Il Messaggiere - News from Rome, Modena, Reggio, Italy and the world

A Turkish singer-songwriter has been slapped with a criminal complaint by the interior ministry over a song deemed "obscene" in the latest legal move targeting artists over alleged public indecency.

Tariff fears are hurting World Cup merchandise orders at Shang Yabing's Chinese knitwear factory, where racks of scarves bear the logos of national teams from Ireland to Tanzania.

World and Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen rebounded from failing to make the 1,500m final by safely advancing to the final of the 5,000m at the world championships in Tokyo on Friday.

Enzo Maresca insists exiled Chelsea flops Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi have no reason to complain about being forced to train alone.

An elderly British couple detained in Afghanistan for almost eight months were released on Friday, the Taliban authorities said, after pressure built to free the pair due to fears over their health.

Stock markets diverged and the dollar rose Friday at the end of a week marked by central bank decisions, as attention turned to a call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Holders Arsenal will take on eight-time winners Lyon, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the new-look league phase in this season's Women's Champions League.

Everton manager David Moyes said Liverpool have earned the right to spend a record amount in the transfer window as he aims to bridge the gap between the Merseyside rivals.

India and Pakistan clash again in the Asia Cup on Sunday, renewing one of cricket's fiercest rivalries a week after their last match was overshadowed by a handshake row.

The Israeli military warned on Friday it will operate with "unprecedented force" in Gaza City, urging residents to flee southwards while announcing the closure of a temporary evacuation route opened 48 hours earlier.

Sri Lanka all-rounder Dunith Wellalage learnt about the sudden death of his father moments after victory at the Asia Cup and has temporarily returned home from the UAE, team officials told AFP on Friday.

An in-form Lando Norris set the pace ahead of McLaren team-mate, title rival and championship leader Oscar Piastri in Friday's eventful and red flag-punctuated opening practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Norway striker Elisabeth Terland scored a hat-trick as Manchester United hammered Brann 3-0 on Thursday to reach the main draw of the Women's Champions League for the first time.

Hollywood director Tim Burton and Italian actress and model Monica Bellucci are separating, they announced Friday in a statement to AFP.

Dozens of countries are expected to announce new climate targets before the UN COP30 summit in November, but none will be as closely scrutinised as the pledges made by China and the EU.

Asian markets were mixed Friday at the end of a strong week for investors following a US interest rate cut, with attention now turning to a call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping due later in the day.

India are targeting a record medal haul at next year's Asian Games in Japan as part of a long-term plan to boost their prospects at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

A cloud of dust escapes from an excavation site in the sand of Chad's arid north, where scientists are looking for signs of human habitation in an area once humid and called the "Green Sahara".

Asian markets mostly fell Friday at the end of a strong week for investors following a US interest rate cut, with attention now turning to a call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping due later in the day.

Late-night TV comics skewered President Donald Trump and denounced "blatant censorship" after Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show was pulled off air over his comments on the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

Chinese consumer tech giant Xiaomi will remotely fix a flaw in the assisted driving system on over 110,000 of its popular SU7 electric cars, the firm and regulators said Friday, months after a deadly crash involving the model.

At dawn, bleary-eyed workers pour into a traditional teahouse in Kosovo nestled under the minarets of the local mosque, seeking a rich amber brew that has outlived empires and continues to draw devotees.

Borussia Dortmund's early promise is already being eroded by familiar failings in crucial moments just three games into the Bundesliga season.

The Bank of Japan kept interest rates on hold Friday amid lingering political uncertainty and economic concerns but said it would start offloading funds bought as part of its earlier monetary easing campaign.

Real Madrid have made a perfect start to life under new coach Xabi Alonso and are aiming to extend that run on Saturday in La Liga when they host an Espanyol side who have also begun the season in impressive form.

Georgia full-back Davit Niniashvili said his coaches at new club La Rochelle want him to remain "crazy" as they prepare to head to Toulon in the Top 14 on Sunday.

There is a mixed crowd lining up outside the ICE recruitment fair in Utah, where hundreds of people are eager to join US President Donald Trump's vast deportation effort.

President Donald Trump, who recently accused Xi Jinping of working to "conspire" against the United States, hopes to finalize the fate of video-sharing app TikTok and make progress on trade talks in a phone call with the Chinese leader on Friday.

Depopulated towns in Germany's ex-communist east have come up with a novel scheme to bring back life: offering people several weeks of super-cheap housing to give would-be residents a taste of the place.

Premier League leaders Liverpool will aim to cut out the late drama against Everton on Saturday, while Arsenal seek to prove they are title challengers against Manchester City.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins said Friday he hoped to play in all five Ashes Tests against England but conceded he will need to see how his back injury holds up, local media said.

China cautioned Papua New Guinea against "undermining" its interests and sovereignty in signing a mutual defence pact with Australia widely seen as a counter to Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific.

The Australian state of Queensland has banned the testing of drugs for recreational use, sparking warnings from health providers on Friday that the move could put lives at risk.

The dike meant to protect the Philippine town cost taxpayers nearly $2 million, but when a minister visited this month he found little more than dirt hastily dumped along the river's banks.

Asian markets swung Friday at the end of a strong week for investors following the US interest rate cut, with attention now turning to a call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of an attack drone and ordered greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the technology, state media said Friday.

Kenya are hoping legend Faith Kipyegon and Emmanuel Wanyonyi deliver two gold medals on the penultimate day of the World Athletics Championships on Saturday.

The leaders of Canada and Mexico on Thursday defended their three-way free-trade deal with the United States, while agreeing to try and make it "fairer" in the face of tariff pressure from President Donald Trump.

Tapanuli orangutans are the world's most endangered great ape. Fewer than 800 remain, all previously thought to be in their native Indonesia. But now an Indian zoo says it has one.