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NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- NZ Herald
‘Lil Gay Out:' Hobsonville Point Secondary School cancels LGBTQ+ event after protest threats
However, the school cancelled this year's event. The Herald understands students were informed during a meeting early yesterday morning. School principal Kirsty Dowding told the Herald Hobsonville Point Secondary School proudly supported inclusion and diversity across all areas of school and community life. 'However, ultimately our key role is in educating our students in a safe, happy and healthy environment,' she said. 'We are aware that there is the possibility of outside protesters at this event, [and] we do not consider this risk to be in the interests of our students, staff, visitors and community and have made the decision to cancel this event.' Dowding said while the cancellation was disappointing, the safety and security of its staff and students was a key priority. A police spokesperson said police met with the school on Monday to discuss the June event. 'The meeting was to discuss the potential need for a policing response as part of their safety and security assessment. Ultimately, the school decided to cancel the event.' A Hobsonville Point Secondary School student, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald they were 'disheartened' and 'angry'. 'It's a really important event for the community because it helps people feel less alone and have a place to share experiences,' they said. 'It generally improves people's mental health so much.' Another person told the Herald they were dismayed. 'Events like Lil Gay Out are not just social gatherings — they are lifelines. 'They offer belonging, community, and visibility in a world that too often makes Rainbow youth feel unsafe or unseen. 'To see such an event silenced by intimidation is an alarming reminder of how far we still have to go.' LGBTQ+ charity InsideOut managing director Tabby Besley told the Herald events like Lil Gay Out and Schools' Pride Week were important for all students to celebrate diversity and provide visibility and understanding. 'A majority of students will either belong to the rainbow community, or have rainbow friends, whānau.' Besley said InsideOut had seen a majority of secondary schools take part in events like Schools' Pride Week, sending a clear message to their communities that rainbow young people belong in their schools. 'This helps uplift the wellbeing of a group who often experience bullying and discrimination simply for being themselves, and supports young people to be proud of who they are.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bond Traders Eye Inflation for Rate Clues as Recession Odds Fade
(Bloomberg) -- The temporary US-China trade truce dimmed the odds of a recession and sparked a selloff in Treasuries, raising the stakes for investors ahead of the release of inflation figures for the world's biggest economy. A New Central Park Amenity, Tailored to Its East Harlem Neighbors As Trump Reshapes Housing Policy, Renters Face Rollback of Rights What's Behind the Rise in Serious Injuries on New York City's Streets? NYC Warns of 17% Drop in Foreign Tourists Due to Trump Policies LA Mayor Credits Trump on Fire Aid, Stays Wary on Immigration With market-implied expectations for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts receding and a multi-trillion-dollar tax package seen likely to worsen the US government budget deficit, focus is now on Tuesday's inflation data for any signs of a pickup in price pressures. The report will be the first to show tariff-related costs. 'If you have to put a gun to my head and say what's the most likely single view it probably would be that the Fed maintains rates on hold this year because inflation stays pretty elevated,' said Mark Dowding, chief investment officer of BlueBay Fixed Income. According to Fed Governor Adriana Kugler, even with the 90-day levy reduction on Chinese goods, President Donald Trump's tariff policies risk sparking a rise in inflation and unemployment. Consumer prices for April are forecast to show the annual pace of growth held the same as the month prior, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Core inflation is forecast to remain at a 2.8% level. The new tariff levels will translate into a 1.5% hit to US GDP and 0.9% boost to core PCE over a period of two to three years, about half the shock predicted before the US-China talks, according to Bloomberg Economics. Goldman Sachs said Monday that it now expects three quarter-point rate cuts starting in December instead of July, with just a 35% probability of a recession versus 45% previously. Citigroup economists also pushed back their prediction for the Fed's next rate cut to July from June after tempering of US-China tariffs. Swaps traders, who had previously seen rate cuts as early as June, are now pricing in the first full Fed quarter-point rate cut in September, with just slightly more than two full reductions seen through year end. 