All posts tagged: Minister

Indonesia central bank, finance minister agree to boost asset yields to aid rupiah

Indonesia central bank, finance minister agree to boost asset yields to aid rupiah

Published by Sam Flores

JAKARTA, June 6 : Indonesia’s central bank chief and finance minister on Saturday agreed to increase yields on Indonesian assets to attract portfolio inflows and support the rupiah, after the currency hit record lows in the past few weeks. Bank Indonesia and the finance ministry “will increase the attractiveness of yields” on Indonesian assets “so that portfolio inflows return” to the country, Governor Perry Warjiyo told a press conference at parliament building. Warjiyo did not provide any details on the plan. He took questions but didn’t give any clearer answers. Southeast Asia’s largest economy has been hit by heavy capital outflows this year, with the stock market plunging more than 30 per cent and the rupiah sinking amid investor concerns over President Prabowo Subianto’s big spending plans, even as fuel subsidies balooned due to the Iran war. Foreign holdings of Indonesian bonds have slumped to a near two-decade low. Markets are also worried about the autonomy of the central bank, transparency issues at the stock market and Prabowo’s new plan to centralise exports of major …

Canada is failing the Jewish community and Jews are being targeted, Prime Minister Carney says

Canada is failing the Jewish community and Jews are being targeted, Prime Minister Carney says

Published by Sam Flores

TORONTO (AP) — Canada is failing Jewish Canadians and the community is being brutally targeted by hate, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday. Carney said across Canada, antisemitism has surged to levels not seen in the post-World War II era. He noted that last year over two-thirds of all religion-motivated hate crimes were directed at Jewish Canadians. Jews make up only 1% of the population. “The horror and shame are global. Our actions must be local. They start with clearly admitting that Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians,” Carney said at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. Carney said antisemites in Canada have fired bullets at Jewish schools and thrown firebombs at synagogues and attacked community centers. He said they have targeted Jewish-owned businesses and drove Jewish students from common spaces on university campuses. Carney said antisemitism plagues Europe, Australia and the United States. But he said the crisis of antisemitism in Canada is “specific, severe and demands a targeted response.” There has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents globally since the Israel-Hamas war …

Future Presence of US Troops in Lithuania Is ‘Under Review,’ Says Minister

Future Presence of US Troops in Lithuania Is ‘Under Review,’ Says Minister

Published by Sam Flores

VILNIUS, June 2 (Reuters) – The future presence ⁠of ⁠U.S. troops in Lithuania is “under ⁠review”, the Baltic country’s defence minister said on Tuesday, adding ​that although Washington had assured him new rotations would arrive, he did not know when ‌and at what strength. The U.S. is ‌withdrawing thousands of troops based in Germany and Poland as the rift between ⁠the administration ⁠of President Donald Trump and its NATO allies and partners in ​Europe over the Iran war widens. In Lithuania, U.S. troops presently stationed in the country are now leaving as expected, but the next scheduled group is not arriving, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas ​said. “(The next) rotation is currently under review… because the number of (U.S. troops) in Europe ⁠is ⁠changing, this naturally leads to ⁠a review ​of regional stance”, Kaunas told reporters in Vilnius. The move would leave Lithuania without an ​armored U.S. battalion of ⁠about 1,000 troops on its soil for the first time since 2020. The minister said he had discussed the situation with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at …

Malta’s prime minister declares historic victory in snap election – POLITICO

Malta’s prime minister declares historic victory in snap election – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Abela called a snap election in April, four years into his five-year term, amid fears the war in Iran and the ensuing economic shock could erode support for his government. Alex Borg, leader of the opposition Nationalists Party, appeared to concede defeat on Sunday, saying the outcome was “not the result we wanted, but it’s a very clear message.” Abela’s victory was widely expected, with polling ahead of Saturday’s vote showing his Labour Party on top. Still, the Labour Party’s majority appeared to be considerably smaller than its last victory in 2022, with around 18,000 votes separating the government from the opposition. The election was fiercely fought and drew some surprise interventions from Brussels, with Malta’s EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef, who was Abela’s chief of staff, controversially endorsing the prime minister in a campaign speech, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola appearing at campaign stops alongside Borg. Source link

'What Is Wrong With Labour?' Trevor Phillips Scorches Minister Over Glaring Issue Within Party

'What Is Wrong With Labour?' Trevor Phillips Scorches Minister Over Glaring Issue Within Party

Published by Sam Flores

Trevor Phillips on Sky News Sky News’ Trevor Phillips asked a senior minister what is “wrong” with Labour as he tore into the party’s lack of female leaders. Labour is currently in turmoil as speculation of a coup mounts.  Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is campaigning as the party’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election. If he wins and becomes an MP, he is expected to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership, sparking a contest which ex-health secretary Wes Streeting has already vowed to join. Senior female party figures, like former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, are yet to say if they would partake in any leadership race. Interviewing work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden on Sky News, Phillips said: “There’s a shadow contest going on. The Labour Party’s not going to have a female leader. It’s bizarre. “This is not something you could say of any self-democratic party, most of the centre-right parties in Europe [have had a female leader] – the Tories have had four! “Genuinely, what is about the Labour Party that makes it, as far …

