Connect with us
DAPA Banner
DAPA Coin
DAPA
COIN PAYMENT ASSET
PRIVACY · BLOCKDAG · HOMOMORPHIC ENCRYPTION · RUST
ElGamal Encrypted MINE DAPA
🚫 GENESIS SOLD OUT
DAPAPAY COMING

NewsBeat

The surprising health benefits of having orange hair

Published

on

The surprising health benefits of having orange hair

The gene behind orange-red hair seen in a section of people may also provide some health advantages by protecting the cells that produce the pigment, a new study suggests.

The protein building-block molecule cysteine is essential for the body to make proteins, but its levels must be kept low within cells, below the threshold of toxicity.

An excessive accumulation of cystine within cells has been recognised as the cause of a form of cell death.

Meanwhile, the orange-red pigment found in human red hair and in some bird feathers – called pheomelanin – is made using cysteine.

Advertisement

For a long time, the pigment has presented an evolutionary puzzle, with previous research linking it to a higher risk of skin cancer even without UV radiation exposure.

It has remained unclear why traits that encourage pheomelanin production, such as orange hair, have persisted over time.

Researchers have now found that producing this pigment may actually protect health by drawing down excess cysteine in cells, preventing the molecules from causing any damage.

“These findings represent the first experimental demonstration of a physiological role for pheomelanin,” they explain in the study published in the journal PNAS Nexus.

Advertisement
A model poses for a photo backstage at TRESemme x Alice + Olivia
A model poses for a photo backstage at TRESemme x Alice + Olivia (Getty Images for TRESemme)

The latest research was possible thanks to a recent discovery of a molecule, ML349, that could block pheomelanin synthesis in the body.

In the study, scientists assessed 65 adult zebra finches, whose orange beaks contain pheomelanin.

The 65 birds were divided into a treatment group and a control group.

In the treatment group, male zebra finches were given dietary cysteine along with ML349, a drug that blocks pheomelanin synthesis.

Male birds that received both cysteine and ML349 showed more serious cell damage than males that received cysteine alone.

Advertisement

Scientists found that pheomelanin production seemed to help cells keep cysteine levels in balance.

Female birds given cysteine alone also tended to show more cell-level damage than controls.

The findings suggest pheomelanin production in the body helps maintain cysteine balance by converting excess cysteine into an inert pigment that doesn’t damage cells.

“These results demonstrate that pheomelanin synthesis avoids cellular damage by excreting excess cysteine to inert keratinous structures such as feathers,” scientists wrote.

Advertisement

This protective role, according to researchers, could be why pheomelanin-promoting genetic traits remain in populations, even though there are associated melanoma risks.

“These findings prove a role of pheomelanin in cysteine homeostasis, opening a better understanding of melanoma risk through environmental factors affecting cysteine availability,” scientists wrote.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

NewsBeat

Republic activists stage Andrew protest inside Buckingham Palace

Published

on

Republic activists stage Andrew protest inside Buckingham Palace

Andrew, stripped of his titles last October by his brother, the King, has long faced separate accusations of having sex with the late Virginia Giuffre three times, including when she was 17 – under the state of Florida’s age of consent – and also during an orgy after being trafficked by Epstein.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

‘Hero’ father, 48, reveals how he saved boy from drowning when mother screamed ‘will you save my son? I can’t swim’ as two other men died trying to rescue the youngster and his brother

Published

on

Davey Short, 48, said the boy was aged around 12 or 13 and had been playing in the waves when he got swept out to sea

A father has described the moment he saved a boy from drowning after his mother screamed for help – insisting he just did ‘what any man in my position would do’.

Two men died on Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool, County Durham, yesterday afternoon as they also attempted to rescue the ‘little lad’ from the water.

Davey Short, 48, said the boy was aged around 12 or 13 and had been playing in the waves when he got swept out to sea.

His brother, who was around 15 years old, attempted to help him but also got into trouble in the water.

