News from Italy – Euro Weekly News https://euroweeklynews.com News and views in English since 1998 Sun, 24 May 2026 17:34:42 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://euroweeklynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cropped-EuroWeeklyNews-Favicon-2-60x60.png News from Italy – Euro Weekly News https://euroweeklynews.com 32 32 Thousands of red rose petals fall from Rome Pantheon dome in stunning Pentecost tradition https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/24/thousands-of-red-rose-petals-fall-from-rome-pantheon-dome-in-stunning-pentecost-tradition/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/24/thousands-of-red-rose-petals-fall-from-rome-pantheon-dome-in-stunning-pentecost-tradition/#respond Sun, 24 May 2026 17:34:42 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=569896 Crowds gathered inside the historic Pantheon in Rome on Sunday, May 24 as thousands of red petals drifted down from the iconic dome during the annual Pentecost celebration. This striking ritual draws faithful visitors, tourists, and pilgrims from many nations to witness the event that marks the descent of the Holy Spirit in Christian tradition. Petals released through the oculus created a…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/24/thousands-of-red-rose-petals-fall-from-rome-pantheon-dome-in-stunning-pentecost-tradition/feed/ 0 Police shut down Mick Jagger’s party on Stromboli over weirdest local bylaw https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/24/police-shut-down-mick-jaggers-party-on-stromboli-over-weirdest-local-bylaw/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/24/police-shut-down-mick-jaggers-party-on-stromboli-over-weirdest-local-bylaw/#comments Sun, 24 May 2026 09:05:45 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=569850 It’s probably not the first time one of Mick Jagger’s parties has been shut down by police, but this time it wasn’t necessarily because it was too wild or too loud. It was a far more surreal reason. Police officers arrived at a venue on Stromboli and ordered guests to end the gathering because music is prohibited on Wednesdays under a local law covering islands administered from Lipari. Jagger…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/24/police-shut-down-mick-jaggers-party-on-stromboli-over-weirdest-local-bylaw/feed/ 1 Famed for being the most handsome pin-up cleric on the Italian calendar, yet never been a cleric https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/20/famed-for-being-the-most-handsome-pin-up-cleric-on-the-italian-calendar-yet-never-been-a-cleric/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/20/famed-for-being-the-most-handsome-pin-up-cleric-on-the-italian-calendar-yet-never-been-a-cleric/#respond Wed, 20 May 2026 19:25:18 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=569649 Giovanni Galizia chuckles when he discusses his brush with unexpected fame through a Roman souvenir that has intrigued buyers for more than twenty years. Posing represented only a very amusing game, but his life followed an entirely different path, he reveals with clear amusement. He insists he forms no part of the entertainment or fashion worlds and maintains a completely ordinary job and…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/20/famed-for-being-the-most-handsome-pin-up-cleric-on-the-italian-calendar-yet-never-been-a-cleric/feed/ 0 Horror in Modena as car rams into pedestrians on busy Italian street https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/16/horror-in-modena-as-car-rams-into-pedestrians-on-busy-italian-street/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/16/horror-in-modena-as-car-rams-into-pedestrians-on-busy-italian-street/#comments Sat, 16 May 2026 18:30:41 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=569236 A 31-year-old driver ploughed a Citroën C3 into crowds on Via Emilia in central Modena on Saturday, May 16, striking at least ten people before smashing into a shop front. Police have confirmed seven individuals suffered injuries, with four in serious condition and one woman losing both legs in the violent episode. People pursued the suspect on foot after he abandoned his car and attempted to stab…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/16/horror-in-modena-as-car-rams-into-pedestrians-on-busy-italian-street/feed/ 7 Italian diving group dead after disappearing in submerged cave network in Maldives https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/15/italian-diving-group-dead-after-disappearing-in-submerged-cave-network-in-maldives/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/15/italian-diving-group-dead-after-disappearing-in-submerged-cave-network-in-maldives/#respond Fri, 15 May 2026 14:11:38 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=569178 Five Italian scuba divers have died during a cave diving expedition in the Maldives, in an incident that has prompted an ongoing investigation by local authorities and Italian diplomatic services. The group disappeared while exploring underwater cave systems in the Vaavu Atoll, a region known for deep diving routes and strong currents. According to international reporting and official…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/15/italian-diving-group-dead-after-disappearing-in-submerged-cave-network-in-maldives/feed/ 0 Wild peacocks overrun tiny Italian village intimidating locals and terrifying children https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/08/wild-peacocks-overrun-tiny-italian-village-intimidating-locals-and-terrifying-children/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/08/wild-peacocks-overrun-tiny-italian-village-intimidating-locals-and-terrifying-children/#comments Fri, 08 May 2026 13:27:03 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=568614 Residents in Punta Marina near Ravenna are having to put up with the constant disruption from a booming peacock population that is now taking over the streets and turning into roaming gangs of aggressive birds. Numbers have risen continually since 2014 when just ten birds lived in nearby pine woods. Pandemic conditions allowed rapid breeding so that today around 120 peacocks roam freely…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/08/wild-peacocks-overrun-tiny-italian-village-intimidating-locals-and-terrifying-children/feed/ 1 Italian tourism makeover: 15 Sardinian villages set for €38m revamp https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/24/italian-tourism-makeover-15-sardinian-villages-set-for-e38m-revamp/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:05:37 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=567417 Italy is reshaping the way travellers experience its most popular destinations. From modest entrance fees at iconic landmarks to major investment in lesser-known regions, the country is taking steps to manage overcrowding while boosting sustainable tourism. A new initiative in Sardinia highlights this shift, aiming to revitalise quieter areas and offer visitors a more relaxed alternative to packed…

