is an important step towards further strengthening energy security of Serbia and improving the strategic partnership between our countries," the minister said.

(Telegraf Biznis/Tanjug)

Photo: Mateja Beljan, Telegraf, Facebook/Nemanja R.

30-year-old Nemanja R., who died in the early morning of Wednesday in a traffic accident in Surcin, a municipality of Belgrade - when the car he was driving crashed into a concrete cross - is suspected of hours earlier murdering a man, and then livestreaming the last moments of his own life on Facebook.

As he was hurtling toward his own demise in a car reportedly owned by the murder victim, Nemanja R. went live twice. In the first video, which lasts about eight minutes, he is seen driving, loud music playing in the background, and is heard saying, "Only for my wife!"

These also happened to be his last words, given that not long after the car hit a cross installed at the center of the roundabout grounds in the Petrovcic settlement of Surcin. The moment of the crash was also captured live on video.

Before that moment, Nemanja R. was playing a Balkan folk song, and a Facebook Messenger notification sound is heard from his phone, that he ignored. The song he was playing is by Asim Brkan, and the title translates to, "If you were happy, you wouldn't be writing to me".

Nemanja R. filmed himself driving at more than 100 kilometers per hour, "dedicating" the song to a person he referred to as his wife.

About a minute later, a loud crash is heard and the phone gets thrown around in  the car. But the video stream continues for another full minute. At this point only the outside lights are visible, and only the barking of dogs is heard in the background, as Nemanja R. appeared to show no signs of life.

The background of the traffic accident case started unfolding today when it was revealed that a woman, who turned out to be the daughter of the man Nemanja R. is suspected of murdering in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, contacted the police, concerned that her father was not returning her calls.

The police then performed a wellness check, and according to unofficial information, the body of the victim, Ugljesa T., was found under a bed in his home in Surcin.

The victim and his killer reportedly spent the evening and night drinking together, but this turned into an argument, and eventually the murder. Nemanja R. then fled the scene in the victim's car, and shortly after met his own death in the roundabout crash.

Both the murder victim, Ugljesa T. and the murder suspect and traffic accident victim Nemanja R., were previously known to the police.

Nemanja R. had dozens of criminal offenses on his record, mostly cases of theft and robbery. This time, his attempt to escape justice ended fatally at a suburban Belgrade roundabout.

As of the early afternoon, the police were still securing both scenes, as the investigation into all the circumstances of this unprecedented case continued.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Mateja Beljan, Telegraf

A horrific crime that was uncovered today in Surcin, a municipality of Belgrade, has developed into an even darker case.

Nemanja R. (30) is suspected of first killing U.T. (68), hiding his body in a bed drawer, and then himself dying just a few hours later, in a serious traffic accident.

Gruesome discovery in the house

The drama started when the victim's daughter reported to the police that her father was not responding to her calls. The police went to perform a wellness check in Surcin, where they discovered traces of blood in a ransacked home. According to unofficial information, the body of the victim was eventually discovered in the bedroom, in the bed drawer.

It is suspected that the victim and the suspect spent the day yesterday drinking together, at some point getting into an argument, which escalated to the murder. Nemanja R. then fled the house in an Opel which belonged to the victim.

Fatal end of the run

Just a few hours after the murder, about two hours after midnight, Nemanja R. was involved in a horrific traffic accident in the Petrovic settlement, when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a large concrete cross erected in the middle of a roundabout. He died instantly.

FIRST PHOTOS FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT testify to the force of the impact.

The car was completely crushed, its parts scattered for meters around.

Large gasoline and oil stains was visible at the scene after the body and the vehicle were removed.

Eyewitnesses said that rescuers pulled a man out of the crushed vehicle, but that did not show any signs of life.

Lengthy criminal records

Both the murder victim, Ugljesa T. and the murder suspect and traffic accident victim Nemanja R., were previously known to the police.

Nemanja R. had dozens of criminal offenses on his record, mostly cases of theft and robbery. This time, his attempt to escape justice ended fatally at a suburban Belgrade roundabout.

The police are still securing both scenes, as the investigation into all the circumstances of this unprecedented case continues.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: MN Press/Marko Metlas

The legendary basketball coach Dusko Vujosevic has passed away! The celebrated coach died after a long illness, at the age of 67!

This news was confirmed for Telegraf.rs by the well-known music critic, Predrag Popovic.

Dusko Vujosevic battled kidney disease for a long time, and underwent a kidney transplant in Belarus in 2025. He was admitted to the hospital about a month ago, when problems with his heart and lungs also developed.

During his career, Vujosevic coached OKK Belgrade, Mladost Zemun, Oximesa, Red Star, Brescia, Pistoia, Pesaro, Radnicki Beograd, CSKA Moscow, Limoges, and Cluj. He was also the head coach of the national teams of Serbia and Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Telegraf rs

A terrible traffic accident that happened early this morning in the neighborhood of Petrovcic, in the Belgrade municipality of Surcin, claimed the life of a 29-year-old man, whose initials are N.R.

The car he was driving veered off the road under still unexplained circumstances and crashed into a large concrete cross.

Our portal's reporters were at the scene of the tragedy this morning.

The sights are shocking - pieces of plastic, glass and crushed metal from the Opel Vektra are scattered all around.

The vehicle, moving at high speed, first mowed down a traffic sign, then "plowed" through a grass surface, as can be seen by the deeply dug tracks in the ground. It stopped only after it crashed into the cross located at the center of a roundabout.

A huge stain of petrol and engine oil, that leaked from the completely destroyed front part of the vehicle, is visible at the scene.

Eyewitness: "It was terrible"

One of the locals described the dramatic moments for our portal:

"There was a terrible bang, we thought something had exploded. We immediately ran towards the roundabout. The scene was horrific, the car was so smashed that we didn't know how to approach it. We watched as they pulled the young man out of that pile of metal, but he was already showing no signs of life. It was terrible, I can't get that image out of my head," says the shocked eyewitness.

Doctors could only pronounce death

Despite the quick reaction of the emergency services, the man could not be saved. He suffered fatal injuries from the force of the impact and died on the spot.

It is assumed that the main cause of the accident was speeding, which left the driver unable to navigate the roundabout, so instead of turning he continued driving straight, eventually crashing into the cross.

The police conducted a detailed investigation in order to determine all the circumstances that led to this tragedy.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Vladimir Sporcic

Minister for Public Investments Darko Glisic said on Tuesday that elections will be held in Serbia this year and pointed out that there is no dilemma regarding continued development of the country.

"Elections will be held this year, as has been said. They will be called by the competent authority, the one that has the right to do so according to the Constitution. It has been stated that they will be held by the end of 2026, and we are only in the first quarter, so there is no doubt that they will be held by the end of the year," Glisic said while visiting Raska.

