Washington desk

Filed from the Washington desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Finance · 1 October 2026

Treasury Yields Climb to Heights Where Only Eagles and Desperate Pensioners Dwell

Helen Pell, Washington desk

As the 10-year Treasury yield hits a multi-decade high, investors are frantically trying to unlearn the concept of safety, while the bond market looks increasingly like a haunted house.

Politics · 1 October 2026

California Gubernatorial Debate Ends With More Questions Than Answers, Especially About Who Can Say ‘Affordability’ Faster

June Harrow, Washington desk

In a single, highly‑anticipated face‑off, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton debated California’s looming affordability crisis, President Trump, tax policy, and immigration, leaving citizens to won…

Business · 1 October 2026

Canadian Commuters Drop Off South Florida’s Rent Rolls

Helen Pell, Washington desk

A trade spat between the U.S. and Canada has cooled the influx of Canadian visitors to South Florida, rattling local hospitality earnings and prompting a Fed‑fueled briefing that touted a robust, robust, robust, robust…

Business · 1 October 2026

Oil Prices Keep Their Cool as the World Burns Its Emergency Stash

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Oil prices hover near $100 a barrel while traders fret over a potential Gulf flare‑up. The market’s resilience remains robust, even as the Fed signals caution.

Finance · 1 October 2026

Egg Prices Plunge in Post‑Trump Dawn: Avian Flu, Tariffs, and Iran War Shake the Market

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Egg prices have taken a nosedive since the former president returned to the White House, a drop blamed on avian flu, trade tariffs, and geopolitical drama, turning breakfast into a budget‑friendly affair.

Sports · 1 October 2026

Senator Schmitt’s Perjury Play Turns into a Game of Mis‑Memories

Craig Pohutukawa, Auckland desk

GOP Senator Eric Schmitt tried to expose DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith as a perjurer over a Hawks‑Warriors game attendance claim – but evidence proved the prosecutor had indeed watched the match, turning the senator…

Finance · 1 October 2026

S&P 500’s 2% Gain Leaves Oil and Bonds in a Robustly Suspicious Mood

Helen Pell, Washington desk

The S&P 500 nudged up 2% amid a surge in oil prices and rising bond yields, but the promise of AI earnings has investors looking over their shoulders, turning a nominally robust rally into a cautionary tale of market bal…

Entertainment · 1 October 2026

Paramount‑Warner Merger Names Ynon Kreiz Co‑CEO, Pledges to Re‑brand the Industry

Candy Voss, Washington desk

After a federal judge signed off the antitrust settlement, the newly‑merged Paramount‑Warner Bros Discovery announced that Mattel’s long‑time chief, Ynon Kreiz, will serve as co‑chief executive, promising a new…

Entertainment · 1 October 2026

Disney Communications Chief Walks Out, Citing ‘New Opportunity’ as the Corporate Equivalent of a Midterm Resignation

June Harrow, Washington desk

After eight years at the helm of Disney Entertainment Television’s communications, Naomi Bulochnikur‑Paul announced her exit, citing a mysterious “new opportunity,” sparking a wave of speculation about power shif…