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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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Pope Francis Shows Signs of Recovery from Pneumonia

Pope Francis is making strides in his recovery from pneumonia, according to the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14th after a bout of bronchitis worsened. Despite the severity of his condition, recent updates from the Vatican indicate that Pope Francis is showing positive signs of improvement.

On Thursday morning, the Pope was able to sit up out of bed and eat breakfast, marking his sixth peaceful night at the hospital. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reported a slight improvement in some inflammation indices based on new blood tests conducted late Wednesday.

The Pope's condition had initially raised concerns due to his age and pre-existing health issues, including the loss of part of his right lung decades ago. However, his ability to get out of bed and maintain good spirits has been seen as a positive sign by medical experts.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni visited Pope Francis on Wednesday and noted that he was alert, responsive, and in good humor despite his diagnosis. The Pope is currently receiving a combination of antibiotics, cortisone, and additional pharmacological treatments to aid his recovery.

As the world continues to pray for his swift recovery, the Vatican remains hopeful that Pope Francis will overcome this health challenge and return to his duties soon.


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