The minister added that the exact date of these elections is not of key importance.

"When exactly they will be held - if I were the opposition, I would not be in too much of a hurry or insist. Things are not as they seem in their bubble, in which they live and idealize everything they do, while in reality they mostly harass people wherever they go. They have reached a stage where all they can do is attempt to escalate the violence, nothing else," Glisic said.

He added that citizens can clearly see who is working for the good of the country, and who wants the opposite.

"The only thing I know is that Serbia will continue to build and work and that they will not be able to stop it. That's now completely clear. Everything is clear to the citizens, they know who is working, who wants to raise the standard of living and help people, and they also know who wants the opposite. There is no longer any dilemma", said Glisic.

Glisic then illustrated the current situation in the country by making everyday examples.

"Just look at how many cars there are, while we were driving to Cacak and through Cacak, it seemed as if everyone had taken their vehicles out to the streets. An incredible number of cars, it's literally as if gasoline is free," the minister said.

He compared the situation in Serbia with that in the countries in the region.

"Look at Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, there, to put it figuratively, they are waiting in line (to get fuel) 'drop by drop', and here there's as much as you like," said Glisic.

The minister stressed the importance of stability in times of crises.

"People support those who, in crisis situations that affect the whole world, can provide stability to their country. We know who ensured stability, that's why they have the support and will have it in elections, which may be held on Vidovdan (late June), in August or in September, but certainly by the end of the year," he added.

Glisic said that citizens recognize who does concrete work and who contributes to raising the standard of living, and who focuses on the opposite.

"Everything is clear, for anyone who wants to follow the real situation in the country, the situation is completely obvious", concluded Glisic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/AP

Donald Trump Jr., the son of the US president, on Tuesday arrived in Banja Luka, in the Serb Republic (RS, Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina).

This was confirmed for the ATV portal.

The arrival of the US president's son went without the presence of the cameras. The media was not allowed to take photos or videos at the airport, despite the great interest of the public.

According to information from the ground, a long convoy of vehicles was formed at 13:06 and left the airport on the outskirts of Banja Luka.

The details about the visit have not yet been officially announced, and it is expected that more information about the meetings and the reasons for the visit will be known during the day.

The arrival of Trump Jr. has caused a lot of public attention, but also political reactions, given that he is a person who comes from the family of one of the most influential politicians in the United States.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Mateja Beljan

One person was killed when a crane collapsed today at the construction site of a new bridge over the Sava River in Belgrade.

The accident happened at 13:00 on Tuesday, at the Staro Sajmiste (Old Fairground) site.

According to unofficial information, the crane carrying a metal construction collapsed, killing one and injuring two workers. The injured workers were transported to the Emergency Center.

That one person has died was confirmed for RTS by the emergency services. Telegraf.rs learned later that the victim is a 30-year-old worker, a Chinese citizen.

A man who said that he passes by this construction site frequently told Telegraf.rs that he did not see the collapse, but that he heard "a strange creaking noise" coming from the direction of the crane during the past few days.

Two ambulance teams, as well as the police, have been dispatched to the scene.

According to unofficial information, the metal structure that the crane was attempting to move weighed 350 tons.

(Telegraf.rs/RTS)

Photo: Tanjug/Dimitrije Nikolic

During protective archaeological excavations on the route of a railway bypass around the city of Nis, a part of a settlement and graves belonging to the Starcevo culture were discovered at the Novosel archaeological site, the age of which is preliminarily determined to be 8,000 years old, the Institute for Protection of Monuments in Nis has announced.

They added that these graves represent the oldest material evidence of burials in the area of Nis.

If the bypass was not being built, no one would have ever found out that there was a settlement in the early copper age under the fields in the village of Malca. At the end of last year, the site of Ornicje near Malca was investigated and a Roman grave was discovered there in the central part of a prehistoric rondel, a system of trenches and palisades.

Research started in February at a more recent settlement at Novosel, and great discoveries are already being made there.

Previous archaeological research established that the Novosel archaeological site is multi-layered and that it represents a settlement not only from the Eneolithic period (which is chronologically connected to the rondel at the Ornicje site), but also a settlement with graves from the Middle Neolithic (Starcevo culture) era, as well as that there are items from the ancient period - according to the Institute for Protection of Monuments in Nis.

They explain that the Starcevo culture represents a cultural group that developed in the area of ​​the central Balkans and Lower Pannonia, which precedes the Vinca culture and belongs to the middle, or older, Neolithic period.

The Starcevo graves discovered and investigated at the Novosel site represent the southernmost graves of the Starcevo culture discovered so far. The Starcevo graves at the Novosel site are the oldest material evidence of burials having taken place in the Nis area - the Institute points out.

They note that together with the discovery of a rondel from the Eneolithic period at Ornicje, the Eneolithic settlement at Novosel (Salkuca-Cernavoda III) and now the Starcevo settlement with graves - protective archaeological excavations on the route of the railway bypass represent one of the most significant protective archaeological excavations in Nis in recent years.

Archaeological discoveries on the route of the bypass confirm that the area of Nis and its surroundings has been continuously inhabited for at least 8,000 years, over different archaeological and historical periods - the Institute stated.

As archaeologist Aleksandar Aleksic explained earlier, after the excavation, all archaeological material gets removed, so that construction can proceed without destroying archaeological heritage.

(Telegraf.rs/Juzne Vesti)

Photo: MUP

Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader and Deputy PM Ivica Dacic said today after consultations with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic that his party is always ready for elections, but that he is in favor of holding regular elections or for early elections be as close as possible to the regular deadline, adding that they also discussed foreign policy and strategic goals and that there is no disagreement there.

"You know my position regarding elections. That's why I told him (Vucic), if you called to talk about that, you didn't even have to call me. As far as I can see, only Vucic is in favor of (early) elections in this country. I'm in favor of regular elections, it must be known when elections are held, if (frequent) elections were a good thing, they would be held in that way in some other organizations such as the Church. But I don't mind, we are always ready for elections," Dacic told reporters after his meeting with Vucic.

He also stressed that he is not sure that those who have been demanding elections are ready for them and that they want them.

"Regarding that, as I said, I think elections should be and be held within the deadlines. Will that be both presidential and parliamentary elections, we will see. Elections should be as close as possible to those regular deadlines as provided by the Constitution and laws," Dacic reiterated.

He added that the SPS is "ready for elections as always, because the SPS is indestructible."

When it comes to other topics, Dacic said that he and the president discussed strategic issues as well as foreign policy and that there are no disagreements on that front.

"We are proud of our good cooperation during all these years. We have no problems, we have no disagreements when it comes to strategic goals, where our country is headed. So even at this moment, as far as foreign policy orientation is concerned, since it's one of the topics, we know that it's difficult on the international stage, but we also believe that Serbia has a state leadership that, above all, takes care of Serbia's interests and that it will continue with such a policy. Elections would not contribute anything to solving all those problems that could arise due to some major international economic crisis," said Dacic.

