Business

Central banks worldwide increased their gold acquisitions during the third quarter of this year, with a net addition of 220 tonnes. (AI image) Betting big on gold as a reserve asset, central banks around the world have ramped up their gold reserves in the third quarter of the ongoing calendar year 2025. Gold is traditionally seen as a safe haven …

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently said that two rakes of Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be launched together. Vande Bharat sleeper train: Indian Railways is aiming to launch the first Vande Bharat sleeper train in the coming months, but ahead of its launch the Ministry of Railways has highlighted concerns regarding the quality of furnishings and craftsmanship.Vande Bharat sleeper train …

Guernsey’s most senior political committee is expected to oppose all proposed changes to its 2026 budget. They include a halt in any rises to spending in 2026, plans to reduce the tax on petrol and future changes to how corporate tax income is calculated by the States of Guernsey. Policy and Resources’ (P&R) budget for next year includes plans to …

Osmond ChiaBusiness reporter Getty Images A protester at a department store in Paris where Shein plans to open its first permanent outlet Online retail giant Shein says it has banned the sale of all sex dolls on its platform around the world, after being accused of displaying products with “a childlike appearance” on its website. The French consumer watchdog first …

Starbucks says it is selling a 60% stake in its business in China as part of a $4bn (£3.04bn) deal with investment firm Boyu Capital. Under the agreement, the world’s biggest coffee chain will have a 40% stake in the Chinese retail operation and retain ownership of the Starbucks brand there. Starbucks entered China in 1999 and the country is …

Stemaide’s goal is to bring science and technology skills to all young Africans. Started in 2022 in Ghana, it has developed a science kit that will work in areas without the internet. Prince Boateng Asare, CEO of Stemaide, says the firm wants to prepare young Africans for the jobs of the future. This is the second in a six-part series …

Colletta Smith,Cost of living correspondent and Elaine Doran,Producer BBC Carla McLoughlin regularly borrows from family People turn to family and friends for money more often than Buy Now Pay Later loans, a new survey has suggested, and for most of them it was for less than £250. The survey of more than 4,000 adults commissioned by non-profit Fair4All Finance, shared …

Jennifer MeierhansBusiness reporter PA Media Tax rises could mean reversing a core election manifesto pledge of not raising VAT, National Insurance or income tax Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to say her Budget will offer “fair choices” and address “speculation” around her plans when she gives a speech from Downing Street later on Tuesday. It comes as economists predict Reeves …

Online pornography showing strangulation or suffocation is to be made illegal, as part of government plans to tackle violence against women and girls. It follows a review which found depictions of choking were “rife” on mainstream porn sites and had helped normalise the act among young people. Both the possession and publication of such material will be a criminal offence, …

DHAKA: Bangladesh will not hesitate to cancel a 2017 power contract with India’s Adani group if any irregularities or corruption are proven, said the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, referring to an interim report that claimed “massive governance failure” and “massive corruption” across the energy sector.The report was submitted by the national review committee, established to review power sector contracts signed …