Italian authorities have arrested 539 people in a large-scale police operation targeting youth and juvenile crime across 44 provinces, according to national media reports on Monday. Another 954 individuals have been charged. Among those arrested, 47 are minors. Police identified 973 social media profiles promoting hate, violence, and attacks on law enforcement, as well as the use of firearms and knives. Two accounts have been referred to judicial authorities for possible closure.

During the operation, police verified the identities of about 188,000 people, including more than 19,000 minors, focusing on areas known for drug trafficking and nightlife activities. Officers seized over 700 kilograms of narcotics, including cocaine, cannabinoids, ketamine, and various synthetic drugs. Searches were conducted at 1,182 locations, such as shelters for unaccompanied minors, gaming arcades, and commercial establishments.

Authorities also confiscated €307,000 in cash, 49 firearms, ammunition, and numerous bladed weapons. Police issued 506 administrative fines, mostly for drug use and selling alcohol to minors.

At a monthly law and order committee meeting in Bhangura upazila of Pabna on Monday, reserved seat MP Advocate Arifa Sultana Ruma urged local authorities not to entertain any unjust requests from BNP or Jamaat leaders and activists. She emphasized that officials should act strictly within legal boundaries.

Ruma expressed concern that banned Awami League activities were recently appearing on Facebook, only four months after the formation of the current government. She described this as an unwelcome development and alleged that individuals who had previously committed injustices against BNP activists and the public were now moving freely, suggesting that the administration might be lenient toward them.

She further stated that maintaining law and order cannot be achieved by the administration alone and called for the involvement of BNP, Jamaat leaders, and local residents to improve the situation. The meeting was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arifuzzaman and attended by local officials and political representatives.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that despite strengthening military operations against Iran, the United States remains open to diplomacy. Speaking to reporters before departing for the Philippines on Sunday, Rubio emphasized that any diplomatic effort must be realistic and result in an agreement Iran is willing to uphold.

Rubio accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining tool, asserting that Tehran seeks to control the vital waterway for leverage. He reaffirmed that the United States will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of global maritime navigation.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, highlight Washington’s dual approach of maintaining military pressure while keeping diplomatic channels open amid ongoing regional tensions.

Global crude oil prices fell slightly after Iran announced that diplomatic communication with the United States was continuing through mediators, despite renewed conflict in the Middle East. Earlier, Brent crude for September delivery had surged nearly 4 percent overnight to 91.42 dollars per barrel, the highest in a month, before easing to around 90.20 dollars.

Since early July, the benchmark oil price has risen about 30 percent. According to SPI Asset Management analyst Stephen Innes, the market is reacting to two opposing forces: geopolitical risks driving prices higher and signs of easing inflation and a cooling labor market in the United States suggesting that the energy shock may not trigger a new inflationary cycle.

Over the past week, reciprocal attacks between Washington and Tehran had pushed crude prices up sharply, raising concerns about long-term disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried about one-fifth of global oil supply before the conflict.

BNP Executive Committee member and reserved seat MP Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury alleged that some Awami League ministers and MPs were involved in drug dealing. She made the remarks on Monday morning at a tree planting and financial aid distribution event at the Jhenaidah District Council premises. Nipun Roy said the government is working to rebuild a Bangladesh damaged by drugs over the past 17 years and vowed that narcotics would be suppressed with a firm hand.

She stated that drugs had spread across all levels of society, pushing the youth toward destruction. To restore the broken social fabric, she called for unity against drugs and urged imams and priests to raise awareness in mosques and temples about the dangers of addiction. Nipun Roy emphasized that law enforcement alone cannot end drug abuse, highlighting the need for social awareness, youth employment, and sports facilities.

The event, chaired by District Council Administrator M.A. Majid, included the distribution of financial aid checks worth about Tk 14.84 million and saplings to local institutions and underprivileged residents.

Abul Kalam Azad, a 50-year-old drug trader from Godagari in Rajshahi, has been arrested in connection with a case filed over attacks on students and citizens during the July uprising. Police detained him from his home in the Sagarpara area of Godagari municipality late Sunday night. He was sent to jail through the court on Monday morning following his arrest.

According to police, a joint operation by the district detective branch and Godagari police station led to his capture. Kalam had been in hiding since the uprising but recently returned to the area. After a photo of him visiting the police station with his wife Armina Akter spread locally and drew criticism, he was taken into custody. District police spokesperson and Additional Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) Sabina Yasmin confirmed his arrest and subsequent imprisonment.

The arrest follows growing public attention over his reappearance and the pending case related to the July uprising violence.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that its ground forces are at the highest level of readiness, equipped with modern military hardware, continuous training, and advanced operational capabilities. The force asserted that it is fully prepared to counter any possible U.S. incursion into Iranian territory.

According to a statement quoted by the Tasnim news agency, the IRGC emphasized that the armed forces’ constant vigilance and uninterrupted preparedness ensure the country’s lasting security. Brigadier General Ruhollah Nouri, deputy commander of the IRGC ground forces, stated that Iranian troops are capable of neutralizing any enemy infiltration attempt within moments.

The report noted that there was no immediate response from the United States regarding the IRGC’s claims.

A Magura court has sentenced Hasan Sheikh, 28, to death for the rape and murder of 15-year-old Razia Khatun in Shreepur. The verdict was delivered on Monday afternoon by Judge Mizanur Rahman of the Magura District and Sessions Judge Court. Hasan Sheikh is the son of Fazlu Sheikh from Shreekol village in Shreepur upazila.

According to the case details, police recovered Razia Khatun’s body on March 17, 2022, from beneath a bamboo grove near a papaya garden by the Kumar River in Shreekol village. Her father, Mikij Sheikh, filed a rape and murder case against Hasan Sheikh two days later at Shreepur Police Station. Razia was a sixth-grade student who went missing after going to check a garlic field near her home.

