Breakfast briefing: Fed steady in face of local and global provocations
Their 1-5 curve is steeper at +18 bps (+3 bps) and the 3 mth-10yr curve is now at +54 bps (+4 bps). The China 10 year bond rate is little-changed at just over 1.82%. The Australian 10 year bond yield starts today at 4.93%, up +3 bps from yesterday. And the NZ Government 10 year bond rate starts today down -8 bps at 4.63%. The bitcoin price starts today at US$71,293 and down -3.9% from this time yesterday.
Source:Stuff
March 19, 2026 02:55 UTC
Seven yellow cards and counting: Crusaders’ discipline under the spotlight
There was to be more for Fihaki to celebrate, too; because when Super Rugby Pacific issued its weekly judicial update on Monday, his name was missing. So while Fihaki has clearance to play Moana Pasifika in North Harbour this weekend, Millar, who did not return to the field after being felled by Fihaki, has been rubbed out. Although the No 10 was reported to have "responded well'' after the incident, he wasn’t considered for the clash against the Hurricanes in Dunedin tomorrow night. The absence of first five-eighth Millar did more than cruel the Highlanders' hopes of reeling in the Crusaders, who were eight points ahead with 20 minutes left to play, and won 29-18. It also damaged their chances of securing a losing bonus point.
Source:Stuff
March 19, 2026 02:53 UTC
Florida hospital sues former patient who refuses to leave room for five months despite discharge
A former patient has refused to leave Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Florida hospital sues former patient who refuses to leave room for five months despite dischargeA former patient has refused to leave Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Photo / Google MapsA Florida hospital is looking to the courts for help after a former patient has refused to leave her room five months after she was discharged. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) asked the courts to order the woman to leave the hospital and authorise police to help, reported the Tallahassee Democrat. “TMH staff made repeated efforts to assist the defendant in safely completing discharge,” according to the lawsuit filed at the beginning of March.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 19, 2026 01:44 UTC
Rocket Lab wins record contract with US Department of War
Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Sir Peter Beck. Photo / Rocket LabBy RNZRocket Lab has won a US$190 million ($327m) contract from the United States Department of War, formerly the Department of Defence, for a series of hypersonic test flights using its Haste launch vehicle. It is the largest single launch contract in the New Zealand-founded company’s history and lifts its total order backlog to more than US$2 billion ($3.44b). The four‑year agreement covers 20 test flights of Rocket Lab’s Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (Haste) rocket, a modified version of its Electron launcher designed to carry suborbital payloads of up to 700kg at speeds above Mach 5. The launches will be carried out under the Multi‑Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH‑TB) 2.0 programme – a partnership between the Department of War and the Naval Surface Warfare Centre Crane Division that aims to accelerate hypersonic flight testing and related technologies.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 19, 2026 01:41 UTC
Rescue plane for NZers in Middle East returning home empty
An RNZAF Hercules departing for the Middle East from Whenuapai Air Base in Auckland. Photo: RNZ/Calvin SamuelThe second of two military planes sent to rescue New Zealanders stranded by the Middle East war is returning home because it's not needed. But the Defence Force said there were plenty of flights available for people wanting to leave. It said one of the Hercules returned on Sunday and the other was currently on route and will arrive on Saturday. It is the second time the Defence Force has flown to the Middle East, but was not needed for any evacuation flights.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 00:39 UTC
One dead after Swiss ski gondola crashes
A gondola cabin lies in snow after crashing at a ski resort in Engelberg. Photo: Polizei Nidwalden via ReutersOne person has died after a cable car cabin at a Swiss ski resort crashed down a snowy mountainside during strong winds. The individual, whose identity was not disclosed, was the only person in the gondola, police said. A helicopter had been dispatched to the scene in the ski resort of Engelberg in central Switzerland, air-rescue service Rega said. The gondola service is normally suspended when winds climb above 60km/h.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 00:33 UTC
Body found in search for missing Gore man
Lake Manapouri. File photo: STEPHEN JAQUIERYPolice searching for a man who fell overboard in Lake Manapouri have recovered a body this morning. While formal identification is yet to take place, police believe it is likely to be the man who went missing on Saturday about 1km offshore in Lake Manapouri. The victim is believed to be a 43-year-old Gore man. Police Search and Rescue and the Police Dive Squad, with assistance from the Royal New Zealand Navy have conducted extensive searches of the lake and surrounding areas over the past few days.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 23:36 UTC
