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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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Federal Reserve Signals Slower Rate Cuts Amid Economic Uncertainty

 

The Federal Reserve is poised to announce a quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday, reducing its benchmark rate from 4.6% to approximately 4.3%. This move follows a half-point cut in September and a quarter-point reduction in November. However, Fed officials are signaling a slower pace of rate cuts in 2025, with expectations of only two or three reductions compared to the four previously anticipated.

The central bank's policymakers are recalibrating their approach as inflation has significantly decreased from its peak of 7.2% in June 2022 to 2.3% in October. Despite this progress, inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, and the economy continues to grow robustly. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has emphasized the need for caution as the benchmark rate approaches a "neutral" level that neither stimulates nor hinders economic growth.

The upcoming presidential administration's proposed economic policies, including potential tariffs and tax cuts, add to the uncertainty surrounding future rate decisions. As a result, Americans may see only slight relief from high borrowing costs in the near future.




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