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Evacuation in the Snow: Fears of Conflict Drive Mass Exodus from Pakistan’s Tirah Valley

Residents from Tirah valley, who fled a remote mountainous region bordering Afghanistan, gather to get themself registered, in Bara, Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan A wave of displacement is sweeping through northwest Pakistan as thousands of families flee the Tirah Valley after mosque loudspeakers warned residents of possible upcoming military action. The sudden announcements triggered a rapid and chaotic departure, with many families leaving in the middle of harsh winter conditions. Residents describe a tense atmosphere in the valley, where fears of renewed conflict between security forces and militant groups have been simmering for months. Entire communities have packed their belongings onto trucks, donkeys, and makeshift carts, heading toward safer towns such as Bara and Peshawar. Government officials insist that no military operation has been ordered and attribute the movement of people to seasonal migration patterns. Locals strongly dispute this, sayi...

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Toronto Home Sales Fall in July After June Uptick, Prices Slightly Up

 

In July, Greater Toronto area home sales experienced a month-to-month decline of 1.7%, following a surprising 3.2% rise in June. These figures, reported by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), broke a four-month streak of declining home deals. Despite this dip, average home prices edged up by 0.2% to reach C$1.13 million, the highest since December. Meanwhile, new listings decreased by 0.8%. 

The market’s anticipation of further rate cuts from the Bank of Canada has contributed to rising demand, with the central bank already reducing its key policy rate twice this year. As the cost of borrowing is expected to decline further, TRREB President Jennifer Pearce predicts accelerated sales due to lower monthly mortgage payments. On a year-over-year basis, sales were up by 3.28% in July, and new listings increased by 18.47%. Toronto, accounting for two-thirds of the country’s condominium sales, remains a bellwether for other major metropolitan areas.

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