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Otago Daily Times
04-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
King's honour for home-grown cop
West Coast-based cop Terri Middleton. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Little recognised in Queenstown last month was the awarding of a gong to home-grown Terri Middleton. A member of the Middleton family who farm Queenstown Hill, the 59-year-old senior police constable was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the police and the community in the King's Birthday Honours. In the list she was principally under her married name, Fairhall, however she's kept her maiden name over her police career. That whole career, since 1992, has been on the West Coast, where she's worked with victims of child abuse and family harm. And as school community officer since '02 she's worked in drug education, with kids in and out of school, often on a voluntary basis, and led engagement with youngsters in the Gloriavale Christian Community. It's "impossible to count the lives Middleton has changed for the better, or quantify the harm prevented by her engagement with some of the most vulnerable people in our society," police commissioner Richard Chambers said when her honour was announced. Despite her years on the Coast, where she and her husband raised three sons, Middleton still calls Queenstown home, and recently finished building a holiday house here. Educated at Queenstown Primary and Wakatipu High, "it was mainly the sporting stuff I enjoyed". She later played rugby league for the West Coast, while her younger siblings Stephen, Murray and Kelvin all played rugby — the latter representing the Highlanders. She recalls undertaking "lots of chores"on the farm, including mustering sheep on horseback and hay-making. Her first job after school was at the council, where she graduated from cashier to assistant financial controller, followed by two years' OE. Though she returned to council, "I thought I always wanted to be a cop — I wanted to make a difference and to help people — but I didn't think I'd be able to". Over a few drinks a friend talked to into applying, and she was accepted into Wellington's "old school" police college. During a three-week secondment with Queenstown police she recalls going with cops to the house of a deceased Arrowtowner that neighbours suspected had bombs and booby traps all through it. She squeezed in through a toilet window, "and ended up falling down and getting my foot stuck in the toilet". Middleton's undecided on living back in Queenstown when her career's over. "Not too sure ... I miss my home here, but, yeah, it's lovely on the Coast too."
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Art seen: July 3
"20th Anniversary Exhibition", group show (Gallery De Novo) Gallery De Novo has achieved the rare feat of a 20th anniversary, and congratulations are in order on the milestone. To celebrate, a special exhibition has been opened featuring new art by regular contributors to the gallery, alongside several less well-known names. In keeping with the gallery's now regular Christmas shows, in which artists are given a specific size of circular board on which to produce their work, the pieces in this display are also, for the most part, of identical dimensions. The square canvases feature a wealth of new art covering many subjects and styles. As such, it is difficult to review the exhibition as a whole, other than to say there are many excellent pieces on show. What is possible, however, is to single out numerous pieces and artists worthy of special mention. These include Hamish Allen's stylised albatross, a warm cafe interior by Jo St Baker and a magic-realist portrait by Jasmine Middlebrook. A gentler approach is taken by Mel McKenzie's deliberately soft-focus garden and meditative works by Eliza Glyn, Simon Kaan, and Greer Clayton. Eliot Coates goes further with his radiant colourfield abstractions, and Ana Teofilo adds a welcome Pasifika piece. Other notable items include Jason Low's vibrant image of the Taieri Plain and Dean Raynbould's tribute to the late Martin Phillipps. "Never and Before", Kathryn McCool (Olga) Kathryn McCool's photographs tread a borderline between photojournalism and a highly personal journey through time and place. The works on display come from two sources: unpublished images, mainly from around the South, and photographs from around the Manawatu taken for and published in the artist's book P. North . These two sources make up the "never seen" and "seen before" of the exhibition's title. The images, precisely taken in terms of capturing the moment and in terms of their clarity, display the artist's methodical and measured approach to her subjects. The photographs are presented in stark yet warm monochrome, and reveal a psychogeography of the land, with deceptively simple images giving hints to the history and memory traces behind the faces, buildings, and trees. The scenes seem to come from outside time. There is little to tell whether the images are from 2025 or 1955, the ghosts of past and present mix together in the depictions. The works take the photoreportage style of Friedlander or Ussher and add a gentle frisson that suggests that there are stories behind the images. While the depths are not dark or gothic enough to suggest that Palmerston North is an