Let’s explore why central bankers’ top reserve asset is not US debt anymore

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  • Post last modified:9 June 2026
Let’s explore why central bankers’ top reserve asset is not US debt anymore

Globally, central banks now hold 27% of their reserve assets in gold, surpassing US dollar Treasuries at 22%, and just a year ago this was 20% gold versus 25% Treasuries, according to the latest report by the European Central Bank. In 2023, gold’s share was just 16%. Since the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, China has purchased over 350 tonnes of gold, followed by Poland (320 tonnes), Türkiye (220 tonnes) and India (130 tonnes), according to the ECB, as geopolitical tensions continued to drive strong central bank demand for gold. According to the FT: The shifting composition of reserve assets — highly…

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Why this stubborn cosmetics tycoon will make you root for a millionaire

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  • Post last modified:9 June 2026
Why this stubborn cosmetics tycoon will make you root for a millionaire

I don’t usually root for millionaires. In fact, I would say I have a visceral hatred for them. Most corporate biographies offer nothing but exploitative tales of untouchable oligarchs hoarding wealth at our expense. Yet the wild, radical journey of LUSH co-founder Mark Constantine breaks this mould entirely. Hearing about Mark’s humble beginnings, how he experienced homelessness and sleeping under hedges, resonated with me from the start. I’ve been on the streets, and I know how hard it is. The laughter at the launch On Thursday, 28 May, I attended the book launch of Dear John inside the stunning LUSH studio on Beak…

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A £10 pint could be closer than you think – here’s why

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  • Post last modified:8 June 2026
A £10 pint could be closer than you think – here’s why

Despite rising pint prices, pubs may be making just pennies in profit from every pound spent. And so, like everywhere else, prices at the pub are rising. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers. Pint profits plunge New research suggests that for every £1 spent on a pint in 2026, the typical drinks-focussed pub could make just 3p in profit. This is down almost half from last year. To understand where money spent at the pub actually goes, experts from money.co.uk analysed cost data from the British Beer and Pub Association. They modelled how operating expenses have shifted year-on-year, using growth trends,…

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Why Enfield has more Labour councillors than it needed to have

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  • Post last modified:8 June 2026
Why Enfield has more Labour councillors than it needed to have

Labour lost control of Enfield Council at the local election but, with more coordination and cooperation, progressives could have easily taken even more seats from Labour. Enfield Independent leader to Greens: ‘If we had formed an alliance, we would have won’ A strong independent campaign hoped to play a key role in taking overall control away from Labour. But while there had previously been talks with local Greens, the Green Party chose to stand across Enfield, including in wards independents were targeting. Conservatives ended up with 31 councillors, Labour with 27, and the Greens with 5. In Upper Edmonton ward, for…

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