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]]> Italian authorities investigate mass poisoning after 10 wolves found dead https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/18/italian-authorities-investigate-mass-poisoning-after-10-wolves-found-dead/ Sat, 18 Apr 2026 20:22:35 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=566883 Italian authorities are seeking those responsible for a suspected mass poisoning that has killed at least 10 wolves in central Italy over recent days. The case is centred on the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, one of Italy’s best known protected natural areas and an important habitat for wolves, bears and other wildlife. According to reports published on April 18…

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]]> Armed robbers take 25 hostages at Naples bank then vanish underground https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/16/armed-robbers-take-25-hostages-at-naples-bank-then-vanish-underground/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:15:33 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=566737 Three armed robbers held hostages inside a bank in Naples before escaping through an underground tunnel, prompting a major police operation in the Italian city. The robbery took place at a branch of Crédit Agricole in the Arenella district, near Piazza Medaglie d’Oro. According to Italian media reports, the men entered the bank at about 11:30am and took control of the building while staff and…

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]]> Paid leave for sick pets: Italy’s precedent that could open up leave rights to care for animals https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/15/paid-leave-for-sick-pets-italys-precedent-that-could-open-up-leave-rights-to-care-for-animals/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:15:30 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=566597 In Europe today, pets are generally viewed as another integral member of a multi-species family in society, and this recognition is behind more and more changes in workplace policies to do with animals across the continent. Italian judges have recently ruled in favour of an employee during a 2017 case in Rome after she missed shifts to nurse her ill dog. The judges decided that neglecting the…

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]]> Italy imposes jet fuel limits at airports due to Iran conflict – Should we be concerned about summer holiday plans? https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/05/italy-imposes-jet-fuel-limits-at-airports-due-to-iran-conflict-should-we-be-concerned-about-summer-holiday-plans/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:29:44 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=565756 Restrictions on refuelling began this weekend at four major Italian airports, including Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice. Authorities introduced the measures due to limited availability from one key supplier linked to broader supply problems from the ongoing conflict in Iran. Notices remain in force until around April 9, with priority reserved for medical emergencies…

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]]> Venice to start charging tourists to enter historic centre during peak periods https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/03/venice-to-start-charging-tourists-to-enter-historic-centre-during-peak-periods/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:31:04 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=565644 Venice has begun charging day visitors to enter its historic centre from today (April 3), as authorities roll out an expanded version of a system designed to manage peak tourist numbers. The scheme, first introduced on a trial basis in 2024, now applies on a broader scale and will run across 60 selected days between April and July, focusing on periods when the city experiences its highest…

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]]> The great KitKat heist – Thieves make a break for it with more than 12 tonnes of chocolate bars https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/28/the-great-kitkat-heist-thieves-make-a-break-for-it-with-more-than-12-tonnes-of-chocolate-bars/ Sat, 28 Mar 2026 21:53:10 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=565112 Thieves have made off with over 12 tonnes of chocolate in a daring raid that could leave shelves bare just before the busy Easter period. Swiss food giant Nestlé reported the theft of a truck carrying 413,793 units of the new KitKat range during transit in Europe. The enormous 12-tonne shipment vanished last week en route from a production centre in central Italy towards Poland…

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]]> Italy’s nuclear revival: Meloni’s move to cut energy dependency https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/15/italys-nuclear-revival-melonis-move-to-cut-energy-dependency/ Sun, 15 Mar 2026 16:06:58 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=564011 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is leading an intrepid plan to resurrect nuclear power after decades of prohibition in a bid to drive down rocketing electricity prices. Consultations with international experts and partners are beginning to shape the government’s strategy. Recent visits to Canada have revealed interest in cutting-edge reactor designs together with talks involving France…