Advertisement

Two men tried to save the boys – but tragically died before they could do so.

Mr Short, a painter and decorator who lives in the Seaton Carew area, said: ‘I was sat on the sand dunes, and I saw a lad swimming in the sea. He was next to a man with his head in the water, and initially I thought he was snorkelling.

‘A woman was hysterical on the beach. I asked her what the matter was and she said, “Will you save my son?” I can’t swim.

‘Instinct took over, I ran straight in, and swam out as far as I could. I was telling the lad to try and swim towards me.

Advertisement

Davey Short, 48, said the boy was aged around 12 or 13 and had been playing in the waves when he got swept out to sea

Police attend the scene at Seaton Crew Beach in Hartlepool, County Durham, after the two men drowned

Police attend the scene at Seaton Crew Beach in Hartlepool, County Durham, after the two men drowned

‘He managed to get to me, but I was struggling to get back out with him.’

Advertisement

Mr Short said another man came over to give him a hand and together they managed to get the boy out.

He claimed it had taken emergency services around 40 minutes to attend the scene – leaving him no choice but to risk his life to rescue the child.

Mr Short added: ‘The little boy was fine, but it was too late for the other two men who had tried to help before me.

‘I couldn’t get further out to get to them. It was scary, the waves were hitting me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to them.

Advertisement

‘I am a dad myself. I didn’t even think about the danger to myself. I just wanted to get that little lad out.

‘I couldn’t not go in. There were people screaming at me not to go into the water, but I said, “I am not leaving that bairn”.

‘I know I had put my own life at risk, but I had no choice.’

Mr Short claimed it had taken emergency services around 40 minutes to attend the scene – leaving him no choice but to risk his life to rescue the child

Mr Short claimed it had taken emergency services around 40 minutes to attend the scene – leaving him no choice but to risk his life to rescue the child 

Advertisement

Meanwhile the boy’s older brother was rescued by a different man.

Mr Short said: ‘Everybody has thanked me. The mother was hysterical, but she has thanked me so much and has been messaging me.

‘I am not a hero, I just did what any man in my position would do.

‘I just went in. I didn’t even think about it.’

Advertisement

Yesterday Superintendent Glen Ward of Cleveland Police said: ‘Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of both the men involved in this tragic incident today.

‘Despite the best efforts of emergency services, sadly both men were pronounced dead a short time after being brought out of the sea.

‘We are conducting enquiries into the circumstances of what happened today, although the deaths are not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.

‘I would like to remind everyone that open water comes with serious risks. We know it is inviting in the hot weather, but we would encourage people to refrain from entering any open water at all. Today we have sadly seen the true tragedy that can happen as a result.

Advertisement

‘Please take extra care and enjoy the warm weather as safely as possible.’

The RNLI has been contacted for comment.

On Friday, the bodies of two teenagers were recovered in Derby and Greater Manchester following separate water-related incidents.

In Derby, an 18-year-old was retrieved from the water below the weir near the Darley Abbey Mills complex on Friday.

Advertisement

Emergency services had been called at 12.46pm after two young teenagers got into difficulty.

The younger teenager was rescued, but after hours of searches, the 18-year-old was found dead.

In Manchester, emergency services were called to Dovestone reservoir in Oldham at around 7pm on Friday.

They found an 18-year-old unresponsive in the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts of medical professionals, the force added. A scene remains in place and inquiries are ongoing, police said.

Advertisement

The previous day a 16-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty in a lake in Lincoln – weeks after another teenager drowned at the same site.

Lincolnshire Police were called to Swanholme Lakes on Thursday afternoon and the boy was taken to hospital but he died shortly before 9pm.

It followed 15-year-old Declan Sawyer dying after also getting into difficulty at the nature reserve on May 24.

Last month the family of a teenage boy who drowned at Clifton Country Park in Swinton, Greater Manchester, paid tribute to their much-loved son, brother, nephew and friend, Leon Pafu Ngoy.