Dacic noted that this is his first work meeting after February 25 and that in the aftermath of his illness he is still not working at full capacity, but that he responded to the invitation out of respect he has for the president of the Republic as the SPS leader.

He added that he is satisfied with the cooperation between the SPS and the SNS and that the goal of the SPS is to strengthen its presence in the public.

"In that sense, I wanted to be present here today, even though the doctors don't really like me exposed to this lifestyle, because three months after this event is the time when I have to go for regular check-ups and during which I have to reduce my activities. That's all," said Dacic.

He also informed reporters that SPS representatives did not discuss other topics with the president today.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Mateja Beljan

Members of the Belgrade police are intensively searching for burglars who during the weekend broke into the premises of a well-known company located on Pancevacki Road and took two safes with a considerable amount of money in them, Telegraf.rs has learned.

The theft was discovered yesterday when the employees arrived at work, to encounter chaos at the premises and immediately alert the police. According to the first results of the investigation, that the robbery likely took place between Saturday and Monday morning, while the company was closed.

"The scene was shocking. The glass on one of the front doors was broken, while the other was broken open. Everything inside was ransacked," said a source close to the investigation.

Thieves take safes

The thieves targeted the two safes containing around half a million dinars. In addition to the offices, the warehouse was also targeted, from which they took everything they could.

The police recovered traces from the scene, which will be sent for expert examination, and the investigation is ongoing.

The competent prosecutor's office has been informed about the case.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/

The leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and presidential advisor, Milos Vucevic, says that no one has spoken up against the establishment of the University of the Serbian Orthodox Church as much as the self-declared separatists from Vojvodina (Serbia's northern province).

"No one is bothered by the emerging institution as much as the Belgrade remnants of the Democratic Party," Vucevic stated in a post on X, reacting to an article published on the "Autonomija" website.

Vucevic added that it has never been more obvious who and why is behind the attempted color revolution in Serbia, the attack on the Serbian Church and on the foundations of the Serbian statehood.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/Jadranka Ilic

The president of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, spoke today in Belgrade with the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Sadegh Fazli.

Vucic stressed that it is of great importance for all humanity to find a peaceful solution to the current conflict, in order to prevent a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions.

The president added that Serbia supports a peaceful solution, respect of the UN Charter, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of all countries, the presidential press office quoted Vucic as saying, in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the statement, Ambassador Fazli informed President Vucic about the current situation, stressing that Tehran does not want the war to spread, but is instead looking for diplomatic ways to achieve peace.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo:Telegraf.rs

The state continues to encourage investments in the hotel sector and the renovation of attractive buildings in central areas of Belgrade by providing financial support to projects of importance for tourism and the economy.

The most recent example is a contract to award subsidies for the reconstruction and conversion of a Belgrade landmark, which sets clear deadlines, investment obligations and implementation of control mechanisms.

The Ministry of Economy has signed a contract with the company Libra Development d.o.o., allocating 6.8 million euros for the investment project in Belgrade to reconstruct a hotel located at Kralja Petra Street 19, in the building of the former Jugobanka, opposite the building of the National Bank of Serbia.

The investor has committed to invest at least 34 million euros in the project over two years, while at least 25 percent of the funds must come from its own sources. The incentive funds will be paid in two tranches: around 2.42 million euros in 2026, and 4.38 million euros in 2027, if the investor fulfills all contractual obligations and submits the necessary documentation.

According to the contract, Libra Development must implement the project within the stipulated time, maintain the investment and activity for at least five years after the completion of construction works, and maintain the value of the property and the category of the hotel.

The Ministry will monitor the implementation of the project and has the right to perform checks, and in case the obligations are not met, the state can terminate the contract, demand the return of funds with interest, and activate bank guarantees, reports eKapija.

(Telegraf Biznis)

Photo: MUP, Shutterstock

M.M., a 25-year-old woman, was seriously injured in a gym located in a shopping center in Belgrade, when weights fell onto her, Telegraf.rs has learned.

The accident occurred when another person, who was on a treadmill, pulled on the stand, causing the weights to fall on the young woman who was underneath them.

She sustained serious physical injuries to her chest, a fracture of the thoracic spine, which were diagnosed after she was transported to the Emergency Center in Belgrade by ambulance.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/OMK MUP Serbia

Retired Counterintelligence Service Lt. Col. Ljuban Karan said today that Serbia's security services carried out a very successful operation by preventing an attempt to sabotage the gas pipeline near the town of Kanjiza in the north of the country, where explosives and the tools to activate them were discovered, and assessed that a secret operation staged by foreign intelligence services was behind the incident.

Speaking about the fact that two large packages of explosives were found on Sunday not far from the part of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline that connects Serbia and Hungary, Karan told Tanjug that everything that has been disclosed regarding the event shows that there is continuity of operational work by the security services, as well as excellent communication between our services and international ones, which is always very important when it comes to combatting terrorism.

"When it comes to their good work, for a long time the services have had information that some kind of attack or terrorist act is being planned against that gas infrastructure, and the services warned the state authorities in this regard, but that information is not always at a level that is convincing enough to take measures. The services also encountered problems with misinformation that aimed to divert the attention elsewhere from those facilities, but in the end it was all taken seriously," he explained.

Karan pointed out that it is very good that the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, ordered the Army to protect the most important energy system facilities, as well as the fact that protective measures were put in place in time, which is why this can be considered a very successful operation by the security services and good decisions made by the state leadership.

Asked how many people have to be involved in such a sabotage attempt and whether there are indications that it is an organized group or an isolated incident, Karan said that such a complex and dangerous act is never planned by an individual, because it requires strong intelligence logistics, to know the location of targets and what can be targeted.

An individual can hardly have such a strong motive to decide to do something like this, Karan said and assessed that this attempt was either carried out by a terrorist group or foreign intelligence services.

"If a country or its intelligence services were behind it, then they would take every measure so that it would never come out. That's why this migrant was hired that makes it impossible to conclude for which service or country he may have worked," Karan said.

Asked what the priorities of the security services are after this event, Karan said that they are now trying to determine who the perpetrator is, and who ordered or planned a terrorist act of this kind.

According to him, the perpetrators themselves could now be killed by those who ordered that terrorist act, in order to cut the thread that leads to those who would be terribly compromised if it were to come out they were behind all of this.

"I think that now our services are investing most of their focus on identifying and finding the perpetrators as soon as possible. I think that would be a salvation for those perpetrators, because they are in greater danger while out at large, since they will be 'removed' by those who turned them into terrorists," said Karan.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Shutterstock

A serious accident occurred in the city of Nis today at a bus stop that got hit and destroyed by a bus.