Razia’s mother, Chhabiron Nesa, expressed satisfaction with the verdict and demanded its swift execution. Public Prosecutor Advocate Sakhawat Hossain represented the state, while Advocate Monir Hossain Bablu defended the accused.

Iran announced that it has received messages from the United States through mediators amid ongoing regional conflict and heightened tensions. The confirmation came from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei during a press conference in Tehran, where he stated that diplomatic exchanges between the two countries are continuing. Without revealing details, he said Iran had received several proposals and ideas through specific intermediaries, reflecting active diplomatic engagement in recent days.

Baghaei directly blamed the United States for the recent escalation of tensions, emphasizing that Iran holds no hostility toward neighboring countries but expects them not to allow their territories to be used for attacks against Iran. He warned that as long as such hostile actions continue, Iran’s armed forces will continue to respond appropriately.

The statements highlight Iran’s stance amid ongoing regional instability and suggest that indirect diplomatic communication channels between Tehran and Washington remain open despite the conflict.

Andy Burnham formally takes office as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Monday, becoming the country’s sixth leader since 2016. He succeeds Keir Starmer, who resigned last month after leading the Labour Party to victory two years ago, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Burnham will deliver his first address outside 10 Downing Street after receiving the formal invitation to form a government from King Charles III.

In an interview with The Times, Burnham said he aims to end a decade of political instability and govern differently. His office stated that his inaugural speech will focus on rebuilding trust between government and citizens, tackling the cost-of-living crisis, driving economic growth, and decentralizing regional powers. Key cabinet appointments, including the next finance minister, are expected to be announced the same day.

Before taking office, Burnham canceled the previous government’s planned national digital ID program, redirecting its £1.8 billion budget toward cost-of-living relief and other priorities. He also promised swift measures to ease financial pressure on households.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Tehran is prepared to welcome any US ground forces attempting an incursion. He made the remarks on Monday during a press conference in Tehran, warning that the United States would face severe consequences for any attempt to seize Iran’s southern Kharg Island.

Baghaei emphasized that Iran’s leadership is ready to confront any ground operation by US troops. He also condemned recent US attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical and health facilities, calling them unjustifiable under any political or military pretext.

According to the spokesperson, Iran views such actions as violations of international norms and reiterated its stance against civilian suffering caused by military aggression.

European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers are under renewed pressure as fresh conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices upward. The escalation has raised concerns about inflation in the eurozone, prompting debate over whether to raise interest rates again this week. The ECB had increased rates in June for the first time since 2023 after inflation surged, but most analysts now expect the main rate to remain unchanged at 2.25 percent.

Economists cited in the report said the recent rise in oil prices has not yet had a broad impact on eurozone inflation. Felix Schmidt of Berenberg Bank and Carsten Brzeski of ING both suggested that the ECB is likely to hold rates steady, though a small chance of a hike remains. The renewed conflict, including Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has intensified debate between policy “hawks” favoring tighter measures and “doves” preferring flexibility.

Investors are expected to watch ECB President Christine Lagarde’s post-meeting remarks for clues about future policy direction. Some analysts believe another rate increase could come in September, though the outlook remains uncertain.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on Sunday night with the final match between Spain and Argentina, but the excitement surrounding the tournament has reportedly caused significant economic losses in the United States. According to a report by HR software provider UKG, reduced workplace productivity during the event may have cost the U.S. economy at least $117 billion, while global productivity losses could reach $170 billion. Many employees reportedly left work early, arrived late, or skipped work entirely to watch matches.

Data from workplace management platform Envoy showed that office attendance in the U.S. dropped by 26 percent on July 7, the day after the national team’s elimination by Belgium, a decline nearly ten times greater than the post–Super Bowl drop. External visits such as client meetings and vendor appointments also fell by 32 percent, about three times the usual post–Super Bowl rate. Envoy labeled the day “Knockout Tuesday.”

Some companies, including S&P, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Goldman Sachs, advised employees in host cities to work remotely on match days to avoid traffic and maintain operations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei strongly condemned US attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical and health facilities, during a press conference on Monday. He stated that no political or military justification could legitimize the suffering of civilians or the destruction of essential infrastructure.

Baghaei specifically referred to a February 28 strike on a primary school in the southern city of Minab, describing it as a deliberate and heinous act. He emphasized that Iran is a unified nation, asserting that harm to one region affects the entire country. Using vivid metaphors, he said that damage to provinces like Hormozgan or Chabahar would resonate across Iran, symbolizing national solidarity in the face of external aggression.

The remarks, reported by the Mehr news agency, reflect Tehran’s firm stance against US military actions targeting non-military sites and its portrayal of such attacks as violations of humanitarian principles.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs and Rajbari-1 MP Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayyam expressed dissatisfaction over procurement and management issues at Rajbari Sadar Hospital. Speaking at the hospital’s management committee meeting on Monday afternoon, he warned officials that inefficiency would not be tolerated and urged them to maintain a proper environment free from brokers. The minister criticized the hospital superintendent for negligence in receiving furniture worth Tk 6 crore from a supplier.

During the meeting, Khayyam emphasized that the government is committed to fulfilling public expectations through effective work. The session was chaired by hospital superintendent Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Abdul Hannan and attended by the district’s police superintendent, civil surgeon, additional deputy commissioner, and municipal administrator. Participants discussed operational shortcomings, including the shortage of doctors.

The hospital currently has 26 doctors against 67 sanctioned posts. Upon being informed, the state minister assured that necessary steps would be taken to address the staffing gap.