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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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Inflation Climb Reinforces Fed’s Cautious Stance as Powell Returns to Capitol

 

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is back on Capitol Hill amid new data showing that inflation in the United States jumped to a 3% annual rate in January—slightly higher than December’s 2.9%. The uptick, driven by rising costs in housing, food, and energy, is prompting concerns that the progress on curbing inflation may be stalling.

In his second day of testimony before Congress, Powell reiterated that the Fed is in no rush to lower interest rates. He emphasized that while the overall economy remains robust, the unexpected surge in consumer prices underscores the need for a “wait-and-see” approach. Lawmakers grilled him on various issues ranging from tariff policies to the safety of bank deposits, but Powell maintained that the current monetary policy framework is appropriate given the mixed economic signals.

Market observers noted that the higher-than-expected inflation data might further delay any future rate cuts, as the Fed continues to weigh the risks of reducing policy restraint too quickly. With Powell’s testimony ongoing, all eyes remain on Capitol Hill as policymakers and investors seek clarity on the future direction of U.S. monetary policy.


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