Few Italian operas come as epic as Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA. Thanks to an ill-timed and hubristic takeover as well as some questionable accounting practices, the 544-year-old pillar of Siena is on the brink of an ignominious nationalization. The final act, though, will drag on. One Italian official presented the outline of Monte Paschi’s rescue to …

  The imminent failure of Italy’s third-largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, is finally bringing the country’s long-festering banking crisis to the center of European leaders’ attention. This may be a blessing in disguise, offering the best chance yet to achieve a lasting solution — and even strengthen the European Union. Italy’s financial woes have been years in the …

  Syrian troops reclaimed rebel-held east Aleppo. The residents anxious to return to their homes entered into the war-ravaged city after the regime’s announcement of full control of the city. Assad army recaptured the former rebel stronghold after a landmark evacuation deal that saw thousands of opposition fighters and residents bussed out. The evacuation operation ended more than four years …