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• Goldman Sachs stock is trading steadily as a recovery in investment banking and strong advisory and trading revenues support the firm's earnings outlook. • The company's financial trajectory depends on the sustainability of fee income and its ability to adapt to evolving regulatory, technological, and competitive pressures. • To maintain shareholder value, Goldman Sachs utilizes dividends and share repurchases, though these actions remain subject to strict US regulatory stress-test frameworks.

Campaigners hope move will force commercial banks to rethink holding assets linked to the fossil fuelClimate campaigners have declared a victory after the Bank of England said it would no longer accept bonds linked to one of the most polluting industries on the planet for key loan arrangements.The ban, which comes into force in October, marks a fresh crackdown on thermal coal, which is burned in power plants to create electricity, and has long been a target of green policy activists. Continue reading...

White House Fifa taskforce chief defends Argentina footballers, saying US believes in free speechThe White House has backed Argentina’s footballers who displayed a banner supporting their country’s claim to the Falklands Islands after their World Cup semi-final victory against England.In a fractious match in Atlanta on Wednesday, some players held up a banner after Argentina’s 2-1 win that said: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” – using the country’s term for the South Atlantic islands. Continue reading...

• Goldman Sachs stock has edged higher following quarterly results that revealed an increase in investment banking revenue, specifically within advisory and underwriting. • The company reported a solid return on equity, signaling strong financial performance and capital strength despite broader macroeconomic volatility. • This growth is significant as the stock typically fluctuates based on central bank policies and investor sentiment toward large US financial institutions.

CEO’s pay packet surges to £791,000 as union says public ‘sick of obscene pay’ and bosses ‘feathering own nests’Wessex Water awarded its chief executive an above-inflation pay increase even as the company was banned from paying bonuses because of sewage spills, it has emerged.Ruth Jefferson received a 14% base salary increase in October, from £590,000 to £670,000, before other benefits, according to accounts published this month. It was far above the 3.5% given to workers, and put her pay at 18 times that of the company’s median employee. Continue reading...

Netanyahu coalition seeks to extend control with ‘Nahal’ outposts in Gaza and over $400m in West Bank fundingIsrael’s defence and finance ministers announced plans for three illegal settlements in Gaza and more than $400m (£300m) in funding to expand construction in the occupied West Bank, as Israel’s military commander for the region celebrated violent outposts as his “security partners”.With national elections scheduled for 27 October, Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition is racing to expand control of land in occupied Palestine and drive out Palestinians before its mandate expires. Continue reading...

• On July 17, 2026, the European Commission published a Communication on the Competitiveness of the Banking Sector and the Single Market in Banking. • The European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG) welcomed the roadmap, noting that it incorporates key recommendations from the group. • This initiative aims to strengthen the overall competitiveness of Europe's banking sector and improve the functionality of the single market.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is preparing to transition to plastic (polymer) banknotes, marking one of the most significant makeovers in the history of Indian currency. • To facilitate this shift, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) has issued a global Expression of Interest (EOI) to establish a polymer substrate manufacturing facility within India. • This move aims to enhance currency durability and security while reducing the environmental impact and costs associated with replacing worn-out paper notes.

• Investment expert Gaurang Shah has identified Indian Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, and Federal Bank as his preferred banking stocks for long-term investment. • Within the public sector banking segment, Shah specifically highlighted Indian Bank Ltd and State Bank of India Ltd as top picks. • These recommendations serve as a guide for investors seeking stability and growth within the Indian financial sector over a prolonged horizon.

Whereabouts of artist imprisoned after 2021 protests had been unknown following end of his prison term in JulyLuis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a prominent Cuban dissident artist whose whereabouts remained unknown after his prison sentence ended last week, has been given permission to travel to the US, according to his official Facebook page.Otero Alcántara, designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 for insulting national symbols, contempt and disturbing the public order. Continue reading...

Aid workers are first known people to quarantine at facility, which sparked huge opposition in Kenya Seven American aid workers who had been in Congo to fight the Ebola outbreak are quarantining at a new isolation facility in ⁠Kenya after the US government introduced travel ⁠restrictions, the head of a US charity ​employing them told Reuters.The aid workers are the first known people to quarantine at the facility, which has sparked huge opposition in Kenya and is at the heart of a legal case in which a court has ordered the work to be ⁠suspended. Construction continued however, according to US officials and satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters. Continue reading...

• Telenor stock remains steady following quarterly reports that highlight resilient demand for mobile and broadband services across its core segments. • The company's financial stability is currently driven by consistent cash flows from its Nordic markets, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. • This performance is critical for investors as it supports dividend reliability, payout ratios, and the potential for future share buybacks.

• Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta is urging the EU to shift from a "defensive" banking strategy to one focused on scale and growth to better compete with U.S. giants. • The push for deregulation follows a stark disparity in market power, noting that JP Morgan's market capitalization exceeds that of the 10 largest EU banks combined. • Letta proposes facilitating cross-border mergers to overcome fragmented national markets and expanding the mandate of financial watchdogs to prioritize growth alongside stability.

• A consortium of 44 Japanese companies, led by SoftBank, Sony, and Honda, launched a project on Thursday to develop a sovereign AI foundation model using domestic data. • To support the development of "physical AI," Tokyo plans to purchase 27,500 Nvidia Rubin chips to provide the necessary computational power. • This initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign AI technology by creating a localized infrastructure tailored to Japan's specific industrial and linguistic needs.