Photos and videos from the scene clearly show the damage.

One person was transported to the hospital by ambulance and according to initial information, the injuries are minor.

Significant damage was reportedly done to the bus - the windshield was the damaged the most, while one of the tires was punctured.

Members of the Nis police as well as the traffic police conducted an investigation at the scene to determine all the circumstances under which this accident occurred, according to the Snaga Juga website.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/

The leader of the ruling SNS and presidential advisor, Milos Vucevic, warned against irresponsible behavior after a suspected attempt to sabotage the gas pipeline near Kanjiza, a town in northern Serbia, was prevented. He also congratulated our country's security and the state leadership on the work they have done.

"I congratulate the security services of our country and the state leadership for a job well done. Sabotage was prevented, an attempt or intention to carry out a serious attack with explosives on the gas infrastructure was prevented, to threaten vital national interests, security, economy, energy. It could have been supposed to threaten the security of Hungary as well. The investigation will determine what exactly this is about," Vucevic stated, and added:

"But what is a cause for concern and what is reprehensible are the reports, headlines, statements made by irresponsible media outlets and individuals. Where they claim that the explosives are from Ukraine, Turkey, and they have no knowledge, without any evidence they make such claims and confuse the public and try to hinder the investigation. Once again, I congratulate all the citizens of Serbia on having such authorities that are ready to respond to every challenge, and protect all citizens on every inch of our territory."

The authorities previously announced that this was a serious security incident that could have had far-reaching consequences for the energy stability of Serbia and the region.

Prosecutor Mladenka Manojlovic from the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Subotica said that the prosecution qualified the case in Kanjiza as a criminal offense of illegal production, carrying and trafficking of weapons and explosive materials in conjunction with the crime of sabotage.

The Ministry of Defense announced that members of security forces are continuing their work on the ground in the municipality of Kanjiza, with the aim of finding additional clues, as well as identifying and prosecuting persons who may be linked to this event.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/AP

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has published a video in which he is heard stating that he was heading for the border between Hungary and Serbia, a day after Serbian special forces found large quantities of extremely destructive explosives near the gas pipeline in the town of Kanjiza.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic previously said that he immediately informed the Hungarian prime minister about the situation in the Velebit area, where two black backpacks containing about four kilograms of explosives were found on Sunday.

Shortly after Vucic spoke, Orban announced that he was aware of all the information and immediately convened a meeting of the National Security Council.

In a video that Orban posted on Facebook this morning, he says that he is heading to the border and will soon be streaming live from there.

The footage shows Orban getting into a helicopter along with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and flying to their destination together.

"Easter Monday, 06:00. We're going to the Hungarian-Serbian border. Yesterday they wanted to blow up the gas pipeline on the Serbian side. Let's check if everything is okay on the Hungarian side," Orban stated.

(Telegraf.rs)

In many areas it rained as much as it normally does in a month, in Podrinje as much as in two months, while 40 centimeters of new snow fell on Mt. Kopaonik only yesterday, bringing the snow depth to 83 cm - more than during the winter.

Rainy weather under the influence of a cyclone from the Ionian Sea, as well as cloudy precipitation systems within it are arriving from the northeast. Snow will fall in areas higher than 1,400 meters above sea level.

Photo: nmmb/zoomearth/sat24.com

An additional 10 to 20 liters of rain is expected today, in the west of Serbia up to 30.

Photo: WINDY

Friday remains cool, with temperatures up to 10 degrees Celsius. Those values ​​are 5-7 degrees lower than average.

The exception is the north of Vojvodina, where the sky is clear, so Sombor and Subotica are reporting 15 degrees, Subotica 17.

Photo: nmmb/zoomearth/sat24.com

Clear weather in the north of the province of Vojvodina is a prelude to stabilization in the rest of the country.

Photo: meteociel

Starting tomorrow, the anticyclone will strengthen, air pressure will drop significantly and the weather is expected to stabilize, with an influx of significantly warmer air mass from the southwest and the Mediterranean.

It will be sunny in the north of Serbia on Saturday, bringing spring weather during the day.

In other parts of Serbia, it will be cloudy in the afternoon, gloomy in the morning, with light rain in some places, but the sky will clear in the afternoon.

Photo: nmmb

The highs tomorrow will range from 14 degrees in the south to 20 degrees in the north of Serbia, primarily in Vojvodina, and up to 18 degrees in Belgrade.

The average maximum temperatures for the beginning of April are from 14 to 17 degrees, so they will be around and above the said values ​​in the coming period.

North-westerly wind will blow tomorrow as well, weakening towards the end of the day.

So, as of tomorrow, the weather will stabilize and the spring will return to Serbia.

It will be warmest on Monday, with temperatures reaching over 20 degrees.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said today that consultations with representatives of political parties will continue on Monday and that early parliamentary elections can formally and legally be held on May 31 at the earliest, while another possibility is the end of March 2027, but that in that case, those would be regular elections.

After consultations with the representatives of the Movement of Socialists, the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians and the Justice and Reconciliation Party, Vucic said that he had promised the people early parliamentary elections and that this meant that they could be held before the end of the year.

"And I will look to, as much as possible - unless the whole world collapses on us, the way things are going you can't rule anything out - to make good on my promise, and many others," said Vucic.

The president added that he invited parties to discuss 'blockader' (anti-government protesters') demands to call elections.

"They asked for those elections, they are progressing in everything at an incredible speed and they are just about to get to power and it's necessary, when people express such longings, desires and aspirations in such a strong way, I think it's important to respond to them," Vucic said of the opposition sarcastically, and added, "I wanted to hear the views of other political parties and I will address this issue again on Tuesday."

Another topic of discussion today was Serbia's EU integration effort, the president said, and added that the three parties' views are very nuanced and different, while he must take into account all their views and consider what would best express Serbia's interests.

Vucic said that the delegation of the Movement of Socialists, led by Aleksandar Vulin, stated that Serbia needs an urgent government reshuffle, as well as that they are strongly against joining the EU, and against the bloc's unfair stance towards Serbia.

The meeting with Balint Pastor and other members of the delegation of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) was about further development of friendship and partnership between Serbs and Hungarians and about key infrastructure projects in the north of Serbia, namely the province of Vojvodina.

"We also spoke about the imminent launch of the Belgrade-Budapest railway service, but also about new projects. As far as elections are concerned, SVM is always ready for elections and they emphasized that today," said Vucic.

He stated that representatives of the Justice and Reconciliation Party (SPP) expressed their desire for further progress in establishing better relations in the region, primarily with Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The president added that SPP is not changing its pro-EU and reconciliation policy, and that they also discussed investments and construction of two highways, one of which is the Kraljevo-Raska-Novi Pazar highway.

