Australian treasurer, MP for Rankin since 2013
The conflict in the Middle East is intensifying as Yemen's Houthi rebels claim missile strikes on Saudi targets, prompting responses from Saudi-led forces and US officials. Washington is weighing strikes on Iran as the region sees a widening front, with naval blockades and interceptions shaping an increasingly volatile Red Sea corridor.
Fuel prices have surged amid Middle East conflict and shifting wholesale costs. RAC expects petrol at 160p per litre and diesel near 180p, with volatility likely to continue as geopolitics influence oil markets.
Japan has 107,677 centenarians, the highest global figure, with 88% women. The country’s aging population coexists with a shrinking birth rate, pressuring social security and the economy. Officials cite medicine, diet, and active living as key factors, while authorities warn of fiscal strain as the population declines.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.6%, the highest since 2011, citing elevated inflation and upside risks from energy costs. The move follows a year of tightening, with households already under strain from previous increases.
Delegates at the IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok have walked out as Russia’s finance minister addressed the room, underscoring Europe’s stance on Moscow and signaling ongoing strain in global economic diplomacy. The incident follows tense debates over Russia’s role at the G20 and broader sanctions dynamics.