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]]> Chilling video captures monstrous waterspouts bearing down on Ligurian coast https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/13/chilling-video-captures-monstrous-waterspouts-bearing-down-on-ligurian-coast/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:05:45 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563862 A haunting video of the Italian coastline has gripped the internet, showing what looks like a scene from a big-budget disaster movie. The photograph, taken near the towns of Chiavari and Zoagli, captures the moment colossal, dark funnel clouds descended from a bruised sky to touch the Mediterranean Sea. While the “liquid twisters” appear to be heading straight for the historic seafront…

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]]> Dramatic rescue: Italian firefighters save wolf stuck under bridge https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/07/dramatic-rescue-italian-firefighters-save-wolf-stuck-under-bridge/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/07/dramatic-rescue-italian-firefighters-save-wolf-stuck-under-bridge/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2026 22:49:51 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563327 Firefighters in San Giovanni Lupatoto, near Verona, sprang into action on Wednesday after an animal was spotted struggling in a local canal. The rapid response by emergency crews drew attention from residents and highlighted the challenges of rescuing wildlife in urban-adjacent areas. The operation involved careful coordination with veterinarians to ensure the animal’s safety once it was removed…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/07/dramatic-rescue-italian-firefighters-save-wolf-stuck-under-bridge/feed/ 1 Tram derailment in Milan leaves two dead and dozens injured https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/27/tram-derailment-in-milan-leaves-two-dead-and-dozens-injured/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:20:48 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=562657 A tram derailment has occurred in central Milan this Friday 27 leaving two people dead and at least 39 injured, triggering a major emergency response and prompting a criminal investigation by local authorities. The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. local time on Viale Vittorio Veneto, a busy street near Milan’s Porta Venezia district, known for its mix of commercial establishments and heavy…

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]]> Travel rules changing: Italy becomes one of the first Schengen countries to launch digital visas https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/25/travel-rules-changing-italy-becomes-one-of-the-first-schengen-countries-to-launch-digital-visas/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:26:08 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=562417 Italy has confirmed that a new electronic visa system and expanded biometric border controls will begin rolling out in the second quarter of 2026, marking a shift that many travellers may only fully notice once they start applying for visas or passing through passport control. The plan means visa applications will gradually move online, while airports and ferry ports prepare for more automated…

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]]> Man hospitalised after wife mistakes VAR outburst for personal insult https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/23/man-hospitalised-after-wife-mistakes-var-outburst-for-personal-insult/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/23/man-hospitalised-after-wife-mistakes-var-outburst-for-personal-insult/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:24:13 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=562238 What began as a familiar scene in many Italian households, a tense Serie A match watched from the sofa, ended in a police and medical emergency in the Capodimonte district of Nápoles. A woman stabbed her husband after believing that his angry shouts during the Atalanta–Napoli match were aimed at her personally, rather than at a controversial VAR decision that had enraged him.

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/23/man-hospitalised-after-wife-mistakes-var-outburst-for-personal-insult/feed/ 3 Visiting the Vatican? You can now follow Mass in 60 languages thanks to AI https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/21/visiting-the-vatican-you-can-now-follow-mass-in-60-languages-thanks-to-ai/ Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:04:06 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=562072 Artificial intelligence has officially stepped into one of the world’s oldest institutions. The Vatican has begun using AI to translate Catholic Mass in real time, allowing visitors inside St Peter’s Basilica to follow services in their own language instantly. For pilgrims and tourists alike, the move marks a striking moment where centuries of tradition meet cutting-edge technology.

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]]> Venice flood barrier increasingly being raised as waters continue to rise https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/20/venice-flood-barrier-increasingly-being-raised-as-waters-continue-to-rise/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:41:52 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=561948 Venice’s MoSE flood barrier system has reached an unprecedented level of activity this winter, with 30 activations in just 23 days from January 28 to February 19, 2026, incurring costs of approximately €6 million. Experts emphasise that the absence of the mobile dams would have resulted in severe, recurring flooding in the historic city, potentially halting daily activities. The MoSE (Modulo…

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]]> Italian police stop dramatic highway robbery attempt https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/09/italian-police-stop-dramatic-highway-robbery-attempt/ Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:28:40 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=560952 Italian authorities successfully foiled a dramatic armed assault on an armoured cash transit vehicle along a major highway in the Puglia region on Monday February 9. The attack involved explosions, firearms and blocked vehicles, creating a tense and dangerous situation for motorists travelling along the motorway. Police and emergency services responded quickly, ensuring no one was injured despite…

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]]> Malfunctioning ferry boat crashes into gondolas on Venice’s Grand Canal https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/09/malfunctioning-ferry-boat-crashes-into-gondolas-on-venices-grand-canal/ Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:49:44 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=560890 Dramatic scenes unfolded on Venice’s iconic Grand Canal on Sunday, February 8, when a malfunctioning Alilaguna ferry ploughed into two gondolas, sending tourists and a gondolier tumbling into the chilly waters. Occuring near the Rialto Bridge, the public water transport vessel, operated by Alilaguna, a shuttle service connecting Venice to Marco Polo Airport, suffered a mechanical breakdown.

