A group of friends became stranded in the Australian desert after ignoring a road closed sign, facing extreme heat and limited supplies during their ordeal.

China’s central bank increased its gold reserves by 23 tonnes in September, the largest monthly acquisition since October 2023, bringing total holdings to approximately 2,410 tonnes. This move aims to reduce reliance on US dollar assets amid rising geopolitical and financial risks, with private demand for gold also soaring as households seek secure savings options.