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

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, once the chiefs of world and European football, were acquitted Friday over a suspected fraudulent payment that shook the sport and torpedoed their time at the top.

The United States and Western allies pressured Russia at G20 talks in Indonesia Friday over its "unprovoked and unjustifiable war of choice" in Ukraine, but Moscow's envoy remained defiant.

Philippines' Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa lost her appeal against a conviction for cyber libel, her news website Rappler said Friday, in the latest blow for the veteran journalist.

Japan's best-known politician Shinzo Abe was shot at a campaign event Friday and left in a "very grave condition", shocking the country and global leaders.

Asian markets rose Friday on easing recession fears with optimism boosted by hopes that Joe Biden will remove some Trump-era tariffs from Chinese goods.

Huge crowds of robed Muslim pilgrims prayed on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat on Friday, the climax of the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the pandemic forced drastic cuts in numbers two years in a row.

Japan's former premier Shinzo Abe was fighting for his life on Friday after being shot at a campaign event, the prime minister said, condemning the "absolutely unforgivable" attack.

With inflation in Turkey galloping, the sheep Gul Er buys every year for the Muslim festival of sacrifice in Istanbul looks agonisingly out of reach.

"I had to spread my legs, and when it was put in it hurt terribly," said Britta Mortensen, who was 15 she when was forced to have a coil, or intrauterine device (IUD), fitted.

The Nord Stream pipeline, which supplies Germany with most of its Russian gas, will be shut down for routine maintenance from Monday -- with fears rising that it may remain off for good.

Belarus has served as a staging ground for Russia's intervention in Ukraine, but strongman Alexander Lukashenko has so far avoided becoming a party to the conflict.

Australia and England are gearing up for a "gladiatorial" forwards battle in the second Test in Brisbane on Saturday with the clash between big props Taniela Tupou and Ellis Genge shaping as pivotal.

A political crisis in inflation-ravaged Argentina that was sparked by the economy minister's resignation has spooked markets and generated fears resulting in panic buying and hasty price hikes, as the informal exchange rate soars.

The United States steamrolled Jamaica 5-0 on Thursday to book a return to the women's World Cup, helped by Haiti's 3-0 victory over Mexico in the CONCACAF W Championship.

For 30 years, Indonesian artist Agus Suwage has created hyper-stylised selfies -- from caricatures of himself to imposing his face on a dictator -- to document his search for identity in the turmoil of the country's recent history.

Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe has been shot, a government spokesman said Friday, as local media reported the ex-premier was showing no vital signs.

Novak Djokovic is preparing for Friday's Wimbledon semi-final against Cameron Norrie safe in the knowledge that his greatest rival Rafael Nadal no longer stands in the way of a 21st Grand Slam triumph.

Shinzo Abe smashed records as Japan's longest-serving prime minister, championing ambitious economic reform and forging key diplomatic relationships while weathering scandals.

The top Russian and US envoys gathered on Friday for a Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting in Indonesia, with the host immediately telling them the Ukraine war must end and differences be resolved through negotiations.

Ons Jabeur said that the seeds of her history-making charge to the Wimbledon final were sown 12 months ago when she told her coaching team: "I'm coming back for the title."

Would-be successors to scandal-ridden British Prime Minister Boris Johnson were readying Friday for what will be a prolonged battle, the day after an extraordinary exodus of Conservative ministers brought about their leader's downfall.

Video-sharing sensation TikTok is being sued in California after children died while taking part in a "Blackout Challenge" that makes a sport of choking oneself until passing out.

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was feared dead on Friday after apparently being shot at a campaign event in the Nara region, local media reported.

From laser beams and wooden satellites to galactic tow-truck services, start-ups in Japan are trying to imagine ways to deal with a growing environmental problem: space debris.

Nick Kyrgios' mother says she has seen a big difference in her son this year, who is "finally appreciating where he is" and enjoying life.

Asian markets rose Friday on easing recession fears, while there were growing hopes that Joe Biden will remove some Trump-era tariffs from Chinese goods.

Australia will press China to end trade "blockages" Friday as the two nations seek to defrost icy relations with their first foreign ministers' meeting since 2019.

The United Nations Security Council will continue negotiating Friday on extending authorization of aid transfers across Syria's border, one day after a scheduled vote was scrapped following disagreement between Russia and the West.

The Group of 20 foreign ministers met in Indonesia on Friday with the top envoys from the United States and Russia attending, their first gathering since the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has defended making 19 changes to his squad for a potential series-clinching Test against Wales on Saturday after legend Gareth Edwards called the decision "disrespectful".

Argentina coach Michael Cheika is hoping to sprinkle more magic on the Salta rugby stadium when he returns there for Saturday's clash with Scotland for the first time since orchestrating a remarkable comeback for the Wallabies.

Manchester United and Liverpool will next week kick off a packed pre-season as European clubs return to the Asia-Pacific region for the first time since the pandemic, keen to tap back into lucrative markets.