Tehran says it will confront any land attack, as Trump says regime’s export hub on Kharg island could be taken ‘very easily’ Middle East crisis – live updates Iran has warned the US that it is prepared to confront any ground assault, accusing Washington of secretly planning a land attack while publicly seeking talks, as the war that has killed thousands of people and caused the biggest ever disrup...
Tehran says it will confront any land attack, as Trump says regime’s export hub on Kharg island could be taken ‘very easily’ Middle East crisis – live updates Iran has warned the US that it is prepared to confront any ground assault, accusing Washington of secretly planning a land attack while publicly seeking talks, as the war that has killed thousands of people and caused the biggest ever disruption to global energy supplies entered its second month. In a message published to mark 30 days since the start of the war, the Iranian parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said: “The enemy signals negotiation in public, while in secret it plots a ground attack.” Continue reading...
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s monetary policy board members will begin delivering public speeches this year, in a shift aimed at boosting transparency around rate decisions and the views behind them. Academic Ian Harper — who already gives media interviews in a personal capacity — and business leader Carolyn Hewson will deliver their first speeches in the coming months, according to an RBA spoke...
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s monetary policy board members will begin delivering public speeches this year, in a shift aimed at boosting transparency around rate decisions and the views behind them. Academic Ian Harper — who already gives media interviews in a personal capacity — and business leader Carolyn Hewson will deliver their first speeches in the coming months, according to an RBA spokesperson. The other four external members will make their respective debuts later this year or next. The move marks a break from the RBA’s longstanding practice of limiting public commentary to senior staff. Governor Michele Bullock — who chairs the board — and Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser are the only officials permitted to comment on the policy outlook. Other bank officials are restricted to economic analysis and technical topics including payments and digital currencies. The change follows an independent review that led to sweeping reforms at the central bank, including the creation of a dedicated nine-member monetary policy board, fewer meetings and news conferences after each decision. Still, the RBA’s rate-setting board is unique in that it is dominated by part-time members from academia and business, who aren’t employed by the RBA. Bullock and Hauser are the only two RBA officials on the board. Read more: RBA’s Rate-Hike Split Raises Questions Over Timing of Tightening The central bank delivered this month its second consecutive rate increase , lifting the cash rate to 4.1% after a narrow 5-4 split. While votes remain anonymous in line with the review’s recommendations, markets have increasingly speculated about the board’s hawks and doves. Money markets imply a third straight hike in May and a strong chance of two more by December, which would take the cash rate to 4.85% — the highest since late 2008. The outlook remains fluid ahead of the May 5 decision. The RBA will receive first-quarter inflation data in late April, alongside updated staff forecasts, both key inp...