SINGAPORE, March 20 (Reuters) – The dollar was softer on Thursday after the Federal Reserve indicated interest rate cuts were likely later this year even as uncertainty around U.S. U.S. policymakers projected likely two quarter-point interest rate cuts later this year, the same median forecast as three months ago, even as they expect slower economic growth and higher inflation. Sterling touched a four-month high of $1.3015 ahead of the BoE policy decision, where the central bank is expected to keep rates on hold, awaiting the impact on the economy of Trump’s tariff onslaught. On Wednesday, the Fed held its benchmark overnight rate steady in the 4.25%-4.50% range. In early Asian hours on Thursday, it was bid at 38 per dollar. The euro was last steady at $1.09085. With UK inflation stuck firmly above its 2% target, the BoE has cut borrowing costs by less than the European Central Bank and the Fed since last summer, contributing to the country’s sluggish growth rate. The Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates last month for the first time in four years, but cautioned further easing could not be guaranteed given the surprisingly strong labour market could risk stoking inflation. ING economists said in a note. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said. Elsewhere, Turkey’s lira tumbled to a record low of 42 per dollar before recouping most of the day’s losses on Wednesday, after authorities detained President Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. The yen was a bit stronger at 148.36 per dollar, a day after the Bank of Japan kept rates steady and warned of heightening global economic uncertainty, suggesting the timing of further rate hikes will depend largely on the fallout from U.S. Powell’s comments and the Fed statement underscored the challenge faced by policymakers as they navigate President Donald Trump’s plans to levy duties on imports from U.S. Traders are pricing in 66 basis points of easing this year from the Fed, about two rate reductions of 25 bps each, with a cut in July fully priced in, LSEG data showed. 103.41 in early trading but hovering close to the five-month low touched earlier this week. Japan is closed for a holiday on Thursday, leading to a quiet morning in Asia for currency markets. After weakening to a record low of 42 per dollar on Wednesday, the lira closed at 37.665 per dollar, a 2.6% decline. 0.6335 after Australian employment posted a surprise fall in February, ending a strong run of impressive gains, as the red-hot labour market loosened a little, although the jobless rate stayed steady. Bank of England’s policy decision.
He is expected to fly home from the Northern Territory in the coming weeks.
An outstanding arrest warrant means Bali Nine inmate Scott Rush will be unable to celebrate Christmas with his loved ones this year after almost 20 years behind bars. Drug importations have horrendous consequences at both ends, through both nations, and this was an incredibly sad and tragic tale,’ Mr Crisafulli said. The Bali Nine were arrested on drug smuggling charges for attempting to smuggle 8.6kg of heroin out of Denpasar Airport in April 2005 and have since spent more than 19 years living in squalid prison cells. Queensland Police have said they are aware of the existing warrant against Rush and are in contact with his legal team. Rush’s lawyer claimed in 2005 that the AFP had abandoned promises to stop the group from leaving Australia, instead letting them fly to a country that they knew could execute the smugglers. He is expected to fly home from the Northern Territory in the coming weeks. What I hope happens as a result of this is I do hope it reinforces the message to a new generation of younger people who might not even heard of this case that there is a zero-tolerance approach for drugs. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said neither Rush nor Czugaj, who also lives in the state, would be receiving any help from his government in returning home. Rush is the only Bali Nine inmate who won’t be reunited with family this Christmas as his legal team liaises with the Queensland Police regarding a prior arrest warrant. He was accompanied by a squad of AFP officers and refused to speak to the media upon arrival. The AFP forwarded that information to Indonesian authorities who pounced on the group and arrested them at the airport. Czugaj returned to Brisbane on an overnight Qantas flight from Darwin that touched down in Queensland at 5.30am on Friday. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto struck a top secret deal with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese which granted the surviving members clemency. Subsequent arrests at Bali’s Denpasar Airport and other locations in Indonesia saw the plot foiled, and ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were sentenced to death. Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephens and Si Yi Chen have each left the Howard Springs Accommodation Village near Darwin on flights to their home states after touching down in Australia on Sunday. The five men are banned from returning to Indonesia for life. A police spokeswoman said officers were in contact with Rush’s legal team. Queensland Police are aware of the warrants for a 39-year-old man in relation to outstanding matters and are in contact with his legal representation,’ she said. Rush was originally sentenced to life in prison but later appealed the verdict to have his sentence reduced to 20 years.
They paid a serious price…
His father was seen leaving his Beerwah home at 12.30pm en route to Brisbane Airport and it is understood that Czugaj returned home with him later that night. In both Australia and Indonesia, at both a senior level and in prison visits and personal assistance, over many years, DFAT have offered professional and enduring support,’ the statement read. They committed a serious crime. Mr Albanese said the surviving members of the Bali Nine had paid ‘a serious price’ for their crimes. Martin Stephens also arrived in Sydney on the same day. The men and their families will always be grateful. The $4million two-storey home has four-bedrooms and is just a stones throw from Cosy Corner, a beach popular with tourist and young families. They paid a serious price… A statement released on behalf of the men said they were ‘relieved and happy’ to be back home on Sunday. Neither commented to waiting media. They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society. It is time for the Bali five to have come home. …They had paid a significant price for the crime that they committed,’ he said on Friday. Norman, 38, is expected to move into a waterfront mansion in Torquay, a popular tourist town known for its surf beaches. Meanwhile, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen reportedly arrived at Gate 10 in Melbourne Airport at 6.50am on Friday where they were greeted by a small group of family members.
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A man has copped a massive fine, lost his ute, his boat and his ability to fish for five years after authorities caught him with almost two dozen endangered fish. Both men pleaded guilty to illegal fishing offences in early September. They both had their homes subsequently searched by officers and all the abalone meats were found in one property. Victorian Fisheries Authorities discovered the men while they were still on their boat fishing in the lake. After authorities searched their homes. Further investigation, however, revealed another 12 golden perch concealed under the boat’s floor, making a total of 22 goldens ranging in size from 39cm to nearly 60cm,’ Shea said. The man in his 60s was fined $20,000, banned from fishing in the state for five years and had his ute confiscated. Both men initially told officers they had only caught 10 golden perch, according to Victorian Fisheries’ Acting director of education and enforcement Paul Shea. Mr Shea said it was important for the men to be punished in order for the state to maintain sustainable fisheries. Victoria’s bag limit for golden perch is five per person and the state’s possession limit for abalones is 10 per person at any time. His fishing partner was fined $850 and the pair had their fishing gear and the 5.1-metre boat they were in at the time confiscated as well.
