Italy sends 500 more soldiers to Milan as European cities brace for protests

Italy deployed 500 additional soldiers to Milan on Saturday ahead of expected protests, following last week's looting and clashes with police in the city. Premier Giorgia Meloni also announced tougher penalties for minors, who police say comprised much of the violent crowd. The new troops join hundreds already stationed in Milan, supporting about 5,000 police personnel. Authorities are using drone surveillance, railway checks, rapid-response units, and online monitoring, while Mayor Giuseppe Sala voiced concern about potential repeat violence and backed the deployment. Protests are scheduled across Europe on Saturday, including in Rome, Tirana, Madrid, and Lisbon. In Milan, last week's unrest involved about 2,000 young protesters, with 45 arrests, 34 of them minors, amid broader social and economic grievances cited by officials.