pickpockets. <\/p>\n<p>\"Personally I would be in favour of looking at a new form of access, limited and timed, to the Trevi Fountain,\" Alessandro Onorato, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2024//02//04//more-than-just-the-trevi-fountain-historian-to-the-stars-alexander-mariottis-guide-to-rome/">Rome/u2019s city councillor responsible for tourism, told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera at the time.<\/p>\n<p>He said the goal of the charge is not to raise money, but to lessen and control crowds, while stopping them from \"eating <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//video//2024//08//03//rome-cements-its-status-as-italys-gelato-capital-with-surge-in-artisanal-ice-cream-consump/">ice cream<\/strong><\/a> or pizza on a monument that deserves the proper respect.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Announcing the new fee, Rome\u2019s authorities added that proceeds would go towards enhancing the visitor experience and funding maintenance of the city\u2019s innumerable cultural treasures. <\/p>\n<p>Officials estimate the charge could generate an additional \u20ac6.5 million annually.<\/p>\n<h2>When do visitors have to pay to get up close to the Trevi Fountain?<\/h2>\n<p>Tickets grant access during prime-time daylight hours to the immediate area around the fountain\u2019s basin, which has been restricted since 2024. <\/p>\n<p>Authorities say they have seen positive results already from the yearlong experiment to stagger and limit the number of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//12//17//a-tourist-attraction-in-their-own-right-two-new-metro-stations-open-in-rome/">visitors who can reach the front edge of the fountain by imposing lines and an entrance and exit pathway.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, around 10 million people have waited in line to get that close-up visit, with as many as 70,000 passing through on some days, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said. <\/p>\n<p>Now, visitors additionally have to pay for that access from during certain hours: on Monday and Friday from 11.30am to 10pm; on all other days 9am to 10pm. <\/p>\n<p>The exception is today, 2 February, when the measure is in place from 9am to 10pm. <\/p>\n<p>Last admission for all days is at 9pm. After nightfall, access is open and free.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//12//17//a-tourist-attraction-in-their-own-right-two-new-metro-stations-open-in-rome/">/u2018A tourist attraction in their own right\u2019: Two new metro stations open in Rome<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//08//27//italys-new-beer-train-sleeper-service-will-take-passengers-from-rome-to-munich-for-oktober/">Italy/u2019s new \u2018beer train\u2019 sleeper service will take passengers from Rome to Munich for Oktoberfest <\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Visitors can purchase tickets via online apps and a dedicated website, as well as at hotels and establishments that choose to sell them. <\/p>\n<p>Those who don\u2019t wish to pay the fee will still be able to appreciate the late-Baroque masterpiece from further back. <\/p>\n<p>At the news conference in December, Claudio Parisi Presicce, Rome\u2019s chief art official, said that \u201cthe view of the fountain will not be obstructed in any way\u201d. <\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2024//11//10//its-changing-the-citys-face-locals-share-stories-on-how-overtourism-impacts-romes-culture/">Residents of Rome are exempt from paying the entrance ticket. <\/p>\n<p>They will also not be subject to the new \u20ac5 fee being introduced at five lesser-known sites in the city, including the Villa of Maxentius on the Appian Way. <\/p>\n<p>The Trevi Fountain charge, which has been<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2024//10//09//rome-wants-to-charge-tourists-to-visit-the-trevi-fountain-heres-why/">discussed and debated<\/strong><\/a> for more than a year, follows a similar ticketing system at Rome\u2019s <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//07//05//pantheon-you-will-soon-have-to-pay-to-enter-romes-best-preserved-ancient-monument/">Pantheon monument and the more complicated <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//09//19//venice-daytripper-fee-to-return-in-2026-when-will-visitors-have-to-pay/">tourist day-tripper tax<\/strong><\/a> that the lagoon city of Venice imposed last year in a bid to ease overtourism and make the city more liveable for residents.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766404980,"updatedAt":1770054863,"publishedAt":1770012055,"firstPublishedAt":1766409475,"lastPublishedAt":1770012120,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","altText":"Officials estimate the charge could generate an additional \u20ac6.5 million annually.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Officials estimate the charge could generate an additional \u20ac6.5 million annually.","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/59\/08\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8d73cb73-be02-5486-99ca-59f3cda00fe9-9590876.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"hughes","twitter":null,"id":2460,"title":"Rebecca Ann Hughes"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"rome","titleRaw":"Rome","id":2082,"title":"Rome","slug":"rome"},{"urlSafeValue":"fountains","titleRaw":"fountains","id":25252,"title":"fountains","slug":"fountains"},{"urlSafeValue":"tourists","titleRaw":"Tourists","id":21034,"title":"Tourists","slug":"tourists"},{"urlSafeValue":"over-tourism","titleRaw":"overtourism","id":25684,"title":"overtourism","slug":"over-tourism"},{"urlSafeValue":"fees","titleRaw":"Fees","id":18846,"title":"Fees","slug":"fees"},{"urlSafeValue":"ticket","titleRaw":"Ticket","id":28316,"title":"Ticket","slug":"ticket"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2866478},{"id":2866483}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"1NY2hrYK3MM","dailymotionId":"x9z2tre"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":87000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":15941340,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/35\/53\/72\/02\/ED_PYR_3553722_20260202175426.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":87000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":22802370,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/35\/53\/72\/02\/SHD_PYR_3553722_20260202175426.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":87000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":69330968,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/35\/53\/72\/02\/FHD_PYR_3553722_20260202175426.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"travel-news","urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-news\/travel-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel-news","id":"travel-news","title":"Travel News","url":"\/travel\/travel-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":21,"urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":{"id":2082,"urlSafeValue":"rome","title":"Rome"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/travel\/2026\/02\/02\/rome-tourists-will-have-to-pay-to-get-up-close-to-the-trevi-fountain-next-year","lastModified":1770012120},{"id":2865875,"cid":9631124,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"HOUSE OF GRIFI PALATINE HILL","daletPyramidId":4043714,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"'La Casa dei Grifi': Inside one of Rome's most ancient homes","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Inside 'La Casa dei Grifi' one of Rome's most ancient homes","titleListing2":"\"La Casa dei Grifi\", a look inside one of Rome's most ancient homes","leadin":"Discovered in 1912 and closed to visitors for more than a century, Rome\u2019s \"Casa dei Grifi\" will open to the public in March. Euronews visited the site on the Palatine Hill ahead of its official opening.","summary":"Discovered in 1912 and closed to visitors for more than a century, Rome\u2019s \"Casa dei Grifi\" will open to the public in March. Euronews visited the site on the Palatine Hill ahead of its official opening.","keySentence":"","url":"la-casa-dei-grifi-inside-one-of-romes-most-ancient-homes","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/02\/01\/la-casa-dei-grifi-inside-one-of-romes-most-ancient-homes","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Long closed to visitors and only known to researchers, \u201cLa Casa dei Grifi\u201d is a Republican-era residence located on the Palatine Hill, at the heart of ancient Rome. For decades, the domus has remained inaccessible due to its fragile condition and the challenges linked to conservation.\n\nBut that is set to change next month as the house, which dates back to between the late second and the mid-first century BC, will finally welcome visitors.\n\nAccording to Paola Quaranta, archaeologist and site manager of the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum, the site is exceptional both for its age and its state of preservation.\n\n\u201cThis is the oldest Republican-era house in Rome documented so far,\u201d she said, stressing that what makes it unique is \u201cthe level of decoration that has survived, on both the floors and the walls.\u201d As a result, she added, the domus offers \u201ca direct window into daily life in the Republican period, in a way we don\u2019t really have elsewhere.\u201d\n\nThe conservation project, like many others in the area, was made possible thanks to funding from the EU\u2019s post-Covid recovery fund.\n\nRather than allowing direct physical access, visitors will be able to explore the site through a remotely accessible, real-time guided experience.\n\nThis approach allows the public to discover the site while ensuring the protection of its remains, a solution designed to preserve artefacts that have survived for centuries.\n\nQuaranta explained that the project was conceived with the goal of \u201cfull access for everyone.\u201d This includes experiencing the domus and its frescoes through multimedia and immersive tools, which help recreate what the house would have looked like when it was still lived in.\n\nA physical visit, however, is not currently possible. \u201cNot only for conservation reasons,\u201d she said, \u201cbut also because the only access is a very steep, original staircase\".\n\nAfter centuries, the doors of this luxurious, multi-level residence, believed to have once belonged to a wealthy Roman senator are reopening, offering a rare and vivid glimpse into daily life in ancient Rome.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Long closed to visitors and only known to researchers, \u201cLa Casa dei Grifi\u201d is a Republican-era residence located on the Palatine Hill, at the heart of ancient Rome. For decades, the <em>domus<\/em> has remained inaccessible due to its fragile condition and the challenges linked to conservation.<\/p>\n<p>But that is set to change next month as the house, which dates back to between the late second and the mid-first century BC, will finally welcome visitors. <\/p>\n<p>According to Paola Quaranta, archaeologist and site manager of the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum, the site is exceptional both for its age and its state of preservation. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is the oldest Republican-era house in Rome documented so far,\u201d she said, stressing that what makes it unique is \u201cthe level of decoration that has survived, on both the floors and the walls.\u201d As a result, she added, the <em>domus<\/em> offers \u201ca direct window into daily life in the Republican period, in a way we don\u2019t really have elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The conservation project, like many others in the area, was made possible thanks to funding from the EU\u2019s post-Covid recovery fund. <\/p>\n<p>Rather than allowing direct physical access, visitors will be able to explore the site through a remotely accessible, real-time guided experience. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//12//01//enter-the-arena-roman-restoration-project-reveals-secret-commodus-passage-in-colosseum/">'Enter the arena': Roman restoration project reveals secret 'Commodus Passage' in Colosseum <\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//11//14//take-a-look-inside-the-mona-lisa-bible-as-it-goes-on-display-in-rome/">Take a look inside the \u2018Mona Lisa Bible\u2019 as it goes on display in Rome<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>This approach allows the public to discover the site while ensuring the protection of its remains, a solution designed to preserve artefacts that have survived for centuries.<\/p>\n<p>Quaranta explained that the project was conceived with the goal of \u201cfull access for everyone.\u201d This includes experiencing the <em>domus<\/em> and its frescoes through multimedia and immersive tools, which help recreate what the house would have looked like when it was still lived in. <\/p>\n<p>A physical visit, however, is not currently possible. \u201cNot only for conservation reasons,\u201d she said, \u201cbut also because the only access is a very steep, original staircase\".<\/p>\n<p>After centuries, the doors of this luxurious, multi-level residence, believed to have once belonged to a wealthy Roman senator are reopening, offering a rare and vivid glimpse into daily life in ancient Rome.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769688485,"updatedAt":1769930133,"publishedAt":1769930082,"firstPublishedAt":1769930082,"lastPublishedAt":1769930132,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/97\/67\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3dc126c1-c7d5-5174-a061-0d7516fb017d-9629767.jpg","altText":"Roman Forum ","caption":"Roman Forum ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":978,"urlSafeValue":"orlandi","title":"Giorgia Orlandi","twitter":"@giorgiaorlandi_"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":4162,"slug":"archaeology","urlSafeValue":"archaeology","title":"Archaeology","titleRaw":"Archaeology"},{"id":12361,"slug":"cultural-heritage","urlSafeValue":"cultural-heritage","title":"Cultural Heritage","titleRaw":"Cultural Heritage"},{"id":4229,"slug":"history","urlSafeValue":"history","title":"History","titleRaw":"History"},{"id":16914,"slug":"roma-imparatorlugu","urlSafeValue":"roma-imparatorlugu","title":"Roman Empire","titleRaw":"Roman Empire"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2753022},{"id":2790570},{"id":2864234}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"tg3UblrG-Y4","dailymotionId":"x9ystra"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":141000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":22032443,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/35\/20\/43\/09\/ED_PYR_3520439_20260129162718.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":141000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":32772530,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/35\/20\/43\/09\/SHD_PYR_3520439_20260129162718.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":141000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":109777735,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/35\/20\/43\/09\/FHD_PYR_3520439_20260129162718.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":{"id":2082,"urlSafeValue":"rome","title":"Rome"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"it","storyId":9629767,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2026\/02\/01\/la-casa-dei-grifi-inside-one-of-romes-most-ancient-homes","lastModified":1769930132},{"id":2866080,"cid":9630775,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SOFAZ reports strong 2025 results as Italy strengthens role as Europe\u2019s top buyer of Azerbaijan\u2019s energy","daletPyramidId":4040052,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Italy leads in Azerbaijani energy imports, as SOFAZ reports strong 2025 results","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Italy leads in Azerbaijani energy imports as SOFAZ reports strong 2025 results","leadin":"SOFAZ reports strong 2025 results as Italy continues to lead European imports of Azerbaijani oil and gas, underpinned by stable production and key pipelines.","summary":"SOFAZ reports strong 2025 results as Italy continues to lead European imports of Azerbaijani oil and gas, underpinned by stable production and key pipelines.","keySentence":"","url":"italy-leads-in-azerbaijani-energy-imports-as-sofaz-reports-strong-2025-results","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2026\/01\/30\/italy-leads-in-azerbaijani-energy-imports-as-sofaz-reports-strong-2025-results","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Italy has reinforced its position as the largest European recipient of Azerbaijani oil and natural gas in 2025.\n\nThis comes as the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) reported a sharp rise in assets driven by hydrocarbon exports and sustained European demand.\n\nAccording to their official 2025 year-end financial report published in January 2026, the Fund\u2019s total assets increased by 22.5%, totalling around \u20ac61.6 billion by the end of 2025, compared to the beginning of the year, totalling around \u20ac50.5 billion.\n\nSOFAZ reports that oil and gas revenues continued to play a decisive role in its financial performance, citing stable export flows and strong production from Azerbaijan\u2019s main offshore fields.\n\nItaly at the center of Azerbaijani energy exports\n\nItaly remained the leading European destination for Azerbaijani crude oil in 2025, receiving the largest share of shipments from the Caspian region. Crude delivered to Italian ports is processed at major refineries and redistributed across European markets.\n\nDuring the 6th session of Azerbaijan\u2013Italy Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Baku on 13 January 2026, Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov highlighted that Azerbaijan and Italy have developed a strategic energy partnership, with Italy remaining the country\u2019s main European buyer of both oil and natural gas.\n\nThese remarks were reported by Azerbaijani and regional media covering the commission's meetings.\n\nItaly is also a key end market for Azerbaijani gas transported via the Southern Gas Corridor, linking the Shah Deniz field to Europe through the South Caucasus Pipeline, Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which lands in southern Italy.\n\nAs reported by the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry and regional energy media, Shahbazov has talked about the gains at several international energy forums and bilateral meetings in 2025.\n\nHe has said that Azerbaijani gas supplied through TAP, contributes directly to Europe\u2019s energy diversification, with Italy receiving the largest share of volumes transported via the pipeline.\n\nAlongside Italy, Azerbaijani gas is supplied to Greece and Bulgaria, with smaller volumes reaching other Balkan markets, but Italy absorbs the largest share according to official export data.\n\nOil and gas revenues underpin SOFAZ income\n\nAccording to SOFAZ\u2019s official 2025 financial disclosure, oil and gas revenues totalled nearly \u20ac5 billion. Production was led by the Azeri\u2013Chirag\u2013Gunashli oil field and the Shah Deniz gas field, which together form the backbone of Azerbaijan\u2019s export capacity.\n\nSOFAZ reports that these revenues enabled the Fund to meet its fiscal commitments while preserving long-term financial stability.\n\nDuring the year, the Fund transferred some \u20ac7.1 billion to the state budget, supporting public spending amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.\n\nEuropean demand for Azerbaijani energy has remained strong as EU member states seek to reduce dependence on more volatile suppliers and secure long-term, pipeline-based imports.\n\nSOFAZ notes that southern Europe and Italy in particular plays a critical role in ensuring reliable access to Caspian energy, highlighting the importance of infrastructure and long-term contracts.\n\nOver the past five years, SOFAZ\u2019s assets have grown by nearly 70% with oil and gas inflows, continuing to play a central role alongside investment income.\n\nFund officials said the 2025 results underline Azerbaijan\u2019s position as a long-term energy partner for Europe, with Italy standing out as the principal destination for its oil and gas exports.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Italy has reinforced its position as the largest European recipient of Azerbaijani oil and natural gas in 2025. <\/p>\n<p>This comes as the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) reported a sharp rise in assets driven by hydrocarbon exports and sustained European demand. <\/p>\n<p> According to their official 2025 year-end financial report published in January 2026, the Fund\u2019s total assets increased by 22.5%, totalling around \u20ac61.6 billion by the end of 2025, compared to the beginning of the year, totalling around \u20ac50.5 billion. <\/p>\n<p>SOFAZ reports that oil and gas revenues continued to play a decisive role in its financial performance, citing stable export flows and strong production from Azerbaijan\u2019s main offshore fields. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Italy at the center of Azerbaijani energy exports<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>Italy remained the leading European destination for Azerbaijani crude oil in 2025, receiving the largest share of shipments from the Caspian region. Crude delivered to Italian ports is processed at major refineries and redistributed across European markets. <\/p>\n<p>During the 6th session of Azerbaijan\u2013Italy Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Baku on 13 January 2026, Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov highlighted that Azerbaijan and Italy have developed a strategic energy partnership, with Italy remaining the country\u2019s main European buyer of both oil and natural gas. <\/p>\n<p>These remarks were reported by Azerbaijani and regional media covering the commission's meetings. <\/p>\n<p>Italy is also a key end market for Azerbaijani gas transported via the Southern Gas Corridor, linking the Shah Deniz field to Europe through the South Caucasus Pipeline, Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which lands in southern Italy. <\/p>\n<p>As reported by the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry and regional energy media, Shahbazov has talked about the gains at several international energy forums and bilateral meetings in 2025. <\/p>\n<p>He has said that Azerbaijani gas supplied through TAP, contributes directly to Europe\u2019s energy diversification, with Italy receiving the largest share of volumes transported via the pipeline. <\/p>\n<p>Alongside Italy, Azerbaijani gas is supplied to Greece and Bulgaria, with smaller volumes reaching other Balkan markets, but Italy absorbs the largest share according to official export data. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Oil and gas revenues underpin SOFAZ income<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>According to SOFAZ\u2019s official 2025 financial disclosure, oil and gas revenues totalled nearly \u20ac5 billion. Production was led by the Azeri\u2013Chirag\u2013Gunashli oil field and the Shah Deniz gas field, which together form the backbone of Azerbaijan\u2019s export capacity. <\/p>\n<p>SOFAZ reports that these revenues enabled the Fund to meet its fiscal commitments while preserving long-term financial stability. <\/p>\n<p>During the year, the Fund transferred some \u20ac7.1 billion to the state budget, supporting public spending amid ongoing global economic uncertainty. <\/p>\n<p>European demand for Azerbaijani energy has remained strong as EU member states seek to reduce dependence on more volatile suppliers and secure long-term, pipeline-based imports. <\/p>\n<p>SOFAZ notes that southern Europe and Italy in particular plays a critical role in ensuring reliable access to Caspian energy, highlighting the importance of infrastructure and long-term contracts. <\/p>\n<p>Over the past five years, SOFAZ\u2019s assets have grown by nearly 70% with oil and gas inflows, continuing to play a central role alongside investment income. <\/p>\n<p>Fund officials said the 2025 results underline Azerbaijan\u2019s position as a long-term energy partner for Europe, with Italy standing out as the principal destination for its oil and gas exports. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769677463,"updatedAt":1769791749,"publishedAt":1769785903,"firstPublishedAt":1769787763,"lastPublishedAt":1769791748,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"A pumpjack operates at a drilling site in Baku, Azerbaijan, AP","altText":"A pumpjack operates at a drilling site in Baku, Azerbaijan","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"A pumpjack operates at a drilling site in Baku, Azerbaijan","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/07\/75\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_df2d9c21-dc95-5001-badb-e480cd59565c-9630775.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"saida.rustamova@euronews.com","twitter":null,"id":3574,"title":"Saida Rustamova"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"},{"urlSafeValue":"oil-industry","titleRaw":"oil industry ","id":18334,"title":"oil industry ","slug":"oil-industry"},{"urlSafeValue":"italy","titleRaw":"Italy","id":158,"title":"Italy","slug":"italy"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/business\/business"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"business","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":11,"title":"Business","slug":"business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":"business","title":"Business","url":"\/business\/business"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":7,"urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/business\/2026\/01\/30\/italy-leads-in-azerbaijani-energy-imports-as-sofaz-reports-strong-2025-results","lastModified":1769791748},{"id":2866352,"cid":9632254,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"GREECE WINTER OLYMPIC TRUCE","daletPyramidId":4053277,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"UN calls for 52-day pause in global wars ahead of Milan Cortina Winter Olympics","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"UN calls for 52-day pause in all wars ahead of Winter Olympics","titleListing2":"UN and Olympic organizers call for 52-day pause in all wars ahead of Winter Olympics","leadin":"UN truce resolutions typically pass with broad majorities and received all 193 votes for the London Games in 2012. Yet signatories have repeatedly broken their own promises.","summary":"UN truce resolutions typically pass with broad majorities and received all 193 votes for the London Games in 2012. Yet signatories have repeatedly broken their own promises.","keySentence":"","url":"un-calls-for-52-day-pause-in-global-wars-ahead-of-milan-cortina-winter-olympics","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/30\/un-calls-for-52-day-pause-in-global-wars-ahead-of-milan-cortina-winter-olympics","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The United Nations and the organisers of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have called for a seven-week pause in all global conflicts a week ahead of the opening of the competition.\n\nSupporters of the initiative, which is rooted in an ancient Greek tradition, say it sets a moral baseline at a time when armed conflicts are on the rise.\n\nBacked by a UN General Assembly resolution, the proposed timeout covers the 6-22 February Winter Games and the 6-15 March Paralympics, with a week added on either side.\n\n\"On ethical grounds, we want to send a message that the Olympic Truce, the Sacred Olympic Truce, should be respected,\" Constantinos Filis, director of the International Olympic Truce Centre in Athens, said.\n\n\"This may not always be achievable in practice. But the message reaches every corner of the globe: that wherever possible, we should strive toward creating even a small space for peace.\"\n\nCeasefire initiatives, Filis argues, still count in an era of global disorder and political polarisation as unilateral power increasingly threatens international cooperation.\n\nThe Olympics were revived in their modern form in 1896 and the concept of a truce surrounding the event came almost a century later, as wars raged through the former Yugoslavia beginning in the early 1990s.\n\nThe truce during the 1994 Winter Games in Norway resulted in a pause in the siege of Sarajevo, allowing aid convoys to deliver food and medicine to the Bosnian capital's residents.\n\nSix years later in Sydney, North and South Korea marched together at the opening ceremony.\n\nIn ancient Greece, the truce was respected by warring city-states. It allowed athletes and spectators to travel safely to the Games at Ancient Olympia, an event of supreme athletic and spiritual significance.\n\nUN truce resolutions typically pass with broad majorities and received all 193 votes for the London Games in 2012. Yet signatories have repeatedly broken their own promises.\n\nRussia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 infamously began during a truce period.\n\n\"I think the Olympics are an excellent moment to symbolise peace, to symbolise respect for international law and to symbolise international cooperation,\" UN Secretary General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres told reporters on Thursday.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The United Nations and the organisers of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have called for a seven-week pause in all global conflicts a week ahead of the opening of the competition. <\/p>\n<p>Supporters of the initiative, which is rooted in an ancient Greek tradition, say it sets a moral baseline at a time when armed conflicts are on the rise. <\/p>\n<p>Backed by a UN General Assembly resolution, the proposed timeout covers the 6-22 February Winter Games and the 6-15 March Paralympics, with a week added on either side. <\/p>\n<p>\"On ethical grounds, we want to send a message that the Olympic Truce, the Sacred Olympic Truce, should be respected,\" Constantinos Filis, director of the International Olympic Truce Centre in Athens, said. <\/p>\n<p>\"This may not always be achievable in practice. But the message reaches every corner of the globe: that wherever possible, we should strive toward creating even a small space for peace.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//63//22//54//808x539_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg/" alt=\"The Director of the International Olympic Truce Centre Constantinos Filis speak in Athens, 28 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/384x256_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/640x427_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/750x500_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/828x552_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/1080x720_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/1200x800_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/1920x1280_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The Director of the International Olympic Truce Centre Constantinos Filis speak in Athens, 28 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Ceasefire initiatives, Filis argues, still count in an era of global disorder and political polarisation as unilateral power increasingly threatens international cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>The Olympics were revived in their modern form in 1896 and the concept of a truce surrounding the event came almost a century later, as wars raged through the former Yugoslavia beginning in the early 1990s.<\/p>\n<p>The truce during the 1994 Winter Games in Norway resulted in a pause in the siege of Sarajevo, allowing aid convoys to deliver food and medicine to the Bosnian capital's residents.<\/p>\n<p>Six years later in Sydney, North and South Korea marched together at the opening ceremony.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"2017130910668194050\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In ancient Greece, the truce was respected by warring city-states. It allowed athletes and spectators to travel safely to the Games at Ancient Olympia, an event of supreme athletic and spiritual significance.<\/p>\n<p>UN truce resolutions typically pass with broad majorities and received all 193 votes for the London Games in 2012. Yet signatories have repeatedly broken their own promises.<\/p>\n<p>Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 infamously began during a truce period.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think the Olympics are an excellent moment to symbolise peace, to symbolise respect for international law and to symbolise international cooperation,\" UN Secretary General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres told reporters on Thursday.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769752882,"updatedAt":1769780232,"publishedAt":1769770669,"firstPublishedAt":1769770669,"lastPublishedAt":1769780231,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"A board bearing signatures of athletes, leaders and public figures in support of the Olympic Truce is displayed inside the Athens Olympic Museum, 28 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"caption":"A board bearing signatures of athletes, leaders and public figures in support of the Olympic Truce is displayed inside the Athens Olympic Museum, 28 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a6a5ad4a-8764-59ef-8ff5-9a6ca0975564-9632254.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":911},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"The Director of the International Olympic Truce Centre Constantinos Filis speak in Athens, 28 January, 2026","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"The Director of the International Olympic Truce Centre Constantinos Filis speak in Athens, 28 January, 2026","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/22\/54\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_493848a9-29a5-51b5-8f55-af6b26000a0c-9632254.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"jeremiah.fisayo@euronews.com","twitter":"@fisayobambi","id":3472,"title":"Jeremiah Fisayo-Bambi"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"winter-olympics","titleRaw":"Winter Olympics","id":10885,"title":"Winter Olympics","slug":"winter-olympics"},{"urlSafeValue":"olimpiai-jatekok","titleRaw":"Olympics","id":28770,"title":"Olympics","slug":"olimpiai-jatekok"},{"urlSafeValue":"united-nations","titleRaw":"United Nations","id":292,"title":"United Nations","slug":"united-nations"},{"urlSafeValue":"italy","titleRaw":"Italy","id":158,"title":"Italy","slug":"italy"},{"urlSafeValue":"armed-conflicts","titleRaw":"Armed conflicts","id":7898,"title":"Armed conflicts","slug":"armed-conflicts"},{"urlSafeValue":"truce","titleRaw":"truce","id":14004,"title":"truce","slug":"truce"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"twitter"}],"related":[{"id":2862665},{"id":2820385},{"id":2866460}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"VQ2KAr2nmOA","dailymotionId":"x9yv9vs"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":90960,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":15747002,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/35\/29\/84\/00\/ED_PYR_3529840_20260130133552.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":90960,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":23139328,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/35\/29\/84\/00\/SHD_PYR_3529840_20260130133552.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":90960,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":70697914,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/35\/29\/84\/00\/FHD_PYR_3529840_20260130133552.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"},{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"},{"urlSafeValue":"sport","id":"sport","title":"Sport","url":"\/news\/sport"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":{"id":1978,"urlSafeValue":"milano","title":"Milano"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/30\/un-calls-for-52-day-pause-in-global-wars-ahead-of-milan-cortina-winter-olympics","lastModified":1769780231},{"id":2866134,"cid":9631001,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CUBE ICE OLYMPICS","daletPyramidId":4042218,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"No, ICE will not be responsible for security at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Will ICE handle security at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy?","titleListing2":"No, ICE will not be responsible for security at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics","leadin":"On 27 January, the US's controversial ICE agency said that its investigative arm would be involved in security-related support for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The announcement sparked political protests, but what's the truth behind the outrage?","summary":"On 27 January, the US's controversial ICE agency said that its investigative arm would be involved in security-related support for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The announcement sparked political protests, but what's the truth behind the outrage?","keySentence":"","url":"no-ice-will-not-be-responsible-for-security-at-the-milano-cortina-2026-olympics","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/01\/30\/no-ice-will-not-be-responsible-for-security-at-the-milano-cortina-2026-olympics","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The controversy began after reports suggested agents from the US's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency would be present at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.\n\nCentre-left opposition parties warned that it could be given a part in security measures on Italian soil as the games got underway \u2014 a claim that quickly gained traction amid heightened scrutiny of ICE in the US.\n\nSpeaking to Italian radio station RTL 102.5, Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala took a firm stance against any such move, describing ICE as \"a militia that kills, that enters people's homes by signing its own warrants\", and adding that it was therefore \"clear they are not welcome in Milan\".\n\nICE is a key player in President Donald Trump's mass deportation initiative, with the power to detain and arrest people it suspects of being in the US illegally. It has become deeply controversial in recent weeks over the fatal shootings of civilians during recent enforcement operations in Minneapolis, which have sparked nationwide protests and political backlash.\n\nItalian authorities initially denied the presence of ICE agents altogether, before later playing down their role, saying they would be involved only in protecting the US delegation. That delegation is expected to include US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who are due to attend the opening ceremony in Milan on 6 February.\n\nThe announcement sparked protests from Italy's left-wing parties, with demonstrators holding \"ICE OUT\" placards at the Lombardy regional council. Meanwhile, former prime minister Giuseppe Conte said on X that Italy should \"set its own boundaries\", accusing ICE of wanting to \"come and ensure security\" in the country.\n\nThe comments refer to a statement given by ICE to AFP, in which the agency said that its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit would support the US State Department's Diplomatic Security Service and cooperate with Italian authorities to assess and mitigate risks linked to transnational criminal organisations during the Olympics.\n\nHowever, the same statement explicitly ruled out any immigration enforcement role abroad and stressed that all Olympic security operations would remain under the authority of the Italian state.\n\nMeanwhile, a citizen-led petition has been launched in Germany calling for a ban on ICE agents travelling in the European Union. It has so far attracted nearly 83,000 signatures as of the time of writing.\n\nWhat will ICE's role really be at the 2026 Winter Olympics?\n\nItaly\u2019s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has firmly rejected accusations that ICE will play a part in Italian security efforts at the Winter Olympics.\n\nHe said that it was \"not ICE's job to guarantee the physical security\" of President Trump, Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio \u2014 a task carried out instead by the US Secret Service.\n\nItaly's Interior Ministry reiterated that \"all territorial security operations will remain under the exclusive responsibility and direction of the Italian authorities\".\n\nFollowing a meeting between Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the US ambassador to Italy, the ministry clarified that any ICE personnel present would be HSI investigators only, with no operational powers.\n\n\"It is important to recall that HSI investigators will not be operational agents like those assigned to immigration controls in the United States,\" the statement said. \"They will have no specific responsibilities in Italy and will mainly consult their databases and provide analytical support to other stakeholders.\"\n\nThe International Olympic Committee told Euronews' fact-checking team, The Cube, that \"security at the Olympic Games is the responsibility of the authorities of the host country, who work closely with the participating delegations\".\n\nTajani later dismissed the controversy in an interview with Italian news outlet L'Espresso, saying: \"It's not like the SS are about to arrive\".\n\nA routine arrangement\n\nCooperation of this kind is not unusual for major international events involving high-profile foreign delegations.\u00a0\n\nIt is common for the US Department of Homeland Security and other domestic law enforcement agencies to provide security support at major overseas events, working alongside host nations.\n\nIn a statement, the US Embassy in Italy said that the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service has, at previous Olympic Games, been supported by several federal agencies, including the HSI.\n\nSimilar arrangements were, indeed, put in place for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Around 35,000 French police officers and gendarmes were deployed across the capital, supported by foreign law enforcement personnel invited by France.\n\nMore than 1,750 police officers from 44 countries \u2014 including Germany, the UK, Qatar and the United States \u2014 assisted French police and gendarmerie units, primarily in advisory, liaison and specialist roles.\n\nThe US contribution included personnel from four law enforcement agencies, among them officers from the New York Police Department. Specialist K-9 units were also deployed, including dogs trained in explosive detection.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The controversy began after reports suggested agents from the US's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency would be present at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. <\/p>\n<p>Centre-left opposition parties warned that it could be given a part in security measures on Italian soil as the games got underway \u2014 a claim that quickly gained traction amid heightened scrutiny of ICE in the US.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to Italian radio station RTL 102.5, Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala took a firm stance against any such move, describing ICE as \"a militia that kills, that enters people's homes by signing its own warrants\", and adding that it was therefore \"clear they are not welcome in Milan\".<\/p>\n<p>ICE is a key player in President Donald Trump's mass deportation initiative, with the power to detain and arrest people it suspects of being in the US illegally. It has become deeply controversial in recent weeks over the fatal shootings of civilians during recent enforcement operations in Minneapolis, which have sparked nationwide protests and political backlash.<\/p>\n<p>Italian authorities initially denied the presence of ICE agents altogether, before later playing down their role, saying they would be involved only in protecting the US delegation. That delegation is expected to include US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who are due to attend the opening ceremony in Milan on 6 February.<\/p>\n<p>The announcement sparked protests from Italy's left-wing parties, with demonstrators holding \"ICE OUT\" placards at the Lombardy regional council. Meanwhile, former prime minister Giuseppe Conte said on X that Italy should \"set its own boundaries\", accusing ICE of wanting to \"come and ensure security\" in the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"2016094309360022008\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The comments refer to a statement given by ICE to AFP, in which the agency said that its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit would support the US State Department's Diplomatic Security Service and cooperate with Italian authorities to assess and mitigate risks linked to transnational criminal organisations during the Olympics.<\/p>\n<p>However, the same statement explicitly ruled out any immigration enforcement role abroad and stressed that all Olympic security operations would remain under the authority of the Italian state.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, a citizen-led petition has been launched in Germany calling for a ban on ICE agents travelling in the European Union. It has so far attracted nearly 83,000 signatures as of the time of writing.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What will ICE's role really be at the 2026 Winter Olympics?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Italy\u2019s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has firmly rejected accusations that ICE will play a part in Italian security efforts at the Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n<p>He said that it was \"not ICE's job to guarantee the physical security\" of President Trump, Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio \u2014 a task carried out instead by the US Secret Service.<\/p>\n<p>Italy's Interior Ministry reiterated that \"all territorial security operations will remain under the exclusive responsibility and direction of the Italian authorities\".<\/p>\n<p>Following a meeting between Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the US ambassador to Italy, the ministry clarified that any ICE personnel present would be HSI investigators only, with no operational powers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//63//10//01//808x454_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg/" alt=\"U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, left, and Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi met at the Interior Ministry headquarters. