Italy to Give Police New Powers to Detain Minors After Riots

Italy will approve new security measures on Tuesday targeting minors after weekend riots, allowing police to detain under-18s for 12 hours without charges if deemed dangerous, and deploy 500 extra troops in Milan. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said the crackdown aims to intervene quickly on young people, following unrest where hooded protesters looted shops and set bins ablaze in Milan and other cities. The measures include an emergency decree with rules like banning youths from events or designated areas. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has passed numerous security laws since 2022, with critics saying they ignore root causes; Italy's prison population rose over 17% in four years. The unrest coincides with energy costs complicating budget plans before a 2027 election.