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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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U.S. Futures Edge Higher Amid Trump Rally and Anticipation of Fed’s Rate Decision

 

U.S. stock futures are showing modest gains following a significant rally sparked by Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. Investors are now keenly awaiting the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision.

Market Reaction:

The markets have reacted positively to Trump’s victory, with expectations of lower corporate taxes and deregulation driving the rally. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all saw substantial gains, with the Dow E-minis up 82 points (0.18%), S&P 500 E-minis up 11.5 points (0.19%), and Nasdaq 100 E-minis up 49 points (0.23%) in premarket trading.

Federal Reserve’s Decision:

Traders are largely anticipating a 25-basis point rate cut from the Federal Reserve. The central bank’s policy statement will be closely scrutinized for any indications of future monetary easing. The market’s focus is also on whether the Republican party will maintain control of the House of Representatives, which could further influence economic policies.

Investor Sentiment:

Investor sentiment remains cautiously optimistic. While some stocks that surged post-election have given back gains, others like Qualcomm have continued to perform well. The VIX, Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” is trading at a six-week low, indicating reduced market volatility.

As the day progresses, all eyes will be on the Federal Reserve’s announcement and its potential impact on the markets.


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