"And the one, which seems to be even more important for the Pester Plateau and Raska, which goes through Arilje, Ivanjica, Duga Poljana, and past Ugao to Boljare, and we agreed to start working on some other important investment projects, but I have to check what our possibilities are when it comes to this, so I wouldn't promise anything today," said Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Handout photo

The leader of the Movement of Socialists (PS), Aleksandar Vulin, said today after the consultations held by the party's representatives with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic that the conversation was serious and meaningful and that the PS thinks elections should not be called now, as well as that the Government needs to be reshuffled as soon as possible.

"We believe that elections should not be called in this atmosphere, that we should not hold elections that will bring more violence than voting, and where organizing elections will be called into question by the violence carried out by those who have kept Serbia in fear of violence and fear of constant and repeated conflicts for 15 months," Vulin said after the meeting with Vucic.

He stated that the PS believes he Government of Serbia is not performing well enough, that a reshuffle is necessary and that most ministers have not understood their responsibility and have not shown that they are capable of performing in the role they have been given.

Vulin said that the PS believes that making changes to the cabinet would have a calming on political tensions.

"The government is elected in the parliament, arguments are exchanged in the parliament, so let's all of us who have the right to be in the parliament talk about what the government has done or what a future government will do. We think that the reconstruction of the government is necessary and should be done as soon as possible", said Vulin.

He added that the PS proposed that all Serbs from the territory of the former Yugoslavia and all those who declare themselves as Serbs in their countries should automatically have the right to Serbian citizenship and assessed that in this way Serbia would strengthen its position in the region.

"In this way, Serbia is fighting for the people, which is now the most important thing anywhere in the world, and in this way, Serbia can say that it has completely legitimate interests to protect its own citizens. We believe that this means strengthening of our economic and defense, but also political position," Vulin said.

He added that the PS also proposed calling a binding referendum on the issue of the continuation of Serbia's EU membership path, adding that the EU has clearly demonstrated that its policy towards Serbia is that of double standards, and that the bloc does not respect Serbia.

Vulin assessed that the EU does not want Serbia as a member, at least not in Serbia that is "of this size and independent." He also described the EU as taking more than it is giving.

"The EU keeps silent when Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are suffering, the EU lied to us that they would form the Community of Serb Municipalities and honor the (Brussels) agreement, the EU is asking us to recognize Kosovo, to impose sanctions against Russia, betray both our past and our future. The EU is asking us to abandon the RS. If that's the case, and it is, show me a Serbian government that will meet these European conditions," Vulin said.

He added that he does not know how the referendum would go, but that Serbians should be given the opportunity to say what they think about the EU.

Asked about those parties that have refused to take part in the consultations organized by President Vucic, Vulin stated that he does not understand what the point of politics is, if dialogue is rejected, and wondered how some individuals intend to lead the country in the future if they do not want to talk with the current authorities.

"We do not understand those who reject dialogue before dialogue even starts," Vulin tressed.

Asked how Vucic responded to the three points Vulin presented, the PS leader said Vucic will declare his position only after listening to all political parties.

Vulin also expressed gratitude to Vucic for seriously approaching the arguments made by PS, and repeated that the PS does not understand those who refuse to attend consultations with the president and present their arguments.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo:Tanjug.rs

President Aleksandar Vucic met this morning with representatives of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM). The meeting took place at the Presidency of Serbia in Belgrade.

Balint Pastor, the SVM leader, represented the party.

President of the National Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabic previously announced that Vucic will start social dialogue with all political actors on two topics - early parliamentary elections and the direction of the country's general foreign policy.

Earlier in the day, Vucic held consultations with representatives of the Movement of Socialists, while a meeting with representatives of the Justice and Reconciliation Party will follow later on Friday.

After the meeting, Balint Pastor addressed the public:

"We had a meaningful conversation with President Vucic. We discussed two topics, the foreign policy course of Serbia, that is, all these challenges that the entire region and the world are facing, and the second topic was the possibility of holding early parliamentary elections. The Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians has been a pro-European party for 32 years and that will not change, but we must note that the EU is not what it was 30 years ago, that the EU is not the biggest peace project in the world."

"Certain European Parliament officials are hostile towards the entire region of the Western Balkans. There are some EU moves that are not fair, such as this new border crossing system where citizens of Serbia, a country that has been a candidate for full EU membership for 15 years, our citizens are harassed at the border, fingerprinted, photographed. On the other hand, Serbia has complided with a lot of what they asked from the EU, extraditing generals, changing the Constitution, dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. This is the reality of today's EU, but regardless of that, we think that the future of Serbia is in the EU and we should do everything to make it happen," said Pastor.

He also touched on the topic of elections.

"We told the president that the position of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians is that stability, predictability and development come first. Preparations for EXPO are underway now, and we don't think it's time for early elections, but if they happen, that can be on May 31 at the earliest, if so, we are absolutely ready and the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, be elections early or regular, will certainly participate independently, as was the case in previous years," concluded Pastor.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo collage: Shutterstock, Nikola Tomic

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has decided to extend the ban on exports of oil and oil derivatives used to power engines until May 2026. This measure, which was initially introduced to stabilize the domestic energy market, aims to ensure sufficient amounts of fuel for citizens and the economy, especially during a time of instability of the global market.

The extension of the export ban means that domestic refineries and distributors will not be able to export oil and derivatives without special approval from the state, thus preventing possible shortages on the domestic market and additional fuel price increases.

The new decision enters into force immediately, upon publication in the Official Gazette, and is implemented without delay. According to experts' estimates, this kind of export control allows Serbia to maintain stable fuel reserves and protect citizens from sudden price surges that have become frequent on the world market.

The government stressed that such measures are part of a broader strategy to preserve energy security and support the domestic economy. The extension of the export ban is particularly important in conditions of global geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in oil prices, when unpredictable changes can directly affect supply and price stability in the country.

Citizens and the economy can expect the measures to help maintain predictable prices at gas stations, as the state continues to monitor the situation and adjust policies in line with global trends and domestic needs.

(Telegraf Biznis/Blic)

Photo: MUP

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic has spoken by phone with the head of diplomacy of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov.

Minister Dacic thanked Lavrov for the letter of support he received from this top Russian official while he was treated in the intensive care unit of the Clinical Center of Serbia.

Dacic pointed out that Lavrov's words of support and strong belief that in difficult times, his energy and spiritual strength will help him overcome his illness and rejoin the ranks of true patriots, represented a huge boost to his recovery.

Ministers Dacic and Lavrov stressed their commitment to the policy led by President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, in order to develop and further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached by the two presidents regarding energy (gas supplies).

During the conversation, Minister Lavrov reiterated Russian Federation's principled position on preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia, stressing that the Russian side will support the resolution of the Kosovo and Metohija issue in accordance with the interests of Serbia and the principles of international law.

