BOLOGNA (Reuters) -Hosts Italy closed in on a third successive Davis Cup title as Flavio Cobolli saved seven match points to beat Belgium's Zizou Bergs in a thriller and seal a 2-0 semi-final victory on Friday.

European Commission issues formal warning that Rome’s measures to deter takeovers risk compromising single market

Northern Ireland have recorded just one victory over Italy in the 11 previous meetings between the two nations. Michael O'Neill's side face a trip to Italy in March for the semi-finals of the European play-offs for a place in the 2026 World Cup.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has declared that the weight of expectation lies firmly on Italy's shoulders as his young side prepare for a daunting 2026 World Cup play-off semi-final away to the four-time champions.

Italy will first host Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March but then would go on the road to reach its first tournament after back-to-back failures at this stage.

Matteo Berrettini puts two-time defending champions Italy on the brink of a third consecutive Davis Cup final with victory over Belgium's Raphael Collignon.

Italy's Oscar Contender 'Familia' directed by Francesco Constabile has sold to Breaking Glass Pictures for U.S. distribution.

Adrienne Vaughan, 45, died after she was flung from the motorboat in the holiday hotspot in southern Italy in August 2023.

Former Ukrainian military officer Serhiy Kuznetsov will face a charge of anti-constitutional sabotage in Berlin.