'Right now the market pricing-in two Fed rate cuts seems to be sort of a fair probability rating assessment,' said Dowding. Since the end of April, US government bonds have slumped, pushing yields across all maturities higher. Benchmark 10-year yields trade at 4.47%, well above the lows of this month of 4.12%. Policy sensitive two-year yields have risen nearly 40 basis points to hover now at just under 4% — jumping about 12 basis points on Monday alone. Dowding said he is looking to purchase 10-year Treasuries if yields move back to 4.8% — around the peak level of 2025 reached in mid-January — and sell them if rates fall below 4.2% Despite the administration touting they can extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts without worsening the US deficit, market participants are less clear that will pan out. The plan announced Monday will take a big step toward advancing through the House as soon as this week, with the House Ways and Means Committee scheduled to begin debate on it Tuesday. Economists at Deutsche Bank in a note earlier this month said the final package will likely keep the US deficit-to-GDP level stuck near 6.5% for the next few years. 'If you look at what's coming down the road out of Washington, the administration is talking about Independence Day for the tax package,' said Gregory Faranello, head of US rates trading and strategy for AmeriVet Securities. 'So the Fed is going to wait that out,' as well as move slowly to monitor economic data. Faranello also sees rising Treasury yields as providing good opportunities to purchase more debt as he expects the labor market to crack and the Fed cutting rates sometime in the second half of the year. The Recession Chatter Is Getting Louder. Watch These Metrics US Border Towns Are Being Ravaged by Canada's Furious Boycott Two Million Meat Sticks a Day Isn't Enough for Chomps' CEO With the New York Liberty, Clara Wu Tsai Aims for the First $1 Billion Women's Sports Franchise How the Lizard King Built a Reptile Empire Selling $50,000 Geckos ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
West Australian
28-04-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Who's who in the upcoming Federal election and what are they bringing to Harvey?
With the Federal election only days away, candidates from across the region have lined up to claim South West's seat of Forrest. The seat has traditionally been a safe Liberal enclave, held by Harvey's own local icon Nola Marino since 2007, but with her retirement the seat is up for grabs with eight candidates putting vying for the position. The seat was last won by Labor in 1969, but with only a 4.2 per cent margin from last election and a host of other candidates pushing for the job, the outcome is up in the air. So, who's who in this year's election, and what are they bringing to the Harvey region? Liberal Party Coming from a family of dairy farmers in Boyanup, Ben Small said the South West is where he feels at home and is hoping to take the reins from Mrs Marino. 'I'm running in this election because I want our country to get back on track,' he said. 'My experience of small business gives me great respect for those who put it all on the line to create their own business and to employ people. 'My experience as a Senator for Western Australia gave me insight into how Canberra should work for communities like ours, but often doesn't, so I'd like to put those insights to work for our local community.' Mr Small said if elected he will scrap the Geographe Bay Offshore Wind Farm over the environmental risks, community push-back and because the economics 'stink'. 'We will back our farmers to Keep the Sheep by overturning the ban on live exports,' he said. 'We will help build the Busselton Airport terminal for new tourism and agribusiness opportunities, and I have committed to many grassroots sporting projects as a way of teaching our kids the resilience, discipline and teamwork that sets them up in life. In his campaign Mr Small has announced several funding pledges for the Harvey Region such as a $4 million pledge to Leschenault Park in Australind to build two new outdoor fields, equipped with LED lighting, change rooms, seating and parking. He also announced $250,000 to the Brunswick Tennis Club to resurface the courts and install LED lighting and most recently promised $275,000 to the Binningup skate park project. Labor Tabitha Dowding is pitting her hand up for Forrest, to be a voice for young people in the South West. The 27 year-old granddaughter of former WA Premier Peter Dowding, Ms Dowding said she knows first-hand what secure jobs, better healthcare, affordable housing, and a smart energy transition mean for the community. Having worked as a school officer at the School of Isolated and Distance Education, Ms Dowding said she saw up close the barriers young people in regions face when trying to get an education. 'I am speaking to so many people across Forrest, I know that cost of living is having an impact on regional Western Australians, and young people across our State,' she said. 'The Albanese Labor Government has a real plan to deliver cost-of-living relief, build more things right here, and make housing more accessible.' Ms Dowding said Labor would also invest into supporting local tourism. 'The South West is one of the most beautiful parts of the world – and I am so proud to be from here,' she said. She said the Shire of Harvey is set to benefit from Labor's continued investment in strengthening Medicare with Labor committed to opening a new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Greater Bunbury and giving Eaton's existing Medicare Urgent Care Clinic a share of a $8.4 million boost to increase capacity. Ms Dowding has also served as a policy adviser to WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis and has worked under former Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie. 