Dacic thanked the Russian Federation for the cooperation in the field of internal affairs and emergency situations and said he believes that in the coming period that will be even more successful, based on the foundations of the strategic partnership between Serbia and Russia, centuries-old friendship, closeness between the two brotherly nations, advanced cooperation in all fields, as well as strong mutual support and understanding.

At the end of the conversation, the two great friends expressed their firm belief that they would meet at the first opportunity.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Instagram/ivica.dacic.rs

Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic has gone back to work after more than a month of absence due to poor health.

Dacic was welcomed by his colleagues at the premises of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), who prepared a surprise which he said deeply touched him.

Gradual return to duties

After a 36-day break, the minister shared his first impressions on social networks, stressing that the process of fully returning to work will be gradual and strictly supervised by medical experts.

"In the coming days, I will have to follow all the doctors' instructions and be careful. I will try not to overdo things, and from Monday I will slowly return to my duties," said Dacic.

Life lessons and willpower

In his address, Dacic referred to the personal struggle he went through, stressing that the difficult days behind him also brought a new perspective on life.

Dacic said that those days changed his outlook on life.

He stressed this experience confirmed that willpower is sometimes stronger than any obstacles.

Gratitude to colleagues

Special emphasis was placed on the collective of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia, who gave the minister a warm welcome. With words of gratitude and optimism, Dacic concluded the message by saying, "We're moving on! Long live Serbia!"

Although the details of the nature of the illness have not been officially announced, it is expected that the minister will fully return to his regular official activities starting next week.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Handout photo

Russia has been a reliable energy partner to Serbia for decades and there is no comprehensive alternative to our energy cooperation, it was concluded during a meeting between Srbijagas Supervisory Board Director Aleksandar Vulin and Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko.

In the field of energy, there is not a single misunderstanding between Serbia and Russia, despite the attempts by third parties to prevent the delivery of Russian gas to Serbia using the policy of sanctions or physical destruction of parts of the gas infrastructure, and such moves are above all attacks on Serbia, they concluded.

Aleksandar Vulin expressed his gratitude to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for enabling Serbia to protect its population and economy from the instability and economic shocks suffered by the countries of the European Union.

"The policy of President Aleksandar Vucic is a policy of mutual respect between Serbia and Russia, and it allows Serbia to develop and become more confident in its energy security. That this policy is right is also evident in the extension of the gas arrangement and the fact that, regardless of the huge demand on world markets, Serbia is receiving gas in the quantities it has set itself and at a price that is many times lower than that paid by all other countries in Europe," said Vulin.

He also pointed out that all those trying to equate NATO aggression against Serbia with (Russia's) Special Military Operation, regardless of whether they are from the West or from Serbia, want to damage relations between Serbia and Russia by making false comparisons, and also want to end Serbia's neutrality, and thus not only change the past, but damage the future of both Serbs and Russians.

Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko thanked Aleksandar Vulin for his great personal contribution to cooperation between Serbia and Russia in all positions in which he has served Serbia. Vulin accepted the invitation from Secretary of the National Security Council of Russia Sergei Shoigu to participate in a security forum that will be held at the end of May in Moscow, along with top security sector representatives from around the world.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/JADRANKA ILIC

The Chinese Embassy in Belgrade reacted today on its official X account - after President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic recently publicly refuted and condemned a racist statement made by a media outlet regarding China - and pointed out that they greatly appreciate this gesture.

"We noted that President Vucic recently in an interview publicly refuted and condemned a racist statement of a certain media outlet regarding China, which we highly appreciate. China and Serbia enjoy a deep traditional friendship, and the radical statement made by an individual does not represent the stance of the Serbian people.

We are convinced that, under the strategic leadership of the two heads of state, the ironclad friendship between China and Serbia will become even more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and that building the community of China and Serbia with a common future in the new era will be continuously raised to a new and higher level," the Chinese embassy stated.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagic

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic has addressed Rabbi Isak Asiel and the Jewish community in Serbia on the occasion of the Passover holiday.

The message reads:

"I congratulate Passover, one of the most important holidays in the Jewish tradition, to all members of the Jewish community in the Republic of Serbia.

Passover is an opportunity for families and friends to gather in peace and harmony, fostering traditions and preserving the spirit of this special holiday that cherishes the highest values, passing them on to new generations.

The time we live in is full of many challenges, and that is exactly why the message of Passover should be a guide in efforts towards lasting peace in the world.

I wish that you spend this great holiday in peace and spiritual fulfillment."

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagic/bs

The president of the National Assembly of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, says that President Aleksandar Vucic will start talks within the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), but also with other parties and political actors about the upcoming elections and the country's broader foreign policy direction, which, according to her, should begin in the coming days.

Brnabic told Politika that this initiative comes after "a new series of falsehoods about the violence on the day of elections in ten local governments, which were held on Sunday", and added that this is a narrative that "certain circles from the European Union are promoting again".

The National Assembly president added that according to that narrative, "every attack on activists and supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party is presented as an SNS attack on the 'blockaders' (anti-government protesters)", as well as that "a legitimate investigation into the tragic death of a young woman at the Faculty of Philosophy is presented as an attack on the autonomy of the university", along with "lies about attacks on quasi-journalists".

In this context, she pointed to the need to open up the issue of the stance towards "constant conditions and open interference even in the most sensitive internal affairs of our country."

Brnabic said that on Wednesday the public "had the opportunity to hear the incredible thesis that the president of Serbia is guilty and should be punished because he conducts a pro-Serbian policy", stressing that such an assessment has been made "by the official rapporteur of the European Parliament for Serbia".

Considering all of the above, the Brnabic said it is "time to have an open and honest social dialogue on these issues", adding that she expects the talks initiated by President Aleksandar Vucic to begin in the coming days.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Social networks

Dark news has shaken Serbia. A 5-year-old girl, who was seriously injured in a terrible fire in Pancevo, has died as a result of her burns.

This was confirmed by a relative, Ruzica Novakovic.

"Unfortunately, our sweet darling, our heart, soul, sun and life, our little one, has left us. She has gone to her father, may our angels rest in peace," Novakovic told Kurir.

Father died a hero

The horrific fire broke out in the evening of March 24 in the house the family was renting. The blaze engulfed the 80-square-meter home instantly, while the mother and her three daughters were inside.

The father, as soon as he realized that his eldest was trapped, ran back into the house without hesitation. He managed to reach her, but both suffered what proved to be fatal injuries. The father died two days later, leaving behind his wife and two younger daughters, whom firefighters managed to evacuate safely.

Four minutes away from salvation

Fire crews responded in record time - they were at the scene just four minutes after receiving the call. 9 firefighters-rescuers with four vehicles fought the fire that turned 50 square meters of the house and part of the attic into ashes. Unfortunately, despite the quick reaction and the doctors' efforts, the injuries suffered by the man and his daughter were too severe.

