Business

Business · 4 October 2026

When Bushfires Roar, Phones Go Dark and the Market Participants Count the Lost Calls

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

During the Black Summer, mobile networks failed in the heat, forcing locals to depend on ham radios and hand‑to‑hand messages. Telecom firms now promise ‘fire‑proof’ batteries, but the real punchline is that th…

Business · 4 October 2026

Britons Bite Back: Nitrite‑Free Bacon Outpaces Classic Cuts, Even Though Science Is Still Sizzling

Iris Quay, London desk

UK shoppers flock to nitrite‑free bacon, spurred by health‑hyped headlines, but experts say the safety benefits are unproven.

Business · 4 October 2026

Tesco's Unexpected Grape: A Shock Bid to Bottle the Wine Chain

Iris Quay, London desk

Tesco has made a surprise offer to acquire Britain’s largest specialist wine chain, Majestic Wine, promising to turn its aisles into a full‑blown oenophile experience. The move could either bring a new era of wine‑…

Business · 3 October 2026

Ofgem Nears Finalising Jarvis as Permanent Chief, Promises a Steady Hand on the Grid

Iris Quay, London desk

After months of interim leadership, Ofgem is close to appointing Tim Jarvis as its permanent chief, aiming to bring stability to the energy sector amid rising prices.

Business · 3 October 2026

Weight‑Loss Drugs Turn Fine‑Dining into a Thin‑Profits Exercise

Helen Pell, Washington desk

As weight‑loss medications curb appetites, restaurants face slimmer orders, falling earnings, and a new briefing that calls for flexible pricing.

Business · 3 October 2026

Trump Blames PR for Economy, Fed Sticks With Robust Earnings

Helen Pell, Washington desk

The President attributes economic sluggishness to a lack of public relations, while the Federal Reserve highlights strong corporate earnings and solid fundamentals.

Business · 3 October 2026

Polymarket’s ‘Banking Doomsday’ Bets Send City into Mild Panic

Iris Quay, London desk

A prediction market has people betting on whether HSBC or Lloyds will collapse, prompting regulators to step in before the City’s nerves turn to panic.

Business · 3 October 2026

Brands Trade Charm for Spreadsheets as AI Butlers Demand Data

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Marketers abandon emotional storytelling and hand out CSVs to convince autonomous shopping bots.

Business · 3 October 2026

South Kensington Georgian Gilt‑ed Gentrified: Mansions Lose Their Midas Touch, Gain a Coffee‑Shop Discount

Iris Quay, London desk

In a twist of fate, London’s once‑glittering Georgian homes are now the latest victims of a housing market that prefers high‑street café prices to grandiose façades.