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon, Pool)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/384x216_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/640x360_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/750x422_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/828x466_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/1080x608_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/1200x675_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/1920x1080_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, left, and Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi met at the Interior Ministry headquarters. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon, Pool)<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"It is important to recall that HSI investigators will not be operational agents like those assigned to immigration controls in the United States,\" the statement said. \"They will have no specific responsibilities in Italy and will mainly consult their databases and provide analytical support to other stakeholders.\"<\/p>\n<p>The International Olympic Committee told Euronews' fact-checking team, The Cube, that \"security at the Olympic Games is the responsibility of the authorities of the host country, who work closely with the participating delegations\".<\/p>\n<p>Tajani later dismissed the controversy in an interview with Italian news outlet L'Espresso, saying: \"It's not like the SS are about to arrive\".<\/p>\n<h2><strong>A routine arrangement<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Cooperation of this kind is not unusual for major international events involving high-profile foreign delegations. <\/p>\n<p>It is common for the US Department of Homeland Security and other domestic law enforcement agencies to provide security support at major overseas events, working alongside host nations.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement, the US Embassy in Italy said that the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service has, at previous Olympic Games, been supported by several federal agencies, including the HSI.<\/p>\n<p>Similar arrangements were, indeed, put in place for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Around 35,000 French police officers and gendarmes were deployed across the capital, supported by foreign law enforcement personnel invited by France.<\/p>\n<p>More than 1,750 police officers from 44 countries \u2014 including Germany, the UK, Qatar and the United States \u2014 assisted French police and gendarmerie units, primarily in advisory, liaison and specialist roles.<\/p>\n<p>The US contribution included personnel from four law enforcement agencies, among them officers from the New York Police Department. Specialist K-9 units were also deployed, including dogs trained in explosive detection.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769683907,"updatedAt":1769768154,"publishedAt":1769767926,"firstPublishedAt":1769767926,"lastPublishedAt":1769767926,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_43e972f0-ba52-5625-be46-f6194240cabd-9631001.jpg","altText":"Olympic rings are projected on the facade of a building in front of the Duomo gothic cathedral, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (AP Photo\/Luca Bruno)","caption":"Olympic rings are projected on the facade of a building in front of the Duomo gothic cathedral, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (AP Photo\/Luca Bruno)","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/10\/01\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fcbc8f27-c5be-55c1-8925-fe2a877be301-9631001.jpg","altText":"U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, left, and Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi met at the Interior Ministry headquarters. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon, Pool)","caption":"U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, left, and Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi met at the Interior Ministry headquarters. 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Decoded"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2026\/01\/30\/no-ice-will-not-be-responsible-for-security-at-the-milano-cortina-2026-olympics","lastModified":1769767926},{"id":2866244,"cid":9631672,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NC8 SICILY LANDSLIDE","daletPyramidId":4047806,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Fear in Sicily's Niscemi as massive landslide threatens to widen","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Fear in Sicily's Niscemi as vast landslide risks widening","leadin":"Drone footage shows the after math of a landslide in Niscemi, Sicily that led to the evacuation of some 1.500 people.","summary":"Drone footage shows the after math of a landslide in Niscemi, Sicily that led to the evacuation of some 1.500 people.","keySentence":"","url":"fear-in-sicilys-niscemi-as-massive-landslide-threatens-to-widen","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/29\/fear-in-sicilys-niscemi-as-massive-landslide-threatens-to-widen","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Italian Civil Protection officials say the ground remains unstable and further collapse is possible.\n\nRubble from homes already destroyed lies at the bottom of the cliff, and authorities warn another section of land could give way, putting more buildings at risk.\n\nDrones and satellite images are being used to monitor the red zone and track the speed of the landslide.\n\nPolice patrol nearly empty streets as emergency crews remain on standby.\n\nNiscemi, a town of about 25,000 people built on fragile sandstone and clay, suffered a similar landslide nearly 30 years ago.\n\nExperts warn such disasters may become more frequent as climate change brings increasingly extreme weather.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Italian Civil Protection officials say the ground remains unstable and further collapse is possible.<\/p>\n<p>Rubble from homes already destroyed lies at the bottom of the cliff, and authorities warn another section of land could give way, putting more buildings at risk.<\/p>\n<p>Drones and satellite images are being used to monitor the red zone and track the speed of the landslide.<\/p>\n<p>Police patrol nearly empty streets as emergency crews remain on standby.<\/p>\n<p>Niscemi, a town of about 25,000 people built on fragile sandstone and clay, suffered a similar landslide nearly 30 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>Experts warn such disasters may become more frequent as climate change brings increasingly extreme weather.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769699489,"updatedAt":1769701069,"publishedAt":1769700953,"firstPublishedAt":1769700953,"lastPublishedAt":1769700953,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/16\/72\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a1ebdf0f-66f3-5575-8b81-94a127b8fafe-9631672.jpg","altText":"Aerial view of the village of Niscemi near the Sicilian town of Caltanissetta, southern Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026","caption":"Aerial view of the village of Niscemi near the Sicilian town of Caltanissetta, southern Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Alberto Lo Bianco\/LaPresse","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1923,"height":1280}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"id":1782,"urlSafeValue":"de-kerchove","title":"Yolaine De Kerchove Dexaerde","twitter":null}]},"keywords":[{"id":17750,"slug":"sicily","urlSafeValue":"sicily","title":"Sicily","titleRaw":"Sicily"},{"id":9407,"slug":"landslide","urlSafeValue":"landslide","title":"Landslide","titleRaw":"Landslide"},{"id":14970,"slug":"as-r-yag-slar","urlSafeValue":"as-r-yag-slar","title":"Heavy rains","titleRaw":"Heavy rains"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"yGDn1FitXMw","dailymotionId":"x9ysnxk"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":12075580,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/35\/23\/71\/06\/ED_PYR_3523716_20260129152913.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":16932946,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/35\/23\/71\/06\/SHD_PYR_3523716_20260129152913.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":48966485,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/35\/23\/71\/06\/FHD_PYR_3523716_20260129152913.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AFP, AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No Comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/video\/2026\/01\/29\/fear-in-sicilys-niscemi-as-massive-landslide-threatens-to-widen","lastModified":1769700953},{"id":2866190,"cid":9631300,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Green_Sicily landslide climate change","daletPyramidId":4045303,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"\u2018We're tired of counting damages\u2019: Call for climate funds after landslide devastates Sicilian town","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"How Sicily is bearing the brunt of Italy\u2019s climate crisis","titleListing2":"\u2018We're tired of counting damages\u2019: Call for climate funds after landslide devastates Sicilian town","leadin":"Greenpeace Italia has called out the Italian government for not investing enough in climate change mitigation.","summary":"Greenpeace Italia has called out the Italian government for not investing enough in climate change mitigation.","keySentence":"","url":"were-tired-of-counting-damages-call-for-climate-funds-after-landslide-devastates-sicilian-","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2026\/01\/29\/were-tired-of-counting-damages-call-for-climate-funds-after-landslide-devastates-sicilian-","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A town in Sicily has been left teetering on the edge of a cliff after days of heavy rains from a cyclone triggered a huge landslide and forced the evacuation of over 1,500 people.\n\nThe landslide in Niscemi, in the southwest of the Italian island, spanned 4 kilometres. Images showed cars and structures that had fallen 20 metres off the newly formed cliff, while many other homes remain perched perilously on the edge.\n\nGreenpeace Italia has called out the Italian government for not investing enough in climate change mitigation.\u00a0\n\n\u201cInstead of protecting us, it continues to make energy choices that risk worsening the situation, turning our country into a gas hub to please the fossil fuel industries,\u201d the organisation said in a press statement.\n\n\"To avoid further disasters, we must invest structurally from north to south in the ecological transition, funding mitigation and adaptation measures to the climate crisis.\"\n\n\u2018Houses can no longer be inhabited\u2019\n\nCivil protection crews have created a 150-metre-wide \u2018no go zone\u2019 in Niscemi, which is just inland from the coastal city of Gela.\n\n\u201cThe entire hill is collapsing onto the plain of Gela,\u201d civil protection chief Fabio Ciciliano says. \u201cThere are houses located on the edge of the landslide that obviously can no longer be inhabited, so we need to work with the mayor to find a permanent relocation for these families.\u201d\n\nAuthorities have warned that residents with homes in the area will have to find long-term alternatives to moving back since the water-soaked ground was still shifting and too unstable to live on.\n\nThe federal government included Niscemi in a state of emergency declaration on Monday 26 January for three southern regions hard hit by Cyclone Harry and set aside an initial \u20ac100 million to be divided among them. Sicilian regional officials estimated on 28 January that the overall damage to Sicily stood at \u20ac2 billion.\n\nWithout climate investment, Italians face \u2018incalculable damage\u2019\n\nItalian prime minister Georgia Meloni has vowed that the initial emergency funding was just the first step in addressing the immediate financial needs of displaced residents and that more was coming.\n\nNiscemi was built on a hill on layers of sand and clay that become particularly permeable in heavy rain and have shifted before, most recently in a major 1997 landslide that forced the evacuation of 400 people, geologists say.\n\nThe latest collapse has revived political mud-slinging about why construction was allowed on land which, because of its geological makeup, had a known high risk of landslides.\n\nThe issue is more pertinent than ever given the increasing pressure of climate change on fragile landscapes like that of Niscemi, and Sicily as a whole.\u00a0\n\nCyclone Harry, which has pummelled the island\u2019s coastline, was fueled by an increasingly warm Mediterranean, Greenpeace emphasised.\u00a0\n\n\u201cIt is now scientifically proven that rising sea temperatures, caused by climate change, intensify the violence of these extreme events,\u201d the organisation said.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nWithout a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the expected rise in sea levels by 2100 will irreversibly alter the current morphology of Italy, with up to 5,500 km2 of coastal plain, where more than half of the Italian population is concentrated, predicted to be flooded.\n\n\u201cWe're tired of counting damages and casualties, and of seeing the effects of the climate crisis once again dismissed as a generic 'weather-related damage', without the adequate media attention that events of this magnitude deserve,\u201d Simona Abbate of Greenpeace Italia's Climate Campaign said in a press statement.\u00a0\n\n\u201cThe scientific data published daily is unequivocal: if Meloni and [deputy prime minister Matteo] Salvini continue to serve the interests of the fossil fuel industry and those who profit from it, they will condemn Italians to be among the European populations most affected by extreme events, with increasingly disastrous consequences and incalculable damage.\u201d\n\nElly Schlein, secretary of Italy\u2019s Democratic Party, has called on the government to redirect funds from the Messina Strait bridge project - which has sparked significant environmental concerns - towards extreme weather emergencies.\n\nWWF Italia has also urged action. \u201cAfter Cyclone Harry and yet another wave of extreme weather events, it's clear that the climate crisis and the impacts of land use are now the \u2018new normal\u2019,\u201d the organisation said in a press release.\u00a0\n\nIt added that there is an \u201curgent need to accelerate climate adaptation efforts, especially in areas most exposed to hydrogeological risk.\u201d\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A town in Sicily has been left teetering on the edge of a cliff after days of heavy rains from a cyclone triggered a huge landslide and forced the evacuation of over 1,500 people.<\/p>\n<p>The landslide in Niscemi, in the southwest of the Italian island, spanned 4 kilometres. Images showed cars and structures that had fallen 20 metres off the newly formed cliff, while many other homes remain perched perilously on the edge.<\/p>\n<p>Greenpeace Italia has called out the Italian government for not investing enough in climate change mitigation. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cInstead of protecting us, it continues to make energy choices that risk worsening the situation, turning our country into a gas hub to please the fossil fuel industries,\u201d the organisation said in a press statement.<\/p>\n<p>\"To avoid further disasters, we must invest structurally from north to south in the ecological transition, funding mitigation and adaptation measures to the climate crisis.\"<\/p>\n<h2>\u2018Houses can no longer be inhabited\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Civil protection crews have created a 150-metre-wide \u2018no go zone\u2019 in Niscemi, which is just inland from the coastal city of Gela.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe entire hill is collapsing onto the plain of Gela,\u201d civil protection chief Fabio Ciciliano says. \u201cThere are houses located on the edge of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//07//23//can-ai-help-predict-landslides-scientists-are-training-it-to-respond-faster-to-cascading-d/">landslide that obviously can no longer be inhabited, so we need to work with the mayor to find a permanent relocation for these families.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//10//09//cost-of-europes-extreme-weather-doubled-this-decade-and-could-hit-126-billion-by-2029/">Cost of Europe's extreme weather doubled this decade - and could hit \u20ac126 billion by 2029<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//12//27//from-deadly-heatwaves-to-flash-floods-how-europes-extreme-weather-events-defined-2025/">From deadly heatwaves to flash floods: How Europe\u2019s extreme weather events defined 2025<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Authorities have warned that residents with homes in the area will have to find long-term alternatives to moving back since the water-soaked ground was still shifting and too unstable to live on.<\/p>\n<p>The federal government included Niscemi in a state of emergency declaration on Monday 26 January for three southern regions hard hit by Cyclone Harry and set aside an initial \u20ac100 million to be divided among them. Sicilian regional officials estimated on 28 January that the overall damage to Sicily stood at \u20ac2 billion.<\/p>\n<h2>Without climate investment, Italians face \u2018incalculable damage\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni has vowed that the initial emergency funding was just the first step in addressing the immediate financial needs of displaced residents and that more was coming.<\/p>\n<p>Niscemi was built on a hill on layers of sand and clay that become particularly permeable in heavy rain and have shifted before, most recently in a major 1997 landslide that forced the evacuation of 400 people, geologists say.<\/p>\n<p>The latest collapse has revived political mud-slinging about why construction was allowed on land which, because of its geological makeup, had a known high risk of landslides.<\/p>\n<p>The issue is more pertinent than ever given the increasing pressure of climate change on fragile landscapes like that of Niscemi, and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//06//10//without-farmers-sicily-as-we-know-would-not-exist-drought-takes-its-toll-on-crops-and-live/">Sicily as a whole. <\/p>\n<p>Cyclone Harry, which has pummelled the island\u2019s coastline, was fueled by an <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.greenpeace.org//italy//comunicato-stampa//28283//nuovo-rapporto-mare-caldo-di-greenpeace-nel-mediterraneo-temperature-annuali-mai-cosi-alte-come-nel-2024///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>increasingly warm Mediterranean<\/strong><\/a>, Greenpeace emphasised. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is now scientifically proven that rising sea temperatures, caused by climate change, intensify the violence of these extreme events,\u201d the organisation said. <\/p>\n<p>Without a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the expected rise in sea levels by 2100 will irreversibly alter the current morphology of Italy, with up to 5,500 km2 of coastal plain, where more than half of the Italian population is concentrated, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.media.enea.it//comunicati-e-news//archivio-anni//anno-2018//clima-enea-sette-nuove-aree-costiere-a-rischio-inondazione-in-italia.html/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>predicted to be flooded<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//05//29//spain-announces-530m-plan-to-protect-communities-against-extreme-weather-events/">Spain announces \u20ac530m plan to protect communities against extreme weather events<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//02//13//three-eu-countries-among-worst-affected-by-climate-related-extreme-weather-report-finds/">Climate risk: Which European countries have been hit the hardest by extreme weather events?<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cWe're tired of counting damages and casualties, and of seeing the effects of the climate crisis once again dismissed as a generic 'weather-related damage', without the adequate media attention that events of this magnitude deserve,\u201d Simona Abbate of Greenpeace Italia's Climate Campaign said in a press statement. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe scientific data published daily is unequivocal: if Meloni and [deputy prime minister Matteo] Salvini continue to serve the interests of the fossil fuel industry and those who profit from it, they will condemn Italians to be among the European populations most affected by extreme events, with increasingly disastrous consequences and incalculable damage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Elly Schlein, secretary of Italy\u2019s Democratic Party, has called on the government to redirect funds from the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2024//10//22//sicily-and-mainland-italy-might-soon-be-linked-by-the-worlds-longest-suspension-bridge/">Messina Strait bridge project<\/strong><\/a> - which has sparked significant environmental concerns - towards extreme weather emergencies.<\/p>\n<p>WWF Italia has also urged action. \u201cAfter Cyclone Harry and yet another wave of extreme weather events, it's clear that the climate crisis and the impacts of land use are now the \u2018new normal\u2019,\u201d the organisation said in a press release. <\/p>\n<p>It added that there is an \u201curgent need to accelerate climate adaptation efforts, especially in areas most exposed to hydrogeological risk.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769691789,"updatedAt":1769694207,"publishedAt":1769694004,"firstPublishedAt":1769694004,"lastPublishedAt":1769694004,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/63\/13\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c53a2d01-0c77-5795-b4a3-908791928594-9631300.jpg","altText":"The landslide in Niscemi, in the southwest of the Italian island, spanned 4 kilometres. ","caption":"The landslide in Niscemi, in the southwest of the Italian island, spanned 4 kilometres. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Alberto Lo Bianco\/LaPresse","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1923,"height":1280}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2460,"urlSafeValue":"hughes","title":"Rebecca Ann Hughes","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"},{"id":17750,"slug":"sicily","urlSafeValue":"sicily","title":"Sicily","titleRaw":"Sicily"},{"id":9407,"slug":"landslide","urlSafeValue":"landslide","title":"Landslide","titleRaw":"Landslide"},{"id":15386,"slug":"climate-change","urlSafeValue":"climate-change","title":"climate change","titleRaw":"climate change"},{"id":10787,"slug":"cyclone","urlSafeValue":"cyclone","title":"Cyclone","titleRaw":"Cyclone"},{"id":17856,"slug":"extreme-weather","urlSafeValue":"extreme-weather","title":"Extreme weather","titleRaw":"Extreme weather"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2866062},{"id":2865549},{"id":2865816}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"NICOLE WINFIELD","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/climate\/climate"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","url":"\/green\/climate"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":34,"urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/green\/2026\/01\/29\/were-tired-of-counting-damages-call-for-climate-funds-after-landslide-devastates-sicilian-","lastModified":1769694004},{"id":2865522,"cid":9627727,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ITALY LAND OF FIRES","daletPyramidId":4013150,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"In southern Italy, poisoned 'Land of Fires' continues to claim lives","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"In southern Italy, poisoned 'Land of Fires' continues to claim lives","titleListing2":"In Campania, southern Italy, the \u201cLand of Fires\u201d, poisoned by illegal toxic waste for decades, continues to claim lives","leadin":"One year after Europe condemned Italy for failing to protect the lives of citizens in Campania's infamous \"Land of Fires\", the area poisoned by illegal toxic waste for decades remains an open crime scene.","summary":"One year after Europe condemned Italy for failing to protect the lives of citizens in Campania's infamous \"Land of Fires\", the area poisoned by illegal toxic waste for decades remains an open crime scene.","keySentence":"","url":"in-southern-italy-poisoned-land-of-fires-continues-to-claim-lives","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/29\/in-southern-italy-poisoned-land-of-fires-continues-to-claim-lives","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"This Friday, Italy marks an uncomfortable anniversary: it will be one year since the European Court of Human Rights condemned the Italian state for failing to protect its citizens living in the so-called Terra dei Fuochi or \u201cLand of Fires\u201d \u2014 a vast area of the south of the country devastated by decades of illegal toxic waste dumping and burning.\n\nEuronews travelled to Campania to witness the grim realities of those who continue to bear the brunt of the area\u2019s toxic legacy.\n\n\u201cThis is a boy who died of cancer. Here is another\u2014born in 2002, died in 2023. This woman, a tumor. This boy, a tumor. Here, a father and his two sons: all three died of cancer,\u201d headstone after headstone, Angelo Venturato, a resident of Acerra, guides us through the alleys of the city cemetery.\n\nHe knows it only too well. \u201cHere is my daughter\u201d, he sighs, stopping in front of the tombstone bearing pictures of a radiant young woman.\u00a0 \u201cShe was 25. She died a few months before her wedding.\u201d\n\nMaria\u2019s name was carved in stone after three years of fighting cancer. \u201cIt started with a malignant sarcoma on her leg, 23 centimetres long\u201d, explains Venturato.\n\n\u201dIt was removed, but the cancer spread to her lungs. Despite three surgeries, it kept coming back, more aggressively. And she died.\u201d\n\nSet at the heart of the Land of Fires, a zone stretching between Naples and Caserta, Acerra is one of the cities hardest hit by the record rates of cancer cases in a territory that is home to some 3 million people.\n\nThe cause is now well documented. For over 40 years, industrial, chemical, and sometimes radioactive waste was buried underground, burned in open fields, or dumped illegally along roadsides and farmland.\n\nThe trafficking was orchestrated by the Camorra criminal network, but depended on a much wider system involving companies from across Italy \u2014 and beyond.\n\n'The state sold itself'\n\nMarilena Natale has been investigating the Land of Fires \u2014 also known as the \"Triangle of death\" \u2014 for years.\n\nHer reporting has earned her death threats from the mafia. Since 2017, she has lived under armed police protection.\n\nShe took Euronews under escort to one of the earliest dumping sites used during road construction.\n\n\u201cTo build these roads, they needed land,\u201d she explains. \u201cThey dug huge holes. To fill them, they buried industrial waste, including radioactive waste. Then there were other sites, for construction waste, then urban waste.\u201d\n\nItalian authorities were aware of these practices as early as 1997. Yet much of the information was classified as a state secret until 2013, when Carmine Schiavone, a turncoat Camorra boss, publicly described the scale of the trafficking.\n\n\u201cThe state sold itself,\u201d Natale says. \u201cTo the Camorra, to corrupt businessmen, to corrupt magistrates, to corrupt police forces. That is how the Land of Fires was born.\u201d\n\nThe large-scale trafficking of industrial waste has dwindled in the last decade, after a vast crackdown on traffickers as well as corrupt authorities, the judiciary, and law enforcers.\n\n\"Naples is the youngest region in Italy but also the sickest\"\n\nNonetheless, for years, residents drank water, cultivated crops, and raised animals on contaminated land, unaware of what lay beneath their feet.\n\nHeavy metals, hydrocarbons, asbestos, and toxic residues seeped into the soil, the air, and the groundwater.\n\nAll this came with long-term consequences.\n\n\u201cNaples in 2025 is the youngest region in Italy but also the sickest,\u201d says Professor Antonio Marfella, a Naples-based oncologist and environmental health expert.\n\n\u201cWe are at the national peak for lung cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, bladder cancer\u2026 We also have the highest rates of Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s in Italy,\u201d Marfella explained.\n\nLuigi Costanzo, a family doctor in the town of Frattamaggiore, told Euronews he sees the human toll daily.\n\n\u201cIn Italy, a general practitioner with 1,500 patients like myself, sees an average of nine cancer cases a year. I already have fifteen,\u201d Dr Costanzo says.\n\n\u201cI also see many young couples who can\u2019t have children. Or they have children with malformations,\u201d he adds.\n\nOnly in 2021 did Italian health authorities officially recognise the impact of pollution of criminal origin on human health. For many families, it was far too late.\n\nMarzia Caccioppoli\u2019s son, Antonio, was nine and a half years old when he died in 2014 from a severe brain tumour.\n\nShe only understood the environmental causes of his illness after burying him.\n\n\u201cMy Antonio was not an unlucky child. He was a child silently murdered by the state, which knew, and stayed silent,\u201d Caccioppoli says, her voice a mix of anger and pain.\n\n\u201cThat part of the state that was complicit, and over the years let so many other children die, who could have been saved.\u201d\n\nOut of her grief, Caccioppoli founded the association Noi Genitori di Tutti or \u201cWe the Parents of all,\u201d supporting families of sick children and transforming personal tragedy into collective action.\n\nCondemned for failing to protect Italians\u2019 right to life\n\nCaccioppoli was among the residents who, in 2013, brought Italy before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).\n\nThe verdict finally arrived on 30 January 2025.\n\nThe court established that Italy had violated Article\u202f2 of the European Convention on Human Rights \u2014 the right to life \u2014by failing \u201cto deal with such a serious situation with the diligence and expedition required.\"\n\nAccording to the ruling, it did so \"despite having known about the problem for many years \u2014 specifically in assessing the problem, preventing its continuation, and communicating to the affected public.\u201d\n\nThe \u201cCannavacciuolo and Others v Italy\u201d case is named after Alessandro Cannavacciuolo\u2019s family.\n\nHe was the first to appeal to the ECHR, after the animals of his family farm in Acerra, and many of his relatives, were decimated by the area\u2019s pollution.\n\nWhile raising hope for the victims, the landmark ruling has yet to be acted upon, Cannavacciuolo says.\n\n\u201cWhen we launched our first fights, protesting in public squares and calling institutions to take action, the threats also began: we were chased, our cars burned, our animals killed.\u201d, he recalls.\n\n\u201cWe had the courage to resist, and made sure that our voice and our tragedy reached European courts. Today, we expect citizens to be truly protected.\u201d\n\nThe European Court ordered Rome to develop a comprehensive strategy to remediate the territory, establish independent monitoring, and create a public information platform detailing pollution and risks, within two years.\n\nItaly responded to the ECHR judgement with Decree\u2011Law No.\u202f116\/2025, introducing urgent provisions to combat illegal waste activities, expand enforcement, and improve remediation procedures across Campania.\n\nPollution cleanup and public scepticism\n\nIn February 2025, a special commissioner, Carabinieri General Giuseppe Vadal\u00e0, was appointed to coordinate cleanup efforts. The scale of the challenge is enormous, he says.\n\n\u201cWe have estimated that there were 33,000 tonnes of waste spilt on the surface that we are intervening on,\" General Vadal\u00e0 tells Euronews.\n\n\"Then there is the depollution work to do for buried waste from the landfills of the 1980s and 1990s, which organised crime used for illegal trade\u201d, he says.\n\n\u201cIn the next two years, we must be more effective in eliminating the surface waste and implementing the depollution and securing of 15 sites. Over a longer period of 10 years, 293 sites must be cleaned or secured. We have estimated that \u20ac2 billion will be needed.\u201d\n\nThe delays are too long, and the sums allocated to depolultion work are insufficient to address the plague, say many inhabitants, while toxic waste continues to be illegally dumped and burned on the Land of Fires.\n\nThe members of the association \u201cLe Mamme di Miriam\u201d monitor the territory relentlessly to assess the ongoing reality.\n\nA group of them guide Euronews through rain puddles and debris at one of the illegal dumps that border houses and fields on the outskirts of Acerra.\n\n\u201cAs you can see, an ATM was dumped right here\u201d, says Antonietta Moccia, pointing to a cash machine floating upside down at the surface of the canal flowing beneath our feet.\n\n\"This area has been under seizure for 10 years. Yet there are pipes, industrial waste, and very near here, a field with crops,\" Moccia points out\n\n\"Further on there\u2019s also asbestos. We have been denouncing this for a long time, but it is still there.\u201d\n\nUncontrolled territory\n\nBrandishing a construction sign thrown on the roadside, alongside bags filled with waste, Anna Lo Mele, the association\u2019s co-founder, cannot contain her rage.\n\n\u201cThese are wastes from a construction site. It\u2019s an uncontrolled territory. Is it normal to live in this mess? Is it normal for our children to never be able to play in the fields because of the waste?\" Lo Mele asks.\n\nThe mothers\u2019 association was named after Moccia's 19-year-old daughter Miriam, who survived a rare nervous system cancer.\n\n\u201cMy daughter was diagnosed at age five with metastatic medulloblastoma. She survived, but it took 10 years to declare her out of danger,\" Moccia says.\n\n\"But it\u2019s not over, because chemotherapy, radiotherapy and two autotransplants, destroyed other things. Miriam will need lifelong checks,\u201d she recalls bitterly.\n\n\u201cDespite everything, I\u2019m lucky because my daughter is alive, but many mothers cry for their children. That\u2019s why I no longer believe in institutions that, even today, leave us to fend for ourselves,\u201d adds Moccia, soon echoed by Lo Mele.\n\n\u201cThey let us die, and they continue to let us die. It\u2019s an ecocide,\u201d she tells Euronews.\n\nHowever, since the entry into force of the new action plan against Land of Fires pollution, sanctions against eco-crimes have been strengthened, as well as military and police presence.\n\nWe head for Casal di Principe, some 30 kilometres east of Acerra.\n\nSet in the province of Caserta, the town is long known as a Camorra stronghold. The local police let us follow them on one of their interventions.\n\n\u201cWe will monitor activities that, according to our information, are illegal. We operate in a context of common and organised crime. I recommend maximum security,\u201d warns Captain Marco Busetto, commander of the Casal di Principe Carabinieri group.\n\nCarabinieri on the frontline\n\nThe sun barely breaks through the winter haze as the patrol cars roll into a small cement factory set on the city's outskirts.\n\nOfficers fan out across the property to scrutinise the site, as the company owners watch on.\n\n\u201cOn paper, this firm is only allowed to do earthwork, but not to produce cement,\u201d Captain Busetto says.\n\n\u201cThe concrete residues produced here are rinsed and directly dumped in agricultural land,\u201d he adds, pointing to a small canal leading to a field nearby.\n\nThe carabinieri inspect another site bordering the main structure, used to stockpile earth. \u201cThe earthworks are performed on agricultural land, which is not allowed,\" notes Captain Busetto. One of the mounds attracts the carabinieri\u2019s attention.\n\n\u201cIt is not excluded that asbestos-cement waste \u2014 or even radioactive materials \u2014 could be buried here. These activities play an important role in creating large illegal landfills, because there is probably a deeper system behind all this,\u201d explains the Carabinieri commander.\n\n\u201cAnd we found profiles of people wanted for serious crimes on site. We will verify all findings and complete the control process\u201d, he concludes, before placing the site under seizure.\n\nAlthough monitoring of illegal activities was scaled up, this cannot solve a deep-rooted problem, says Valentina Centonze, one of the lawyers who defended the plaintiffs before the ECHR.\n\n'We will discover other Lands of Fires in Europe and the world'\n\n\u201cCrime prevention actions are insufficient.\u201d, she says. \u201cThere are production chains, for example for fashion, even prestigious and expensive brands. To save money, they outsource part of the chain, without verification.\"\n\n\"In any case, responsibility should be shared between the client and the subcontractor. I speak not only of financial responsibilities resulting from necessary depollution works, but also criminal responsibilities,\" Centonze explains.\n\nIn her view, the new Italian eco-crime law which focuses on harsher penalties will not end the scourge if the root cause is not addressed.\n\nCentonze also slammed the Italian state's delays in implementing the ECHR\u2019s ruling, including the creation of an independent monitoring body and a public information platform.\n\nHer views are echoed by Professor Marfella.\n\n\u201cThe plan implemented by the government cannot be effective because it is based solely on repression, without oversight and preventative intervention,\u201d he says.\n\n\u201cControls have increased by 200% in the last five years, but at the same time, activities involving tax evasion have increased by more than 200%.\"\n\nThe other thing the government has not done is to certify the traceability of hazardous waste. Hence, it is essential that the European Parliament pass a European framework law on the traceability of industrial waste,\" Marfella says.\n\nMeantime, new challenges await, warns Marinela Natale, as both common and organised crime are adapting fast to the pressure.\n\n\u201cThe risk now is that the scoundrels who polluted our lands, infiltrate the companies contracted to carry out the depollution work,\u201d Natale notes.\n\n\u201cWhat you see here now is the result of misconduct of small companies. The large-scale trafficking has found new routes. And in 20 years\u2019 time, in the world, in Europe, we will discover other Lands of Fires.\u201d\n\n","htmlText":"<p>This Friday, Italy marks an uncomfortable anniversary: it will be one year since the European Court of Human Rights condemned the Italian state for failing to protect its citizens living in the so-called Terra dei Fuochi or \u201cLand of Fires\u201d \u2014 a vast area of the south of the country devastated by decades of illegal toxic waste dumping and burning.<\/p>\n<p>Euronews travelled to Campania to witness the grim realities of those who continue to bear the brunt of the area\u2019s toxic legacy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a boy who died of cancer. Here is another\u2014born in 2002, died in 2023. This woman, a tumor. This boy, a tumor. Here, a father and his two sons: all three died of cancer,\u201d headstone after headstone, Angelo Venturato, a resident of Acerra, guides us through the alleys of the city cemetery. <\/p>\n<p>He knows it only too well. \u201cHere is my daughter\u201d, he sighs, stopping in front of the tombstone bearing pictures of a radiant young woman. \u201cShe was 25. She died a few months before her wedding.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Maria\u2019s name was carved in stone after three years of fighting cancer. \u201cIt started with a malignant sarcoma on her leg, 23 centimetres long\u201d, explains Venturato. <\/p>\n<p>\u201dIt was removed, but the cancer spread to her lungs. Despite three surgeries, it kept coming back, more aggressively. And she died.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Set at the heart of the Land of Fires, a zone stretching between Naples and Caserta, Acerra is one of the cities hardest hit by the record rates of cancer cases in a territory that is home to some 3 million people.<\/p>\n<p>The cause is now well documented. For over 40 years, industrial, chemical, and sometimes radioactive waste was buried underground, burned in open fields, or dumped illegally along roadsides and farmland. <\/p>\n<p>The trafficking was orchestrated by the Camorra criminal network, but depended on a much wider system involving companies from across Italy \u2014 and beyond.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>'The state sold itself'<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Marilena Natale has been investigating the Land of Fires \u2014 also known as the \"Triangle of death\" \u2014 for years. <\/p>\n<p>Her reporting has earned her death threats from the mafia. Since 2017, she has lived under armed police protection.<\/p>\n<p>She took Euronews under escort to one of the earliest dumping sites used during road construction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//27//808x454_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg/" alt=\"Threatened by the mafia, investigative journalist Marilena Natale lives under constant protection\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/384x216_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/640x360_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/750x422_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/828x466_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1080x608_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1200x675_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1920x1080_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Threatened by the mafia, investigative journalist Marilena Natale lives under constant protection<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Valérie Gauriat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cTo build these roads, they needed land,\u201d she explains. \u201cThey dug huge holes. To fill them, they buried industrial waste, including radioactive waste. Then there were other sites, for construction waste, then urban waste.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Italian authorities were aware of these practices as early as 1997. Yet much of the information was classified as a state secret until 2013, when Carmine Schiavone, a turncoat Camorra boss, publicly described the scale of the trafficking.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//12//19//in-italy-the-land-of-fires-continues-to-claim-lives/">In Italy, the \u201cLand of Fires\u201d continues to claim lives<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cThe state sold itself,\u201d Natale says. \u201cTo the Camorra, to corrupt businessmen, to corrupt magistrates, to corrupt police forces. That is how the Land of Fires was born.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The large-scale trafficking of industrial waste has dwindled in the last decade, after a vast crackdown on traffickers as well as corrupt authorities, the judiciary, and law enforcers.<\/p>\n<h2>\"Naples is the youngest region in Italy but also the sickest\"<\/h2>\n<p>Nonetheless, for years, residents drank water, cultivated crops, and raised animals on contaminated land, unaware of what lay beneath their feet. <\/p>\n<p>Heavy metals, hydrocarbons, asbestos, and toxic residues seeped into the soil, the air, and the groundwater.<\/p>\n<p>All this came with long-term consequences.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNaples in 2025 is the youngest region in Italy but also the sickest,\u201d says Professor Antonio Marfella, a Naples-based oncologist and environmental health expert. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are at the national peak for lung cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, bladder cancer\u2026 We also have the highest rates of Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s in Italy,\u201d Marfella explained.<\/p>\n<p>Luigi Costanzo, a family doctor in the town of Frattamaggiore, told Euronews he sees the human toll daily.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn Italy, a general practitioner with 1,500 patients like myself, sees an average of nine cancer cases a year. I already have fifteen,\u201d Dr Costanzo says. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI also see many young couples who can\u2019t have children. Or they have children with malformations,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-youtube-embed\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//embed//cjW65eS8wZg/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Only in 2021 did Italian health authorities officially recognise the impact of pollution of criminal origin on human health. For many families, it was far too late.<\/p>\n<p>Marzia Caccioppoli\u2019s son, Antonio, was nine and a half years old when he died in 2014 from a severe brain tumour.<\/p>\n<p>She only understood the environmental causes of his illness after burying him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy Antonio was not an unlucky child. He was a child silently murdered by the state, which knew, and stayed silent,\u201d Caccioppoli says, her voice a mix of anger and pain. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat part of the state that was complicit, and over the years let so many other children die, who could have been saved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Out of her grief, Caccioppoli founded the association Noi Genitori di Tutti or \u201cWe the Parents of all,\u201d supporting families of sick children and transforming personal tragedy into collective action.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Condemned for failing to protect Italians\u2019 right to life<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Caccioppoli was among the residents who, in 2013, brought Italy before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).<\/p>\n<p>The verdict finally arrived on 30 January 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The court established that Italy had violated Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights \u2014 the right to life \u2014by failing \u201cto deal with such a serious situation with the diligence and expedition required.