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Choking Capital: Delhi’s Toxic Smog Crisis Grounds Flights and Strains Health Systems

                              People walk in a smog-covered morning in New Delhi, India, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Dense toxic smog has engulfed New Delhi, reducing visibility, halting travel, and plunging the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to an alarming 471 , far above the hazardous threshold of 300. The blanket of pollution has led to over 40 flight cancellations and dozens of delays , while more than 50 trains were held up for hours , leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Authorities have imposed emergency pollution-control measures , including a ban on older diesel vehicles, suspension of construction activities, and hybrid schooling for children. Courts have even advised virtual hearings to minimize exposure. Hospitals across the capital are reporting a surge in patients suffering from breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and aggravated asthma conditions . Physicians...

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U.S. Futures Steady as Investors Await Economic Data and Powell’s Speech

 

U.S. stock index futures remained largely unchanged on Thursday morning as investors awaited key economic data and a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The producer price index (PPI) for October and weekly jobless claims data are expected to be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, which could provide insights into corporate pricing power and the broader economic outlook.

Market participants are also keenly anticipating Powell’s comments later in the day, hoping for clues on future monetary policy. Traders are currently pricing in a high probability of a 25-basis point interest rate cut at the Fed’s December meeting, following recent consumer price index data that aligned with forecasts.

In premarket trading, Dow E-minis were up 0.19%, S&P 500 E-minis rose 0.09%, and Nasdaq 100 E-minis edged up 0.04%. Shares of cryptocurrency-focused companies saw gains, with Coinbase Global up 3.8% and bitcoin buyer MicroStrategy rising 3.4%.

Investors will be closely monitoring Powell’s speech for any indications of how the Fed plans to navigate the current economic landscape, especially in light of inflationary pressures and potential policy shifts under the incoming administration.


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