antipodean Twin Peaks, the artist has grasped some sense of unease lurking within the ostensibly bucolic in these intriguing images. "Made in Dunedin", Chris Weaver (Brett McDowell Gallery) Chris Weaver is one of New Zealand's most recognised and accomplished potters. The West Coast-based artist has recently been artist in residence at his old alma mater, Otago Polytechnic. During his time in Dunedin, he has been busy creating his distinctive angular yet functional ceramics, many of which are on display at Brett McDowell Gallery. Weaver's small teapots and jugs have simple, practical forms, but are imbued with several trademark features for which the artist has become well-known. The irregular polygonal shapes of his creations are often emphasised by sheer cut lines and the addition of angular wooden handles. While this may make the works sound austere, this could not be further from the truth. There is a cheeky friendliness to the shapes which almost gives them the feel of perched fantails and wax-eyes, watching and ready to fly off at any moment. The glazes used are a further softening feature of the works. Many of the pieces on display are either salt-glazed, leaving that medium's distinct pattern of speckles and bare lines under a deep, rich skin. Other pieces are worked with a celadon glaze, giving them a soft translucent green shade over a strong grey base. This ancient Chinese glaze is used to good effect, giving the pieces a cool, calming quality. By James Dignan
New York Post
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
I opened my relationship so I could sleep with other people — now I help my boyfriend find dates, too
It takes two … to fine number three. Model Cami Strella and her partner, Lev Lieben, were in a long-term monogamous relationship, but after two years together, Strella suggested they begin to experiment with other partners. 'I wanted to have my cake and eat it, too,' said Strella. She explained that she valued the intimate, emotional connection she had with Lieben, but felt it was important to explore other sexual experiences as well. 4 'We just realised this is how we operate – but it's not for everybody,' Strella admitted. Jam Press/@camistrella 'We basically dove headfirst into non-monogamy.' She was excited about exploring her sexuality with others at first — Strella even vacationed in Thailand with one partner — but although it was her idea, she admitted she was apprehensive about sharing her fiancé with other women. 'I struggled quite a bit with letting go of the concept of ownership because sex with Lev had been so intimate for me,' she revealed. 'But I wanted to explore sex with other men and women, and it was only fair that he got to do the same.' As with any relationship, there have been some bumps in the road, and it took the pair a while to get the hang of their new dynamic. 'There were a lot of misunderstandings in the beginning, and we had a lot of rules,' Strella recalled. 'It was a bit weird.' 'It's very normal to feel a bit awkward at first, but once you unbridle yourself from the concept of monogamy, it's really freeing.' 4 'It is a level of intimacy very few people will ever understand,' Strella explained. Jam Press/@camistrella However, the model and influencer explained that honesty was key to making it work. The West Coast-based influencer has 410,000 followers on her Instagram account, @camistrella, and makes up to $220,000 a month sharing racy photos and videos online. Prior to her current career, Strella was enrolled in a graduate school program studying occupational therapy and neurology, but ended up leaving when her classes went online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair met while Strella was pursuing her master's degree and Lieben was serving in the army. 4 'There was nothing wrong with our relationship,' Strella clarified. Jam Press/@36neex She said that both she and Lieben are 'completely transparent' about other sexual partners. 'Funnily enough, now I really enjoy helping Lev find dates or hearing about his sex life with others. 'A few times, when he's told me a particular woman was 'great' in bed, I've even reached out to them myself – and ended up having sex with them,' she admitted. Strella also believes that opening up their relationship has tested the strength of their bond. 4 'We have a deep connection that has only gotten stronger with time.' Jam Press/@36neex After two years of enjoying an open relationship, Strella says she hasn't regretted her decision. 'Since opening up to each other about our concerns and sharing our desires, it has turned into something really great.' The couple enjoys complete sexual freedom, which could make some people feel uncomfortable — especially at the prospect of literally sharing a partner with strangers — but Strella says she doesn't mind at all. 'I like sharing Lev because he's an amazing person and I like the idea of other people recognising this.' She also maintains that their bond as a couple, especially given that they've been together four years total and currently live together, is 'incredibly fulfilling.' 'The sex that Lev and I have is very different to the sex I have with anyone else,' Strella said. 'A lot of people don't realise that this is a way of life or that it's an option they could try, which is why I feel it's important to share our experience.'