Advertisement

They said in a statement: ‘Leon was our baby, our brother, our best friend and the heart of our family. He was kind, respectful, thoughtful and loved by everyone who knew him.’ 

Britain’s May and June heatwaves are thought to have claimed more than 2,700 lives, with almost half of these deaths said to be fuelled by the changing climate.

A study estimates that 550 people died during the exceptionally warm spell at the end of May, with a further 2,200 fatalities linked to the ten-day heatwave in June. 

Dr Claire Barnes, a research associate in extreme weather and climate change at Imperial College London, argued: ‘Every time we have a heatwave, our news is filled with reporters at swimming pools, images of people eating ice cream and sunbathers on beaches.

Advertisement

‘We all love the sun, but people need to be aware that we are now seeing dangerous climate-change fuelled heat that is claiming lives, disrupting schools and hospitals and shutting down transport and infrastructure.

‘It’s time we woke up to the fact that we now live in a country with dangerously hot summers.’

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Bodies of three people found in Co Antrim home- latest updates

Published

on

Belfast Live

Police are investigating the circumstances after three people were found dead in the Old Cullybackey Road area of Ballymena this morning, Monday 13th July. The three people were related and found inside the family home.There is no ongoing risk to the public.A further update will follow in due course.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

When Coronation Street and Emmerdale is on this week as end of ITV’s World Cup shake-up looms

Published

on

Manchester Evening News

Both Corrie and Emmerdale’s schedule has been subject to changes in recent weeks due to coverage of the 2026 Fifa World Cup

Coronation Street and Emmerdale fans can enjoy a slightly more regular fix of their favourite programmes this week as the end of ITV’s schedule shake-up for the World Cup looms.

Advertisement

Viewers have got used to their daily fix of drama from the cobbles and the Dales after Corrie and Emmerdale became part of a ‘soap power hour’ on ITV back in January.

The major schedule change meant that half-hour episodes have since been airing for each show every weeknight, which the network said at the time was because ‘viewing habits continue to change’.

Click here to sign up for more Coronation Street updates in our newsletter

However, more recently, Corrie and Emmerdale fans have been treated to the previous hour-long episodes, which come amid ongoing changes to how fans can get their regular soap viewing due to coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is taking place across America, Canada and Mexico.

Advertisement

This week’s soap schedule has now been confirmed, which comes ahead of the major footballing competition coming to an end this Sunday (July 19), with England among those fighting for a spot in the final, alongside Argentina, France and Spain.

Both Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been pulled from ITV’s schedule on Tuesday (July 14), but will air on Monday (July 13) in their usual slot, from 8pm to 9pm.

To make up for Tuesday’s missing episodes, due to coverage of Spain vs France, it has been confirmed. Emmerdale will air at 8pm on Wednesday (July 15) for an hour, while Corrie will follow afterwards at 9pm until 10pm. And on Thursday (July 16) and Friday (July 17), Corrie and Emmerdale fans can enjoy their usual half-hour episodes as normal.

Advertisement

It comes after ITV confirmed what its new billion-pound deal means for its two beloved soaps. It was announced earlier this month that ITV has agreed to sell its media and entertainment arm to Sky for up to £1.6 billion, following months of talks over a possible deal.

The companies said the deal will combine the division with Sky to create a major competitor to the global streaming giants. They have been in talks since late last year in a bid to hammer out the terms of a sale, which is set to be transformative for UK television.

The sale includes ITV’s terrestrial TV channels and streaming service ITVX. But it does not include its production arm, ITV Studios, which makes shows including I’m A Celebrity and the popular drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.

