Venice Protest Over US Ambassador Yacht: Several hundred demonstrators clashed briefly with riot police as US ambassador Tilman Fertitta arrived in Venice aboard a luxury superyacht, with protesters shouting “Shame!” and “Venice must not be used” during the “Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy” tour. EU Border Chaos Hits Summer Travel: Ryanair warned British families flying via 15 EU airports—including Milan Bergamo and Milan Malpensa—of long passport queues and disruptions tied to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), after reports of missed flights and delays. Italy’s Energy Supply Watch: Libya remained Italy’s top crude supplier in early 2026, taking 26.8% of imports in Jan–Apr, as Italy sourced oil from 24 countries overall. Finance & Banking Risk: ECB board member Piero Cipollone warned in Rome that stablecoins could siphon retail deposits away from banks, raising pressure on lending for smaller cooperative lenders. EU Climate Policy Shift: The European Commission proposed an ETS overhaul that slows the emissions cap decline and pushes more ETS revenue toward decarbonising industry, aiming to balance competitiveness concerns. Local Economy/Industry: Italy’s construction output stayed flat in May, while the country’s current account surplus shrank in May. Tourism & Culture: A US-style “coastal diplomacy” spectacle sparked backlash in Venice, while Italy’s Mediterranean diet research continued to draw attention for potential links to healthier aging.