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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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Ontario Refers Skills Fund Audit to Police Amid Irregularities

David Piccini, Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development speaks as Ontario Premier Doug Ford listens during a funding announcement in Hamilton, Ont., Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.


The Ontario government has asked the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to investigate a company that received millions from the province’s Skills Development Fund after a forensic audit uncovered financial irregularities.

A routine audit in 2023 flagged concerns with the company, prompting a deeper forensic review. The audit findings have now been forwarded to police for investigation. The company at the center of the probe, Keel Digital Solutions (also known as Keel Mind), had received more than $37 million in provincial funding to develop mental health support platforms, including initiatives aimed at assisting police services.

The Skills Development Fund, overseen by Labour Minister David Piccini, is a $2.5 billion program designed to support training and workforce development projects across Ontario. However, the fund has faced growing controversy in recent weeks over transparency and accountability in how grants are awarded.

Keel Digital Solutions has defended its record, stating that no “red flags” were raised during earlier reviews. Still, the government’s decision to involve the OPP underscores the seriousness of the concerns raised by auditors.

This development adds to mounting scrutiny of the Ford government’s handling of the Skills Development Fund, with critics demanding clearer oversight of taxpayer dollars. The OPP investigation will determine whether any criminal wrongdoing occurred in the administration or use of the funds.


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