Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan hasn't seen any visitors in more than five weeks, according to his party. His family say this is partly to stop his words reaching the outside world. They blame the country's military chief, Field Marshall Asim Munir
Warning that excessive use of digital devices was becoming a serious problem of addiction for both children and adults, the Economic Survey has called for age-based access to online platforms in India, digital wellness curriculum at schools, and a host of other measures to cut down on national
Long crowned by his legion of fans as the king of Afrobeat, the late Fela Kuti is finally being recognised by the global music industry. The Nigerian star will posthumously receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys - almost three decades after his death at the age of 58
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Saurabh Joshi was elected as the new Mayor of Chandigarh on Thursday morning as the results of the Mayoral election was announced today. Joshi received 18 votes against 11 for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Yogesh Dhingra
As the Union Budget 2026 draws closer, experts across agriculture, climate policy and real estate are urging the government to move beyond incremental fixes and focus on long-term resilience, sustainable growth and efficient market mechanisms
Why the US dollar hit a four-year low and could fall further
After a dramatic 2025, when US President Donald Trump's tariff announcements sent the dollar tumbling, traders of the currency were expecting a quieter year.
Recent weeks have shattered that complacency.
The dollar dropped to its lowest point in four years on Tuesday against a basket of currencies, hitting multi-year lows against the Euro and the pound as it fell 3% in roughly a week.
That slide has since slowed down, but analysts say the reprieve is likely to be temporary.
Most people would think the dollar should, could, and would weaken further this year," said Chris Turner, global head of financial market research at ING. "The jury's out on the timing but less so on the direction.
A weaker dollar reduces purchasing power for Americans - something overseas travellers know all too well. If that carries on, analysts say it risks fuelling inflation inside the US, as Americans face higher prices for imports.
The falls have also raised bigger questions about whether the dollar's status as the world's go-to currency - which for decades has helped keep borrowing costs in the US relatively low - might be under threat.
So what is driving down the dollar and what does it mean?
The dollar has been coming off a more than a decade of strength, with especially sharp gains between 2020 and 2022, when America's post-pandemic growth and relatively high interest rates drove investor demand for the currency.
But last year, the dollar index, which tracks the value against a basket of currencies, dropped almost 10% - its worst performance since 2017. Much of that decline occurred in the weeks after Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff announcements last spring.
This month, the dollar slid further as tension grew between the US and Europe over Greenland.
And the losses continued this week, amid speculation that the US might be considering actions that would weaken the dollar further, including selling dollars along with with Japan to help boost the yen, which was facing its own sell-off.
Analysts say say the dollar's downturn is in part a sign of market concern about the Trump administration's policies.
"In my opinion, what markets are reacting to is just sort of the haphazard nature of policy in this administration - the escalation, de-escalation," said Robin Brooks, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former FX strategist at Goldman Sachs, pointing to similarities between the backlash over tariffs and Greenland.
The dollar's decline "is a reflection, basically, of markets saying this kind of chaotic back and forth hurts the US more than anyone else," he said.
While markets had appeared unfazed by bubbling geopolitical issues headed into the year, the rapid escalation in trade tensions over Greenland changed that, said Thierry Wizman, global foreign exchange and interest rate strategist at Macquarie.
"I think that's unnerved people," he said, noting that not only has the dollar dropped this month, bets that the currency will be hit by future swings have risen too.
There are other factors, such increased investment opportunities overseas, and, in the recent days, the sell-off in the Japanese bond market.
That sell-off has led to some traders unwinding bets aimed at taking advantage of differences in value between the yen and the dollar.
Comments by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent denying that the US had intervened to help Japan helped stabilise the dollar this week.
But analysts said there was still uncertainty about what the Trump administration might do next.
The shift from the dollar has helped to fuel a surge in the price of gold, sending its price doubling over the last year, as investors seek a low-risk place to put their money.
And though other national currencies appeared to get little boost from redirected funds last year, there are signs that could be starting to change.
The Euro and pound were among the currencies to see their values leap against the dollar this month, while eleven of the 19 emerging market currencies tracked by Oxford Economics also gained more than 1%.
