More than 60 Serie A footballers named in Italy’s prostitution case linked to escort network, with Rs 13.2 crore seized/ © Serie A

The ongoing investigation into an alleged prostitution ring in Milan has brought Italian football into focus, with reports that more than 60 current and former Serie A players have appeared in case material as clients, while authorities have confirmed that no footballers are under investigation. The investigation, led by the Guardia di Finanza, Italy’s financial police, focuses on an illegal Milan-based event-promotion company accused of organizing high-end gatherings that included access to escorts, drugs and nightlife services for wealthy clients.

Investigation details and arrests

According to several Italian media reports, including La Gazzetta dello Sport and referenced by coverage brandThe company operated in Milan and offered what it described as “all-inclusive luxury events” to high-profile individuals. Investigators have seized approximately €1.2 million (approximately Rs 13.2 crore) linked to the operation, and four individuals have been arrested after months of surveillance. The package included hotel stays, nightclub parties, escorts and the use of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, which is illegal for recreational use in Italy. Events were reportedly held in both Milan and the Greek island of Mykonos. Under Italian law, prostitution itself is not a crime, but profiting from prostitution is illegal, which is why investigations focus on the organizers rather than those listed as clients.

Wiretap and evidence collected

The case was built in part through intercepted communications collected during the investigation. In a wiretapped conversation quoted in the reports, a man says: “I have a friend, a Formula 1 driver… who is coming to Milan tonight, he wants a girl.” In another exchange, a woman is heard telling a colleague that she may be pregnant after a date and asks him to retrieve chat records to confirm the date. Other intercepted conversations also referenced the use of laughing gas during these meetings. Authorities confirmed that devices seized matching those arrested are being analyzed by the public prosecutor’s office, with keyword searches forming part of the evidence review.

Names coming out in the investigation

A list of names linked to the investigation has been reported by Il Giornale and ANSA, with further details provided by Corriere dello Sport and. tuttosport. The report said the prosecutor’s inquiries have revealed the surnames of around 65 to 70 football players as keywords or references in communications, including players linked to clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Lazio, Hellas Verona, Monza and Como.Among the names cited are:

Additional surnames listed include Cancellieri, Huijsen, Mota Carvalho, Niasse, Petagna, Ranocchia, Ruggeri, Skriniar, Vicario and Zortia.Other names cited in full include Souliho Meite, Nuno Tavares and Carlos Augusto.Other mentions in the reports include Bellanova, Calafiori, Bisek, Pinamonti, Ricci and Scamacca, with links to clubs such as Atalanta, Lazio and Inter, while references to Juventus also emerge through names such as Vlahovic and Arthur Melo.Separate reporting also noted that one of Real Madrid’s recent signings was referenced among the extensive pool of names, although no specific individual has been formally identified in the cited material.Former Inter and Lazio midfielder Dejan Stankovic is also reported to have been in contact with one of the arrested men on eight occasions. Authorities also noted that those referred included a Formula 1 driver and hockey player, although the driver has not been named.

Players’ reactions and explanations

Some of the individuals named in the report have publicly distanced themselves from the case.AC Milan forward Rafael Leao said: “I want to make it clear that I have nothing to do with the facts being investigated. I am not involved in this and I have not committed any crime.”Separately, the lawyer representing Italy international defender Riccardo Calafiori said his client was not named in any official documents related to the investigation.

Nature and legal status of partnership

Italian authorities have made it clear that the named football players are not under investigation. The inclusion of names is based on mention of search keywords within phone calls, messages or seized material, and does not establish involvement in illegal activity. Prosecutors have not confirmed which individuals, if any, paid for sexual services. “The girls were completely obedient, so there was no violence; the acts of investigation have revealed no evidence of violence,” Guardia di Finanza said, adding, “Unfortunately this is not a crime, it is not classified as such.”

How the network operates

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the organization arranged evenings where women were invited to have sex in exchange for money with clients, many of whom were described as high-profile individuals, including professional footballers. The network reportedly retained at least 50 percent of the payments, with the remainder distributed to the women, who were paid by organizers rather than directly by clients. One woman involved in the operation said: “I kept 10% of the table for the footballer who spent three thousand, and the same with the hockey players.” Reports indicate that more than 100 women, including Italian and foreign nationals, were involved in these events, working as escorts, models, hostesses or table companions.

current state of affairs

The investigation is ongoing, with the Milan Prosecutor’s Office continuing to analyze the seized devices and communications. Although the case has attracted widespread attention due to the number of high-profile names mentioned, authorities have maintained a clear distinction between those under investigation, the organizers, and those referenced in the material, who do not currently face any legal action.