Ong faces pay cut amid conduct allegations
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYA pay cut could be coming for embattled Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong, while he also faces code of conduct proceedings. She also said Cr Ong had been extremely disrespectful to herself, such as talking over her and walking out when she was speaking to him. Last year, Cr Ong lodged a complaint against Cr Chambers for "discriminatory remarks", but this was found to be without substance. As the ODT reported last week, independent investigator Steph Dyhrberg found Cr Ong to be in serious breach of the council's code of conduct. She regarded his attempt to discredit the staff member as a witness in a code of conduct process as particularly egregious.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 22:51 UTC
Chris Luxon’s Botany office targeted in Greenpeace protest with Trump image, US flags; police investigate
Photos from the Botany office in East Auckland show multiple US flags propped up along the entrance, with a large poster of Trump alongside an image of Luxon, while a sign on the front lawn reads: “Trump war minerals HQ”. A sign outside Christopher Luxon's electorate office reads "Trump war minerals HQ" alongside an image depicting an American bald eagle with a Kiwi in its claws. Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner Juressa Lee said any minerals deal would not only lead to environmental destruction, but also make New Zealand complicit in Trump’s war-mongering. “We know a minerals deal would be bad for the land and sea of Aotearoa. “We’re calling on Luxon to say no to a minerals deal with Trump.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 22:22 UTC
One killed as cable car plunges down Swiss mountainside
A gondola cabin detached from its cable at the Engelberg-Titlis ski resort in central Switzerland, killing its passenger, according to the cantonal police. One killed as cable car plunges down Swiss mountainsideA gondola cabin detached from its cable at the Engelberg-Titlis ski resort in central Switzerland, killing its passenger, according to the cantonal police. Photo / Kantonspolizei Nidwalden, AFPOne person has been killed after a cable car suddenly detached amid strong winds and plunged down a snowy slope at a Swiss Alpine ski resort, police said. The incident happened at the Engelberg-Titlis ski resort, high up in the Alps in central Switzerland. This person sustained fatal injuries,” Senad Sakic, with the regional police in Nidwalden canton, told reporters.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 22:12 UTC
Covid spending saved lives. Superannuation spending preserves lifestyles – Jonathan Ayling
During Covid, we purchased health, stability and comfort and sent the invoice to children who had no vote, no voice and no choice. It is a mathematical reality that New Zealand cannot afford the current superannuation structure. Under current settings, it is projected to rise to around 8% by 2065. Universal superannuation will always mean that some individuals contribute more than they receive, while others receive more than they contribute. Preserving current superannuation settings without serious reform elsewhere places the burden on those still working and those not yet born.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 22:05 UTC
Rory McIlroy unveils Masters menu and injury update as defence at Augusta looms
“Every time we go to that restaurant that’s the one thing I have to have,” McIlroy said. “Then my favourite part of the menu is you get access to the wonderful wine cellar at Augusta National,” McIlroy said. “It would be pretty presumptuous to have a menu in your head before you actually win the tournament,” McIlroy said. “I know I get to go back to the Masters for the rest of my life,” McIlroy said. “I’m really excited to get to the week of the Masters and defend,” McIlroy said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 20:09 UTC
Air NZ NY route questioned, dairy conversions may follow Wattie | Ryan Bridge TODAY
Stalked is a three-part documentary series that will screen in New Zealand soon. It focusses on three women who were targeted and abused by stalker men. Video / Neon NZ and Sky NZ
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 20:08 UTC
Middle East war: New Zealand’s risky bet on ‘paper’ oil reserves as war widens – Richard Prebble
Members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) agreed to hold emergency reserves equal to at least 90 days of oil imports. Ministers say total supply is higher by including in the reserves fuel on ships bound for New Zealand. New Zealand may discover our emergency oil reserves exist mostly on paper. Japan and South Korea both maintain very large domestic oil reserves, far beyond New Zealand’s. Among developed countries, only Canada – an oil exporter – and New Zealand lack significant domestic strategic oil reserves.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 20:07 UTC