Skip to main content

Featured

Blast at Islamabad Mosque Leaves Dozens Dead

                    Blood stains at the site of a deadly explosion at a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan A suicide bomber detonated explosives inside a crowded Shi’ite mosque in Islamabad, killing 31 people and injuring many others during Friday prayers. The attack struck the Tarlai neighborhood, where worshippers had gathered in large numbers, turning a moment of devotion into chaos and devastation. Witnesses described a powerful blast that shattered windows, collapsed parts of the structure, and left victims trapped beneath debris. Emergency teams and local residents worked together to rush the wounded to nearby hospitals, where several remain in critical condition. Authorities have heightened security across the capital as investigators work to determine how the attacker breached the area and whether others were involved. The bombing marks one of the deadliest assaults in the city in years and has intensified ...

article

Inflation Falls in June for First Time Since 2020

A closely-watched report on US inflation revealed that consumer price increases cooled further during the month of June. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined by 0.1% over the previous month and increased just 3.0% over the prior year in June. This marks a deceleration from May’s flat month-over-month increase and the 3.3% annual gain in prices. Notably, it’s the first time since May 2020 that monthly headline CPI came in below 0%.

On a “core” basis, which excludes the more volatile costs of food and gas, prices in June climbed 0.1% over the prior month and 3.3% over last year—cooler than May’s data. Economists had expected a 0.2% monthly uptick in core prices and a 3.4% year-over-year increase.

The markets responded to this report, with the 10-year Treasury yield falling about 9 basis points to trade around 4.2%. While inflation has remained stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target on an annual basis, recent economic data suggests that the central bank may consider cutting rates sooner than later. Markets are now pricing in a roughly 87% chance that the Federal Reserve will begin rate cuts at its September meeting.

This data adds to other rate cut signals across the labor market and economy. The labor market added 206,000 nonfarm payroll jobs last month, ahead of economists’ expectations. However, the unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to 4.1%, the highest reading in almost three years.

Notably, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—the core PCE price index—showed inflation easing in May, with a year-over-year change of 2.6%, in line with estimates and the slowest annual gain in more than three years.


Comments