ITV Studios will become a “pure-play global content business” with its shares listed on the London Stock Exchange following the sale, and a long-term agreement to supply content to the newly combined Sky and ITV, according to the broadcaster. This includes programmes popular with the British public like Love Island, as well as Corrie and Emmerdale.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Britain’s Pub Shed of the Year finalists revealed: Ornate backyard ‘man caves’ feature beer gardens, pool tables and pints on tap

Published

on

Paul Brimecome, from Portsmouth, is in the running for Britain's Pub Shed of the Year with his stunning creation made almost entirely from recycled materials

The UK is well and truly in the throes of BBQ season – and millions of proud Brits across the nation are touting their ‘pub shed’ set-ups ready for the summer.

And some are taking the coveted art of decorating backyards into sophisticated ‘mancaves’ – perfect for watching the World Cup in – even more seriously.

Three DIY enthusiasts have transformed humble garden spaces into ‘sheddies’ kitted out with pool tables, dart boards, foosball and table tennis.

They beat thousands of contenders and are now battling it out in the finals, to be named Britain’s Pub Shed of the Year 2026.

Advertisement

They include a traditional countryside-style pub as well as two incredible sports bars.

All feature the classic sports-lovers’ regalia but also personalised touches which make them feel special.

Paul Brimecome, from Portsmouth, is in the running with his stunning back yard creation made almost entirely from recycled materials called The Pampered Chicken.

The pub-sport player’s paradise – which measures 9.6m x 4.8m – boasts a pool table, a huge darts wall as well as retro arcade games and a fruit machine.

Advertisement

‘Our home pub is built on the original site of our chicken coop,’ he revealed. ‘Built by family, friends, and neighbours starting in May 2022, it is a vibrant social hub.’

And it has a special meaning as it is named in memory of their late friend Carol.

‘She always joked that our seven chickens were the most pampered in the world,’ Paul shared. ‘It is a lasting tribute that keeps her memory alive.’

Advertisement

Paul Brimecome, from Portsmouth, is in the running for Britain’s Pub Shed of the Year with his stunning creation made almost entirely from recycled materials

The shed boasts a pool table, huge darts wall as well as retro arcade games and a fruit machine

The shed boasts a pool table, huge darts wall as well as retro arcade games and a fruit machine

The pub was built ‘almost entirely from recycled materials’, including pallets and Facebook Marketplace finds.

‘The historic bar originally belonged to a Hong Kong sailing club,’ he added. ‘The windows came from a local renovation, and we used salvaged soundproof insulation from a music studio to create a cosy atmosphere.

Advertisement

‘The facilities include a toilet and a shower with disco lights. A secondhand 10-line beer chiller serves drinks alongside entertainment like a pool table, fruit machine and a bespoke hand-painted dartboard wall.

‘We even have our own darts team, The Pampered Peckers.

‘Outside, a reclaimed scaffold-board deck and outdoor kitchen provide the perfect venue.

‘The Pampered Chicken perfectly represents friendship, sustainability, and community.’

Advertisement

Elsewhere Adam Cockroft, from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, built The Mucky Pub after moving in to his new home two years ago.

Adam Cockroft, from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, built The Mucky Pub after moving in to his new home two years ago

Adam Cockroft, from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, built The Mucky Pub after moving in to his new home two years ago

It opened in May of last year and Adam said they've had 'some fantastic evenings with friends and family or even quiet nights on our own'

It opened in May of last year and Adam said they’ve had ‘some fantastic evenings with friends and family or even quiet nights on our own’ 

Decorated like a traditional pub, it also boasts an incredible games room with a pool table, air hockey, table tennis, shuffleboard, table football and arcade machines.

Advertisement

He said: ‘The main buying point of the house was the outbuildings that were located at the bottom of the garden.

‘The buildings were a solid blockwork construction so a great starting point for our conversions.

‘To the bar we added a new floor, a metal stud inner leaf, new windows, a log burner and a handmade bar.

‘We opted for a traditional pub theme and bought all the furniture second hand.

Advertisement

‘When our kids were young if ever we were going out for a drink we’d always say we were off to “The Mucky Pub” that name stuck and that’s what we called it.’