\" <\/p>\n<p>According to the ruling, it did so \"despite having known about the problem for many years \u2014 specifically in assessing the problem, preventing its continuation, and communicating to the affected public.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cCannavacciuolo and Others v Italy\u201d case is named after Alessandro Cannavacciuolo\u2019s family. <\/p>\n<p>He was the first to appeal to the ECHR, after the animals of his family farm in Acerra, and many of his relatives, were decimated by the area\u2019s pollution.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//27//808x454_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg/" alt=\"Alessandro Cannavacciulo's family farm, and many of his relatives were decimated by pollution\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/384x216_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/640x360_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/750x422_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/828x466_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1080x608_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1200x675_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1920x1080_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Alessandro Cannavacciulo's family farm, and many of his relatives were decimated by pollution<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Valérie Gauriat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>While raising hope for the victims, the landmark ruling has yet to be acted upon, Cannavacciuolo says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we launched our first fights, protesting in public squares and calling institutions to take action, the threats also began: we were chased, our cars burned, our animals killed.\u201d, he recalls. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had the courage to resist, and made sure that our voice and our tragedy reached European courts. Today, we expect citizens to be truly protected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The European Court ordered Rome to develop a comprehensive strategy to remediate the territory, establish independent monitoring, and create a public information platform detailing pollution and risks, within two years.<\/p>\n<p>Italy responded to the ECHR judgement with <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.echr.coe.int//w//judgment-concerning-italy-11/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Decree\u2011Law No. 116\/2025<\/strong><\/a>, introducing urgent provisions to combat illegal waste activities, expand enforcement, and improve remediation procedures across Campania.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Pollution cleanup and public scepticism<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In February 2025, a special commissioner, Carabinieri General Giuseppe Vadal\u00e0, was appointed to coordinate cleanup efforts. The scale of the challenge is enormous, he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have estimated that there were 33,000 tonnes of waste spilt on the surface that we are intervening on,\" General Vadal\u00e0 tells Euronews. <\/p>\n<p>\"Then there is the depollution work to do for buried waste from the landfills of the 1980s and 1990s, which organised crime used for illegal trade\u201d, he says. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the next two years, we must be more effective in eliminating the surface waste and implementing the depollution and securing of 15 sites. Over a longer period of 10 years, 293 sites must be cleaned or secured. We have estimated that \u20ac2 billion will be needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The delays are too long, and the sums allocated to depolultion work are insufficient to address the plague, say many inhabitants, while toxic waste continues to be illegally dumped and burned on the Land of Fires.<\/p>\n<p>The members of the association \u201cLe Mamme di Miriam\u201d monitor the territory relentlessly to assess the ongoing reality.<\/p>\n<p>A group of them guide Euronews through rain puddles and debris at one of the illegal dumps that border houses and fields on the outskirts of Acerra.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.75\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//27//808x608_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg/" alt=\"Antonietta Moccia's daughter Miriam survived a rare nervous system cancer due to toxic waste\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/384x288_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/640x480_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/750x563_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/828x621_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1080x810_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1200x900_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1920x1440_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Antonietta Moccia's daughter Miriam survived a rare nervous system cancer due to toxic waste<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Valérie Gauriat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cAs you can see, an ATM was dumped right here\u201d, says Antonietta Moccia, pointing to a cash machine floating upside down at the surface of the canal flowing beneath our feet.<\/p>\n<p>\"This area has been under seizure for 10 years. Yet there are pipes, industrial waste, and very near here, a field with crops,\" Moccia points out <\/p>\n<p>\"Further on there\u2019s also asbestos. We have been denouncing this for a long time, but it is still there.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Uncontrolled territory<\/h2>\n<p>Brandishing a construction sign thrown on the roadside, alongside bags filled with waste, Anna Lo Mele, the association\u2019s co-founder, cannot contain her rage.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese are wastes from a construction site. It\u2019s an uncontrolled territory. Is it normal to live in this mess? Is it normal for our children to never be able to play in the fields because of the waste?\" Lo Mele asks.<\/p>\n<p>The mothers\u2019 association was named after Moccia's 19-year-old daughter Miriam, who survived a rare nervous system cancer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy daughter was diagnosed at age five with metastatic medulloblastoma. She survived, but it took 10 years to declare her out of danger,\" Moccia says. <\/p>\n<p>\"But it\u2019s not over, because chemotherapy, radiotherapy and two autotransplants, destroyed other things. Miriam will need lifelong checks,\u201d she recalls bitterly. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cDespite everything, I\u2019m lucky because my daughter is alive, but many mothers cry for their children. That\u2019s why I no longer believe in institutions that, even today, leave us to fend for ourselves,\u201d adds Moccia, soon echoed by Lo Mele.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey let us die, and they continue to let us die. It\u2019s an ecocide,\u201d she tells Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>However, since the entry into force of the new action plan against Land of Fires pollution, sanctions against eco-crimes have been strengthened, as well as military and police presence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.75\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//27//808x608_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg/" alt=\"Authorites have scaled up depollution work and police action against illegal toxic waste disposal\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/384x288_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/640x480_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/750x563_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/828x621_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1080x810_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1200x900_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1920x1440_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Authorites have scaled up depollution work and police action against illegal toxic waste disposal<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Valerie Gauriat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>We head for Casal di Principe, some 30 kilometres east of Acerra.<\/p>\n<p>Set in the province of Caserta, the town is long known as a Camorra stronghold. The local police let us follow them on one of their interventions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will monitor activities that, according to our information, are illegal. We operate in a context of common and organised crime. I recommend maximum security,\u201d warns Captain Marco Busetto, commander of the Casal di Principe Carabinieri group.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Carabinieri on the frontline<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The sun barely breaks through the winter haze as the patrol cars roll into a small cement factory set on the city's outskirts.<\/p>\n<p>Officers fan out across the property to scrutinise the site, as the company owners watch on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn paper, this firm is only allowed to do earthwork, but not to produce cement,\u201d Captain Busetto says. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe concrete residues produced here are rinsed and directly dumped in agricultural land,\u201d he adds, pointing to a small canal leading to a field nearby.<\/p>\n<p>The carabinieri inspect another site bordering the main structure, used to stockpile earth. \u201cThe earthworks are performed on agricultural land, which is not allowed,\" notes Captain Busetto. One of the mounds attracts the carabinieri\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is not excluded that asbestos-cement waste \u2014 or even radioactive materials \u2014 could be buried here. These activities play an important role in creating large illegal landfills, because there is probably a deeper system behind all this,\u201d explains the Carabinieri commander. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd we found profiles of people wanted for serious crimes on site. We will verify all findings and complete the control process\u201d, he concludes, before placing the site under seizure.<\/p>\n<p>Although monitoring of illegal activities was scaled up, this cannot solve a deep-rooted problem, says Valentina Centonze, one of the lawyers who defended the plaintiffs before the ECHR.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>'We will discover other Lands of Fires in Europe and the world'<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cCrime prevention actions are insufficient.\u201d, she says. **\u201c**There are production chains, for example for fashion, even prestigious and expensive brands. To save money, they outsource part of the chain, without verification.\" <\/p>\n<p>\"In any case, responsibility should be shared between the client and the subcontractor. I speak not only of financial responsibilities resulting from necessary depollution works, but also criminal responsibilities,\" Centonze explains.<\/p>\n<p>In her view, the new Italian eco-crime law which focuses on harsher penalties will not end the scourge if the root cause is not addressed.<\/p>\n<p>Centonze also slammed the Italian state's delays in implementing the ECHR\u2019s ruling, including the creation of an independent monitoring body and a public information platform.<\/p>\n<p>Her views are echoed by Professor Marfella.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe plan implemented by the government cannot be effective because it is based solely on repression, without oversight and preventative intervention,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cControls have increased by 200% in the last five years, but at the same time, activities involving tax evasion have increased by more than 200%.\"<\/p>\n<p>The other thing the government has not done is to certify the traceability of hazardous waste. Hence, it is essential that the European Parliament pass a European framework law on the traceability of industrial waste,\" Marfella says.<\/p>\n<p>Meantime, new challenges await, warns Marinela Natale, as both common and organised crime are adapting fast to the pressure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.75\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//77//27//808x608_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg/" alt=\"IIlegal toxic waste dumps are still part of the ladnscape\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/384x288_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/640x480_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/750x563_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/828x621_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1080x810_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1200x900_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/1920x1440_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">IIlegal toxic waste dumps are still part of the ladnscape<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Valérie Gauriat<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cThe risk now is that the scoundrels who polluted our lands, infiltrate the companies contracted to carry out the depollution work,\u201d Natale notes. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat you see here now is the result of misconduct of small companies. The large-scale trafficking has found new routes. And in 20 years\u2019 time, in the world, in Europe, we will discover other Lands of Fires.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769512554,"updatedAt":1769685727,"publishedAt":1769685557,"firstPublishedAt":1769685557,"lastPublishedAt":1769685726,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Valerie Gauriat","altText":"At the foot of the Vesuvio, the poisoned territory of the Land of Fires","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"At the foot of the Vesuvio, the poisoned territory of the Land of Fires","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a7ad758f-b80e-5a7d-af76-2d9ff1708663-9627727.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1500},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Valerie Gauriat","altText":"Authorites have scaled up depollution work and police action against illegal toxic waste disposal","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Authorites have scaled up depollution work and police action against illegal toxic waste disposal","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b45c9cbd-ed75-5577-833d-f076becabf56-9627727.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1500},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Val\u00e9rie Gauriat","altText":"IIlegal toxic waste dumps are still part of the ladnscape","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"IIlegal toxic waste dumps are still part of the ladnscape","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0823b7dc-8076-57e7-9d5c-df3021f0632e-9627727.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1500},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Val\u00e9rie Gauriat","altText":"Antonietta Moccia's daughter Miriam survived a rare nervous system cancer due to toxic waste","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Antonietta Moccia's daughter Miriam survived a rare nervous system cancer due to toxic waste","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_bb4e3e3d-54d8-5318-b81f-e26c3873c605-9627727.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1500},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Val\u00e9rie Gauriat","altText":"Authorities have stepped up action against illegal waste dumping and burning","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Authorities have stepped up action against illegal waste dumping and burning","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3e6b9cd5-d570-5b38-949d-92eda0345eed-9627727.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1125},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Val\u00e9rie Gauriat","altText":"Alessandro Cannavacciulo's family farm, and many of his relatives were decimated by pollution","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Alessandro Cannavacciulo's family farm, and many of his relatives were decimated by pollution","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fac7e38f-2eb0-518f-9786-ec0edc36f0f8-9627727.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1125},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Val\u00e9rie Gauriat","altText":"Threatened by the mafia, investigative journalist Marilena Natale lives under constant protection","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Threatened by the mafia, investigative journalist Marilena Natale lives under constant protection","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/77\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d0c44332-0ff0-50a8-957b-f2db9991429e-9627727.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"gauriat","twitter":"@valgauriat","id":28,"title":"Val\u00e9rie Gauriat"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"italy","titleRaw":"Italy","id":158,"title":"Italy","slug":"italy"},{"urlSafeValue":"pollution","titleRaw":"Pollution","id":7930,"title":"Pollution","slug":"pollution"},{"urlSafeValue":"european-union","titleRaw":"European Union","id":105,"title":"European Union","slug":"european-union"}],"widgets":[{"count":5,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"youtube"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"cjW65eS8wZg"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World 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News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/29\/in-southern-italy-poisoned-land-of-fires-continues-to-claim-lives","lastModified":1769685726},{"id":2865273,"cid":9626463,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Green_Italy fake snow Winter Olympics","daletPyramidId":4001729,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"1.6 million cubic metres of fake snow are ready for the Winter Olympics. Why is this problematic?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Fake snow is saving Italy\u2019s Winter Olympics - but it\u2019s a temporary fix","titleListing2":"1.6 million cubic metres of fake snow are ready for the Winter Olympics. Why is this problematic?","leadin":"With the Earth warming at a record rate, the list of locales that could reliably host a Winter Games will shrink substantially in the coming years.","summary":"With the Earth warming at a record rate, the list of locales that could reliably host a Winter Games will shrink substantially in the coming years.","keySentence":"","url":"16-million-cubic-metres-of-fake-snow-are-ready-for-the-winter-olympics-why-is-this-problem","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2026\/01\/28\/16-million-cubic-metres-of-fake-snow-are-ready-for-the-winter-olympics-why-is-this-problem","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Italian snowmaking expert Davide Cerato will play a major role in skiing and snowboarding events at the upcoming Olympics.\n\nHe is responsible for perfecting several of the courses that will feature in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, and he takes his job seriously.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s the most important race of their life,\u201d says Cerato. \u201cOur duty is to give them the best, to deliver the best courses where they can perform their best after training so hard.\u201d\n\nThese days, manufactured snow - \u201ctechnical snow\u201d as Cerato calls it - is a way of life in ski racing, so much so that Olympic athletes don\u2019t think twice about competing on it.\u00a0\n\nAbove all else, they want a course that will hold up over multiple training runs and the races themselves without becoming too mushy or rutted.\n\nMother Nature can\u2019t always provide for that, and with climate change affecting winter sports in particular, snowmaking has become essential.\n\n1.6 million cubic metres of fake snow ready for the Olympics\n\nCerato oversees operations at venues where new snowmaking systems were installed, including in Bormio for Alpine ski racing and ski mountaineering, and in Livigno for freestyle skiing and snowboarding events.\u00a0\n\nHe has been working with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation and the International Olympic Committee since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.\n\nThe organising committee said on Friday that it has produced nearly 1.6 million cubic metres of technical snow for all the venues, which is less than forecasted. Cerato oversaw the work to carve out new high-elevation water reservoirs to store water for snowmaking.\n\nAt the Livigno Snow Park, they built a basin capable of holding about 200 million litres of water. It's now one of the biggest reservoirs on the Italian side of the Alps, Cerato said. They added more than 50 snow guns there to produce about 800 million litres of snow in roughly 300 hours.\n\nIn Bormio, Cerato says they constructed a lake at an elevation of 2,300 metres to hold 88 million litres of water. They also added 75 snow guns for Alpine skiing and ski mountaineering.\n\n\u201cWe brought the Bormio slope to a new level,\u201d he says, comparing it to a \u201cFerrari with new gears.\u201d\n\nWhy winter sports are increasingly relying on artificial snow\n\nBy making snow, organisers can control a slope's quality and hardness, preparing it according to FIS requirements and ensuring consistent conditions, Cerato explains.\n\nHe says it's easier to work with technical snow because it's compact and is safer because it doesn't deteriorate as quickly, whereas natural snow requires more work. They can inject water deep into the snowpack, which will freeze and create a more stable race surface.\n\nBut climate change is also making artificial snow indispensable. Warming temperatures continue to melt the Dolomites, where most of the events will take place.\n\nIn the last five years, Italy has lost a reported 265 ski resorts to rising temperatures, while a major analysis published last year found that global warming is hitting mountain regions, including the Alps, \u201cmore intensely\u201d than lowland areas.\n\nWhat\u2019s more, with the Earth warming at a record rate, the list of locales that could reliably host a Winter Games will shrink substantially in the coming years, according to researchers.\n\nOut of 93 mountain locations that currently have the winter sports infrastructure to host elite competition, only 52 should have the snow depth and sufficiently cold temperatures to be able to host a Winter Olympics in the 2050s, according to research conducted by University of Waterloo professor Daniel Scott and University of Innsbruck associate professor Robert Steiger.\u00a0\n\nThe number could drop to as low as 30 by the 2080s, depending on how much the world curbs carbon dioxide pollution.\n\nThe situation is even more bleak for the Paralympic Winter Games, which are typically held at the same venues two weeks after the Winter Olympics conclude.\u00a0\n\nTheir research also found that there are almost no locations that could reliably host the snow sports without snowmaking by mid-century.\n\nBut even that is not a solution. \u201cSnow production\u2026 only constitutes relative and transitory protection against the effects of climate change,\u201d the Cour des Comptes (French Court of Auditors) warned in a report released in 2024.