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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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RCMP Investigates Allegations of Corruption in Alberta Health Contracts

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has initiated a formal investigation into allegations of corruption and political interference within Alberta Health Services (AHS). The probe follows a complaint received in February, which raised concerns about procurement practices and potential conflicts of interest in multimillion-dollar health contracts.

The allegations were brought to light by Athana Mentzelopoulos, the former CEO of AHS, who filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the agency and the provincial government. Mentzelopoulos claims she was terminated after launching an internal investigation into inflated contract prices and questionable dealings with private surgical providers. She also alleged political pressure to approve contracts despite unresolved concerns.

The RCMP's investigation adds to ongoing reviews by Alberta's auditor general and a third-party inquiry led by former Manitoba judge Raymond E. Wyant. While the allegations remain unproven in court, the case has sparked widespread calls for transparency and accountability in the province's healthcare system.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange and Premier Danielle Smith, both named in the lawsuit, have denied any wrongdoing. The government has pledged full cooperation with the RCMP's investigation.


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