Miami Herald
23-06-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Photos Show US Air Force Training for Pacific War
The United States conducted aerial refueling training earlier this month, deploying aircraft from bases across the Pacific to demonstrate the reach of its air power in the vast region. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. The training exercise comes against the backdrop of the Pentagon's designation of the Indo-Pacific as its "priority theater," where China continues to challenge U.S. military dominance. The U.S. Air Force has deployed various types of aircraft-including stealth fighter jets, bombers, and spy planes-in allied Pacific nations near China, including at Kadena Air Base and Misawa Air Base in Japan, which serve as front line staging areas for power projection. While combat aircraft play a major role in both offensive and defensive operations, aerial refueling aircraft-also known as tanker aircraft-provide critical support, as shown during U.S. bomber strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in Operation Midnight Hammer over the weekend. Aircrews assigned to Travis Air Force Base in California were deployed to Misawa Air Base in Japan with a KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft-which has a fuel capacity of over 212,000 pounds-for off-station training, according to a U.S. Air Force news release on June 18. The U.S. West Coast-based tanker transited the Pacific and conducted aerial refueling with Misawa Air Base's F-16 fighter jets upon entering Japanese airspace, demonstrating what the U.S. Air Force described as "worldwide mission capability" to extend operational readiness. Aerial refueling serves as the critical enabler of air superiority, stated the U.S. Air Force. It is an indispensable capability for global operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where it is essential for mission execution. The ability to rapidly redeploy fighter aircraft and keep them fueled in flight is a cornerstone of strategy, as regional tensions and contingencies continue to evolve, the news release read. U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bradford Waldie, who serves as director of operations of the 14th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, said distance is the "greatest challenge" to projecting power in the Pacific, noting that the tanker took 10 hours to reach its destination. The KC-46A-which is also capable of carrying passengers and cargo, as well as performing medical evacuations-is equipped with a number of self-protection, defensive, and communication features that enhance its survivability in contested environments, according to an official fact sheet. U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bradford Waldie, director of operations of the 14th Fighter Squadron, said in a news release: "Seeing the KC-46 successfully launch from Travis [Air Force Base] and meet us on time after a 10-hour sortie builds confidence in our ability to overcome the challenge of distance and deliver combat power anywhere it is required in the area of responsibility." The U.S. Air Force said in a news release: "The KC-46, the newest tanker aircraft in the Department of Defense, with advanced refueling systems and defensive capabilities, delivered critical fuel support to the F-16's midair-extending their range, preserving their combat readiness and reinforcing the Air Force's commitment to global power projection." It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Air Force will forward-deploy some of its KC-46A aircraft to bases in the western Pacific to enhance overall operational flexibility. Related Articles US Citizens in Qatar Given 'Shelter in Place' WarningTimelapse Shows Global Ship Traffic in Hormuz Strait Under Iran ThreatIsrael Pounds Tehran, Strikes Fordow Again as Khamenei Appeals to PutinIran Makes Direct Plea to Putin After US, Israel Strikes 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Business Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
US investors, Asia's ultra-rich drive growth in Asia-Pacific private credit
[SINGAPORE] A slight uptick in private-credit fundraising in Asia-Pacific (Apac) last year has given market players optimism for a positive 2025, even as investors continue to avoid China. They said deals in India and Australia can fill the gap, while more investors within and outside Apac are allocating capital to private credit in the region. And the key sectors they are looking to lend to are infrastructure such as data centres, and renewable energy. Last year, Apac-focused private credit fundraising hit almost US$5.9 billion across 33 funds, 7.5 per cent higher than the $5.5 billion raised from 32 funds in 2023, according to Preqin Pro data. 'Given the success of private credit strategies in the US and Europe generally, many of the funds from these markets view Asia as the next frontier, both from a capital deployment perspective and a market diversification perspective,' Shaun Langhorne, partner at law firm Clifford Chance, told The Business Times. State Street is seeing more US credit managers looking to diversify into Apac. West Coast-based managers are looking for new growth ideas, according to Eric Chng, senior managing director for global alternatives at State Street. 