Business

Business · 25 October 2026

Archaeologists Unearth Juukan Gorge Treasure Trove, Prompting Market Participants to Re‑Value Ancient Assets

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Archaeologists have discovered a massive trove of artefacts at Juukan Gorge after a Rio Tinto blast destroyed a rock shelter, sparking a flurry of financial speculation about the value of ancient objects.

Business · 25 October 2026

Regional house prices still climbing while nation hits record low – city‑to‑country exodus fuels odd paradox

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Regional markets keep rising thanks to city‑to‑country buyers, even as national house prices fall to a record low. Economists warn the trend may soon run out of steam.

Business · 25 October 2026

Sky‑High Hurdles: Kiwi Flights Jump 5.1% as Christmas Approaches

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

Stats NZ shows domestic flight prices in September are 5.1% higher than a year ago, meaning New Zealanders will need to budget a little more for their Christmas travel plans.

Business · 25 October 2026

Authors Pay Hundreds, Get AI Covers and a ‘Crap’ Service from Patrick White Publishing

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Authors say Patrick White Publishing charged them hundreds, delivered AI‑generated covers and low‑quality editing, and then urged them to delete any critical online comments.

Business · 25 October 2026

TG Jones to shut over a third of its post offices by early 2027, creating ‘postal deserts’ on high streets

Iris Quay, London desk

TG Jones, the former WH Smith‑branded chain, will close more than a third of the post offices inside its stores by early 2027, sparking concerns that many high‑streets could become postal deserts.

Business · 25 October 2026

Executives Parade AI Success While Staff Face a Digital Doldrums

Helen Pell, Washington desk

A company survey shows CEOs praising a robust AI rollout while many employees report ongoing glitches and frustration, highlighting a widening perception gap.

Business · 24 October 2026

Healey Pledges Hundreds of Millions for a ‘Distinctively British’ AI to Boost National Security

Iris Quay, London desk

Chancellor John Healey announced that the upcoming budget will allocate hundreds of millions of pounds to develop a uniquely British artificial‑intelligence programme aimed at strengthening the UK’s security and pr…

Business · 24 October 2026

France Dodges Moody’s Downgrade, Gets a Gentle Warning About Rising Debt

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Moody’s kept France’s sovereign credit rating steady, but warned that political uncertainty and higher borrowing costs are worsening the country’s debt situation. Investors avoid a downgrade for now, yet the agency…

Business · 24 October 2026

Taixing’s Tiles Turn to Gold as U.S. Mahjong Mania Fuels Factory Frenzy

Helen Pell, Washington desk

American shoppers willing to spend hundreds on mahjong sets are driving Taixing’s factories into overdrive, reviving a town that once struggled to keep its machines running.