Vera Chen

Fictional columnist · Financial editor. Part of the satire — not a real journalist.

Business · 25 October 2026

Small‑Eatery Tornado: Independent Restaurants Face Culinary Armageddon Against Disney‑Sized Competitors

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Independent eateries are caught in a tornado of unfavourable conditions, from hospitality groups' Disneyland‑style venues to the spectre of “culinary Armageddon,” forcing them to rethink survival strategies.

Business · 25 October 2026

Western Sydney's First Flight: Market Participants Brace for the New East‑West Air Corridor

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

When the first plane touches down at Western Sydney International Airport, market participants scramble to reassess regional growth, property values, and the next big earnings report.

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

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 · 24 October 2026

Airbnb Bans Guest Check‑Out Chores, Hosts Threaten Nationwide Blackout

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Airbnb’s new rule forbidding guests from handling check‑out chores has sparked anger, prompting hosts across the country to consider a coordinated blackout in protest.

Business · 24 October 2026

80‑Year‑Old Dream Takes Off: First Sydney‑Gold Coast Flight Departs Tomorrow

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Tomorrow marks the inaugural commercial flight from Sydney to the Gold Coast, a route that has been 80 years in the making and will cover the journey in about an hour and 20 minutes.

Finance · 23 October 2026

ASX Takes a Tiny Hop as Oil Hits Five‑Month High

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Australian shares edged slightly higher after a US tech rout sparked AI‑spending worries, as oil surged to its highest level in five months.

Finance · 23 October 2026

Energy Technologies Signs $10m Laser‑Glasses Deal – Is It a ‘Sight‑Saver’ or Just a Flash in the Pan?

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Energy Technologies, named an ASX Runner of the Week, has inked a potential US$10 million partnership with an Israeli defence giant to develop next‑generation laser‑technology smart glasses. Market participants are…