'They have come to a point where they can only grow US for so much, they're looking for new ideas for growth. Recently, I had two conversations with two managers, each managing more than US$100 billion in private credit. They are asking me, how do I deploy to Asia?' BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The US remains the biggest market for private credit, which market players estimate is around US$1.7 trillion in global assets under management (AUM) currently. Apac, which Preqin said accounts for 5 per cent of the global market, could grow at an annualised rate of 8 per cent until 2029 to US$160 billion. In a State Street survey of 450 institutional investors over the world – 120 of them from Asia – 31 per cent said they would deploy more capital this year to developed Apac, a subset spanning Singapore, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand. That's up from 29 per cent in 2024. American investors in Apac deals A look at some of the biggest private credit deals in the Asia-Pacific shows the deep involvement of American investors. These include India's biggest deal on record: a US$3.4 billion refinancing for conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Group. Investors include American managers such as Ares Management, Cerberus Capital Management, Davidson Kempner Capital Management and Farallon Capital Management. Goldman Sachs Asset Management's hybrid fund – part of its private credit strategy – has also reportedly provided US$600 million to partially finance conglomerate Jubilant Bhartia Group's purchase of a 40 per cent stake in Coca-Cola's Indian bottling unit. Another reason investors are showing more interest in Apac is the higher spreads they can get here, compared to the competitive and mature markets in the West, said Chng. 'Because it's so ultra competitive, the spreads are lower than what you get in Asia, and the outperformance of Asian credit is at the top of mind of a lot of Western fund managers … as a fund manager, if you know that you can get 200 basis-point extra spread on the same structure in Asia, you will find a way to get there.' Spread measures the additional yield that investors demand for holding debt with a higher perceived credit risk than a safer bond, such as a government bond or an investment-grade corporate bond Investor interest globally has been rising in private credit, the financing provided by non-bank lenders to companies. That's as returns have beaten those from private equity (PE) in the past three years, and where PE investors are facing challenges in exiting their current investments due to the volatile deal climate. An Apr 29 report by index provider MSCI shows that private credit funds generated 6.9 per cent last year, exceeding the PE funds' return of 5.6 per cent. 2024 marked the third straight year of outperformance. For Apac, the returns could be in the range of mid-to-high-teens per cent, said Chng. More family offices getting invested Within Asia itself, more family offices are allocating funds to private credit, as their liquidity needs and investment horizon are aligning closer to those of institutional investors. 'Family offices are now coming into private credit space in a big way, because they have similar needs to the institutional investors,' said Serene Chen, Asia-Pacific head of credit, currency and emerging market sales, and head of Singapore institutional sales at JPMorgan Chase. While family offices comprise less than 10 per cent of the Asian investor base in private credit, interest is growing, Chen said. JPMorgan has also seen increased participation in private credit from Asian institutions, across local sponsors, insurance and pension funds, she added. With the increased interest, market players said private credit managers have no problems securing capital in Apac. These include Ares, which is raising another Asia special situations fund to boost its credit investments in the region. It's reportedly targeting a size no smaller than its previous fund, which hit about US$2.4 billion in 2023. On Jun 12, Chicago-headquartered investment manager Nuveen announced the second close of its Australian commercial property debt fund, raising more than A$650 million. Last month, Singapore-headquartered Granite Asia said it secured over US$250 million from anchor investors for its first private credit fund. Active fund-raising Market players noted that raising capital isn't an issue, especially as lower returns and the challenging exit environment for PE investments are leading investors to turn to private credit. Some note that, with investors still preferring to steer clear of China – traditionally the biggest private credit market in Asia – the danger is borrowers may have the upper hand. With a 'deep pool of capital chasing' limited pool of borrowers, some private credit fund managers could be tempted to impose less stringent terms to ensure deployment, said State Street's Chng. Clifford Chance's Langhorne said it's not a clear-cut case that a deep capital pool would improve the bargaining position of borrowers. Citing the Sharpooji Pallonji deal signed last month, he said: 'Demand was high and they were able to borrow a substantial amount in one transaction. However, given they are unlikely to be able to raise the same amounts of capital from traditional capital providers, the trade-off for the borrower involves meeting the returns the private credit funds seek, as well as accommodating the structure and protections required to deploy the funds.' The loan tenor for that transaction is three years, with the yield on the zero-coupon bond hitting as high as 19.75 per cent. 'There is a lot of capital available for deployment, but that does not mean that capital providers are just throwing money at the borrowers seeking capital. The investment still has to meet their expected returns and risk expectations,' said Langhorne.
