Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a billionaire businessman who created Italy's largest media company before transforming the political landscape, died on Monday aged 86.
Two members of the Italian government mourned his passing, with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini calling him in a statement "a great man and a great Italian".
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto wrote on Twitter that Berlusconi's death amounted to the end of an era. "I loved him very much. Farewell Silvio," he said.
Berlusconi, who was prime minister during 1994-5, 2001-6 and 2008-11, had been suffering from leukaemia and had recently developed a lung infection.
Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition, and although he himself did not have a role in government, his death is likely to destabilise Italian politics in the coming months.
His business empire also faces an uncertain future. He never publicly indicated who would take full charge of his MFE company following his death, even though his eldest daughter Marina is expected to play a prominent role.
Shares in MFE were up by more than 9 per cent at around 0900 GMT.
The Arab Parliament has condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by groups of settlers, accompanied by Israeli ministers led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir under the protection of Israeli forces.
Armed men on motorbikes killed 11 people and kidnapped at least 70 others, including women and children, in a village in northwest Nigeria, witnesses said, in a region plagued by mass abductions and unrest.
Beijing on Monday warned residents in all city districts to brace for a new round of heavy rainfall, telling them to avoid going out, a week after catastrophic floods killed dozens in the deadliest deluge to hit the Chinese capital since 2012.
Hamas has said it was prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions, after a video it released showing an emaciated captive drew sharp criticism from Western powers.
The UAE continues to air drop critical aid into Gaza in cooperation with Jordan, taking the total aid delivered by air to more than 3,800 tonnes of food and relief supplies.
The UAE has delivered 65 tonnes of essential medicines and aid supplies to WHO warehouses, in preparation for distribution to hospitals across the Gaza Strip.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened an 800-metre four-lane underpass that will cut travel time between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Al Khail roads by 61 per cent, dropping from 9.7 minutes to 3.8 minutes.