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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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Canada’s Alert Ready System Set for Annual Test Today



Canada’s emergency public alerting system, Alert Ready, is undergoing its annual test today across most provinces and territories. The test will be broadcast on TV, radio, and compatible wireless devices, ensuring that the system functions properly and raises public awareness.

Each province and territory has a designated test time, ranging from morning to afternoon, except Quebec, which is not participating in this round of testing. The test will simulate an emergency alert, complete with the distinctive alert tone, but requires no action from the public.

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) mandates at least one test per year, typically conducted during Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs from May 4–10 this year. The goal is to ensure Canadians are familiar with the system and prepared for real emergencies, such as tornadoes, floods, fires, and AMBER alerts.

While most Canadians will receive the test alert, some may not due to device compatibility, network connection, or cell tower coverage. Given the importance of emergency warnings, Canadians cannot opt out of receiving these alerts.

This annual test serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness. Canadians are encouraged to review their emergency plans and kits to ensure they are ready for unexpected situations.


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