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Mojtaba Khamenei: The Rise of Iran’s New Supreme Leader

                      A picture of Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is displayed on a screen in Tehran Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has emerged as Iran’s new supreme leader following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint U.S.–Israeli strikes. His appointment by the Assembly of Experts comes at a moment of profound crisis for Iran, as the country faces regional war, internal instability, and intense international scrutiny.  A Secretive Heir With Deep Establishment Ties Mojtaba, long considered influential behind the scenes, is a mid-ranking cleric with strong connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His political rise signals continuity of Iran’s hardline establishment, despite the country’s ideological discomfort with hereditary succession.  A Leader Shaped by Conflict and Loss His ascension comes amid the “Ramadan War,” during which he was reportedly wound...

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Ursula von der Leyen Secures Second Term as European Commission President

 

In a decisive vote, Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected for a second five-year term as President of the European Commission. The European Parliament’s decision ensures continuity in leadership for the European Union’s executive branch during a period marked by significant challenges and transformations.

Von der Leyen, who hails from the centre-right European People’s Party, secured 401 votes in a secret ballot, surpassing the required 361 votes. Her re-election was supported by the three main pro-EU groups: the European People’s Party, the Socialists, and the liberals of Renew Europe.

In her acceptance speech, von der Leyen emphasized her commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing the EU, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, climate change, and migration. She pledged to strengthen the EU’s economy, enhance its police and border agencies, and pursue policies that balance environmental sustainability with the needs of farmers.

Von der Leyen’s leadership has been pivotal in navigating the EU through crises and her re-election is seen as a vote of confidence in her ability to continue steering the bloc towards stability and progress.


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