It opened in May of last year, and Adam said they’ve had ‘some fantastic evenings with friends and family or even quiet nights on our own.’

Staffordshire-based Tina and Rich Hibbs are in the running too with their bar named Hibbys

Staffordshire-based Tina and Rich Hibbs are in the running too with their bar named Hibbys

Their pub shed is decked out with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC memorabilia and has an outdoor play area and beer garden

Their pub shed is decked out with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC memorabilia and has an outdoor play area and beer garden

Advertisement
Tina says their bar has 'evolved into the perfect place to cater for large occasions for both family and friends'

Tina says their bar has ‘evolved into the perfect place to cater for large occasions for both family and friends’ 

And finally, there are Staffordshire-based Tina and Rich Hibbs, of Rugeley, in the running with their bar named Hibbys.

It’s decked out with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC memorabilia and has an outdoor play area and beer garden.

Initially, Tina said, it was ‘a bolthole for hubby to escape and watch the football in peace, and to display his vast collection of Wolves memorabilia’.

Advertisement

However, it’s since grown in both size and reputation.

‘The bar has since evolved into the perfect place to cater for large occasions for both family and friends,’ she explained.

‘With two daughters and five grandchildren it is the perfect place to host birthday parties and special occasions, with the play area a particular favourite with the young ones.

‘The fridge is always full, and with a vast selection of spirits and two Blade beer machines ensuring cold refreshments are always on tap.

Advertisement

‘Purposely there is no clock or traditional bell available as the bar is always open to family and friends alike.’

The annual competition is run by Twofatblokes.co.uk and winners get £500 worth of prizes.

It is believed more than two million back garden pubs are now in operation in Britain after their popularity exploded during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ashley Turner, from Two Fat Blokes Bar Sign Emporium, said: ‘This is our sixth year running the competition, the quality of the entries makes judging harder every year.’

Advertisement

The Pub Shed of The Year 2026 winner will be announced live on Ngageradio.co.uk next month.

To vote, visit: https://pubshedoftheyear.co.uk/

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Government bans Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Published

on

Government bans Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

The Prime Minister, whose No 10 guests included Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said: “A criminal group called the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right have publicly claimed seven attacks at UK locations linked to Jewish and Israeli communities, and sitting behind them were members of Iran’s IRGC.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Horror machete fight between e-bike riders and car passengers caught on camera with two seriously injured

Published

on

Manchester Evening News

Two men have been arrested following the shocking brawl in Hulme

Two men were seriously injured in a ‘machete fight’ on a south Manchester street.

Advertisement

The shocking brawl in Hulme was captured in dash-cam footage, which shows a group of five men hacking at each other in broad daylight with what appear to be machetes. It came after two youths on e-bikes, dressed head to toe in black, including black balaclavas, began attacking a car as it waited at the traffic lights on Jackson Crescent in Hulme at around 3pm on Saturday.

After the bike-riders strike the car’s driver and passenger windows with the knives, two men, who also appear to be armed with machetes, get out of the car and fight back. A brief stand-off follows, with both sides wildly swinging at each other, before the two men who launched the attack flee.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

A third youth, who was a passenger on one of the bikes, is also present but in the footage is not seen taking part in the brawl.

Advertisement

On Saturday night a large police cordon was in place at the nearby crossroads of Stretford Road and Chorlton Road, understood to be in connection with the incident. Today police said two men were seriously injured in the fight.

A 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy arrested in connection with the incident remain in custody for questioning. The Manchester Evening News understands detectives are also searching for three other people as part of the investigation.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Officers responded to an incident on Jackson Crescent, Hulme at around 3pm on Saturday, July 11, 2026 following reports of an altercation between a group of people involving bladed articles. Two men suffered serious injuries and remain in hospital for treatment.

