Starting mid-September, more than half a million 18-year-olds living in Italy are eligible to receive vouchers valued at more than $500 each. The vouchers will allow recipients to visit museums free, go to concerts for reduced prices or watch movies. According to the Italian government, the program is also intended to send a message to militant groups. The program, however, remains controversial because some Muslim communities view it as a police-led initiative to monitor terrorism suspects. But Italy's approach is viewed as unprecedented: The government expects to spend about $300 million on the program, depending on how many eligible recipients claim the money.

Source: Washington Post August 31, 2016 09:00 UTC