Panaji: The Public Works Department (PWD) has ordered the closure of a stretch of National Highway 66 (NH 66) from Hotel Neo Majestic to Gauri Petrol Pump in Porvorim for the safety of commuters during the ongoing work on the project of a six-lane elevated corridor. The bandh will start from midnight on Thursday and will end on May 20.PWD executive engineer Gajanan Desai said in the order that “keeping in mind the safety of passengers, to facilitate hassle-free and expeditious completion of the project”, the right side of the existing NH 66 will be closed for all types of vehicular traffic.Traffic on this stretch will use a narrow service road, he said.Traffic going from Panaji towards Mapusa will be diverted from the left side service road near Neo Majestic Hotel. P82 near Delfino Junction will remain closed to traffic on the road connecting to Pundalik Nagar.“Traffic from Betim towards Mapusa will be allowed on the existing right-of-way service road from P85 to NH 66, near Gauri Petrol Pump. Suitable and safe access will be provided at designated places for local residents and establishments on the closed stretch of NH 66,” the PWD order said.Desai’s order said that sign boards indicating diversion, no parking etc. will be displayed at strategic locations by the contracting agency as per the prescribed guidelines of the Indian Road Congress and the Union Highway Ministry, in addition to all necessary road safety measures.The 5.1 km elevated corridor along with access roads is being constructed at a cost of Rs 475 crore, funded by the Union Highway Ministry. The access road to the corridor starts from Hotel Neo Majestic on the southern side.The project is being constructed by RRSM Infra, which recently got an extension till October 2026 to complete the project. To avoid any security related problem to the passengers, the contractor has been directed to complete the major part of the work before the onset of monsoon in June.Work on the six-lane elevated corridor began in September 2024. The initial deadline for completion of the work was April 2026.

File photo (AP Photo/Jason Redmond, File)

Microsoft is planning its first voluntary employee buyout in the company’s 51-year history. According to a memo, Microsoft is offering voluntary retirement to thousands of its employees in the US. Microsoft has never made a purchase on this scale before. According to the report, about 7% of Microsoft’s workforce in the US will be eligible for the buyout. As of June 2025, the company had 228,000 employees, of which 125,000 were in the US, which would make about 8,750 employees eligible for the program.

Microsoft Chief People Officer Amy Coleman announced the buyout in a memo to employees.

The offer was announced to employees through a memo from Vice President and Chief People Officer Amy Coleman. “Our hope is that this program gives eligible individuals the option to take the next step on their own terms with the company’s generous support,” Coleman wrote in the memo.According to the memorandum, employees eligible for the buyout include those whose years of service and the sum of their age are 70 or more. The lump sum retirement program does not include some senior roles or sales incentive plans. Eligible employees and their managers will receive details on May 7.

Additional changes announced in buyout memo

Microsoft is also reportedly adjusting the way it distributes stock to employees for annual awards. The company will no longer directly link stock to cash bonuses to managers. That way, “managers have more flexibility to meaningfully recognize high performance,” Coleman wrote in the memo.Microsoft is also simplifying the review process for managers, so they can choose from five salary options for employees instead of nine.

Microsoft will redesign Windows 11

In other news, Microsoft is improving Windows 11 by removing outdated UI elements to provide a consistent modern design across the entire operating system. The initiative is said to target legacy components, including installation screens, remnants of Windows 8-era dialogs, and various Control Panel interfaces. These are being refreshed with the current WinUI framework for better visual consistency. In a statement, Microsoft said, “Our goal as we move forward is to be more open when we build Windows, make sure you feel like you’re included throughout the entire lifecycle of the process of making our products, and then make sure this is a vibrant community and we’re grateful for the chance to spend some time with all of you.”

Meta announced a major update to its parental supervision tools, giving parents more insight into how their teens are interacting with Meta’s AI. Parents can now see the specific topics their teens have discussed over the past seven days on Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram with Meta AI. According to the company, the move is part of Meta’s broader effort to make its “teen accounts” safer and more transparent.The update introduces a new “Insights” tab within the existing Overview center. Although parents can’t read exact word-for-word transcripts of their child’s chats, they can view classified details of the conversations. “Parents who use Supervision on Facebook, Messenger or Instagram will now see a new Insights tab within Supervision both in-app and on the web. From there, parents will be able to see the topics their teens have been asking about in the past week to the meta AI in that specific app. Topics can range from school, entertainment and lifestyle to travel, writing and health and wellness, the company said in a blog.The company said that even if Meta AI refuses to answer a question because it is age-inappropriate, the topic will still appear in the parent’s dashboard, ensuring total visibility.

Proactive alerts for sensitive issues

While common topics appear in the dashboard, Meta says it is taking a more aggressive approach to security regarding high-risk topics. The company is developing proactive alerts that will immediately notify parents if a teen attempts to discuss suicide or self-harm with the AI.To ensure these interactions remain safe, Meta also unveiled its AI Wellbeing Expert Council. This group of experts from top universities and suicide prevention organizations will meet regularly with Meta to ensure that the AI ​​remains age-appropriate – similar to the “13+ movie rating” standard.Meta collaborated with the Cyberbullying Research Center to create conversation starters. These are open-ended questions and guides found within the app that are designed to help parents talk to their children about AI in a non-judgmental way.“We understand that AI is a new and evolving technology. These tools help parents approach the topic with confidence,” Meta said.The new AI Insights are available to parents monitoring accounts in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Brazil. Meta plans to roll out these features to the rest of the world in the coming weeks.

