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

Published

5 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.

U.S. dollar weakens while Australian dollar rises amid global market shifts

Published

17 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Harvey Vargas

US dollar weakens as Trump comments; Australian dollar gains from commodity prices and RBA rate hike expectations

The US dollar is coming under pressure as the economy remains strong and President Trump comments on its decline. We explore how this is impacting major currencies around the world and what it means for investors.

Meanwhile, the Australian dollar is benefiting from rising commodity prices and growing expectations of an RBA rate hike. Global investors are increasingly drawn to Australia’s bond market as economic conditions shift.

Currency trading strategies are adapting to this changing landscape, with potential implications for interest rates and international markets. Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX breaks down the trends.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#USDDollar #AustralianDollar #ForexTrading #RBA #InterestRates #GlobalEconomy #CurrencyMarket #Ticker

Money

Wall Street slides as AI spending raises investor concerns

Wall Street dips as AI spending scrutiny rises; Microsoft struggles while Meta thrives. Tune in for insights!

Published

19 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Wall Street dips as AI spending scrutiny rises; Microsoft struggles while Meta thrives.

Wall Street closed lower on Thursday, with the Nasdaq leading losses as investors questioned whether Big Tech’s massive AI spending will pay off. Microsoft shares tumbled after revealing record AI infrastructure costs, while Meta rallied on strong earnings and a bullish outlook.

Kyle Rodda from Capital.com joins us to explain what spooked markets, which tech names are holding up, and whether AI budgets are getting too big.

We also discuss rate expectations, macro risks, and what to watch in the upcoming earnings season.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

Money

Tesla brand value plummets amid Elon Musk’s political focus

Tesla’s brand value plummeted to $27.61 billion in 2025 amid Musk’s political shift, sparking investor concern.

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Tesla’s brand value plummeted to $27.61 billion in 2025 amid Musk’s political shift, sparking investor concern.

Tesla’s brand value plummeted by $15.4 billion in 2025, falling to $27.61 billion from $66.2 billion in early 2023. Analysts say Elon Musk’s political focus and a slowdown in new models have distracted the company’s core business.

In the U.S., Tesla’s recommendation score sank to just 4 out of 10, down from 8.2 in 2023. Despite this, loyalty among existing owners remains high at 92 per cent, showing a strong but shrinking fan base.

#TeslaNews #ElonMusk #BrandValue