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

Millwall head into the English Championship play-offs with their sights set on a "fairytale" return to the top-flight after 36 years, while Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull hope to end much shorter exiles from the Premier League.

The hantavirus that has broken out on the cruise ship MV Hondius is much less transmissible than Covid, the head of the Dutch unit treating one of the patients told AFP Thursday.

Israeli and Lebanese envoys will sit down for a fresh round of peace talks in Washington next week, even as Israel presses its campaign against the militant group Hezbollah in spite of a ceasefire.

Six years after registering Spain's first Covid case, the Canary Islands are awaiting the arrival of a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak that is reviving painful memories.

The IOC on Thursday lifted its ban on Belarusian athletes competing in the Olympics, although restrictions on Russian athletes remain in place.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Thursday of the risks to global financial stability posed by cyberattacks powered by advanced artificial intelligence tools, calling for greater international cooperation on the issue.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has agreed a new three-year contract extension which will keep him with the Seagulls until at least 2029, the Premier League club announced Thursday.

The World Health Organization said Thursday there were now five confirmed hantavirus cases from the Atlantic cruise ship outbreak, with three more suspected -- and warned further cases were possible.

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said he had no qualms about profiting from Aston Villa's weakened team after criticism of a vital win in his club's fight to avoid relegation.

Jannik Sinner called on Thursday for Grand Slam tournaments to show tennis players respect in a row over prize money, as Novak Djokovic pledged his support to the players in their battle with the sport's major events.

Germany will generate less tax revenue in the coming years, in large part due to the "irresponsible" Middle East war launched by US President Donald Trump, the finance minister warned Thursday.

Angelo Binaghi has dragged Italian tennis from the doldrums to a golden age since taking charge of the country's federation (FITP) a quarter of a century ago, with Jannik Sinner just the very best of some of the world's top players.

The IOC on Thursday ruled out adding year-round sports without snow or ice to the 2030 Winter Olympics but did not exclude the possibility at a later date.

The World Health Organization said Thursday that more cases of the hantavirus could emerge but expected the outbreak to be "limited" if precautions are taken, after the disease killed three passengers from a cruise ship.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde was treated in hospital after a clash with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni following a training session on Thursday, several Spanish media outlets reported.

An elderly man had just started running a fever when he walked into a birthday party in the small village of Epuyen in southwest Argentina in 2018.

European Union prosecutors have launched a probe into a possible misappropriation of EU funds, after a complaint alleged France's far-right National Rally had used European grants to benefit its leader Jordan Bardella, a source close to the case told AFP Thursday.

A serving officer with London's Metropolitan Police and four ex-officers are being investigated for their handling of sexual abuse allegations against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, a watchdog said Thursday.

Jasmine Paolini launched her Italian Open title defence on Thursday by battling back from a set down to beat France's Leolia Jeanjean 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.

It has been 24 years since football powerhouse Brazil -- the most successful nation in World Cup history -- lifted the trophy, and forward Luiz Henrique told AFP the team must use that pressure as motivation when the tournament kicks off in June.

Generative artificial intelligence is being used by 17.8 percent of the world's working-age population, but the gap between wealthy and developing nations continues to widen, according to a report published Tuesday by Microsoft.

Michael Carrick said Thursday he is more worried about Manchester United finishing the season in style than his own future at Old Trafford.

The IOC on Thursday lifted its restrictions on Belarusian athletes competing in the Olympics, although restrictions on Russian athletes remain in place.

Jannik Sinner called on Thursday for Grand Slam tournaments to show tennis players respect in a row over prize money, but topped short of calling for a boycott of the sport's major events.

Paris Saint-Germain are on course to fulfil their main objective for the season of retaining the Champions League title, but before turning their attention fully to the final in Budapest they look set to clinch another Ligue 1 crown.

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said the Blues have the "foundations" for success after Sky pundit Jamie Carragher labelled them a "broken club" following a disastrous Premier League run.

The US State Department underlined its "strong relationship" with the Vatican on Thursday after talks between top diplomat Marco Rubio and Pope Leo, weeks after Donald Trump's astonishing attack on the first US pontiff.

German arms maker Rheinmetall said Thursday it had made an offer for a further shipyard as the influential defence giant deepens its push into naval systems.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has appointed amateur player Claire Dowling as the first woman captain in its 272-year history.

Portugal's last circus elephant, Julie, is to become one of the first residents of a retirement home for the pachyderms that could become a major draw as European nations clampdown on performing animals.

Coach Vincent Kompany said he was "already motivated" for a tilt at next season's Champions League as he digested Bayern Munich's narrow semi-final elimination at the hands of holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Real Madrid meet Clasico rivals Barcelona on Sunday in a state of high tension and disarray, with anything but a victory handing the Catalans the La Liga title.