In a world driven by constant notifications and competing priorities, Jensen Huang relies on a simple habit of staying focused. As the head of Nvidia, a company at the center of the global AI boom, Huang has spent decades dealing with uncertainty, rapid technological change and high-risk decisions. At the core of his approach is a rule that shapes his entire day: Start with the most important task. That one decision repeated every morning has influenced the way he thinks, leads, and creates in an industry where clarity and speed often define success.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang follows this rule every morning

Huang’s approach starts with clarity. Each morning, he works from a clearly defined priority list and immediately focuses on the most important task.“I do it exactly the same way every morning,” he said. “I start every morning doing my highest priority task first thing.”This is not a flexible guideline. It’s a fixed habit that supports his entire day.By completing his most important work early, Huang creates a sense of progress before the day fully unfolds. That change has both practical and psychological benefits.He explained that once the most important task is completed, the day already feels successful. The remaining hours can then be used to collaborate, make decisions, and support others in the organization.It also removes the pressure of unfinished high-risk work lying in the background.

A system built on clarity, not busyness

Huang’s routine reflects a broader philosophy: Productivity comes from clarity, not constant activity.Instead of responding to emails or meetings first thing in the morning, he reserves that time for focused work. This ensures that his energy is spent on the problems that matter most to the company.In fast-moving industries like artificial intelligence, that difference can define outcomes.Another revealing part of Huang’s statement is how he views time.He said, “When people apologize for interrupting me, I always say I have plenty of time and I have.”That confidence comes from knowing that the most important work has already been done. This allows him to be fully present in conversations and leadership responsibilities without feeling rushed.At Nvidia, Huang’s personal discipline reflects the broader organizational mindset. The company has built its success by focusing deeply on a few critical problems, particularly AI and accelerated computing.This emphasis on prioritizing volume helps teams stay connected to long-term goals rather than short-term noise.

A lesson for the AI ​​age

Huang’s law stands out because it is simple and repeatable. In a world where productivity advice often gets complicated, his approach focuses on one decision: what deserves attention first.This idea can also be applied beyond leadership roles. Starting the day with the most important tasks builds momentum, reduces stress, and improves focus.Jensen Huang’s morning routine doesn’t rely on elaborate systems or strict schedules. It focuses on a single choice being made continuously. By starting each day with high-priority work, he sets the tone for everything that comes next, a practice that continues to guide him as he leads one of the most influential companies in the AI ​​age.

In a shocking turn of events at The Daily café in Bolton, a brave patron stood up to an attacker brandishing a knife. Staff immediately sprang into action, subduing the attacker and ensuring the safety of all attendees. Authorities described the incident as an isolated incident and detained a 50-year-old man on assault charges.

Yesterday’s incident in Bolton where a man walks into a shop and stabs a man sitting.A person who is stabbed reacts immediately in self-defense.In the end the attacker sits down as if nothing happened. pic.twitter.com/h9rJYzdpow– London and UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) 22 April 2026A man has been arrested after a shocking stabbing incident inside The Daily café in Bolton, Greater Manchester, where a customer fought back against an assailant in front of staff and diners.The incident occurred at around 10.30am on April 21, when a man entered The Deli Café on Tong Moor Road and approached the eatery before suddenly attacking him with a knife.

During a surprise attack the client retaliates.

Footage from inside the deli café shows the attacker approaching a seated customer and then plunging a knife into his chest. The diner reacted immediately, pouncing on the attacker and punching him repeatedly in an attempt to stop him.The conflict escalated towards the counter, where a staff member intervened and managed to disarm the attacker. During the dispute, the interiors of the café were damaged as the confrontation escalated.

Staff and the public intervene to control the situation

A café employee was seen helping to restrain the attacker, while another member of staff carried the injured customer away from danger. The Deli Café later confirmed that both staff and customers were safe after the incident.In a statement shared on social media and reported by The Sun, the deli cafe thanked the customer who intervened, saying it “kept them safe” during the attack and that they would be given free meals for life.The café also closed temporarily due to the disruption following the incident.

Police response and arrest

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that officers arrived at the scene immediately after being informed of the incident. Two people were treated for knife-related injuries, which were not considered life-threatening.A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody pending inquiries.The Sun quoted Detective Chief Inspector Mike Sharples as saying that police were carrying out “extensive enquiries” and while describing the incident as isolated, reassured the public that “there is no wider threat”.

Investigation continues as footage airs

Police have acknowledged that video footage of the incident is circulating online and may cause concern in the community. As a precautionary measure, additional patrolling teams have been deployed in the area.Officers are continuing to appeal for information and have urged anyone with any concerns or relevant details to contact police.