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• The S&P 500 (SPX) extended its current rally to reach a new record high of 7,758. • Market analyst Scott Redler noted that equities are maintaining a constructive stance, signaling continued strength in the upward trend. • This milestone reflects strong investor confidence and positive momentum within the broader equity markets.

• European stock markets closed higher on Tuesday, with several indices reaching new record or multi-month highs driven by optimism regarding U.S. economic trends and easing concerns over tech valuations. • Simultaneously, gold prices surged as investors reacted to the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decisions and escalating tensions in the Middle East. • The U.S. Dollar experienced a decline on July 31, 2026, amid growing uncertainty over the Fed's future policy moves and upcoming economic data releases.

• European stocks are expected to open on a firm note on Tuesday. • Investor attention will focus on U.S.-Iran talks and the latest corporate earnings results. • The upcoming key U.S. events will also be closely watched by investors.

• St. Louis-area congressman Wesley Bell is facing a Democratic primary rematch this Tuesday against former congresswoman Cori Bush, who previously lost the seat to Bell in 2024. • The Associated Press will continue monitoring the race for newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions, until a winner is officially declared. • While Missouri lacks automatic recounts, candidates for state, judicial, and federal offices can request one if the voting margin is less than 0.5%.

The EU is using a currency redesign as an opportunity to be less neutral and try some finely balanced identity-buildingIs Europe best represented by the bold intellect of Marie Curie, the sprawling imagination of Miguel de Cervantes and the intense musical genius of Ludwig van Beethoven? Or by a migrating stork and a bee-eater, swooping across borderless plains and enjoying freedom of movement across European countries?The quest to settle this issue has engaged a surprising number of people across the continent, after more than 6 million people voted in a survey within just a week of its launch to determine whether the newly redesigned euro bank notes should depict either cultural figures or birds and waterways. Continue reading...

• The 30-year long bond yield has surged to its highest level in 19 years, according to analyst Mike Shedlock. • Shedlock suggests this spike serves as a market signal to Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh regarding recent monetary policy decisions. • The trend reflects growing macroeconomic concerns, highlighted by a GDPNow final estimate for 2026 Q2 GDP of 1.5%, which is significantly lower than the Econoday consensus of 2.3%.

• European stock markets closed higher on Tuesday, July 25, 2026, driven by strong corporate earnings reports and a general lift in investor sentiment. • Market gains were supported by falling oil prices and optimism surrounding the potential resumption of peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. • Investors focused on key economic indicators this week, including the European Central Bank's latest policy decision and inflation data from the U.K.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled ten shortlisted design proposals for new euro banknotes. • To determine the final selection, the ECB's Governing Council has launched an online public survey inviting citizens across Europe to vote on their preferred designs. • This initiative allows the public to directly influence the visual identity of the single currency, ensuring the new notes reflect the values of the euro area.

• On July 23, 2026, the European Central Bank (ECB) unveiled ten shortlisted designs for the next series of euro banknotes. • The public is invited to participate in an online survey to provide feedback on the designs, which feature themes of European culture, rivers, and birds, until September 21, 2026. • ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone stated the redesign aims to ensure cash remains a secure, relevant payment option while reducing environmental impact through eco-friendly materials and improved longevity.

• European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has unveiled 10 design options for a new generation of euro banknotes. • The proposed designs are divided into two thematic categories: “European culture” and “rivers and birds.” • Euro-area citizens are invited to vote on their preferred designs through September 21, with the Governing Council expected to make a final decision by the end of the year.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled ten finalist designs for future euro banknotes, divided into two primary themes: culture and nature. • The culture theme features icons such as Leonardo da Vinci, Maria Callas, Beethoven, and Marie Curie, while the nature theme focuses on birds symbolizing European biodiversity. • This initiative allows European citizens to vote for their preferred designs via a survey on the ECB's website, ranging from minimalist to traditional styles.

• On July 23, the European Central Bank (ECB) unveiled a shortlist of 10 design proposals for the next series of euro banknotes. • The ECB's Governing Council has launched an online public survey, inviting citizens across Europe to vote on their preferred designs. • This initiative allows the public to directly influence the visual identity of the eurozone's currency, ensuring the new notes reflect a broad European consensus.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled ten finalist designs for future euro banknotes, focusing on themes of culture and nature. • Proposed designs include portraits of iconic figures such as Leonardo da Vinci for the €100 note, Bertha von Suttner for the €200 note, as well as Maria Callas, Beethoven, and Marie Curie. • Other options feature birds to symbolize Europe's biodiversity, reflecting a choice between celebrating human intellectual achievement or environmental preservation.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled a shortlist of new designs for euro banknotes, emphasizing themes of European culture and nature. • The public is invited to provide feedback on these proposed designs through a consultation period ending September 21. • This initiative aims to modernize the currency's visual identity while reflecting the shared values and heritage of the eurozone.