\n\nWhile its emissions may be marginal, artificial snowmaking is a money, energy and water-intensive process, which may soon put excessive strain on local resources.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Italian snowmaking expert Davide Cerato will play a major role in skiing and snowboarding events at the upcoming Olympics.<\/p>\n<p>He is responsible for perfecting several of the courses that will feature in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, and he takes his job seriously.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s the most important race of their life,\u201d says Cerato. \u201cOur duty is to give them the best, to deliver the best courses where they can perform their best after training so hard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>These days, manufactured snow - \u201ctechnical snow\u201d as Cerato calls it - is a way of life in ski racing, so much so that Olympic athletes don\u2019t think twice about competing on it. <\/p>\n<p>Above all else, they want a course that will hold up over multiple training runs and the races themselves without becoming too mushy or rutted.<\/p>\n<p>Mother Nature can\u2019t always provide for that, and with climate change affecting winter sports in particular<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////apnews.com//article//climate-change-olympics-skiing-snow-ski-mountaineering-winter-ab8d7eb676fbf96e7732a82c76e94a2d/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">,<\/a> snowmaking has become essential.<\/p>\n<h2>1.6 million cubic metres of fake snow ready for the Olympics<\/h2>\n<p>Cerato oversees operations at venues where new <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2020//01//24//norway-has-run-out-of-snow-so-they-re-making-it-artificially-instead/">snowmaking systems were installed, including in Bormio for Alpine ski racing and ski mountaineering, and in Livigno for freestyle skiing and snowboarding events. <\/p>\n<p>He has been working with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation and the International Olympic Committee since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.<\/p>\n<p>The organising committee said on Friday that it has produced nearly 1.6 million cubic metres of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2021//02//24//conspiracy-theorists-are-setting-snow-on-fire-to-prove-it-s-not-real/">technical snow<\/strong><\/a> for all the venues, which is less than forecasted. Cerato oversaw the work to carve out new high-elevation water reservoirs to store water for snowmaking.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2026//01//16//dolomite-landowners-ask-tourists-to-pay-fee-on-scenic-route-after-8000-visitors-arrive-in-/">Winter Olympics will increase pressure on overtouristed Dolomites, local residents warn<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>At the Livigno Snow Park, they built a basin capable of holding about 200 million litres of water. It's now one of the biggest reservoirs on the Italian side of the Alps, Cerato said. They added more than 50 snow guns there to produce about 800 million litres of snow in roughly 300 hours.<\/p>\n<p>In Bormio, Cerato says they constructed a lake at an elevation of 2,300 metres to hold 88 million litres of water. They also added 75 snow guns for Alpine <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//01//04//no-snow-europes-ski-resorts-forced-to-close-amid-record-breaking-temperatures/">skiing and ski mountaineering.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe brought the Bormio slope to a new level,\u201d he says, comparing it to a \u201cFerrari with new gears.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Why winter sports are increasingly relying on artificial snow<\/h2>\n<p>By making snow, organisers can control a slope's quality and hardness, preparing it according to FIS requirements and ensuring consistent conditions, Cerato explains.<\/p>\n<p>He says it's easier to work with technical snow because it's compact and is safer because it doesn't deteriorate as quickly, whereas natural snow requires more work. They can inject water deep into the snowpack, which will freeze and create a more stable race surface.<\/p>\n<p>But climate change is also making artificial snow indispensable. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2026//01//18//complete-contradiction-meet-the-athletes-calling-out-the-2026-winter-olympics-polluting-sp/">Warming temperatures<\/strong><\/a> continue to melt the Dolomites, where most of the events will take place.<\/p>\n<p>In the last five years, Italy has lost a reported 265 ski resorts to rising temperatures, while a major analysis published last year found that global warming is hitting <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//11//25//from-the-alps-to-the-andes-how-climate-change-in-mountain-regions-is-putting-billions-at-r/">mountain <strong>regions<\/strong><\/a>, including the Alps, \u201cmore intensely\u201d than lowland areas.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s more, with the Earth warming at a record rate, the list of locales that could reliably host a Winter Games will <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2026//01//16//these-european-cities-wont-be-able-to-host-future-winter-olympics-due-to-climate-change/">shrink substantially<\/strong><\/a> in the coming years, according to researchers.<\/p>\n<p>Out of 93 mountain locations that currently have the winter sports infrastructure to host elite competition, only 52 should have the snow depth and sufficiently cold temperatures to be able to host a Winter Olympics in the 2050s, according to research conducted by University of Waterloo professor Daniel Scott and University of Innsbruck associate professor Robert Steiger. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//12//04//italy-slovenia-austria-some-countries-have-lost-almost-half-their-alpine-snowfall-in-100-y/">Italy, Slovenia, Austria: Some countries have lost almost half their Alpine snowfall in 100 years<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//10//04//only-10-countries-have-a-climate-reliable-outlook-for-snowsport-events-by-2040-wmo-warns/">Only 10 countries have a \u2018climate reliable\u2019 outlook for snowsport events by 2040, WMO warns<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The number could drop to as low as 30 by the 2080s, depending on how much the world curbs carbon dioxide pollution.<\/p>\n<p>The situation is even more bleak for the Paralympic Winter Games, which are typically held at the same venues two weeks after the Winter Olympics conclude. <\/p>\n<p>Their research also found that there are almost no locations that could reliably host the snow sports without snowmaking by mid-century.<\/p>\n<p>But even that is <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//04//03//snowball-effect-is-artificial-snow-a-long-term-solution-for-ski-resorts-in-a-warming-world/">not a solution<\/strong><\/a>. \u201cSnow production\u2026 only constitutes relative and transitory protection against the effects of climate change,\u201d the Cour des Comptes (French Court of Auditors) warned in a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.ccomptes.fr//sites//default//files//2024-02//20240206-Stations-de-montagne-face-au-changement-climatique.pdf/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>report<\/strong><\/a> released in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>While its emissions may be marginal, artificial <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//02//27//sportswashing-climate-polluters-pour-money-into-winter-sports-as-snowless-ski-resorts-stru/">snowmaking is a money, energy and water-intensive process, which may soon put excessive strain on local resources.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769434611,"updatedAt":1769595128,"publishedAt":1769590829,"firstPublishedAt":1769580029,"lastPublishedAt":1769595127,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/64\/63\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_431973e9-bf1c-5688-a512-e2e1e7aafd59-9626463.jpg","altText":"Climate change is also making artificial snow indispensable.","caption":"Climate change is also making artificial snow indispensable.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2460,"urlSafeValue":"hughes","title":"Rebecca Ann Hughes","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10885,"slug":"winter-olympics","urlSafeValue":"winter-olympics","title":"Winter Olympics","titleRaw":"Winter Olympics"},{"id":1978,"slug":"milano","urlSafeValue":"milano","title":"Milano","titleRaw":"Milano"},{"id":1796,"slug":"cortina-d-ampezzo","urlSafeValue":"cortina-d-ampezzo","title":"Cortina d'Ampezzo","titleRaw":"Cortina d'Ampezzo"},{"id":13848,"slug":"snow","urlSafeValue":"snow","title":"Snow","titleRaw":"Snow"},{"id":26126,"slug":"dolomites","urlSafeValue":"dolomites","title":"Dolomites","titleRaw":"Dolomites"},{"id":15386,"slug":"climate-change","urlSafeValue":"climate-change","title":"climate change","titleRaw":"climate change"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2865251},{"id":2864517}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"JENNIFER McDERMOTT and PAT GRAHAM","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/climate\/climate"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","url":"\/green\/climate"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":34,"urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/green\/2026\/01\/28\/16-million-cubic-metres-of-fake-snow-are-ready-for-the-winter-olympics-why-is-this-problem","lastModified":1769595127},{"id":2865630,"cid":9628288,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Travel_Italian village restricts tourist access","daletPyramidId":4017709,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"\u2018Residents have reached breaking point\u2019: Italian valley restricts access to famed photo spot","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Italian valley to restrict tourist access to Instagram-famous church","titleListing2":"\u2018Residents have reached breaking point\u2019: Italian valley restricts access to famed photo spot","leadin":"It comes after residents expressed frustration over traffic and tourists clogging up the town\u2019s parking places and trespassing on private land.","summary":"It comes after residents expressed frustration over traffic and tourists clogging up the town\u2019s parking places and trespassing on private land.","keySentence":"","url":"residents-have-reached-breaking-point-italian-valley-restricts-access-to-famed-photo-spot","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2026\/01\/27\/residents-have-reached-breaking-point-italian-valley-restricts-access-to-famed-photo-spot","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Val di Funes in Italy\u2019s northern South Tyrol province is renowned for its bucolic beauty. The verdant valley with its clutch of Alpine houses lies just below the spiky Odle Peaks, a majestic backdrop that turns a luminous peachy-orange at sunset.\u00a0\n\nThe aesthetic attraction of the area has not gone unnoticed by social media users. In recent years, what was once a popular hiking spot has been flooded by daytrippers jostling to snap the perfect Instagram shot.\u00a0\n\nPhotographers have particularly focused on two picturesque churches - Santa Maddalena and San Giovanni di Ranui.\u00a0\n\nIn 2022, the owner of the meadow surrounding the latter installed a pay-to-enter turnstile to manage the number of tourists walking across his land.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nNow, the municipality of Funes has stepped in. \"We've had enough of tour groups from China and Japan descending on the valley, parking indiscriminately, and staying only long enough to snap a few photos. They contribute nothing except the litter they leave behind,\" mayor Peter Pernthaler told local media.\u00a0\n\nThe council has announced it will now restrict access to the Santa Maddalena church, which lies up a narrow road, from May to November.\u00a0\n\nItalian valley to restrict tourist access to Instagram-famous church\n\n\"Local residents have reached their breaking point, so we've decided to take action. We're prepared to do more: this year, we will not allow an invasion,\u201d Pernthaler said.\u00a0\n\nIt comes after residents expressed frustration over traffic and tourists clogging up the town\u2019s parking places and trespassing on private land.\u00a0\n\nFrom May, a barrier will restrict access to the road leading to the Santa Maddalena church and a few houses to residents and hotel guests only.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nTourists will be required to park in a designated area. When it reaches capacity, vehicles will be directed to parking places further down the valley.\u00a0\n\nPernthaler has clarified that there will not be a booking system for the parking area. The fee for parking is also set to increase. Currently, it costs \u20ac4 for a full day, which the mayor says is too little to deter tourists from stopping to take a quick photo.\u00a0\n\nHe added that the council is in conversation with the nearby municipality of Chiusa to organise a shuttle bus service.\u00a0\n\nFamous photo spot sees up to 600 visitors a day\u00a0\n\nThe news of the decision to restrict access to the church has been widely reported, but Pernthaler says it\u2019s not a move against tourism.\u00a0\n\n\"The barrier already exists, and we want to move it to the centre of Santa Maddalena, where the little church is located, so that tourists don't arrive by car, but on foot,\u201d he told local news outlet Il Dolomiti.\u00a0\n\n\"The road in Santa Maddalena is very narrow and small, and we, as a municipality, must implement all possible solutions to ensure that both residents and tourists can move freely and without getting stuck in traffic,\" he added.\u00a0\n\n\"We need order, both for those who live here and for those who want to arrive, take the classic photo, and leave.\"\u00a0\n\nPernthaler says that as many as 600 visitors come on a single day. He acknowledges that this is a lot for a small town but says, \u201cWe're used to it. For decades, our valley has been famous worldwide for its beauty, and we know that people come from every corner of the globe.\u201d\u00a0\n\nThe fame of Val di Funes on social platforms is believed to have been sparked in China when the Santa Maddalena church appeared on the sim cards of a Chinese operator in 2005.\n\nAcross the Dolomites, communities have been struggling with an influx of tourism, which residents fear will be compounded by the approaching Winter Olympics.\u00a0\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Val di Funes in Italy\u2019s northern South Tyrol province is renowned for its bucolic beauty. The verdant valley with its clutch of Alpine houses lies just below the spiky Odle Peaks, a majestic backdrop that turns a luminous peachy-orange at sunset. <\/p>\n<p>The aesthetic attraction of the area has not gone unnoticed by social media users. In recent years, what was once a popular hiking spot has been flooded by daytrippers jostling to snap the perfect Instagram shot. <\/p>\n<p>Photographers have particularly focused on two picturesque churches - Santa Maddalena and San Giovanni di Ranui. <\/p>\n<p>In 2022, the owner of the meadow surrounding the latter installed a pay-to-enter turnstile to manage the number of tourists walking across his land. <\/p>\n<p>Now, the municipality of Funes has stepped in. \"We've had enough of tour groups from China and Japan descending on the valley, parking indiscriminately, and staying only long enough to snap a few photos. They contribute nothing except the litter they leave behind,\" mayor Peter Pernthaler told local media. <\/p>\n<p>The council has announced it will now restrict access to the Santa Maddalena church, which lies up a narrow road, from May to November. <\/p>\n<h2>Italian valley to restrict tourist access to Instagram-famous church<\/h2>\n<p>\"Local residents have reached their breaking point, so we've decided to take action. We're prepared to do more: this year, we will not allow an invasion,\u201d Pernthaler said. <\/p>\n<p>It comes after residents expressed frustration over traffic and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//06//11//selfie-zones-and-mobility-scooter-fines-the-weirdest-crackdowns-on-tourist-behaviour-in-20/">tourists clogging up the town\u2019s parking places and trespassing on private land. <\/p>\n<p>From May, a barrier will restrict access to the road leading to the Santa Maddalena church and a few houses to residents and hotel guests only. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//12//31//tourists-only-want-one-thing-from-these-tiny-european-villages-and-locals-have-had-enough/">Tourists only want one thing from these tiny European villages - and locals have had enough<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Tourists will be required to park in a designated area. When it reaches capacity, vehicles will be directed to parking places further down the valley. <\/p>\n<p>Pernthaler has clarified that there will not be a booking system for the parking area. The fee for parking is also set to increase. Currently, it costs \u20ac4 for a full day, which the mayor says is too little to deter tourists from stopping to take a quick <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//04//09//barcelona-to-create-special-selfie-zone-to-curb-tourist-chaos-at-sagrada-familia/">photo. <\/p>\n<p>He added that the council is in conversation with the nearby municipality of Chiusa to organise a shuttle bus service. <\/p>\n<h2>Famous photo spot sees up to 600 visitors a day<\/h2>\n<p>The news of the decision to restrict access to the church has been widely reported, but Pernthaler says it\u2019s not a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//10//09//italian-ski-resort-caps-visitor-numbers-for-the-first-time-as-dolomites-continue-overtouri/">move against tourism<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>\"The barrier already exists, and we want to move it to the centre of Santa Maddalena, where the little church is located, so that tourists don't arrive by car, but on foot,\u201d he told local news outlet Il Dolomiti. <\/p>\n<p>\"The road in Santa Maddalena is very narrow and small, and we, as a municipality, must implement all possible solutions to ensure that both residents and tourists can move freely and without getting stuck in traffic,\" he added. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2020//01//20//quality-of-life-has-deteriorated-mayor-of-austrian-town-taking-new-measures-against-overt/">Is Austrian town of Hallstatt suffering from overtourism due to link with Disney's Frozen?<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"We need order, both for those who live here and for those who want to arrive, take the classic photo, and leave.\" <\/p>\n<p>Pernthaler says that as many as 600 visitors come on a single day. He acknowledges that this is a lot for a small town but says, \u201cWe're used to it. For decades, our valley has been famous worldwide for its beauty, and we know that people come from every corner of the globe.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The fame of Val di Funes on social platforms is believed to have been sparked in China when the Santa Maddalena church appeared on the sim cards of a Chinese operator in 2005.<\/p>\n<p>Across the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2026//01//20//how-weather-climate-change-and-human-presence-are-taking-their-toll-on-hiking-trails/">Dolomites, communities have been struggling with an influx of tourism, which residents fear will be compounded by the approaching <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2026//01//16//dolomite-landowners-ask-tourists-to-pay-fee-on-scenic-route-after-8000-visitors-arrive-in-/">Winter Olympics<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769528031,"updatedAt":1769529339,"publishedAt":1769529163,"firstPublishedAt":1769529163,"lastPublishedAt":1769529163,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/82\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ea9bfadd-49c4-5697-baee-59e66cdab4b0-9628288.jpg","altText":"Val di Funes in Italy\u2019s northern South Tyrol province is renowned for its bucolic beauty.","caption":"Val di Funes in Italy\u2019s northern South Tyrol province is renowned for its bucolic beauty.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Soffia Chen","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1324}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2460,"urlSafeValue":"hughes","title":"Rebecca Ann Hughes","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":26126,"slug":"dolomites","urlSafeValue":"dolomites","title":"Dolomites","titleRaw":"Dolomites"},{"id":13036,"slug":"sud-tirolo","urlSafeValue":"sud-tirolo","title":"South Tirol","titleRaw":"South Tirol"},{"id":12427,"slug":"instagram","urlSafeValue":"instagram","title":"Instagram","titleRaw":"Instagram"},{"id":25684,"slug":"over-tourism","urlSafeValue":"over-tourism","title":"overtourism","titleRaw":"overtourism"},{"id":13868,"slug":"sustainable-tourism","urlSafeValue":"sustainable-tourism","title":"Sustainable tourism","titleRaw":"Sustainable tourism"},{"id":23960,"slug":"restriction","urlSafeValue":"restriction","title":"restriction","titleRaw":"restriction"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2815105},{"id":2865304},{"id":2864667}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"destinations","urlSafeValue":"destinations","title":"Destinations","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/destinations\/destinations"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"id":"destinations","urlSafeValue":"destinations","title":"Destinations","url":"\/travel\/destinations"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":28,"urlSafeValue":"destinations","title":"Destinations"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/travel\/2026\/01\/27\/residents-have-reached-breaking-point-italian-valley-restricts-access-to-famed-photo-spot","lastModified":1769529163},{"id":2865413,"cid":9627299,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"OLYMPIC FLAME CORTINA D'AMPEZZO","daletPyramidId":4009421,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"ICE agents' role in Milan-Cortina Olympics sparks criticism in Italy","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"ICE agents' role in Milan-Cortina Olympics sparks criticism in Italy","titleListing2":"ICE agents to have security role at Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, US embassy says","leadin":"Citing images of ICE agents that have dominated coverage of unrest in Minneapolis, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said that ICE would not be welcome in his city.","summary":"Citing images of ICE agents that have dominated coverage of unrest in Minneapolis, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said that ICE would not be welcome in his city.","keySentence":"","url":"ice-agents-role-in-milan-cortina-olympics-sparks-criticism-in-italy","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/27\/ice-agents-role-in-milan-cortina-olympics-sparks-criticism-in-italy","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will play a security role during the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, drawing the ire among some Italian officials on Tuesday.