Italy

Tonga top Italy in World Cup warm-up

All eyes were on forwards Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, both playing their first match for Tonga since turning their backs on New Zealand and Australia, but the duo only played the first 20 minutes of the match.

Italy 5 Liechtenstein 0: Insigne and Belotti shine in easy win

Giampiero Ventura's men rarely had to get out of first gear against Liechtenstein, who lost their 10th consecutive World Cup qualifying match despite holding firm for 35 minutes in Udine.

Insigne broke the deadlock for the hosts with his third international goal, smashing a superb volley in off the post after creating a chance for himself out of nothing.

The Napoli forward then set up the second goal for Italy shortly after half-time as reported Manchester United and AC Milan target Belotti timed his run on to the throughball to bend a clinical finish past Peter Jehle.

Plot to kidnap dead Ferrari boss foiled

Ferrari, founder of the company that produces some of the world's fastest and most expensive cars, died in 1988 at the age of 90 after making the company's prancing horse logo an internationally recognised brand.

RNZ reports Police in Sardinia say they suspect a gang had planned to demand a ransom from the Ferrari family or company after spiriting away the body.

They gave no further details about the plot but said it was discovered during an investigation into arms and drug trafficking that led to a number of arrests.

Libya the epicentre of migrant child abuse

A new report shows nearly 26,000 mostly-unaccompanied children made the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean, double the previous year.

In it, Unicef said many children suffer from violence and sexual abuse at the hands of smugglers and traffickers.

But they rarely report their abuse, for fear of arrest and deportation.

The agency also said there is not enough food, water and medical care in Libya's detention centres.

World Rugby not changing rules yet

The Azzurri refused to engage in rucks as the home side won 36-15 at Twickenham.

taly's plan, masterminded by defence coach Brendan Venter, left no offside line after a tackle allowing the Italians to crowd the England backline.

England boss Eddie Jones criticised Italy's tactics, and said law-makers should have a "very close look at it".

A spokesperson for World Rugby told the BBC it could 'clarify' the law, rather than drastically change it.

'Catastrophe' in central Italy on day of four big quakes

Luca Ceriscioli said quakes and snow had caused landslides and thousands of families were suffering power cuts, with some villages left isolated.

A man was killed and another reported missing in the nearby Abruzzo region.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker vowed EU solidarity with Italy after the tremors.

Marche was one of the regions worst hit by the earthquake of 24 August, with 46 of its 298 victims losing their lives in a single mountain village there, Pescara del Tronto.

All Blacks run riot in Rome

But coach Steve Hansen was satisfied.

"It bodes well for next week, we have a lot of people in form," he said, referring to a rematch against Ireland set for Dublin next weekend.

"Above all, it bodes well for the future, next week and beyond."

New Zealand ran the hosts ragged, scoring five tries in the first half, Malakai Fekitoa starting the rout after three minutes with Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Israel Dagg and Wyatt Crockett all going over for further scores before the break.

Italy 'father-only' surname law rejected

 Lawyers argued that preventing families from giving children their mother's surname discriminated against women.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had earlier condemned the legislation - which dates from Roman times - and ordered Italy to change it.

Campaigners hailed Tuesday's ruling and called for parliament to endorse it.

"The court has declared the unlawfulness of rules providing for the automatic attribution of the paternal surname to legitimate children, when the parents wish otherwise," the constitutional court said in a statement.

Ventura lauds Italy recovery

Daniele De Rossi struck an 82nd-minute penalty as Italy came from behind after Gianluigi Buffon's error allowed Vitolo to open the scoring in Turin.

Ventura was pleased with what he saw from his team following that set-back as they kept pace with Spain in Group G, which is topped by Albania.

"It's a good result, especially if we take into account our players' physical problems and Spain's quality," he told a news conference.

Italy pulls out of race for 2023 Rugby World Cup

Italy only tabled its bid for the tournament at the start of the month.

The announcement leaves France, South Africa and Ireland as the three countries bidding to host the tournament.

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) said the two bids had been closely linked and it was not possible to carry on.

"As it has always been closely connected to that of the Olympic Games of Rome 2024, the candidacy for the 10th edition of the Rugby World Cup has no more conditions to continue," FIR president Alfredo Gavazzi said.