Stocks shrug off U.S. government shutdown, dollar dips (news: 22/01/18)

Today's press

• Stocks shrug off U.S. government shutdown, dollar dips

  LONDON (Reuters) - World stocks and U.S. bond markets on Monday shrugged off a government shutdown in Washington, although the dollar pulled back and wallowed near three-year lows as the euro resumed its strong start to the year.

• IMF Raises 2018 Global Growth Forecast, Partly on U.S. Tax Cuts

  Global growth will accelerate to the fastest pace in seven years as U.S. tax cuts spur businesses to invest, the International Monetary Fund said.

• Bitcoin Defends $11,000 Mark and Eyes Move Higher

  Bitcoin is stuck in a narrow range currently, but a breakout may lie ahead, the price charts indicate.

• Lightning Network’s Pizza Day? First Ever Physical Purchase On Lightning Network

  The first ever physical transaction may have been completed on the Lighting Network two days ago, according to Reddit user /u/btc_throwaway1337, who purchased a VPN Router through a payment channel provided by TorGuard.

• UK economic growth for 2019 downgraded by IMF amid Brexit uncertainty

  The International Monetary Fund has downgraded its outlook for UK growth for 2019, the year of Brexit, while much of the rest of the G7 have been upgraded on the back of a strengthening global economy.