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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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Canada Shifts Rhetoric on Foreign Policy, Carney Drops ‘Feminist’ Label

                                           Prime Minister Mark Carney

At the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will no longer describe its approach as a “feminist foreign policy.” While distancing himself from the terminology popularized under Justin Trudeau’s government, Carney emphasized that Canada remains committed to upholding values such as LGBTQ+ rights and combatting violence against women.

Carney’s remarks mark a significant rhetorical shift. Trudeau’s administration had repeatedly branded itself as a feminist government, publishing a feminist foreign-aid policy and declaring Canada’s foreign policy feminist in nature. Carney, however, suggested that while gender equality remains a priority, he does not see the need to frame Canada’s entire foreign policy under that banner. “Yes we have that aspect to our foreign policy. But I wouldn’t describe our foreign policy as feminist foreign policy,” he said during a press conference.

This change reflects a broader recalibration of Canada’s international posture. Carney’s government has already signaled a stronger focus on trade diversification and multilateral cooperation, while scaling back foreign aid commitments. Analysts note that the omission of feminist branding may be intended to avoid ideological labels and present Canada’s diplomacy as more pragmatic in a turbulent global environment.

Still, the decision raises questions about Canada’s global leadership on gender equality. Advocacy groups have warned that abandoning feminist language could weaken Canada’s credibility in promoting women’s rights internationally. Others argue that substance matters more than labels, and that Canada’s continued support for equality initiatives will determine its impact.

In essence, Carney’s announcement underscores a shift from symbolic branding to practical engagement. Canada may no longer call its foreign policy feminist, but the government insists that values of equality, inclusion, and human rights remain central to its international agenda.


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