• On July 24, the Korean stock market recorded several corporate actions, including share cancellations by JB Financial Group, Hansae MK, and Daekyo. • Capital reductions were implemented by Dynamic Design and T'way Holdings, while ToolGen set its record date for new share allocations via a rights offering. • Daedong Gear (008830) processed forfeited share subscriptions, with Korea Investment & Securities serving as the lead manager.

• BofA Finance (NYSE: BAC) has sold $3.21 million in index-linked digital return notes. • The notes offer a 10.84% digital return provided that three major indices, including the S&P 500 (SPX), remain above 65% of their initial levels. • Investors face significant risk, as they are exposed to the full downside of the indices and the credit risk associated with the issuer.

• 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.

• Brent crude oil is trading in the mid-$70s and WTI is priced above $70 per barrel. • The price increase is driven by escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. • Market analyst Mohamed A. El-Erian notes that these tensions are currently a primary driver of market sentiment.

• Journalist Jeremy Kuzmarov reports in *Covert Action* that U.S. military bases globally are experiencing a surge in protests from an emboldened antiwar movement. • The report highlights specific demonstrations and actions targeting U.S. military installations in Ireland, Germany, Holland, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia. • This trend signifies a growing international pushback against the U.S. military presence and global strategic footprint.

• Analyst Callum Thomas provided a weekly S&P 500 ChartStorm overview, highlighting a broadening bull market and shifting dynamics between value and growth stocks. • The analysis compares equal-weighted versus cap-weighted indices and examines the performance of financials, micro caps, and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). • A critical component of the review includes an ongoing "bubble watch" regarding AI stocks to determine if current valuations are sustainable.

Derrick Callella admitted he called and sent texts to Guthrie’s family, demanding a bitcoin transactionA California man is facing up to two years in prison or a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty to sending Nancy Guthrie’s family a phoney ransom note, federal authorities announced on Thursday.Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on 31 January at her residence outside Tucson, Arizona. Inside the home, authorities observed her cellphone, medication and other basic essentials. Law enforcement also found drops of her blood near the porch. Continue reading...

• Israel and Lebanon have entered into a Trilateral Framework Agreement in 2026, aimed at managing conflict and establishing border security. • The agreement involves complex negotiations between state actors and non-state armed groups, with the United States playing a critical role as an international mediator. • This framework is significant as it addresses regional geopolitics and humanitarian concerns, demonstrating the use of diplomacy to resolve long-standing security tensions.

Consumer advocacy group Choice blind tested 30 olive oils – and found many of the highest ranked came from AustraliaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastConsumer advocacy group Choice has taste tested 30 supermarket extra-virgin olive oils, and found some Australian-made oils rank higher than those imported from Italy and Spain.“A lot of Australians are after local products, and there are a lot of Australian olive oil makers that have built quite a good reputation,” Pru Engel, Choice audience and engagement editor, said. Continue reading...

• Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has passed away at the age of 100. • Kevin Warsh is reportedly taking early steps to reshape the Federal Reserve's approach to mirror the policies and image of Greenspan. • This shift suggests a potential return to the economic philosophies that defined the Fed during Greenspan's long tenure.

• U.S. consumer sentiment has increased from a previous low of 44.8, according to recent data from the University of Michigan. • Mohamed A. El-Erian, president of Queens' College at the University of Cambridge, noted that while households are feeling more optimistic, sentiment remains below optimal levels. • This trend is significant as it indicates a gradual recovery in economic confidence among U.S. consumers despite starting from a very low base.

• European stocks closed higher on Thursday, June 19, 2026, driven by strong performance in the technology sector and easing geopolitical tensions. • Investor confidence in AI was renewed following a positive earnings report from U.S. tech giant Micron, which beat expectations and raised its revenue forecast. • The market activity coincided with critical policy decisions from the central banks of the U.K. and Switzerland.

‘It’s all just rendered useless’ Something For Kate’s Paul Dempsey says as AI scrapes millions of songs to learn how to make musicPaul Dempsey and Bernard Fanning are among big-name Australian musicians upset that their original songs have been found in datasets used to train artificial intelligence.A dataset search tool recently created by US publication The Atlantic reveals millions of creative works have been scraped from the internet to train the disruptive technology. Continue reading...

• A new wave of K-dramas is premiering this week, featuring titles such as *See You at Work Tomorrow!*, *Notes From The Last Row*, and *Agent Kim Reactivated*. • These releases, which include suspense thrillers and workplace romances, are available across major streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Viki. • The launch marks a return to high activity for Korean television following a relatively quiet period for fresh premieres.