Italian police detain nearly 300 in Milan protests over services and costs

Italian police detained nearly 300 people during weekend protests in Milan over poor public services and rising costs, with demonstrators looting stores and clashing with officers. Authorities arrested 32 individuals on Sunday, including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals, while 28 more were reported to judicial authorities. Police in riot gear used tear gas and water cannon against several hundred hooded protesters who set bins ablaze and looted retailers such as Decathlon, Arc'teryx, and Vodafone in the city center. The unrest followed similar Saturday clashes across northern cities including Bologna, Turin, and Bergamo, where 28 protesters were arrested. The protests echoed recent violent demonstrations in France over living costs and public services. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence and scheduled a government meeting for Monday to address the situation ahead of next year's election.