• The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur has hosted three Asia Cup finals, resulting in three losses for the home team, Bangladesh. • Bangladesh suffered two specific defeats in front of their home crowd, including one loss by a narrow margin and another more comprehensive defeat. • The venue's records have remained stagnant since 2016, as the Asia Cup tournament has not returned to Bangladesh in nearly a decade.

• The KOSPI plummeted over 6% to close at 6,820.60 on the 16th, driven by a sharp decline in global semiconductor stocks and domestic monetary policy shifts. • Major tech-related shares saw significant losses, with SK Square preferred shares dropping 12.30%, Samsung Electronics falling 10.42%, and Jusung Engineering sliding 10.31%. • The sell-off was further intensified by the Bank of Korea, which signaled the start of a full-fledged interest rate hike cycle.

• A federal judge ruled that racial and ethnic set-asides within the Digital Equity Act, part of President Biden’s 2021 budget-climate law, are unconstitutional. • The program aimed to distribute billions of dollars to expand broadband access in underserved areas, similar to historic rural electrification projects. • The court found that providing special treatment based on race or ethnicity violated the Constitution, challenging the legal framework of the grant program.

About 100,000 children across the country drink the high-caffeine beverages dailyHigh-caffeine energy drinks “have no place in children’s hands” and will be banned from sale to under-16s in England from April next year under new laws designed to improve health outcomes in young people.About 100,000 children across the country currently drink high-caffeine energy drinks daily, with those in more deprived areas and households more likely to consume them, according to the government. Continue reading...

• Deutsche Bank's stock remains steady as the institution undergoes a global restructuring process to reshape its business model and long-term outlook. • The bank is focusing on a shifting revenue mix and implementing tighter risk controls to stabilize performance for its shareholders. • Key operations include providing medium and long-term financing, such as revolving credit facilities and term loans, alongside M&A advisory services.

Spokesperson says islands ‘definitely’ belong to the UK‘PM wishes both teams well for the final, especially Spain’Keir Starmer supports the idea of Fifa investigating Argentina players who displayed a banner touting their country’s claim to the Falklands Islands after their World Cup semi-final win against England, Downing Street has said.Starmer, who watched the match while travelling to Ukraine by train for the final overseas trip of his prime ministership, endorsed a call by Peter Kyle, the business secretary, for Fifa to “thoroughly” investigate what rules may have been broken. Continue reading...

• Indian stock markets saw gains with the Sensex rising 200 points and the Nifty climbing above 24,100, driven by strong performances from ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. • Sectoral trends were mixed, as Nifty Financial Services, Auto, and Bank indices rose by 1.08%, 0.90%, and 0.83% respectively, while Nifty IT dropped 1.51%. • Global sentiment was bolstered by a rebound in semiconductor stocks, highlighted by an 11% surge in South Korea's SK Hynix following a volatile week in US tech.

• The Sensex and Nifty 50 indices recovered from a sharp decline on Tuesday to close higher on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. • Gains were primarily driven by strong performance in bank stocks and the Bank Nifty index, though benchmark indices retreated slightly from their intraday highs. • The market rally was fueled by softer-than-expected US inflation data, which increased investor confidence that the Federal Reserve will adopt a less aggressive monetary policy.

• The World Bank recently upgraded the income status of four Asian countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines, while India remains categorized in the lower-middle-income group. • Despite being the world's fastest-growing major economy, India has failed to move up, highlighting a disconnect between its aggregate GDP growth and the actual rise in per capita income. • This disparity underscores a critical economic challenge for India: ensuring that national wealth translates into higher individual living standards across its vast population.

Banner refers to Falkland Islands conflict in 1982Players celebrate on the pitch with the messageThe Argentina players celebrated their World Cup win over England with a banner saying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, making reference to the 1982 Falklands war.Argentina were 1-0 down with five minutes to go of the semi-final in Atlanta but rallied and scored twice in quick succession to reach a second straight World Cup final, where they will face Spain in New Jersey on Sunday. Continue reading...

The home secretary is the frontrunner for the role ahead of ‘risky’ Ed Miliband, according to senior Labour figuresShabana Mahmood has emerged as the frontrunner to become Andy Burnham’s chancellor after a fierce briefing war over the prospect of Ed Miliband being appointed to the powerful role.Senior Labour figures with knowledge of Burnham’s thinking told the Guardian they expected the home secretary to be moved to the Treasury amid concerns that Miliband would become a target for criticism of the government. Continue reading...

• A new survival-horror film has been released for streaming between July 15-21, featuring a plot centered on two best friends. • The story takes place in Thailand, where the protagonists become trapped on a sinking tour boat within a tiger shark sanctuary. • The release provides viewers with a high-tension binge-watching option for the weekend, highlighting the survival-horror genre.

• Stock markets climbed following reports that June inflation cooled, signaling a potential slowdown in price increases. • JPMorgan Chase reported a record quarterly profit of $21.2 billion, driven by a surge in trading activity and corporate dealmaking. • These combined factors suggest a resilient financial sector and a possible shift in macroeconomic conditions that could benefit investors.

Proposal to protect vulnerable and stop money laundering could affect Premier League clubs and Formula One Unlicensed casinos could be banned from sponsoring sports teams in the UK from next year, in a move that poses financial questions for Premier League clubs such as Everton FC and sports including Formula One.Plans for a ban, revealed by the Guardian on Sunday and confirmed by the government on Wednesday, are aimed at protecting vulnerable people and reducing the risk of sport being used by organised crime groups for money laundering. Continue reading...