Giuseppe Conte hands resignation to President Sergio Mattarella, setting off scramble for new political allies as he tries to form third government

Some medical officials decry decision to go through with vote which will test center-left government, due to concerns over pandemic

Health experts caution world could be months, or years, away from widespread vaccinations, as Trump beams optimism and UK, Italy heads of state issue dire forecasts

Italian PM to allow walks in parks and visits to relatives as country emerges from the world's longest coronavirus lockdown; schools to return only in September

Developments being watched by global policymakers as they weigh potential health benefits of imposing national stay-at-home policies against their damaging economic side effects

Following social media call to bring social solidarity through music, neighbors also applaud at their windows in appreciation of health workers fighting the disease

Conte bans almost all travel, pubs, eateries and cafes to close at dusk, ski resorts shut, schools and universities to remain closed amid skyrocketing infections

As fatalities nearly triple, PM Conte signs quarantine order for country's northern regions, putting some 15 million people into lockdown

Amid rise in incidents, UK PM calls increasing anti-Semitism a 'terrible blight on our country'; joins other world leaders in wishing Jews a happy new year

Giuseppe Conte says Matteo Salvini's bid to initiate new elections stems from 'personal and party interests,' frets over his call for 'full powers'