\n\nAccording to sources at the US Embassy in Rome, who shared information with Italian outlets on Tuesday, federal agents would support diplomatic security details and would not conduct any immigration enforcement operations.\n\nIn a statement overnight to AFP, ICE said: \"At the Olympics, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is supporting the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to\u00a0vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organisations.\n\n\"All security operations remain under Italian authority.\"\n\nDuring previous Olympics, several federal agencies have supported security for US diplomats, including the investigative component of ICE called Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the sources said.\n\nAccording to the ICE website, the HSI investigates global threats, investigating the illegal movement of people, goods, money, contraband, weapons and sensitive technology into, out of, and through the United States.\n\nICE made clear its operations in Italy were separate from the immigration crackdown, which is being carried out by the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) department.\n\n\"Obviously, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries,\" it said.\n\nThe US State Department\u2019s Diplomatic Security Service does this as well, routinely supporting events like the Olympics.\n\nDuring the 2016 Rio Olympics, the US Transportation Security Administration deployed officers to assist with airport screening amid a surge in visitors and the potential threat of attacks.\n\nCiting images of masked ICE agents that have dominated coverage of unrest in Minneapolis, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said that ICE would not be welcome in his city, which is hosting most ice sports during the 6-22 February Winter Games.\n\n\"This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,'' Sala told RTL Radio 102 before ICE's deployment to the Games was confirmed.\n\nAlessandro Zan, a MEP for the centre-left Democratic Party, condemned it as \"unacceptable\".\n\n\"In Italy, we don't want those who trample on human rights and act outside of any democratic control,\" he wrote on X.\n\n'I don't see what the problem would be'\n\nICE's role had been reported over the weekend by the Italian daily il Fatto Quotidiano, prompting conflicting statements from Italian authorities who did not want to appear to confirm the agency's role.\n\nItalian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said on Saturday he had not received confirmation of ICE's deployment, but added that \"I don't see what the problem would be,'' the news agency ANSA reported.\n\nThe Italian Interior Ministry on Tuesday repeated that the US has not confirmed the makeup of its security detail but insisted that \u201cat the moment there are no indications that ICE ... will act as an escort to the US delegation.\"\n\nUS Vice President JD Vance will lead a delegation attending the 6 February opening ceremony. The delegation will also include second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the White House announced earlier this month.\n\nThe confirmation of ICE's role in Olympic security comes after RAI state TV aired video on Sunday of ICE agents threatening to break the glass on the vehicle of a RAI crew reporting in Minneapolis, where ICE operations have sparked\u00a0mass demonstrations.\n\nIn the past three weeks, federal officers in Minneapolis have\u00a0shot and killed\u00a0two protesters against deportations and immigration enforcement.\n\nTorch relay\n\nMeanwhile, the Olympic torch arrived in Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo in northern Italy on Tuesday, where it was welcomed by Italy\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Veneto's regional president, Alberto Stefani.\n\nThe torch relay, which started in Belluno, passed through several of the town's historic sporting landmarks, including Pian da Lago, the Italia ski-jumping hill, the historic Olympia delle Tofane ski slope and the Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo ice stadium.\n\nThe final three torchbearers were former Winter Olympians including alpine skier Bruno Alberti, speed skater Carlo Calz\u00e0 and figure skater Manuela Angeli.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will play a security role during the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, drawing the ire among some Italian officials on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>According to sources at the US Embassy in Rome, who shared information with Italian outlets on Tuesday, federal agents would support diplomatic security details and would not conduct any immigration enforcement operations.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement overnight to AFP, ICE said: \"At the Olympics, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is supporting the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organisations.<\/p>\n<p>\"All security operations remain under Italian authority.\"<\/p>\n<p>During previous Olympics, several federal agencies have supported security for US diplomats, including the investigative component of ICE called Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the sources said.<\/p>\n<p>According to the ICE website, the HSI investigates global threats, investigating the illegal movement of people, goods, money, contraband, weapons and sensitive technology into, out of, and through the United States.<\/p>\n<p>ICE made clear its operations in Italy were separate from the immigration crackdown, which is being carried out by the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) department.<\/p>\n<p>\"Obviously, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries,\" it said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//72//99//808x539_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg/" alt=\"The snowboarding and freestyle skiing events which will take place during the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, 27 December, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/384x256_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/640x427_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/750x500_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/828x552_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/1080x720_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/1200x800_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/1920x1280_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The snowboarding and freestyle skiing events which will take place during the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, 27 December, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The US State Department\u2019s Diplomatic Security Service does this as well, routinely supporting events like the Olympics.<\/p>\n<p>During the 2016 Rio Olympics, the US Transportation Security Administration deployed officers to assist with airport screening amid a surge in visitors and the potential threat of attacks.<\/p>\n<p>Citing images of masked ICE agents that have dominated coverage of unrest in Minneapolis, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said that ICE would not be welcome in his city, which is hosting most ice sports during the 6-22 February Winter Games.<\/p>\n<p>\"This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,'' Sala told RTL Radio 102 before ICE's deployment to the Games was confirmed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//72//99//808x539_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg/" alt=\"Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala attends Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics cauldron lighting in Rome, 5 December, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/384x256_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/640x427_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/750x500_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/828x552_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/1080x720_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/1200x800_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/1920x1280_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala attends Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics cauldron lighting in Rome, 5 December, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Alessandro Zan, a MEP for the centre-left Democratic Party, condemned it as \"unacceptable\".<\/p>\n<p>\"In Italy, we don't want those who trample on human rights and act outside of any democratic control,\" he wrote on X.<\/p>\n<h2>'I don't see what the problem would be'<\/h2>\n<p>ICE's role had been reported over the weekend by the Italian daily il Fatto Quotidiano, prompting conflicting statements from Italian authorities who did not want to appear to confirm the agency's role.<\/p>\n<p>Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said on Saturday he had not received confirmation of ICE's deployment, but added that \"I don't see what the problem would be,'' the news agency ANSA reported.<\/p>\n<p>The Italian Interior Ministry on Tuesday repeated that the US has not confirmed the makeup of its security detail but insisted that \u201cat the moment there are no indications that ICE ... will act as an escort to the US delegation.\"<\/p>\n<p>US Vice President JD Vance will lead a delegation attending the 6 February opening ceremony. The delegation will also include second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the White House announced earlier this month.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"2016135164481421809\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The confirmation of ICE's role in Olympic security comes after RAI state TV aired video on Sunday of ICE agents threatening to break the glass on the vehicle of a RAI crew reporting in Minneapolis, where ICE operations have sparked mass demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p>In the past three weeks, federal officers in Minneapolis have shot and killed two protesters against deportations and immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Torch relay<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Olympic torch arrived in Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo in northern Italy on Tuesday, where it was welcomed by Italy\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Veneto's regional president, Alberto Stefani.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2026//01//18//complete-contradiction-meet-the-athletes-calling-out-the-2026-winter-olympics-polluting-sp/">/u2018Complete contradiction\u2019: Meet the athletes calling out the 2026 Winter Olympics\u2019 polluting sponsors<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2026//01//16//dolomite-landowners-ask-tourists-to-pay-fee-on-scenic-route-after-8000-visitors-arrive-in-/">Winter Olympics will increase pressure on overtouristed Dolomites, local residents warn<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The torch relay, which started in Belluno, passed through several of the town's historic sporting landmarks, including Pian da Lago, the Italia ski-jumping hill, the historic Olympia delle Tofane ski slope and the Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo ice stadium.<\/p>\n<p>The final three torchbearers were former Winter Olympians including alpine skier Bruno Alberti, speed skater Carlo Calz\u00e0 and figure skater Manuela Angeli.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769497597,"updatedAt":1769531423,"publishedAt":1769524241,"firstPublishedAt":1769524241,"lastPublishedAt":1769524241,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_631a424f-9cde-5ed9-a8b4-469f24c31e62-9627299.jpg","altText":"Protesters demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, 12 January, 2026","caption":"Protesters demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, 12 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2006 AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_23c16911-d427-587c-befc-9c80e489eea0-9627299.jpg","altText":"The snowboarding and freestyle skiing events which will take place during the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, 27 December, 2025","caption":"The snowboarding and freestyle skiing events which will take place during the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, 27 December, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_36efe4fb-f6c2-51b6-86c4-61746d47005b-9627299.jpg","altText":"Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala attends Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics cauldron lighting in Rome, 5 December, 2025","caption":"Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala attends Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics cauldron lighting in Rome, 5 December, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"id":2808,"urlSafeValue":"davalou","title":"Lucy Davalou","twitter":null}]},"keywords":[{"id":10885,"slug":"winter-olympics","urlSafeValue":"winter-olympics","title":"Winter Olympics","titleRaw":"Winter Olympics"},{"id":28770,"slug":"olimpiai-jatekok","urlSafeValue":"olimpiai-jatekok","title":"Olympics","titleRaw":"Olympics"},{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"twitter","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2864803},{"id":2865489},{"id":2864939}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"m-4p_oIsHv0","dailymotionId":"x9ymhs6"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":68000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":13488016,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/97\/87\/08\/ED_PYR_3497878_20260127163024.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":68000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":19956749,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/97\/87\/08\/SHD_PYR_3497878_20260127163024.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":68000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":55910270,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/97\/87\/08\/FHD_PYR_3497878_20260127163024.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP, AFP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2026\/01\/27\/ice-agents-role-in-milan-cortina-olympics-sparks-criticism-in-italy","lastModified":1769524241},{"id":2865427,"cid":9627235,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NC1 ITALY SICILY LANDSLIDE","daletPyramidId":4009149,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hundreds of people evacuated in Sicily's Niscemi after landslide","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Hundreds people evacuated in Sicily's Niscemi after landslide","leadin":"No deaths or injuries have been reported following the landslide, which took place on Sunday.","summary":"No deaths or injuries have been reported following the landslide, which took place on Sunday.","keySentence":"","url":"hundreds-of-people-evacuated-in-sicilys-niscemi-after-landslide","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/27\/hundreds-of-people-evacuated-in-sicilys-niscemi-after-landslide","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the Sicilian town of Niscemi after a four-kilometre section of cliff crumbled following heavy rain brought by Storm Harry.\n\nLand was continuing to give way due to rain that has soaked the area in recent days, said the mayor of the southern hill town of Niscemi.\n\nFootage taken on Monday by the Local Team video agency showed a narrow vertical section of cliff falling away, causing a building that had already been ripped apart to further collapse.\n\nSchools were closed on Monday, and geological surveys have been underway since Sunday evening.\n\nThe region's president, Renato Schifani, estimated the cost of the damage, including that from the Niscemi landslide, at more than 1.5 billion euros.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the Sicilian town of Niscemi after a four-kilometre section of cliff crumbled following heavy rain brought by Storm Harry.<\/p>\n<p>Land was continuing to give way due to rain that has soaked the area in recent days, said the mayor of the southern hill town of Niscemi.<\/p>\n<p>Footage taken on Monday by the Local Team video agency showed a narrow vertical section of cliff falling away, causing a building that had already been ripped apart to further collapse.<\/p>\n<p>Schools were closed on Monday, and geological surveys have been underway since Sunday evening.<\/p>\n<p>The region's president, Renato Schifani, estimated the cost of the damage, including that from the Niscemi landslide, at more than 1.5 billion euros.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769495736,"updatedAt":1769505538,"publishedAt":1769505424,"firstPublishedAt":1769505424,"lastPublishedAt":1769505424,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/72\/35\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_bd24ec4e-8741-5257-8624-3fc266d6c9de-9627235.jpg","altText":"Over 1,000 people evacuated after landslide in Sicily. ","caption":"Over 1,000 people evacuated after landslide in Sicily. ","captionUrl":"https:\/\/www.localteam.it\/","captionCredit":"LOCAL TEAM","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1902,"height":953}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":9407,"slug":"landslide","urlSafeValue":"landslide","title":"Landslide","titleRaw":"Landslide"},{"id":17750,"slug":"sicily","urlSafeValue":"sicily","title":"Sicily","titleRaw":"Sicily"},{"id":10155,"slug":"storm","urlSafeValue":"storm","title":"Storm","titleRaw":"Storm"},{"id":14970,"slug":"as-r-yag-slar","urlSafeValue":"as-r-yag-slar","title":"Heavy rains","titleRaw":"Heavy rains"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9yldtq"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/93\/22\/04\/ED_PYR_3493224_20260127081434.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11446124,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/93\/22\/04\/SHD_PYR_3493224_20260127081434.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":15847301,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/93\/22\/04\/FHD_PYR_3493224_20260127081434.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":48168313,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AFP, EBU","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No Comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/video\/2026\/01\/27\/hundreds-of-people-evacuated-in-sicilys-niscemi-after-landslide","lastModified":1769505424},{"id":2864032,"cid":9621003,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Green_Wolves Romagna Italy coexistence","daletPyramidId":3952076,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Wolf pack forces Italian airport to close: How this region is struggling with coexistence","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Why residents of this Italian city have a \u2018wolf emergency\u2019 committee","titleListing2":"Wolf pack forces Italian airport to close: How this region is struggling with coexistence","leadin":"Italy\u2019s wolf population now numbers 3,000-3,500; at the beginning of the 1970s, they were nearing extinction in the country.","summary":"Italy\u2019s wolf population now numbers 3,000-3,500; at the beginning of the 1970s, they were nearing extinction in the country.","keySentence":"","url":"wolf-pack-forces-italian-airport-to-close-how-this-region-is-struggling-with-coexistence","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2026\/01\/25\/wolf-pack-forces-italian-airport-to-close-how-this-region-is-struggling-with-coexistence","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"In early January, a video taken in a residential street of the northern Italian city of Pesaro went viral. Shot from inside a car, it shows a wolf running past a few metres away, the lights of a bar just behind, and disappearing down a side road.\n\nIn recent weeks, there have been dozens of sightings like these in urban areas of the Romagna region, including the cities of Rimini and Cesena.\n\nClips on social media show wolves strolling past houses; one even captures a pack of three devouring a cat in the street.\n\nThe now-habitual sightings have sparked a debate about resurging wildlife and its problematic impact on humans. It\u2019s an issue of coexistence that has also come to a head in other European countries, too, including in France, Germany and Spain.\n\nWolf pack forces Italian airport to close\n\nOn 6 January, the regional Rimini Fellini Airport halted all departing and arriving flights. The issue was not the winter weather that was affecting other European hubs, but a pack of four wolves spotted close to the runway.\n\nLuckily, only one flight was affected as the airport\u2019s operations are scaled back in winter. But the bigger issue was why the animals were there in the first place.\n\nPier Claudio Arrigoni, a wildlife and hunting expert in the Rimini area, told local media that the wolves, which have been present in the area for two years, were likely attracted to the airport by hares, having been driven away from their usual hunting grounds by the snow.\n\nResidents form a \u2018wolf emergency\u2019 committee\n\nThe same question is being asked by fearful residents in the city, and Rimini has a dedicated \u2018Wolf Help Desk\u2019 to deal with enquiries.\n\nAccording to Tania Bascucci, a nature scientist working at the help desk, rubbish bags, dumpsters, and even dog food in gardens are attracting wolves to cities.\n\nAttacks on humans are rare, only occurring when wolves have become too accustomed to the presence of people and have lost their natural fear, she said.\n\nBut dogs, sheep, goats, and other livestock are attacked because they are easy prey.\n\n\u201cOur advice is to keep the animals sheltered at night in a closed enclosure,\u201d she told local media. \u201cA traditional 'anti-wolf' enclosure should be bent at about 45 degrees to prevent the animal from climbing through.\"\n\nBut advice like this is not satisfying everybody.\n\nIn Rimini, residents have formed a \u2018wolf emergency\u2019 committee, pointing to the rise in wolf population numbers as the critical issue.\n\nItaly\u2019s wolf population now numbers 3,000-3,500; at the beginning of the 1970s, they were nearing extinction in the country.\n\n\"We must choose whether to leave our territory to wolves or to humans; there is no coexistence,\" they said in a frank statement.\n\n\"We don't know about wolves because they haven't been here for at least 100 years. Back then, farmers carried shotguns, and there were \u2018wolf hunters\u2019 paid to eliminate them.\"\n\nFrustration stems from the authorities\u2019 advice to keep pets indoors at night or build safer animal enclosures outside.\n\n\"Now they want us to believe that we are the problem. We would be forced to put up fences two or three metres high, underground barriers, electrification, and barbed wire - often prohibited - and keep dogs and cats confined,\u201d the statement continued.\n\n\u201cBut in the countryside, dogs are guard dogs, not companions; cats are used to keep mice and rats at bay.\"\n\n\u2018The presence of wolves is an asset\u2019\n\nDespite the spate of sightings and animal attacks, wildlife organisations are highlighting the benefits of the wolf resurgence.\n\nThe branch of the WWF based in Rimini has said that the presence of wolves is \u201can asset\u201d.\n\n\u201cIt restores balance to the territory and limits the wild boar population, which has grown dramatically,\" it added.