Advertisement

“One boy – aged 17 – was arrested on suspicion of affray, assault, grievous bodily harm and possession with intent to supply class B drugs. One man – aged 22 – was arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of a class B drug and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

“He was further arrested on suspicion of evading police custody and assaulting an officer. They both remain in custody for questioning.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident and locate other suspects. There is not believed to be any wider threat to the community.”

Anyone with information or footage of the incident is urged to contact police on 101 quoting log 2329 of July 11.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Man rushed to hospital after air ambulance called to city centre bus crash

Published

on

Cambridgeshire Live

The crash involved a bus and motorbike

An air ambulance was sent to the scene of a serious city centre crash. The A15 near Maskew Avenue in Peterborough remains closed in both directions on Monday afternoon (July 13).

This due to a crash between a bus, confirmed to be a Stagecoach vehicle, and motorbike. The road was closed just after 11.30am.

A man has been taken to hospital for further treatment. An East of England Ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called just before 11.30am to a road traffic collision on the A15 near Maskew Avenue.

Advertisement

“An ambulance, ambulance officer vehicle and the Magpas Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. An adult man was transported by road to Peterborough City Hospital for further treatment.”

Cambridgeshire Police also attended. In an earlier statement, a police spokesperson said: “We were called at 11.33am to reports of a two-vehicle collision on the A15 near Maskew Avenue.

“Officers and paramedics are in attendance. The road has been closed in both directions, motorists are advised to avoid the area.”

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in .

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Why the US economy stays strong even when its policies shock the rest of the world

Published

on

Why the US economy stays strong even when its policies shock the rest of the world

The US economy is continuing to grow faster and generate more new jobs than Europe. Annual national income growth over the past five years has averaged 3.3% in the US against 2.6% in the EU. In the first quarter of 2026, the EU’s GDP was just 0.7% higher than a year before, while that of the US was up 2.6% on comparable measures.

These figures defy the widespread predictions that the US would lose its growth advantage after its government imposed a global trade tariff regime in 2025 and, one year later, started a war with Iran. Economists see several factors behind the resilience of the US economy.

The US runs consistently wider budget deficits than the EU, UK or China. By spending more than it collects in tax, the US government creates more income for the people it employs and the businesses it buys from. This extra income in theory boosts demand in the economy, pushing output growth higher and reducing unemployment.

Most European governments also run budget deficits. The average budget deficit of EU countries in 2025, for example, was 3.1% of GDP. But the US deficit, at 5.8% of GDP that same year, is giving a much stronger stimulus.

Advertisement

The US also channels a higher proportion of its GDP into business investment and research and development than the EU. Europe was spending €270 billion (£230 billion) less than the US on innovation in 2021, with this spending concentrated on its century-old car industry rather than new technologies.

Since 2025, AI has been the focus of US investment. This has helped the US maintain its hold over global technology and digital platforms. Rapid uptake of AI across US industry has also widened the margin by which its labour productivity growth is outpacing Europe’s. Output per hour in professional services has increased by over 18% since 2019 in the US compared to just 5% in the EU.

Uptake of AI across industry has also boosted labour productivity growth in the US.
DC Studio / Shutterstock

Economy-wide productivity gains have allowed US real wages (wages adjusted for inflation) to edge higher since 2019. This has sustained consumer demand while also enabling the strong profit growth that has lifted US share prices to record levels. In contrast, average real wages in the EU have barely grown over the past 20 years while corporate profits in Europe remain subdued.

The US technological lead could be dented by Donald Trump’s immigration clampdown, which extends to skilled scientists and students. Research suggests annual GDP growth rates in the US could currently be as much as 0.8 percentage points lower than if net unauthorised immigration had stayed on its pre-2025 trend.

Advertisement

But the Trump administration and its tech-entrepreneur supporters also credit their success to more freedom to gamble with new ideas, while Europe regulates them more heavily and China tries to harness them for state control. Although the EU generates as many tech start-ups as the US, many relocate there when they start to expand.