'I want to be Forrest's voice in Canberra because I know that Labor doesn't just talk about the regions — we invest in them,' she said. 'It is time to make sure Forrest has a new voice to speak for the South West — and I am the best choice to be that voice.' Independent Sue Chapman is looking to hang up her scrubs and take on Parliament bringing the voice of locals to Canberra. Having moved to the South West 25 years ago with her husband and two children to work as a urologist, Dr Chapman is now vying for the seat of Forrest as an independent. 'I feel it is time for the seat of Forrest to have genuine representation that is responsive to the local needs of this community,' she said. 'I'm offering true local community backed representation that does not get filtered by a party. 'I can work with either party in the long term and I can always be an advocate and voice for the seat of Forrest.' Dr Chapman said her experience as a doctor will transfer to politics, giving her the edge to work under pressure and problem solve as she regularly does patients. 'I enjoy meeting individuals from all walks of life and connecting with their stories,' she said. 'I have a capacity for hard work, and for making decisions based on evidence.' As an independent, Dr Chapman said she is not able to make specific election commitments during her campaign but said commitment to the electorate is to hold whichever Government is formed to the promise they have made during this campaign. She said she would work closely with local governments to advocate for the needs of their communities. 'I will work closely with the Shire of Harvey, and they have a set of priorities that they have already determined — things they would like to promote,' she said. Dr Chapman said the region has an 'extraordinary' amount of expertise and a huge capacity for growth. 'I want to be the person who advocates for Forrest in Canberra,' she said. Greens A social worker, community organiser and climate justice researcher, Georgia Beardman is committed to helping people and the planet. A Dunsborough local with a social work degree from Edith Cowan University, Ms Beardman said she is passionate about pushing for climate action necessary to shore up the long-term sustainability of the region. 'As the climate crisis escalates, we're seeing more and more heatwaves, bushfires and droughts that are already impacting everything from pasture growth to water costs,' she said. 'Under the two major parties' total lack of meaningful climate policy, we're genuinely risking the future of local industries like citrus in Harvey and Brunswick Junction's dairy sector.' Ms Beardman is committed to ensuring agricultural communities are supported through growing challenges and will push for a $250 million investment into sustainable farming through the Green Agriculture Australia initiative. 'The Greens are the only party fighting to break up the Coles and Woolworths supermarket duopoly that's screwing over so many farming communities,' she said. 'We're also pushing to cap the price of essential groceries to ensure families can put food on the table. 'Farmers are the beating heart of our communities. 'They literally feed all of us — but the major parties are ignoring the long-term challenges they face.' Ms Beardman said the Shire of Harvey is experiencing some of the most rapid population growth in WA and there was a need to ensure services and infrastructure meet the increase in demand. 'Data shows that people living in the Shire of Harvey experience mental health challenges at a rate higher than the regional average,' she said. 'We need better mental health services, and we need them to be available for free under Medicare, for everyone. 'The Greens will always put the needs of the community first.' Nationals After an attempt at State politics, Cam Parsons is throwing his hat into the fight for Forrest. Growing up in the Wheatbelt, Mr Parsons shifted into the South West in 2008 and now finds himself in Roelands. 'I wouldn't live anywhere else, it's bloody brilliant,' he said. Mr Parsons said he will bring his willingness to fight for local issues to the halls of Parliament making sure local voices are heard. 'That's what I'm about, I want to fight and make sure our locals, our local businesses, our local families and our local farmers are heard,' he said. 'That's what the Nationals are about looking after our communities and making our regions a better place.' Mr Parsons said he is willing to stand up for the region and what he believes in if elected. 'I might get in trouble occasionally for not following party lines,' he said. 'But if I can convince the party that this is the best thing to do, that is what I'm about. 'I'll have a shouting match with anyone if I think it's the right way to go.' As a farmer, Mr Parsons said he is committed to protecting the livelihood of those on the land in the region who he said have been 'neglected' by both the State and Federal Labor governments. Mr Parsons said he also and wants to help ease the cost of living. 'If you want to support our local farmers, our local communities, our regions in WA, our farmers, our truck drivers, our shearers, our stock agents, we need to keep the sheep,' he said. 'I will fight to keep the sheep and stand up for our farmers, including continuing to fight for a South West Agribusiness Precinct that I committed to during the State election.' One Nation's Paul Van Der Mey, Legalise Cannabis candidate Aaron Peet and Trumpet of Patriots candidate Peter Greenland are also running for the Seat of Forrest.