Global investors might also be turning against the US, with pension funds in Amsterdam and Denmark cutting back holdings of US Treasuries.
However, Turner of ING said he thought markets were still well way from a "full 'sell America' narrative", noting that the sell-off action has been largely limited to the dollar.
He and others noted that the US stock market is still hovering around record highs, while moves in the market for US government debt have been relatively contained.
Still, ING is expecting the dollar to fall another 4% to 5% this year, as growth prospects outside of the US improve.
For now, the dollar's falls remain small enough that the impact for American consumers is likely to amount to "noise", Brooks said.
But what happens next will depend in part on US economic performance and how quickly the US central bank will lower interest rates.
Trump has mounted an intense campaign for lower interest rates more quickly and is expected to install someone more sympathetic to those demands to lead the bank in the next few months.
If rates do fall, that might lower the dollar further as investors chase higher returns elsewhere.
But the White House could see that as a good thing, as Trump and other White House officials have previously welcomed the idea of a weaker dollar, which can help make US exports more competitive.
"It doesn't sound good, but you make a hell of a lot more money with a weaker dollar... than you do with a strong dollar," Trump said in July. This week, asked about the falls, he said he thought the currency was "doing great".
Brooks said a sustained drop in the dollar's value could help boost US firms - but warned that the pay-off might be limited if it happens for the "wrong reasons".
If it's the market rendering a verdict on poor policies, he warned "that is probably a very important signal".
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Arijit Singh's 'Retirement' Is Only For A Year Facebook-owner to nearly double AI spending this year Glenn Phillips becomes third New Zealand batter to hit 100 sixes in T20Is Red Bull Racing Hit Pause Will US hit back Rupee Slides To Record Low Of 92 Vs Dollar In Early Trade Ongoing trade talks with US expected to conclude during the year Indian rupee sinks to record low of nearly 92 per US dollar Mclaren Hit By Fuel-Supply Issue During F1 Testing Quick commerce grocery delivery hit ecomm sales
Ayub was named in Pakistan's 15-member World Cup squad announced on January 25, 2026, led by captain Salman Ali Agha. Pakistan cricket has long been synonymous with flair, unpredictability, and explosive talent. In Saim Ayub, the team has a dynamic young all-rounder who perfectly represents the
Just now
Ganga Expressway opening date, Ganga Expressway update: The much-awaited Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh is closer to opening after successful FASTag toll trials. Developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA)
Just now
India's space sector is booming with over 300 startups driving growth. The sector is valued at USD 8.4 billion and is set to reach USD 44 billion in the next decade. Commercial launches have earned significant revenue. Ambitious goals include establishing a space station by 2035 and a manned lunar
Just now
Flight safety rules: Airplane mode turns off a phone's cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections, preventing it from sending or receiving signals from mobile towers on the ground. Flight safety rules: One of the most common instructions you are given while travelling on a flight is
Just now
The University Grants Commission's updated rules to address caste discrimination in higher education institutes have sparked outrage among Savarna commentators and students. They claim that they will become victims of false complaints and that the provisions will be weaponised against them
Just now
No-one should be surprised that China has swiftly executed the 11 members of a organised crime family from north-eastern Myanmar who were sentenced to death in September. China executes more people than anywhere else in the world, according to human rights groups – the exact figure is a state
Just now
Republicans in the House of Representatives are pushing for significant changes to America's voting laws. These proposals include requiring photo identification and proof of citizenship for voters. The legislation also seeks to ban universal mail-in voting and ranked-choice voting
Just now
A mayor in the Philippines escaped a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on his convoy in broad daylight. The attack took place in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday, authorities told local media. The Philippine News Agency (PNA), the country's state-run news outlet
Just now
When Martin O'Neill replaced Brendan Rodgers in October, the Celtic ship was listing. When he returned for a second interim spell after Wilfried Nancy's tumultuous and brief reign, the ship was taking on water at an alarming rate. Celtic have needed a safe pair of hands and a figurehead to unite a
Just now
The Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) has released the APSSB Recruitment 2026 notification for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Driver posts. A total of 205 vacancies will filled in various state government departments