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]]> Lookalike ‘Meloni angel’ painted over in Rome church after backlash https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/04/lookalike-meloni-angel-painted-over-in-rome-church-after-backlash/ Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:42:28 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=560494 A work of art inside a central Rome church has been painted over after an angel’s face was recently restored in a way that strikingly resembled the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The painting is inside the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, a well-known church just a short walk from Italy’s parliament. An angel appeared to resemble Meloni after restoration by an amateur artist…

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]]> Venice Carnival 2026 kicks off with splash of colour, tradition and an exploding rat https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/01/venice-carnival-2026-kicks-off-with-splash-of-colour-tradition-and-an-exploding-rat/ Sun, 01 Feb 2026 16:07:07 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=560104 The waters of the Grand Canal transformed into an awesome stage on Sunday morning, February 1, as the Venice Carnival 2026 officially launched with its most iconic canal event: the Festa Veneziana. With the upcoming Italian Winter Olympic Games days away, the festival launched under the official theme “Olympus – The Origins of the Game”, and the city returned to its authentic roots…

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]]> U.S. ICE to assist with security planning for Italy’s 2026 winter olympics https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/28/u-s-ice-to-assist-with-security-planning-for-italys-2026-winter-olympics/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/28/u-s-ice-to-assist-with-security-planning-for-italys-2026-winter-olympics/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2026 20:38:36 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=559893 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be involved in security coordination for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, which will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and across several venues in northern regions. Italian and U.S. officials have confirmed that ICE’s participation will form part of wider international cooperation linked to the protection of U.S.

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/28/u-s-ice-to-assist-with-security-planning-for-italys-2026-winter-olympics/feed/ 1 Massive landslide in Niscemi, Sicily: 1,000 evacuated as town teeters on cliff edge after Cyclone Harry https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/27/massive-landslide-in-niscemi-sicily-1000-evacuated-as-town-teeters-on-cliff-edge-after-cyclone-harry/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/27/massive-landslide-in-niscemi-sicily-1000-evacuated-as-town-teeters-on-cliff-edge-after-cyclone-harry/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:35:44 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=559665 A devastating case of subsidence in Niscemi, Sicily, provoked by Cyclone Harry and days of heavy rainfall, has left an entire neighbourhood perilously teetering on the edge of a deep ravine, and has forced the urgent evacuation of approximately 1,000 residents. Dramatic images of homes and buildings hanging precariously on the brink of falling have shocked Italy, all caused by the severe impact of…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/27/massive-landslide-in-niscemi-sicily-1000-evacuated-as-town-teeters-on-cliff-edge-after-cyclone-harry/feed/ 2 VAT fraud case in Naples involving public officials https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/23/vat-fraud-case-in-naples-involving-public-officials/ Fri, 23 Jan 2026 20:29:45 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=559406 THE European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has secured multiple convictions and plea agreements in a major Italy VAT fraud case, following an investigation into a criminal network accused of systematically evading tax through cross-border electronics trading. According to a statement released on January 23, the EPPO in Naples confirmed that four defendants have been convicted and seven…

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]]> Cyclone Harry batters Southern Italy with massive waves and torrential rains https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/21/cyclone-harry-batters-southern-italy-with-massive-waves-and-torrential-rains/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/21/cyclone-harry-batters-southern-italy-with-massive-waves-and-torrential-rains/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:00:56 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=559133 In recent days, Cyclone Harry, an extremely aggressive low-pressure system, has been wreaking havoc across southern Italy, forcing Civil Protection authorities to issue red alerts in Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria. The storm has led to widespread evacuations and the cancellation of daily activities, as roaring winds and unrelenting rains keep the region on high alert, with the sea encroaching on…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/21/cyclone-harry-batters-southern-italy-with-massive-waves-and-torrential-rains/feed/ 1 Legendary Italian designer Valentino Garavani dies at 93 https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/19/legendary-italian-designer-valentino-garavani-dies-at-93/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:01:51 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=558959 Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century, has died at the age of 93. His death was confirmed by the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation, which said the designer passed away at his home in Rome. No cause of death has been made public. Known globally simply as Valentino, Garavani was regarded as a defining figure in Italian haute…

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