A country spends millions to deliver a major international sports event to the world

An appeals court has upheld the disorderly conduct convictions of actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police

Under heavy security, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Thursday visited and pledged to improve safety at a Naples suburb where drug traffickers operate largely with impunity, organized crime wields influence and two girls were allegedly raped repeatedly by local youths. Meloni spent a few hours at the invitation of the local parish priest in the Green Park neighborhood in the town of Caivano, where the girls, cousins ages 11 and 12, were allegedly assaulted. The trip was an occasion for Meloni to show that her nearly year-old right-wing government is tough on crime and attentive to people living in largely neglected areas of the country. After meeting with the Rev. Maurizio Patriciello, a school principal and other local figures, Meloni promised that an abandoned, rundown sports complex, the suspected site of some of the alleged rapes, would be repaired and operational by spring. She said 10 million euros ($11 million) have been allocated to repair and make operational the complex, which includes swimming pools and tennis courts. The work will be carried out by the Italian army's engineering corps, and that once the complex reopens, it will be run by police athletic organizations. Meloni decried the alleged rapes as “an inhuman act, an infamous crime that has really shocked everyone." She said there probably “are more stories like this than those that surface in crime news.” Still, “we won't limit ourselves to dutiful condemnation and dutiful solidarity,'' said Meloni, whose far-right Brothers of Italy party has been leading in opinion surveys since her election nearly a year ago. She said her visit to Green Park makes it clear that “no-man's lands cannot exist in Italy." Meloni pledged a crackdown against “criminality, illegality, drugs" and said the number of police and local justice officials will be increased. The Camorra crime syndicate, whose illicit businesses include drug trafficking, holds significant influence in Naples and its suburbs, which include some of Italy's most impoverished areas. “I believe she (Meloni) will keep her word," about the sports center's renaissance, Patriciello said. Residents have complained for years that drugs are openly sold in the neighborhood's squares and streets, even as children pass by on their way to school or play. After the alleged rapes came to the attention of authorities, the cousins were placed in the temporary custody of caregivers while investigators determine if their parents were aware of their whereabouts during the days of the attacks. In 2013, a 6-year-old girl was killed by being thrown from a terrace of one of Green Park's rundown apartment buildings, allegedly by a pedophile who had abused her. The suspect was the companion of her mother's friend, according to Italian news reports. A year earlier, a 3-year-old boy was killed in a fall from an upper-story window of the same building in unclear circumstances. Meloni cited both children's deaths. The Caivano area includes farmlands that were contaminated a decade ago by the Camorra's multibillion-dollar racket involving disposing toxic waste, mainly from industries in the wealthy north that asked no questions about where the garbage went, so long as it was disposed at a fraction of the costs of legal removal. Many parents then marched in protest, fearing that their children's health was compromised from eating local produce. Ahead of Meloni's arrival, there were fears of big protests over her government's drastic slashing of a minimum-income assistance program, which was begun several years ago by populist former Premier Giuseppe Conte. The protests didn't materialize. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Partner of Italy PM Meloni faces backlash over rape comments: ‘Avoid getting drunk’ Italian leader tones down divisive rhetoric but carries on with pursuit of far-right agenda Putin’s forces pushed back by Ukraine counteroffensive after ‘largest’ drone strike

Mauricio Pochettino has made his long-awaited return to management with the Argentinian taking over as coach of the World XI at Soccer Aid. The former Southampton and Tottenham boss has been out of work since leaving Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain last July. Pochettino is set to be confirmed as Chelsea manager in the near future, but his return to the dugout will come at Old Trafford rather than Stamford Bridge. The 51-year-old has been confirmed as manager of the World XI against England at Soccer Aid for Unicef on June 12 in the north west. “I am really looking forward to getting involved in Soccer Aid this year and managing the World XI,” Pochettino said. “It is a real pleasure to be part of a match that represents a big cultural moment in this country’s annual calendar – and rightly so, because it raises so much money for Unicef. “I love English football stadiums, the passion the fans show for the game and the atmosphere they create, so it will be great to feel that again next month.” Pochettino will coach former Argentina team-mates Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo in the Old Trafford encounter. Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, has been confirmed as captain of a side that includes the likes of Francesco Totti, Patrice Evra and Nani. “The Soccer Aid World XI FC has a very strong team this year and we want to ensure we help to continue their long unbeaten run in this match,” said Pochettino, who will be joined by long-serving assistant Jesus Perez. “Two of the most talented players I have played with – Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo – will be a big goal threat and we also have Nani and Totti, players that will excite fans so we hope as many people as possible will come along on the day to see them live and support this incredible cause.” :: England vs Soccer Aid World XI FC takes place on Sunday 11 June. Tickets for the game are on sale: www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live David Moyes concerned for family after trouble mars West Ham victory Eddie Howe says Newcastle win ‘huge’ but warns still work to do in top-four hunt Stefanos Tsitsipas victory sets up Daniil Medvedev semi-final showdown in Rome

The Football Association has condemned the actions of a fan at Wembley who wore a jersey referencing the Hillsborough disaster. The Metropolitan Police Events Twitter account retweeted a picture on Saturday of a man wearing a Manchester United shirt that had the number 97 on the back and the words “Not Enough”. Wembley was hosting the FA Cup final where Manchester City beat their rivals Manchester United. Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and taken into custody. On Sunday, the FA said in a statement: “The FA strongly condemns the actions of the individual who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. “We saw a photograph of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately started working to identify the perpetrator. “Our security team were able to quickly locate the individual based on the image, and we welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police. “We will not tolerate abuse relating to Hillsborough or any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against perpetrators.” Sharing a tweet which featured a photo of the man wearing the jersey, the Met’s events Twitter account said on Saturday: “We are aware of this and have worked proactively with officials at @wembleystadium to identify the individual. “He has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and taken into custody.” Ninety-seven football fans died as a result of a crush at a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989. They were unlawfully killed amid a number of police errors, an inquest jury ruled in 2016. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Josh Hazlewood set to be fit for Ashes despite missing Test Championship final You can tell everybody we have won the FA Cup – Man City players meet Elton John Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs – Scotland’s five European qualifiers

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