Japan seeks dialog, rejects neo-militarism label: defense minister

Japan seeks dialog, rejects neo-militarism label: defense minister

Published by Sam Flores

Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 29, 2026. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP via Getty Images) Jam Sta Rosa | Afp | Getty Images “Japan’s door to dialog is always open” to the international community even as it increases defense spending and revises its arms exports guidelines, according to defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Koizumi said that Tokyo has consistently respected international law, adding that “Japan’s path as a peace-loving nation has been valued by the region and by the international community. This fact will not be shaken by false claims because it is a fact.” He also said about accusations Japan is engaging in “neo-militarism” that there’s “nothing further from the truth.” China’s defense ministry on May 28 had called on the international community to jointly contain Japan’s “neo-militarism,” according to state media outlet Xinhua. Japan has recently taken steps to expand its defense posture, including lifting its ban on lethal arms exports and mulling changes to Article 9 of its …

Victims asked to ‘suck it up’ for benefit of attackers, says former minister

Victims asked to ‘suck it up’ for benefit of attackers, says former minister

Published by Sam Flores

Victims of sexual offences committed by children are being asked to “suck it up” for the sake of their attackers’ rehabilitation, the former safeguarding minister has said. Jess Phillips, who resigned as minister for safeguarding and violence against women earlier this month, said sentencing guidelines did not take into account a “growing trend” of children sexually abusing other children. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Phillips also warned that crime may have become “content for an eyeball economy”, with serious offences being filmed “in order to make content”. Her comments come after three teenagers, who cannot be named as they are under 18, were spared jail over the rape of two girls in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Two 15-year-olds were given non-custodial sentences after raping the two girls, with a judge at Southampton Crown Court saying he wanted to “avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily”. A third boy, now aged 14, was also convicted of his involvement in the second attack and an indecent images offence, and received another non-custodial sentence. The Attorney General …

New Zealand can no longer take its security for granted, says defence minister as military spending rises

New Zealand can no longer take its security for granted, says defence minister as military spending rises

Published by Sam Flores

A MORE CONTESTED WORLD  The defence minister said the military investment reflects a changing threat environment shaped by growing strategic competition and conflicts beyond New Zealand’s shores.  “We live in a world where there is competition and contest, even within our region. Further afield, there’s conflict,” Penk said, pointing to wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and their implications for the international rules-based order and global economic security.  “We need to increase our defence investment to resource our navy, army and air force to be able to meet the needs of New Zealand in our region and further afield.”  Maritime capability is one of New Zealand’s most urgent priorities, he said, noting that by the mid-2030s most ships in the nation’s naval fleet are expected to have reached the end of their design life.  The government is evaluating options to replace its frigates and other naval assets, alongside investments in air assets and uncrewed technologies.  DEEPENING ENGAGEMENT WITH ASIA  Alongside military modernisation, Wellington is seeking to strengthen its engagement across Asia.  “The Asia region …

Politics Home | Ex-Energy Minister And Burnham Ally Says Tony Blair Is Wrong About Net Zero

Politics Home | Ex-Energy Minister And Burnham Ally Says Tony Blair Is Wrong About Net Zero

Published by Sam Flores

Miatta Fahnbulleh was appointed energy minister in 2024 and then devolution minister in 2025, before resigning from government in May 2026 (Alamy) 5 min read2 hr Former energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has said former Labour prime minister Tony Blair was “wrong” about the need for the UK to deprioritise net zero commitments. On Tuesday, Blair published a highly critical essay setting out where he believes the Labour government has made mistakes in its policy agenda, including its net zero drive and phasing out of the British oil and gas industry. In the essay, Blair wrote that the government “should try to limit the effect of the changes made and remove those parts of the net-zero agenda which prioritise clean energy over cheaper energy”. Fahnbulleh, who served as minister for energy consumers between 2024 and 2025, told PoliticsHome that Blair’s views on net zero were “wrong”. She said that while her own children “won’t forgive me if I duck our responsibility to respond to climate change”, it was also important that the …

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan concludes working visit to North Korea

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan concludes working visit to North Korea

Published by Sam Flores

During his visit, Dr Balakrishnan also called on the chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Jo Yong Won, who gave him an update on political developments in North Korea, said MFA. “Minister Balakrishnan highlighted that amid ongoing global uncertainty, it was even more important for countries to maintain dialogue and communication to maintain peace and stability.” MFA added that Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Jo also recounted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s “historic” visit to Singapore for the first US-North Korea summit in 2018. In an Instagram post, Dr Balakrishnan said that he was glad to be back in the capital, Pyongyang, where he last visited in 2018. “Singapore and the DPRK commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025. Our ties are friendly, built on mutual respect, and continued engagement over the decades.” He added that North Korea remains an important member of the ASEAN Regional Forum, “especially at a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever”. Source link