Nationwide protests in Italy draw competing turnout estimates

Italy saw nationwide demonstrations on October 30 after the grassroots union Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) called a general strike and rallies over living costs, wages, public services and government spending priorities. Marches took place in dozens of cities, with the union saying protests were planned in more than 40. Turnout estimates differed sharply. USB put nationwide participation at 1 million to 1.5 million, while the Interior Ministry estimated 255,000. The estimates were attributed to the union and ministry; the reports did not provide an independent nationwide count. In Rome, USB estimated nearly 100,000 people joined a march from Termini station toward the Colosseum. Demonstrators included students, workers, teachers, retirees, truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers. Their demands included higher wages, relief from rising living costs, more investment in education and stronger public services. Protesters also opposed increased military spending and called for Italian ports not to be used for arms shipments. Many carried Palestinian flags, and some rallies highlighted the wars in the Middle East. In Genoa, around 15,000 port workers, students and other...