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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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Market Jitters: U.S. Stock Futures Slide Amid Trump’s Criticism of Fed Chair Powell

U.S. stock futures took a hit early Monday as investors reacted to President Donald Trump’s escalating criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The remarks, which included renewed calls for Powell’s removal, have raised concerns about the central bank’s independence and its ability to navigate monetary policy effectively.

Trump’s latest comments follow reports that his administration is exploring whether firing Powell is an option. The uncertainty surrounding the Fed’s leadership has added to market volatility, with Dow E-minis dropping 344 points (0.87%), S&P 500 E-minis falling 53.75 points (1.01%), and Nasdaq 100 E-minis declining 209.25 points (1.14%).

Investors are already grappling with broader economic concerns, including ongoing trade tensions and the potential for further interest rate cuts. The dollar weakened against major currencies, while safe-haven assets like gold saw gains. Meanwhile, major tech and growth stocks, including Tesla and Nvidia, also faced premarket declines.

With uncertainty looming over both trade policy and monetary decisions, market participants will be closely watching upcoming economic data and corporate earnings reports for further direction.

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