Business

Business · 28 September 2026

Euro‑area diesel surge turns fuel stations into high‑stakes roulette

Etienne Marlow, Brussels desk

European diesel prices have rocketed to record levels as refinery outages, supply shortages and geopolitical tensions combine, prompting a bleak forecast for the euro‑area fuel market.

Business · 28 September 2026

Silicon Valley’s New Soft Power: The Gentle Nudge of Ethical Code

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Financial markets are struggling to price in the sudden leverage of AI safety researchers, who are reportedly using their technical expertise to shape public opinion on existential risks.

Business · 28 September 2026

Madonna Outshines Taylor Swift at VMAs, Market Participants Scrabble Over Streaming Shares

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

At the MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna's performance outpaced Taylor Swift, sparking a brief rally in music‑streaming stocks and prompting market participants to debate whether nostalgia beats youth in the digital age.

Business · 28 September 2026

Electricity Upsets the Golden Rule: Gold, Silver, Nickel and Copper Clash in Sydney's Power‑Driven Economy

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The age‑old hierarchy that has seen gold pricier than silver and nickel pricier than copper is being re‑examined as the surge in electric vehicles and renewable energy drives copper into the spotlight, sending market…

Business · 28 September 2026

Digital Ad Titans Ignite Vape Black Market, Leaving Sydney’s Nightlife in Smoldering Chaos

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

When TikTok and Meta rolled out hundreds of illegal vaping ads, market participants inadvertently stoked a black‑market blaze that’s now turning alleyways into ash pits across Australia.

Business · 28 September 2026

Healey Hammers Out New Age of Shipbuilding: UK to Sail Back to the 18th Century

Iris Quay, London desk

In a speech to Labour’s annual conference, the Chancellor pledged to resurrect Britain’s shipyards, sparking a mix of enthusiasm from dockworkers and scepticism from economists who prefer the term ‘industrialisatio…

Business · 28 September 2026

Lodestone Targets $100 M in First NZX Float Since 2021

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

Solar‑energy firm Lodestone plans a $100 million IPO to fund new farms and a retail push, marking New Zealand’s first big float in two years. In typical Kiwi fashion, the company’s plans raise more questions than…

Business · 28 September 2026

Synlait’s Dairy‑Dramatic Dip: $75.4m Loss Leaves Milk Market Milk‑shaken

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

Synlait’s recent earnings revealed a $75.4m loss, prompting the company to turn to a South Island resurgence, farmer sweeteners and Chinese backing for a return to profit. The milk‑minded market watches on, wondering…

Business · 28 September 2026

Fisher Funds Flounders While Global Markets Swoop – A Tale of Two Underperformers

Moss Harlow, Auckland desk

Two Fisher Funds’ listed managed vehicles posted sharp losses against a 30.5% benchmark, even as international markets surged.