Pancevo and the whole country were stunned by this tragedy. The family, which already lived in difficult conditions, was now left without the father, a child and a roof over their heads.

(Telegarf.rs, Kurir)

Photo: Tanjug/Rade Prelic

Citizens Ombudsman Zoran Pasalic said today that "he will take other actions" should the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade not submit the necessary documentation about the death of a female student that happened on the night of on March 26 - within the stipulated period of time.

Pasalic told Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that he requested documentation and information from the Faculty as soon as on March 26, and that the deadline for submitting that information expires on April 2.

"The Faculty of Philosophy has until April 2 to submit the documentation regarding the death of the female student," Pasalic said.

He stressed that the deadline for submitting the documentation expires on April 2 and that he will take other actions if the documentation is not submitted by that time.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Nikola Tomic

The best tennis player of all time, Novak Djokovic, will be in the audience as Belgrade basketball clubs Red Star (Crvena Zvezda) and Partizan battle it out in the EuroLeague, Telegraf has learned.

After traveling to Zenica and watching the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy football World Cup playoff match last night, Djokovic will head to the Serbian capital, where he is expected to be present in the Belgrade Arena.

Red Star and Partizan will play the match of the 35th EuroLeague round, an important game in terms of the battle for the playoffs and play-ins of the elite European competition.

Novak is known as a big Red Star fan, and can be often seen in the box or courtside, and sometimes attends Red Star's away games as well.

He also watched Partizan quite a few times, and after visiting Visoko and Zenica, he gained great respect from the people inBosnia and Herzegovina. He saw the team qualify for the World Cup and was hosted as an important guest.

When it comes to his own job, Djokovic skipped the Miami and Monte Carlo tournaments, and as things stand, we will see him in Madrid where he will start the season on clay.

(Telegraf.rs)

Printscreen: RTS

The meeting between President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani has been postponed.

The meeting was scheduled to take place today, the Serbian presidential press service announced.

A statement added that the meeting will take place at a later date.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Instagram / zeljo_cevabdzinica_since1968

Bosnia and Herzegovina footballers had one special fan watching them beat Italy last night and qualify for the World Cup. It was the best tennis player on the planet, Novak Djokovic.

After the celebration moved to the streets of the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Novak went there as well, stopping by the legendary kebab restaurant "Zeljo" in the immediate vicinity of Bas Carsija.

The workers could not believe that the best tennis player of all time was there with them. Novak Djokovic just went in like any other person, drawing almost no attention to himself.

But he took photos with the workers, who were delighted that Novak decided to "treat" himself there , and the Serbian tennis star was enjoying the moment.

The "Zeljo" kebab restaurant was established in 1968 and has for decades been known as one of the best and most visited in Sarajevo.

"Sarajevo - the city of champions! Welcome, Novak Djokovic!," reads the caption to one of the Instagram posts.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Tanjug/JADRANKA ILIC

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said today that elections will be called by the end of the year, and perhaps by Vidovdan (June 28).

Vucic told Informer TV that local elections in ten cities and municipalities showed that the student lists had no chance, and that they could not even announce the results for any municipality.

"Everything will be peaceful, everything will be fine, they have no chance. The fact that someone is angry is an expression of complete helplessness and despair. Secondly, as far as candidacies are concerned, elections will be called by the end of the year, maybe even by Vidovdan. They were asking for elections, we will see when they'll be held. It will be as the people say, 'vox populi, vox dei'," said Vucic.

Vucic added that the representatives of the student lists did not even announce the results for any of the local governments where they participated in the elections.

"They don't know what to do with elections. The only thing they know is to falsely accuse someone, talk about double lists, call centers. They have no idea what they are talking about. We are ready to train and educate them, so that they better understand the democratic electoral processes in our country, so that they understand that problems cannot be solved with fists and guns," said Vucic.

He added that there were reactions from the Council of Europe and the European Union to the violence during the local elections in Serbia on Sunday, but that they did not say who committed the violence, "even though everyone saw it".

The president also asked what is the purpose of the cannon crackers that were found in the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade.

"I understand, they had gas masks, since they were probably preparing for tear gas. But what were the cannon crackers for? Well, they didn't explain that. Keep asking them, just what is it for? To explain to us what it is protecting them from," Vucic said.

Asked to comment on opposition media saying that he is in a major panic, so he speaks for Informer TV, Vucic said that TV outlet asked him to appear there, and that he said that "we only need to calm people down".

"But not their people, they have neither the strength nor the power. We need to calm down the majority of the decent Serbia, so that they don't overreact. After all, these are all our sisters and brothers. And as for panic, I'm in a panic because of the situation in the world, to be completely honest. Just don't let it be, when there are elections soon - 'we've made a lot of progress, we'll win some elections in four years'. I've heard a lot of those stories, I've listened to those meaningless things," he said.

Vucic added that the authorities will do their job.

"There are many details that I know and that I cannot make public, but the citizens of Serbia will soon hear and see all sorts of things that have been hidden, how they were hidden (by opposition). It's like they were preparing the battlefield... But the cannon crackers, there is no explanation for that. And now, here are all their lies about there being no pyrotechnic devices there (at the university) and the rest of it," said Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Tanjug/Milos Milivojevic

Serbian PM Djuro Macut today - as part of his official two-day visit to Algeria - laid a wreath at the Martyrs' Memorial (Maqam Echahid) and paid his respects to the fighters of the Algerian War of Independence.

Prime Minister Macut also visited the Museum of Martyrs, dedicated to the struggle of the Algerian people for freedom and independence.

"It is a great honor for me to pay tribute to the brave men and women of Algeria who fought fearlessly for the freedom of their fatherland. The people of Serbia have always stood in solidarity with the people of Algeria and, thanks to your sacrifice, today we have the opportunity to build our future together. We will forever remember your battle, and that torch of freedom you lit will never be extinguished. Glory to the immortal fighters for the freedom of Algeria," the head of the Serbian government wrote in the museum's guest book.

The Serbian PM will today, as part of his visit to Algeria, meet with Algerian PM Sifi Ghrieb and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

In addition to Macut, the Serbian delegation includes Minister of Tourism and Youth Husein Memic, and the minister without portfolio in charge of international economic cooperation and the position of the Church in the country and abroad, Nenad Popovic, who also chairs Serbian National Assembly's Joint Committee with People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.

(Telegraf.rs)

Photo: Shutterstock

The Serbian passport has made significant progress on the latest Henley Passport Index data ranking, the Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy announced and stated that from 2012 to 2026, Serbia progressed from 45th to 30th place on that list, i.e. by 15 places (out of 199 countries).

Data from the Henley index, which measures the freedom of travel enjoyed citizens by the number of countries they can go to without a visa, shows that over a decade, Serbia achieved significant progress, even though our country is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen zone.

