Milan – Italian football was left reeling Tuesday as a dismal 0-0 draw against Sweden condemned the Azzurri to miss their first football World Cup in more than half a century. The Italians had trailed 1-0 after the opening leg in Stockholm last week and needed to score to have any hope of progressing. The aberration that followed on Monday night in Milano has been described as apocalyptic throughout the Italian media.  

ROME - Italy has been harshly condemned by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince of Jordon Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein for its conniving with militias in Libya to prevent migrants leaving the north African country. "The European Union's policy of assisting the Libyan coast guard in intercepting and rejecting migrants in the Mediterranean is inhumane," said the Prince. Italy is largely involved in this situation.

ROME - New DNA evidence retrieved by forensic experts has revealed that a woman was part of the Cosa Nostra assassination team that blew up Italy's top crimefighter, Judge Giovanni Falcone along with his wife and police escort in  May 1992. Falcone was a well known enemy of organised crime, especially that of the Sicilian mafia. Following a slew of other politicial assassinations at the hands of the mafia, including Sicilian politician Salvatore Lima, the mob's attention turned to Falcone.

 MILAN -- Four time world football champion Italy has failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after being held to a scoreless draw by dogged Sweden in a second leg qualifying match. Italy needed to win the second round after losing humiliatingly 1-0 to Sweden in the first round Friday. The draw meant Italy lost on aggregate and will not take part in the Cup in Russia next year.

 The defeat was sure to plunge Italy into depression. It was the first time Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup since 1958.

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