Pallade Veneta - News from Venice, Veneto, Venetia and Italy, as well as from around the world

Chinese President Xi Jinping pitched his country as a font of stability at the G20 summit this week as a second Trump term looms, but analysts say wary Western nations are likely to hold Beijing at bay.

South Sudan security forces were investigating Friday a shootout at the home of the troubled nation's powerful former spy chief Akol Koor, who was sacked almost two months ago amid rumours of a coup plot.

Jailed Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai on Friday said he had advocated for "peaceful resistance" against China's erosion of the city's freedoms and tried to "reduce violence" during huge democracy protests in 2019.

Rowdy cheers spilled from a Hong Kong banquet hall hosting a mass wedding party, as one of the 20 elderly couples renewing their vows coquettishly shared a strawberry marshmallow mouth-to-mouth.

Representatives from nearly 200 nations awaited a fresh proposal Friday for a potential compromise in marathon climate finance talks on the last day of a hard-fought COP29 summit in Azerbaijan.

Since her first brush with fame a decade ago, Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan has fought a "long-term battle" against tired assumptions about herself, music and how orchestras should be run.

Japan's minority government signed off Friday on a $140-billion stimulus drive aimed at putting more money in consumers' pockets after the ruling party's worst election result in 15 years.

German third-quarter growth was downgraded Friday with official data showing it expanded even more weakly than previously thought, in a new blow for Europe's top economy as it battles multiple headwinds.

Lewis Hamilton topped the times for Mercedes ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris as Max Verstappen struggled in Thursday's practice for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton topped the times ahead of Lando Norris as three-time champion Max Verstappen struggled for grip in Thursday's late-night second free practice session for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Greece this week signed a clean energy deal with the EU in a bid to fast-track the green transition on its fragile islands threatened by overtourism and climate change.

With a general election next week, Ireland and its 5.4 million inhabitants fear finding themselves in the eye of a protectionist storm promised by incoming US president Donald Trump.

The makers of a new film about the British pioneers of IVF hope it highlights the "fragile" status of fertility treatment, with perceived threats in places like the United States and dwindling availability in the UK.

German international Franz Wagner drained a three-pointer with three seconds remaining as the Orlando Magic ended the Los Angeles Lakers' unbeaten home record with a dramatic 119-118 victory on Thursday.

In heavily forested Gabon, elephants are increasingly wandering into villages and destroying crops, angering the local population who demand the power to stop the critically endangered animals in their tracks.

Russia on Thursday fired an experimental missile at Ukraine in a clear warning of its capabilities, officials from Western governments said, even as they pushed back against Ukrainian claims of a more provocative action by Moscow.

Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju broke new ground to reach the World Chess Championship and the 18-year-old "Friends" fan is now hot favourite to win the title and make more history.

Sam Prendergast has never been lacking in self-confidence, with his talent evident to many, and on Saturday he will get to pull the strings for Ireland at fly-half in the Test against Fiji.

Rarely can two national coaches head into a Test match on the back of such varying form as Wales' under-fire Warren Gatland and South Africa's Rassie Erasmus.

Ruben Amorim takes charge of Manchester United for the first time in Sunday's trip to Ipswich, while Manchester City are aiming to snap a historic losing streak for Pep Guardiola against Tottenham.

At the outskirts of a South Korean industrial city, workers at a sprawling weapons factory were conducting final-stage testing for a newly built surface-to-air defence system that could, eventually, head to Ukraine.

Plastic pollution litters our seas, our air and even our bodies, but negotiators face an uphill battle next week to agree on the world's first treaty aimed at ending the problem.

Leaders Barcelona have lost two matches this season in La Liga, both without teenage starlet Lamine Yamal starting, and the winger will also be missing for Saturday's match at Celta Vigo.

New Zealand are looking to end their year on a high against Italy on Saturday after last weekend's painful defeat to France left the All Blacks ruing missed chances.

Claudio Ranieri's baptism of fire as Roma boss begins on Sunday when he leads his boyhood club at Serie A leaders Napoli, one of a trio of tough tests awaiting the veteran coach as the Italian top flight gets back underway.

Uruguayans go to the polls Sunday with the leftist alliance of celebrated ex-president Jose Mujica hoping to reclaim the country's top job five years after a right-wing victory based on concerns over crime and taxes.

Animated films tackling parent separation and divorce are few and far between.

Pep Guardiola has extended his contract as manager of Premier League champions Manchester City for a further two seasons, saying Thursday "I could not leave now" with the club facing arguably the toughest period of his time at the Etihad Stadium.

US President-elect Donald Trump tapped Pam Bondi, a staunch ally who helped defend the ex-leader against impeachment, as US attorney general on Thursday following firebrand Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from the running.

If Red Bull's Max Verstappen sees off Lando Norris to seal the Formula One world championship in Las Vegas on Saturday, he will become just the sixth driver to win four titles.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge were named unanimous choices for Major League Baseball's 2024 Most Valuable Player awards on Thursday.

Shohei Ohtani was named Major League Baseball's National League Most Valuable Player on Thursday after a historic 2024 season that ended with his first World Series title.