Iran's Central Bank has issued a 10 million rial banknote, the largest denomination in the country's history, according to a report by the Financial Times. The note is valued at approximately 7 US dollars. The Central Bank stated that the new banknote is necessary to "meet the population's need for cash," while separately noting that electronic payment systems and internet banking continue to operate stably.
Israeli settlers carried out violent attacks in Palestinian areas of the West Bank on Saturday night, burning buildings, homes, and vehicles, and beating and pepper-spraying Palestinians who attempted to intervene. The assaults occurred during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of Ramadan, and resulted in widespread property damage across the territory, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
A retrospective exhibition of Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama has opened at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, showcasing her iconic "Infinity Rooms" and polka-dot sculptures. At 95, Kusama's work remains highly relevant, delving into themes of mental health, societal constraints, and artistic commercialization. The exhibition will run until August 2, 2026.
Iranian military and political authorities are projecting a message that "victory" is near as the war with the United States and Israel continues to escalate, with reports of air strikes and assassination attempts across the country. Massive joint US-Israeli air raids were recorded in multiple areas of the capital Tehran overnight into Sunday, and in central Iran’s Isfahan city in the morning, a day after Dezful and Andimeshk in western Khuzestan and several other cities were hit.
A Russian oil and gas tanker, the 'Arctic Metagaz', is adrift without crew in the Mediterranean Sea after allegedly being targeted by Ukrainian drones. According to the Russian Transport Ministry, the vessel was attacked by drones launched from the Libyan coast, with all 30 crew members evacuated. Footage showed the ship ablaze with a large gash in its side.
The Supreme Court of Canada on Monday commenced a four-day hearing for one of the most consequential constitutional cases in the country's recent history. At the center of the proceedings is Quebec's so-called 'secularism law', known as Bill 21 – legislation enacted in 2019 that prohibits certain public sector workers from wearing visible religious symbols while on duty. The law bars numerous public sector employees, including teachers, prosecutors, police officers, and judges, from wearing religious items such as hijabs, turbans, kippahs, and other visible expressions of faith during work hours.
A new exhibition titled "Amazonia. Indigenous Worlds" in Bonn is re-evaluating long-standing tropes about the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous peoples. Co-curated by anthropologist Leandro Varison and Brazilian Indigenous artist Denilson Baniwa, the exhibition presents Amazonia as a cultural region shaped by dense networks of exchange, social complexity, and relationships that transcend human and "other-than-human" worlds.
As the United States-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, the conflict appears to be escalating beyond President Donald Trump’s control. The Iranian government has endured the killings of its top political and military leaders and continues to launch retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf countries despite weeks of sustained airstrikes. Moreover, Tehran has imposed a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, sending oil prices soaring and risking a global recession. Analysts assert that Trump launched the war without clear objectives and misjudged Tehran’s response, leading to an expansion of hostilities across the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump has issued a harsh ultimatum to Iran, demanding the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The White House leader threatened to destroy Iranian power plants, starting with the largest energy infrastructure facilities, if the demands are not met. This tough stance escalated tensions following Tehran's statements about not allowing "a single liter of oil" through the strait.
The Rohat residential complex in Tashkent has been put up for auction due to debts owed by the Broccoli Plus company, despite hundreds of people having already paid for apartments. The bank is acting within the law to recover the collateral, but equity holders find themselves in the weakest position, as their rights are not directly guaranteed. Promises from the developer to "resolve the issue" sound unconvincing amid missed deadlines and accumulated liabilities.
Iran launched missile strikes on the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, shattering buildings and wounding at least 180 people. The attacks occurred near Israel's main nuclear research center, marking the first time Iranian missiles have penetrated Israel's air defense systems in that area.
Starting Monday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be deployed to US airports to alleviate congestion at security checkpoints, a move by Donald Trump that comes amid a weeks-long budget standoff over his immigration crackdown. The decision highlights ongoing tensions within the US regime as it grapples with internal policy disputes and operational challenges.