This comes as a result of long-term foreign policy and the expansion of Serbia's network of international relations in previous years, the ministry said, assessing at the same time that the trend of increasing the strength of the Serbian passport indicates a big shift enjoyed by Serbia in international relations and the mobility of its citizens, reports Tanjug.

(Telegraf Biznis)

Photo: Tanjug/Ana Paunkovic

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic says that he supports the decision of the president of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, to cancel the Brdo Brijuni summit in May because he "has no place there, and it is much more important to go and lay a flower in Jasenovac (site of Croatian WW2 death camp for Serbs)".

"As far as my presence in Brijuni is concerned, I fully support Zoran Milanovic, he is absolutely right, I don't belong there. I always wanted to, as the president of Serbia, go and lay a flower in Jasenovac, and that was always incomparably more important to me, and I can only go to Brijuni as part of my professional obligations to hear and talk to the other side because I have never shied away from dialogue," Vucic told Tanjug.

This is how he replied when asked to comment on the messages coming from Zagreb, i.e. Milanovic's statement that he will cancel the Brdo-Brijuni summit in May because he does not want Vucic to participate on account of the Serbian president's ""statements over the previous period."

According to Vucic, Milanovic did not have to cancel the entire meeting, and could have instead "invited his friends from Pristina, Tirana or wherever" - because he "certainly would not want to spoil and disturb the idyllic atmosphere."

"Regarding the statements and what Zoran Milanovic is referring to, I am not his lapdog and I am not (Andrej) Plenkovic, so he cannot take it out on me the way he is doing to some of his own people or some other foreign officials, just as I am not a lapdog of either Plenkovic or Grlic Radman so they could tell me what to say. Instead I am speaking as the free and freedom-loving president of Serbia and I am telling the truth," concluded Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo collage: Shutterstock, Tanjug/AP, Nikola Tomic

The general director of Serbia's public gas enterprise Srbijagas Dusan Bajatovic said today that the extension of the gas contract Serbia has with Russia for another three months clearly shows that Russia will not allow Serbia to be left without gas supply, and noted that there will be no increase in the price of gas for households, while gas will even be somewhat cheaper for the industry.

Bajatovic said that the extension of the gas arrangement is excellent news and that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing on it yet again confirms the good relations between the two countries.

He explained that "the old" long-term contract has been extended, but that the period of time is not longer because there were additional problems with payments, and in interpreting EU sanctions.

"Serbia is safe at least until January 1, 2028, we are talking about transit through third countries, that is, from European countries to third countries that are not members of the EU. When it comes to additional costs, if there are payment problems, for example, it's possible that some payment agent appears and takes five percent. Whose expense is it now? And many other such things," Bajatovic told RTS.

When it comes to prices, official data says that gas in Europe has gone up 75 percent, but the truth is that since February the price rose by 100 percent as a result of the crisis in the Middle East. Bajatovic also said that Serbia has "kept the oil formula".

"It's the old way of calculating energy, 35 percent is affected by the price of 3 percent fuel oil, 35 percent is affected by the price of 1 percent fuel oil, and 30 percent is affected by the price of diesel. And that's how you calculate. It's the formula that ultimately pays off. What is important is that this kind of formula is calculated over nine months. So, with these current price increases, it would be a higher price, but it is calculated over the past nine months," said Bajatovic.

He added that in the next quarter the price of gas (supplied by Russia) will be stable - 320 (dollars, per 1,000 cubic meters), while if Serbia were to buy gas on the market the price would be 690.

"When it comes to flexibility, there's the minimum amount (to buy) for the summer, that's what you have to take on. But if you need more, you can get more at contract prices. Nobody has such a contract. It was like that before as well. As far as I know, this has been the way things have been done between Gazprom and Srbijagas for the last 20 years," said Bajatovic.

He stressed that the price of gas for households will not be changed, and that gas will become cheaper for the industry.

"Because we won't spend (gas) from storages, we won't be buying on the market, and we have a stable and relatively low price," said Bajatovic.

Asked what other gas supply Serbia can count on as an alternative, Bajatovic said that talks with Azerbaijan will resume in early April, while the country can currently count on up to 2 million cubic meters of gas from there, as higher quantities are limited by technical capabilities and production.

He also stated that Serbia can buy gas from other sources, including that arriving via German ports, but that this is "economically less favorable."

Bajatovic said that the gas arrangement should not be linked to finding a solution when it comes to US sanctions against NIS (Petroleum Industry of Serbia).

"I wouldn't connect those two things, since the negotiations about acquisition of NIS are ongoing. There will be more extensions for that, I'm absolutely sure of that, therefore we proved that we will change the (majority) ownership in NIS, which was the basic requirement of the US sanctions," he said.

Bajatovic said that Gazprom (which is currently majority NIS owner) "wants to remain a reliable partner and the agreement between Vucic and Putin clearly shows that Russia will not allow Serbia to be left without gas supply."

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)

Photo: Glory Kickboxing

A great martial arts spectacle is ahead on June 13 in Rotterdam, where, as part of the COLLISION 9 event, Serbian fighter Milos Cvjeticanin will challenge for the title of the world champion in the heavyweight division of GLORY Kickboxing! His rival will be the current champion Mory Kromah, who will defend the belt for the first time after becoming the "king of kickboxing" at the end of last year.

Mory Kromah (37-3-1, 21 KOs) won the title through the grueling "Last Heavyweight Standing" tournament, in which he outlasted more than 60 fighters and deservedly took the throne.

On the other hand, Milos Cvjeticanin (19-5, 10 KOs) was also the second finalist of that tournament, but due to an injury had to give up on the final fight, although despite the broken toe he managed to reach the final and win two matches.

The two fighters already have a history, Kromah celebrated against the Serbian at the COLLISION 7 event back in 2024, but a lot has changed since then.

Photo: Glory Kickboxing

Both have further progressed and grown into great stars of the GLORY organization, so a spectacular rematch and a fight for the throne is expected.

In addition to this fight, the audience in Rotterdam will have the chance to attend another big event - eight light heavyweight category fighters competing on one evening to become the new world champion.

The names of the participants will be announced in the coming weeks, and many candidates will be looking for their chance already on April 25 at the GLORY 107 event.

Organizers have announced that several more similar tournaments will be held in 2026 in various categories, including welterweight and heavyweight, where titles will also be challenged for.

There is no doubt that a true martial arts spectacle awaits us in June, and Serbia will have its representative in the fight for the very top of the world kickboxing.

All kickboxing fans can register for advance ticket sales by clicking here.

GLORY event schedule:

April 25: GLORY 107 - Rotterdam, RTM Stage

June 6: GLORY 108 - Tokyo

June 13: COLLISION 9 - Rotterdam, Rotterdam Ahoy

(Telegraf.rs)