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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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U.S. Announces Departure from World Health Organization, Effective January 22, 2026

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global health community, the United States has formally announced its decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 22, 2026. This decision, confirmed by the United Nations, follows a formal notification from President Donald Trump, who has criticized the WHO for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.

The U.S., which is the WHO's largest financial contributor, accounting for around 18% of its budget, will cease negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty and recall all government personnel working with the organization. Experts warn that this departure could jeopardize critical global health programs, including those targeting tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other health emergencies.

The WHO has expressed regret over the decision, emphasizing the importance of U.S. involvement in global health initiatives. The future of international health cooperation remains uncertain as the world awaits further developments.


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