Finance Minister

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for 'war' in the occupied West Bank, prompting questions about whether his remarks signal a genuine escalation of military operations there or are political rhetoric. The statement adds to tensions as Israeli operations in the territory have intensified amid the wider conflict with Hamas and Palestinian groups, drawing international scrutiny of settlement and annexation policies.

Britain's finance minister says 'fiscal discipline' will form the core of the upcoming budget, according to Reuters. The pledge signals an emphasis on keeping public finances in check as the government balances spending commitments against pressure to steady borrowing and reassure markets ahead of the fiscal statement.

A member of a panel advising Japan's prime minister said the planned expansion of Japan's defense spending will likely be phased in over many years rather than concentrated in any single year. The adviser added that the increases should not become a source of significant market anxiety annually, aiming to reassure investors as Japan ramps up its defense budget.

Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem has called on the European Union to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, saying Brussels should disregard Moscow's threats of punishment over such a move. The statement adds to ongoing debate within the EU over legal and political risks of tapping roughly immobilised Russian state funds to finance Kyiv's defence and recovery.

Ukraine's government is freezing budget expenditures across all line items except priority spending, Prime Minister Koretsky said. The reason, he explained, is that part of the international financing planned for the state budget has not yet arrived. The cabinet has therefore set priorities for which expenses will be funded first while awaiting the missing foreign funds.

The European Union is set to remove Panama and Vietnam from its tax haven blacklist, which lists jurisdictions the bloc considers non-cooperative on tax matters. The move means both countries will no longer face the EU's monitoring and potential restrictive measures tied to the list, which is periodically updated by EU finance ministers.

India's Finance Minister has identified quantum technology as one of the country's next major infrastructure investment priorities. The move signals that New Delhi intends to treat quantum computing alongside traditional infrastructure sectors as a strategic area for public funding, aligning India with other governments stepping up national quantum programmes.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, joined by Strock, has publicly called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reject the newly proposed Gaza Board of Peace plan. The demand highlights deep divisions within Israel's governing coalition over international oversight arrangements for Gaza's future as ceasefire and reconstruction proposals continue to circulate.

A new Israeli election poll shows former military chief Gadi Eisenkot running even with Benjamin Netanyahu, while far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich's party reaches its highest support yet in polling. The figures suggest a shifting right-wing landscape ahead of Israel's next national vote, with Eisenkot emerging as a serious challenger and Smotrich consolidating support among hardline voters.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher are presenting Australia's final budget outcome, wrapping up the financial year's accounts. Attention is focused on the fiscal position ahead of an expected Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate rise, with the budget's state of repair likely to feed debate over whether further rate hikes are needed.

Egypt has rejected calls from Israeli officials to expand military operations in the occupied West Bank, after far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich urged a Gaza-style war there. Cairo warned such a escalation would destabilise the region further, deepening tensions between Israel and a key mediator in the conflict.

The BBC reports that the UK Prime Minister may finally abandon the triple lock, the pledge that the state pension rises each year by the highest of inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5%. Dropping the promise would break a long-standing manifesto commitment and is being debated as the government weighs pension costs against pressure on public finances.

Israel's Prime Minister's Office and Finance Ministry are opposing the proposed $4.2 billion sale of shipping company Zim. The resistance from two key government bodies puts a major obstacle in the path of the transaction, which would be one of the largest deals in the country's shipping sector. Further details on the buyers and the grounds for the opposition have not been disclosed.

Pakistan's finance minister held talks with the US Export-Import Bank in Washington covering potential financing for Boeing aircraft, according to an adviser. The discussions point to possible support for Pakistani aviation purchases from the American plane maker, and come amid Islamabad's efforts to secure international financial backing and strengthen economic ties with the United States.

South Korea's finance minister and the Bank of Korea governor have stressed the need for close policy coordination to address economic uncertainties. The two top economic officials underscored cooperation between fiscal and monetary authorities as the country navigates external risks, including global financial volatility and trade pressures. The joint message is being read as an effort to reassure markets about policy alignment.

Israel's finance minister is pressing for the E1 settlement tender in the occupied West Bank to move forward before the upcoming Knesset election. The E1 plan, long stalled under international pressure, would connect Jerusalem to the Ma'ale Adumim settlement bloc and is seen as effectively dividing the West Bank. The timing call ties the contested project to Israel's domestic electoral calendar.

South Korea's finance minister and the Bank of Korea governor held a meeting, according to Yonhap News Agency. The regular financial chief-central banker meeting is being watched for signals on coordination between fiscal and monetary policy, particularly around inflation, currency pressures and the direction of interest rates as markets assess the country's economic outlook.

Moldova's finance minister has warned that the country must not waste European Union funds allocated for reforms, urging that the money be used effectively. The remarks come as Moldova continues its push toward closer EU integration and implements reforms required to benefit from EU financial support.

South Korea's finance minister and the governor of the Bank of Korea have emphasized the need for close coordination between fiscal and monetary policy to address economic uncertainties. Yonhap News Agency reported the comments, which highlight government and central bank alignment at a time of volatility in currency, rates and global trade conditions. No further details were given in the report.

Moldova's finance minister has warned that the country must not waste European Union funds earmarked for reforms. The statement underscores pressure on Chisinau to use EU financial support effectively as the country pursues its accession path and implement reforms in areas such as governance and the economy.

South Korea's finance minister and the Bank of Korea governor have pledged to work more closely on coordinating fiscal and monetary policy. The commitment signals an effort to align government spending decisions with the central bank's interest rate stance as the country navigates economic uncertainty. Officials indicated regular consultations will continue to support financial stability.

South Korea's finance minister and the central bank governor held a meeting in Seoul, according to Seoul Economic Daily. No details of the agenda or outcomes have been reported. Such meetings typically cover economic policy coordination, but no specifics are available at this time.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is traveling to The Hague for a visit to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, combined with discussions on the EU's budget strategy. The trip underlines Germany's positioning on international justice institutions at a time when they face political pressure, while Berlin weighs its stance on the European Union's next long-term budget.

A national finance minister has met with his Georgian counterpart and the Hong Kong SAR financial secretary, according to a Fana News report. The trilateral meeting signals deepening financial and trade ties between the parties, though details of the agenda or any outcomes were not disclosed in the report.

Australian Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has commented on a reported data breach involving OpenAI and Medicare, saying legislation must keep pace with technological change. She stressed the need for clear legal safeguards and a defined government response strategy to handle emerging technology challenges. The comments add to scrutiny of how sensitive citizen data is protected and how Australia regulates artificial intelligence tools used across the public sector.