“Can’t eradicate this virus” – Melbourne photographer in viral video pleads for lockdowns to end

Published

4 years ago

July 19, 2021

A Melbourne business owner has gone viral on Instagram after releasing an emotional video before lockdown five

Carly Soderstrom, a photographer who went viral with a video of her despair after being plunged into lockdown for the fifth time has pleaded with governments to scrap lockdowns.

Soderstrom, who resides in Torquay, near Melbourne, has spent almost 11 of the past 18 months in lockdown.

The 35-year-old’s viral video has reached millions of people in less than a week via her Instagram platform “carlzjsoda” – and comes after Melbourne was sent into its fifth lockdown.

The photographer has called for lockdowns to no longer be used as a method of managing COVID-19 due to the implications she says it is having on mental health among society.

Businesses have long called for action

Soderstrom said lockdowns weren’t working and small businesses continued to pay the price.” How much more suffering is people expecting small businesses to take on?

An online fundraiser set up by a stranger for Ms. Soderstrom after she shared her struggle on Instagram has so far raised more than $60,000.

Ms. Soderstrom said she planned to share the money with other people she knew who were also struggling.

Her plea came as Victoria recorded a further 16 cases of COVID-19 on the state’s third day of lockdown.

If you’re struggling during this difficult time, there is 24/7 support available via the Beyond Blue Support Serviceon 1300 22 4636 or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au.

Stocks rally ahead of Thanksgiving as markets log four days of gains

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Markets are moving into the Thanksgiving break with strong momentum, as stocks notch four straight days of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 388 points, while the S&P 500 added 0.9%, pushing both indexes toward their best week since June.

Oracle led major movers, rising more than 4% after Deutsche Bank reaffirmed its bullish outlook on the tech giant. Broad investor optimism continues building across sectors as economic data softens and earnings remain resilient.

All eyes are now on the Federal Reserve and what potential shifts in interest-rate policy may mean for the markets. U.S. markets will close Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and reopen Friday for a shortened trading session.

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Money

Dow surges 500 points amid rate cut optimism

Dow jumps 569 points on fresh hopes for December rate cut and AI market optimism

Published

4 days ago

November 26, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Dow jumps 569 points on fresh hopes for December rate cut and AI market optimism

In Short:
– Dow Jones rose 569 points, reflecting optimism for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.
– Alphabet’s stock increased as Meta may invest in AI chips, but Nvidia’s declined amid market concerns.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 569 points or 1.2% on Tuesday, reflecting investor optimism for an upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate cut. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also posted gains, up 0.8% and 0.4% respectively. This represented a recovery from earlier losses, where the S&P 500 briefly fell by 0.7%.

Markets anticipate an 85% chance of a quarter-point rate cut in December, driven by comments from New York Fed President John Williams, who indicated the possibility of lower rates soon. Investor sentiment strengthened following reports that Kevin Hassett may be appointed as the next Fed chair, potentially resulting in a more lenient monetary policy.

Tech Sector

Alphabet saw its stock rise by over 1% after reports indicated that Meta Platforms might invest in its AI chips. This could signal increased demand for AI technology, benefiting the sector overall. However, Nvidia’s stock fell more than 3%, suggesting concerns about its dominance in the AI chip market.

Investors are also wary of the valuation of tech stocks. Despite recent gains, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain down over 1% and 3%, respectively, for November, while the Dow has lost more than 1% this month. The broader market’s performance indicates ongoing scrutiny regarding tech valuations amid changing economic expectations.

Money

Gold prices surge as Central Banks buy big, but risks grow ahead

Gold prices surge as central banks increase demand; risks include a stronger dollar and rising interest rates.

Published

4 days ago

November 25, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Gold prices surge as central banks increase demand; risks include a stronger dollar and rising interest rates.

Gold prices are climbing fast as central banks ramp up buying, pushing demand to its highest levels in years. The metal’s reputation as a safe haven is strengthening, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions and global financial uncertainty.

But experts warn the shine could fade. A stronger US dollar and the possibility of rising interest rates may weigh on momentum, making investors question how long the rally can last.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax breaks down the drivers behind gold’s surge—from ETF inflows to physical bar demand—and what could send the price sharply higher… or lower.

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#gold #markets #centralbanks #economy #finance #investing #interestRates #usdollar