Italy reels from armed heist & protests as Olympic security fears intensify

Italy is grappling with a surge of unrest after heavily armed gunmen ambushed and blew open an armored cash van in Puglia in broad daylight, even as violent protests and suspected sabotage incidents rocked Milan ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Dramatic footage released by the Carabinieri shows masked assailants using fire and barricades in a failed robbery attempt, with arrests made and a manhunt underway. The chaos — including clashes near Olympic venues, rail disruptions, and arson — has intensified political pressure on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as security concerns mount over Italy’s Olympic preparedness.