Another factor explaining the resilience of the US economy is that American industry benefits from substantially lower energy costs than in Europe. The US produces more fossil fuels than Europe and taxes them less. It is also advancing fast with cheap renewable sources, despite the government’s scepticism towards solar and wind.

Reliance on fossil fuels, and indifference to carbon emissions, may raise the US’s long-term economic vulnerability. But for now they ensure a cost advantage that is allowing the US to regenerate its manufacturing and meet much of the global demand for data-based services such as e-commerce and generative AI.

Favourable financial engineering

The US spends more on goods and services than it produces domestically. This results in a large current account deficit, which widens as US growth picks up. To finance this deficit, the US has to borrow from the rest of the world continuously.

Advertisement

For most countries, the resulting rise in liabilities to other countries would lead to a weakening currency and higher inflation, or a spell of slower growth to rebalance the current account. However, the US benefits from global use of the US dollar.

The US dollar is the universal standard for trade in commodities. And due to a perception that the US will continue delivering high returns on investment and repaying its debts, the rest of the world typically responds to shocks such as wars by moving money into US assets – even if US policy is responsible for those shocks.

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing sat alongside John F. Kennedy in the White House.
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing meeting with the then-US president, John F. Kennedy, in the White House in 1962.
Abbie Rowe / US National Archives and Records Administration /

In the 1960s, France’s then-finance minister, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, who later served as its president, railed against what he called the “exorbitant privilege” the US gains from printing the world’s currency. The US will retain this privilege as long as global trade and finance are mostly conducted in US dollars.

This situation is unlikely to change. The EU’s efforts to unify its financial markets to support its single market have proceeded slowly and were set back by Britain’s 2016 decision to leave the bloc. Britain and the EU have lost global financial marketshare since the UK broke away.

Attempts by China, Russia and major oil-exporting countries to launch an alternative reserve currency have also made little progress. But they might not regret this. The dollar’s global role makes it harder for the US to control its inflation, as it has to watch the wider impact of raising interest rates.

Advertisement

When inflows of foreign capital strengthen the dollar, US industry also becomes less competitive on the global stage. And with so many governments worldwide under pressure to balance their budgets, America’s deep-pocketed consumers and businesses might still be the “engine of growth” that enable other regions to expand.

Impressive economic performance between 2021 and 2024 did nothing to revive the political fortunes of Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden. Continuing the positive trend has proved similarly fruitless for Trump. At only 36%, his approval rating is extremely low.

This is the downside of growth driven by government deficits and rising corporate profits. Many Americans feel they are paying for higher prices out of wages that are rising only marginally, and will struggle to afford any future rise in living costs.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

New front opens in Iran war as US is dragged into ‘crisis phase’ and oil prices rocket

Published

on

New front opens in Iran war as US is dragged into 'crisis phase' and oil prices rocket

Advertisement

Saudi Arabia has launched airstrikes on Iran‘s Houthi proxy in Yemen, sending oil prices soaring Monday morning as Donald Trump‘s ceasefire collapses.

Houthi rebels say Saudi warplanes bombarded Sanaa International Airport in Yemen with the group’s spokesman declaring an ‘end to the de-escalation phase’ and warning that the ‘aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished.’

The attack reportedly came as an Iranian aircraft attempted to land at the airport. Evacuation orders have been issued for the airport and surrounding areas. 

A Saudi-led military alliance based in Yemen’s south for a decade has been fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels based in the north. 

Advertisement

Tehran says the fallout has already reached the negotiating table with their foreign ministry claiming Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran has entered a ‘crisis phase.’

Oil prices surged over three percent Monday morning following renewed military strikes between the US and Iran amid escalating tensions regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Asked about the escalating strikes across the region, Trump told Fox News: ‘We’re taking over the strait.’

The Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf chokepoint carrying about a fifth of the world’s oil, has been a central flashpoint since the war began in February, sending markets spiraling with every escalation.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025