Just now
The deadly Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal has sent shock waves around the world. Due to the Nipah scare and 2 confirmed cases, airports across parts of Asia have reinstated Covid-style health checks amid no approved vaccine or medicine to treat it. However
Just now
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty is once again making headlines, but this time it has nothing to do with a new film. The director has added a striking new vehicle to his growing car collection, and it is hard to miss. Known for his love for powerful machines, Shetty has brought home a GMC Hummer EV
Just now
If cinema had borders, Shriya Saran clearly never paid them much attention. Born in Haridwar and raised in a Hindi-speaking household, the actor went on to build one of the most enduring careers in South Indian cinema, all without speaking Tamil or Telugu when she started out.If cinema had borders
Just now
A clandestine audio recording from a diplomatic meeting in Dhaka in December has ripped away the curtain on Bangladesh's moment of precariousness. As The Washington Post reported on January 22, it captures a US diplomat stating that Washington wants to be “friends” with Bangladesh's
Just now
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Economic Survey 2026 reflects steady progress in a challenging global environment. He added that the survey outlines the roadmap for strengthening manufacturing, enhancing productivity and accelerating India's march towards becoming a Viksit
Just now
A video from Jharkhand has left many questioning the fine line between personal fun and professional responsibility. On Republic Day, a police officer was captured in a reel dancing with his wife at his workplace. The clip has now caught widespread attention online about the conduct expected of law
Just now
Shah Rukh Khan is one of the top actors in Bollywood today. He has been ruling hearts for decades now and has a huge fan base from all over the world. Recently, SRK bagged his first-ever National Award in 33 years for Atlee's Jawan, and ever since, fans have been waiting for a sequel to the film
Just now
India's quick commerce grocery delivery was expected to hurt kirana stores first. Instead, the first casualty seems to be the ecommerce channel. Quick commerce now accounts for roughly 47% of India's online grocery market and will outpace ecommerce channels to control two-thirds of the sales by
Just now
A series of major avalanches have swept through mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir over the past two days, burying structures and triggering widespread disruption amid severe winter weather. While officials have confirmed no loss of life
Just now
The retirement of West Midlands police chief Craig Guildford is a wake-up call for those of us using artificial intelligence (AI) tools at work and in our personal lives. Guildford lost the confidence of the home secretary after it was revealed that the force used incorrect AI-generated evidence in
Just now
Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 Review: The countdown to the Bridgerton Ball has finally ended as the Netflix show has returned with the fourth season of its hit period drama. This season, the spotlight has turned to the third Bridgerton brother, Benedict (Luke Thompson)
Just now
Knee pain is common in people of all age groups and can steal their peace of mind as it interferes with the daily routine. It is necessary to manage pain. Did you know? Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy can help people to get that much-needed relief from the constant knee pain
Just now
Following Ajit Pawar's funeral, Nationalist Congress Party leaders are advocating for Sunetra Pawar's inclusion in the state cabinet and her leadership in party affairs. This push occurs as the Sharad Pawar faction reiterates calls for a merger between the two factions
Just now
For decades, the red LPG cylinder, made of iron, has dominated Indian kitchens. The rusting and leakage often threatened safety. In the event of a fire, the iron cylinders exploded due to the high internal pressure. But no more fear soon. A cylinder made of HDP (high-density polyethene) is set to
Just now
Cancer does not always begin with severe pain or dramatic symptoms. In many cases, the body sends early warning signals, but these are often ignored, misunderstood, or blamed on stress, ageing, or minor illnesses. Recognising these signs early can make a critical difference
Just now
Amy Poehler invited Gwyneth Paltrow to her podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler earlier this month. The two actors got chatting on life, work and everything in between. One thing that stuck out was a section on the podcast where the duo confesses that they prefer to eat their dinner early
Just now
India faces a growing threat to productivity. The Economic Survey highlights the rapid rise of ultra-processed foods and increasing obesity. These unhealthy diets are linked to serious non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart conditions
Just now
