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Mojtaba Khamenei’s Rise Sparks Market Turmoil as Hardliners Mobilize

People attend a gathering to support Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 9, 2026.  Iran’s hardline factions mounted a powerful show of support for newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei , rallying across Tehran in a display that signaled a tightening of conservative control and diminished hopes for de-escalation in the Middle East.  The demonstrations, marked by mass gatherings and imagery linking Mojtaba to his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, underscored the regime’s consolidation at a moment of heightened regional conflict.  Analysts warn that the hardliners’ unified backing suggests Iran is unlikely to soften its stance amid ongoing tensions with the U.S. and Israel. Global markets reacted sharply. Fears that prolonged instability could further disrupt energy supplies sent oil prices soaring and triggered steep declines in major stock indices. With one of the most significan...

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Auckland Lights Up the Sky: Welcoming 2025 with Spectacular Fireworks and Light Show

 

As the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2024, Auckland became the first major city to welcome 2025 with a breathtaking display of fireworks and a vibrant light show. Thousands of revelers gathered in the downtown area and atop the city's iconic volcanic peaks to witness the dazzling spectacle.

The fireworks, launched from the towering Sky Tower, painted the night sky with vibrant colors, while the light show paid tribute to Auckland's Indigenous tribes. This celebration follows a year marked by significant protests over Māori rights in New Zealand.

Auckland's early celebration, 18 hours ahead of New York's Times Square ball drop, set the stage for a global wave of New Year's festivities. In Australia, over a million people are expected at Sydney Harbor for their traditional fireworks, while other cities around the world are gearing up to ring in the new year with their unique cultural celebrations.

As the world continues to embrace 2025, Auckland's spectacular start serves as a reminder of the beauty and unity that can be found in global celebrations.



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