The Local Italy

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect on Wednesday of Canada becoming the 27-nation bloc's first "associate member', as she pitched closer cooperation on tech, defence and energy to Canadian leader Mark Carney.

The European Union will ban social media for children under 13 and allow only limited, supervised access until the age of 15 under plans unveiled Wednesday by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Italy has transformed in many ways in recent years. We want to hear from international residents about what feels different now, what has become easier or harder, and how life in the country has changed since you first arrived.

Italy said on Tuesday it had extended for another 15 days its border checks for travellers from Spain, drawing a tit-for-tat response from Madrid in the ongoing spat between the two EU members.

Italy's political world turned out on Tuesday for the state funeral of Emma Bonino, a former government minister, EU commissioner and feminist fighter.