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Jerome Powell's hawkish stance leads to US treasuries falling
US Treasuries fell Thursday, snapping a three-day rally, as traders reduced expectations of interest-rate cuts following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's hawkish remarks on inflation. The yield on the benchmark 10-year note climbed to 4.30%, erasing much of Wednesday's gains. Yields across the curve rose, with the five-year yield briefly up six basis points to 3.96%, while the two-year touched 3.82%. Powell reiterated the central bank's focus on combating inflation, warning that tariffs could contribute to a longer-lasting rise in prices. 'Powell delivered the clearest message since 'Liberation Day' yesterday, which was unquestionably hawkish,' ING strategist Francesco Pesole said. Although Treasuries had initially gained after Powell's comments, the tone of his message — and a rebound in global risk sentiment from US-Japan trade developments — shifted the focus back to inflation risks. In a Truth Social post Thursday, President Donald Trump again criticised Powell, saying his 'termination can't come quickly enough' and that the Fed should have already cut rates. The Fed operates independently of the White House. Money markets are now pricing in around 88 basis points of rate cuts in 2025 — the equivalent of three quarter-point cuts and a 50% chance of a fourth — slightly lower than earlier in the week. RBC BlueBay Asset Management CIO Mark Dowding said the Fed may feel constrained in taking any near-term action. 'The combination of rising prices and stalling growth will probably mean that the Fed feels it can do nothing in terms of monetary policy,' Dowding said, noting Powell's attention to his legacy. Dowding added that US inflation could climb to 4% due to tariffs, a trend potentially worsened by a weakening US dollar. Despite this week's selloff, some analysts see signs that Treasuries are regaining their traditional role as safe-haven assets. 'It's at least reassuring that Treasuries traded as they 'should',' said Michael Brown of Pepperstone. He cautioned, however, that investor reluctance to hold US assets could still lead to further declines. 'Yesterday's move will at least allay some concerns over the dislocations seen last week,' he said. Markets now turn to US jobless claims data for the week ending 12 April, expected to show labour market resilience and further guide bond direction.
Reuters
17-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
BlueBay sells US dollars short, citing low investor confidence
HONG KONG, April 17 (Reuters) - RBC BlueBay Asset Management has opened short positions on the U.S. dollar, betting on the end of U.S. exceptionalism as President Donald Trump's trade war threatens to destroy decades of trust and credibility in the currency. The dollar has been falling on concerns over the impact Trump's trade tariffs will have on the economy, consumer incomes and markets, and as investors pull money out of U.S. stocks, signalling doubts over its "exceptionalism" or status as the bedrock of the global financial system. An index of the dollar's value against six other major currencies is down 4% in April and on track for its worst month since 2022. "At the beginning of last week, we were selling dollars," said Mark Dowding, chief investment officer for RBC BlueBay's fixed income team, who oversees over $133 billion in assets globally, in an interview. "There is a loss of credibility in U.S. policy making," he said, adding Trump's tariff policies "didn't feel like it had been very well thought through." BlueBay was long the dollar at the beginning of the year but closed that position in the middle of the first quarter and has now turned bearish. The fund is bullish on the Japanese yen and is betting the yen will rise to 135 per dollar, a rise of nearly 6% from current levels, given its undervaluation and as Japanese capital abroad returns home. Trump's back-and-forth tariff threats have caused wild price moves in U.S. equities, bonds and currencies, sparking a debate over whether the dollar and U.S. Treasuries can maintain their safe haven status. European and Japanese investors are looking more at domestic assets now rather than putting money in the United States, Dowding said, "We think it could end up bringing about a longer-term turning point for the value of the U.S. dollar." Dowding believes the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates in the near term as tariffs could disrupt supply chains, creating shortages and driving inflation higher. "We continue to see volatility in Treasury prices," he said, adding he is waiting for a good entry point. "If the 10-year yield went down below 4.2%, I'd want to sell. If the yield went above 4.8%, I'd want to buy." Among other trades, he has started to buy inflation-linked bonds in the U.S. and Europe. "We think the inflation is going up to 4% in the U.S. this year," he said.
