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Mojtaba Khamenei: The Rise of Iran’s New Supreme Leader

                      A picture of Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is displayed on a screen in Tehran Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has emerged as Iran’s new supreme leader following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint U.S.–Israeli strikes. His appointment by the Assembly of Experts comes at a moment of profound crisis for Iran, as the country faces regional war, internal instability, and intense international scrutiny.  A Secretive Heir With Deep Establishment Ties Mojtaba, long considered influential behind the scenes, is a mid-ranking cleric with strong connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His political rise signals continuity of Iran’s hardline establishment, despite the country’s ideological discomfort with hereditary succession.  A Leader Shaped by Conflict and Loss His ascension comes amid the “Ramadan War,” during which he was reportedly wound...
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UK Grocery Inflation Hits 18-Month High, Squeezing Household Budgets

 

Grocery price inflation in the UK surged to 5.2% in the four weeks leading up to July 13, marking the highest rate since January 2024. The increase, up from 4.7% the previous month, is expected to add an average of £275 to annual household grocery bills.

What's Driving the Rise?

  • Retailer costs: Rising staff wages, increased National Insurance contributions, and regulatory expenses are being passed on to consumers.
  • Commodity pressures: Global supply chain issues continue to affect food prices.
  • Consumer behavior: Nearly two-thirds of UK households report being “very concerned” about grocery costs.

How Shoppers Are Adapting

  • Switching to own-label products: Sales of supermarket-branded items rose by 5.6%, outpacing branded goods at 4.9%.
  • Simpler meals: About 70% of dinners now include fewer than six ingredients, reflecting budget-conscious cooking habits.

Winners and Losers in Retail

SupermarketSales GrowthMarket Share
Ocado+11.7%2.0%
Lidl+11.1%8.3%
Tesco+7.1%28.3%
Sainsbury's+5.3%15.1%
Asda-3.0%11.8%
Co-op-3.7%5.2%

Discount retailers like Lidl and Aldi are gaining ground as shoppers seek value, while Asda and Co-op saw declines.


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