\n\nBut local authorities say this approach is at odds with Europe-wide sentiment. Last year, the European Parliament downgraded the EU\u2019s wolf protection status from \u2018strictly protected' to \u2018protected'.\n\nThis means member states now have greater flexibility in managing their wolf populations to improve coexistence with humans and to minimise the impact of a growing wolf population in the EU.\n\nThey will also be better able to take measures adapted to particular regional circumstances.\n\nAuthorities in the Emilia-Romagna region say Italy\u2019s national management plan to which the regions are required to adhere has not changed since 2002, however, and does not reflect the downgrading of the wolf as a protected species at the European level.\n\nAt the end of the month, local mayors, the police commissioner, and the Carabinieri forestry police will meet to review the containment strategy.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>In early January, a video taken in a residential street of the northern Italian city of Pesaro went viral. Shot from inside a car, it shows a wolf running past a few metres away, the lights of a bar just behind, and disappearing down a side road. <\/p>\n<p>In recent weeks, there have been dozens of sightings like these in urban areas of the Romagna region, including the cities of Rimini and Cesena. <\/p>\n<p>Clips on social media show wolves strolling past houses; one even captures a pack of three devouring a cat in the street. <\/p>\n<p>The now-habitual sightings have sparked a debate about resurging wildlife and its problematic impact on humans. It\u2019s an issue of coexistence that has also come to a head in other European countries, too, including in France, Germany and Spain. <\/p>\n<h2>Wolf pack forces Italian airport to close<\/h2>\n<p>On 6 January, the regional Rimini Fellini Airport halted all departing and arriving flights. The issue was not the winter weather that was affecting other European hubs, but a pack of four <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//02//18//despite-promising-climate-research-wolves-wont-be-back-in-scotland-anytime-soon-say-expert/">wolves spotted close to the runway. <\/p>\n<p>Luckily, only one flight was affected as the airport\u2019s operations are scaled back in winter. But the bigger issue was why the animals were there in the first place. <\/p>\n<p>Pier Claudio Arrigoni, a wildlife and hunting expert in the Rimini area, told local media that the wolves, which have been present in the area for two years, were likely attracted to the airport by hares, having been driven away from their usual hunting grounds by the snow. <\/p>\n<h2>Residents form a \u2018wolf emergency\u2019 committee<\/h2>\n<p>The same question is being asked by fearful residents in the city, and Rimini has a dedicated \u2018Wolf Help Desk\u2019 to deal with enquiries. <\/p>\n<p>According to Tania Bascucci, a nature scientist working at the help desk, rubbish bags, dumpsters, and even dog food in gardens are attracting wolves to cities. <\/p>\n<p>Attacks on humans are rare, only occurring when <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//08//02//if-you-go-down-to-the-woods-today-children-warned-to-stay-away-from-forest-following-wolf-/">wolves have become too accustomed to the presence of people and have lost their natural fear, she said.<\/p>\n<p>But dogs, sheep, goats, and other <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//12//14//do-wolves-attack-livestock-us-cattle-ranchers-sue-over-planned-release-of-apex-predators/">livestock are attacked because they are easy prey. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur advice is to keep the animals sheltered at night in a closed enclosure,\u201d she told local media. \u201cA traditional 'anti-wolf' enclosure should be bent at about 45 degrees to prevent the animal from climbing through.\"<\/p>\n<p>But advice like this is not satisfying everybody. <\/p>\n<p>In Rimini, residents have formed a \u2018wolf emergency\u2019 committee, pointing to the rise in wolf population numbers as the critical issue. <\/p>\n<p>Italy\u2019s wolf population now numbers 3,000-3,500; at the beginning of the 1970s, they were nearing extinction in the country. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//04//22//these-tracking-holidays-offer-total-immersion-into-the-world-of-europes-wolves/">These tracking holidays offer \u2018total immersion\u2019 into the world of Europe\u2019s wolves<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//11//21//residents-in-rural-greece-struggle-as-bears-and-wolves-make-a-remarkable-comeback/">Residents in rural Greece struggle as bears and wolves make a remarkable comeback<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"We must choose whether to leave our territory to wolves or to humans; there is no coexistence,\" they said in a frank statement. <\/p>\n<p>\"We don't know about wolves because they haven't been here for at least 100 years. Back then, farmers carried shotguns, and there were \u2018<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//03//24//an-estonian-wolf-hunt-took-me-deep-into-europes-culture-war-over-culling-the-wild-species/">wolf hunters<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 paid to eliminate them.\"<\/p>\n<p>Frustration stems from the authorities\u2019 advice to keep pets indoors at night or build safer animal enclosures outside.<\/p>\n<p>\"Now they want us to believe that we are the problem. We would be forced to put up fences two or three metres high, underground barriers, electrification, and barbed wire - often prohibited - and keep dogs and cats confined,\u201d the statement continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut in the countryside, dogs are guard dogs, not companions; cats are used to keep mice and rats at bay.\"<\/p>\n<h2>\u2018The presence of wolves is an asset\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Despite the spate of sightings and animal attacks, wildlife organisations are highlighting the benefits of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//01//24//wolves-at-national-park-can-be-shot-with-paintball-guns-to-be-scared-off-dutch-court-rules/">wolf resurgence<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>The branch of the WWF based in Rimini has said that the presence of wolves is \u201can asset\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt restores balance to the territory and limits the wild boar population, which has grown dramatically,\" it added. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//09//25//wolves-in-crosshairs-as-eu-governments-agree-to-more-hunting-and-culls/">Wolves in crosshairs as EU governments agree to more hunting and culls<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>But local authorities say this approach is at odds with Europe-wide sentiment. Last year, the European Parliament downgraded the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//11//29//the-wolf-does-not-belong-here-why-has-a-conservation-success-become-a-heated-debate-in-eur/">EU/u2019s wolf protection status<\/strong><\/a> from \u2018strictly protected' to \u2018protected'.<\/p>\n<p>This means member states now have greater flexibility in managing their wolf populations to improve coexistence with humans and to minimise the impact of a growing wolf population in the EU. <\/p>\n<p>They will also be better able to take measures adapted to particular regional circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities in the Emilia-Romagna region say Italy\u2019s national management plan to which the regions are required to adhere has not changed since 2002, however, and does not reflect the downgrading of the wolf as a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//11//15//wolf-cull-begins-in-estonia-conservationists-fear-it-could-wipe-out-up-to-50-of-the-popula/">protected species<\/strong><\/a> at the European level. <\/p>\n<p>At the end of the month, local mayors, the police commissioner, and the Carabinieri forestry police will meet to review the containment strategy.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769001808,"updatedAt":1769320826,"publishedAt":1769320822,"firstPublishedAt":1769320822,"lastPublishedAt":1769320825,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/10\/03\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b7ebc3e2-847c-51f7-b779-2df4955f0412-9621003.jpg","altText":"Italy\u2019s wolf population now numbers 3,000-3,500; at the beginning of the 1970s, they were nearing extinction in the country. ","caption":"Italy\u2019s wolf population now numbers 3,000-3,500; at the beginning of the 1970s, they were nearing extinction in the country. 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A large photograph of Valentino stood at the front, his signature presence felt in the details.\n\nSome guests wore flashes of his famous red, a quiet nod to the designer who defined Italian glamour for decades.\n\nOutside, crowds paused to watch, honouring a man whose name became a symbol of style itself.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Anne Hathaway, Donatella Versace and other fashion figures gathered in Rome to bid farewell to Valentino Garavani, who died this week aged 93. <\/p>\n<p>The funeral took place at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs, where wreaths of white roses framed the altar. A large photograph of Valentino stood at the front, his signature presence felt in the details. <\/p>\n<p>Some guests wore flashes of his famous red, a quiet nod to the designer who defined Italian glamour for decades. <\/p>\n<p>Outside, crowds paused to watch, honouring a man whose name became a symbol of style itself.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769176784,"updatedAt":1769187680,"publishedAt":1769187624,"firstPublishedAt":1769187624,"lastPublishedAt":1769187679,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a70b0878-3e85-52cc-867f-85f55efb7420-9624077.jpg","altText":"A large crowd gathered at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs in Rome to pay their final respects to Valentino, Jan. 23, 2026.","caption":"A large crowd gathered at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs in Rome to pay their final respects to Valentino, Jan. 23, 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FUNERAL ROME","daletPyramidId":3980256,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Stars and public say final goodbye to 'last emperor' of fashion Valentino at Rome funeral","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"World says goodbye to fashion icon Valentino Garavani at Rome funeral","titleListing2":"Stars and public say final goodbye to 'last emperor' of fashion Valentino at Rome funeral","leadin":"Valentino Garavani, who died aged 93 at his Rome residence on Monday, was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and celebrities.","summary":"Valentino Garavani, who died aged 93 at his Rome residence on Monday, was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and celebrities.","keySentence":"","url":"stars-and-public-say-final-goodbye-to-last-emperor-of-fashion-valentino-at-rome-funeral","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/01\/23\/stars-and-public-say-final-goodbye-to-last-emperor-of-fashion-valentino-at-rome-funeral","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Global fashion celebrities joined the public on Friday to say goodbye to iconic designer Valentino at his funeral service at the central Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.\n\nAfter a two-day public viewing on Wednesday and Thursday at the Valentino foundation\u2019s headquarters in the Italian capital, the funeral marked the final tribute to the internationally acclaimed designer.\n\nTop fashion names, including designers Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, along with longtime Vogue magazine powerhouse Anna Wintour, attended the funeral service, as did Hollywood stars like Anne Hathaway.\n\nFans and admirers gathered outside the church, some dressed in red or carrying red accessories in a last homage to the designer's signature colour.\n\nValentino Garavani, who died aged 93 at his Rome residence on Monday, was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jordan's Queen Rania and Julia Roberts who swore the designer always made them look and feel their best.\n\nHundreds of people had already paid their respects to the \"last emperor\" of Italian fashion during the public viewing.\n\nValentino always maintained his atelier in Rome, while he mostly unveiled his collections in Paris.\n\nHis sumptuous gowns have graced countless Academy Awards, notably in 2001 when Roberts wore a vintage black and white column to accept her best actress statue.\n\nCate Blanchett also wore a one-shouldered Valentino in butter-yellow silk when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2005.\n\n\"I want to thank Valentino for teaching me beauty,\" said longtime personal and professional partner Giancarlo Giammetti in his remembrance speech, his voice breaking with emotion.\n\n\"It was a beauty that followed us throughout our lives. We met when we were kids, we dreamed of the same things, and we achieved many of them. Our journey will always continue,\" he added.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Global fashion celebrities joined the public on Friday to say goodbye to iconic designer Valentino at his funeral service at the central Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.<\/p>\n<p>After a two-day public viewing on Wednesday and Thursday at the Valentino foundation\u2019s headquarters in the Italian capital, the funeral marked the final tribute to the internationally acclaimed designer.<\/p>\n<p>Top fashion names, including designers Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, along with longtime Vogue magazine powerhouse Anna Wintour, attended the funeral service, as did Hollywood stars like Anne Hathaway.<\/p>\n<p>Fans and admirers gathered outside the church, some dressed in red or carrying red accessories in a last homage to the designer's signature colour.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.72\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//40//33//808x581_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg/" alt=\"Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani looks on during a press conference at Rome's Capitoline museums, 13 June, 2007\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/384x276_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/640x461_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/750x540_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/828x596_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/1080x778_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/1200x864_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/1920x1382_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani looks on during a press conference at Rome's Capitoline museums, 13 June, 2007<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Valentino Garavani, who died aged 93 at his Rome residence on Monday, was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jordan's Queen Rania and Julia Roberts who swore the designer always made them look and feel their best.<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of people had already paid their respects to the \"last emperor\" of Italian fashion during the public viewing.<\/p>\n<p>Valentino always maintained his atelier in Rome, while he mostly unveiled his collections in Paris.<\/p>\n<p>His sumptuous gowns have graced countless Academy Awards, notably in 2001 when Roberts wore a vintage black and white column to accept her best actress statue.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//40//33//808x539_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg/" alt=\"Anna Wintour arrives to attend the funeral of fashion designer Valentino in Rome, 23 January, 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/384x256_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/640x427_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/750x500_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/828x552_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/1080x720_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/1200x800_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/1920x1280_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Anna Wintour arrives to attend the funeral of fashion designer Valentino in Rome, 23 January, 2026<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Cate Blanchett also wore a one-shouldered Valentino in butter-yellow silk when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2005.<\/p>\n<p>\"I want to thank Valentino for teaching me beauty,\" said longtime personal and professional partner Giancarlo Giammetti in his remembrance speech, his voice breaking with emotion.<\/p>\n<p>\"It was a beauty that followed us throughout our lives. We met when we were kids, we dreamed of the same things, and we achieved many of them. Our journey will always continue,\" he added.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769176274,"updatedAt":1769186779,"publishedAt":1769180531,"firstPublishedAt":1769180531,"lastPublishedAt":1769180531,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_74450040-4824-51b2-a457-c0b7e5dccf59-9624033.jpg","altText":"The casket of fashion designer Valentino Garavani leaves the St. Mary of Angels Basilica in Rome, 23 January, 2026","caption":"The casket of fashion designer Valentino Garavani leaves the St. Mary of Angels Basilica in Rome, 23 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8d5a1c47-4b70-5da0-8de8-87118f5c2e9e-9624033.jpg","altText":"Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani looks on during a press conference at Rome's Capitoline museums, 13 June, 2007","caption":"Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani looks on during a press conference at Rome's Capitoline museums, 13 June, 2007","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1440},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/40\/33\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e66a4256-eaf3-5b4f-a70a-7b7f5c4cf450-9624033.jpg","altText":"Anna Wintour arrives to attend the funeral of fashion designer Valentino in Rome, 23 January, 2026","caption":"Anna Wintour arrives to attend the funeral of fashion designer Valentino in Rome, 23 January, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin 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- HEATED RIVALRY STARS OLYMPICS","daletPyramidId":3976646,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Winter Olympics 2026: Heated Rivalry TV stars named as official torchbearers ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Heated Rivalry TV stars announced as Winter Olympics torchbearers ","titleListing2":"Winter Olympics 2026: Heated Rivalry stars named as official torchbearers ","leadin":"The world has gone mad for HBO's sports romance series, and now the Winter Olympics are getting in on the action by choosing stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as official torchbearers.","summary":"The world has gone mad for HBO's sports romance series, and now the Winter Olympics are getting in on the action by choosing stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as official torchbearers.","keySentence":"","url":"winter-olympics-2026-heated-rivalry-tv-stars-named-as-official-torchbearers","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/01\/23\/winter-olympics-2026-heated-rivalry-tv-stars-named-as-official-torchbearers","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Viewers around the world have been drawn to Heated Rivalry like moths to a flame. Now, the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are keeping it burning by choosing the show's stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, as official torchbearers.\n\nThe news was announced on Thursday by HBO Max, which owns the streaming rights to Heated Rivalry and will broadcast the Winter Olympics live.\n\nThe torch relay, which started in Greece on 26 November 2025, is due to conclude on the 6 February, when the opening ceremony begins at Milan's San Siro Stadium.\n\nDetails of the exact time and date of Williams and Storrie's appearance are yet to be confirmed.\n\nSince premiering late last year in the United States, Heated Rivalry has become one of the most-talked about shows of 2026.\n\nBased on a popular series of LGBTQ+ novels by Rachel Reid, it follows a passionate romance that develops between two rivalling hockey players, IIya (Storrie) and Shane (Williams).\n\nIt's been especially popular with female audiences, who have praised the six-part series' focus on emotional connection over sexual explicitness. It also continues an upward trend in romance fiction, with sales of romance books more than doubling in the US last year, according to a report by Circana BookScan.\n\nAlongside Storrie and Williams, attendees can expect to see a fantastical, sun-like structure inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's complex knot patterns - known as fantasia dei vinci. Two of these will be simultaneously lit and extinguished in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.\n\nWho else will perform at the opening ceremony?\n\nThey might be the buzziest, but Storrie and Williams certainly aren't the biggest names to inaugurate the upcoming Winter Olympics.\n\nIt was announced last week that Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will headline the opening ceremony show, while American pop star and five-time Grammy Award-winner Mariah Carey will also perform.\n\nAlongside the main stadium show, events will take place all across Northern Italy as part of the Games' drive to encourage widespread participation and accessibility.\n\nOf the 116 scheduled events, six will be debut categories, including Ski Mountaineering and Women' Large Hill Ski Jumping.\n\nThe closing ceremony is on 22 February at the historic Verona Arena.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Viewers around the world have been drawn to Heated Rivalry like moths to a flame. Now, the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are keeping it burning by choosing the show's stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, as official torchbearers. <\/p>\n<p>The news was announced on Thursday by HBO Max, which owns the streaming rights to Heated Rivalry and will broadcast the Winter Olympics live. <\/p>\n<p>The torch relay, which <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//12//02//a-day-in-the-life-of-ancient-olympia-with-the-priestesses-of-the-olympic-flame-lighting-ce/">started in Greece<\/a> on 26 November 2025, is due to conclude on the 6 February, when the opening ceremony begins at Milan's San Siro Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>Details of the exact time and date of Williams and Storrie's appearance are yet to be confirmed. <\/p>\n<p>Since premiering late last year in the United States, Heated Rivalry has become one of the most-talked about shows of 2026. <\/p>\n<p>Based on a popular series of LGBTQ+ novels by Rachel Reid, it follows a passionate romance that develops between two rivalling hockey players, IIya (Storrie) and Shane (Williams). <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//62//36//50//808x539_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg/" alt=\"Hudson Williams, left, and Connor Storrie in 'Heated Rivalry'. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/384x256_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/640x427_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/750x500_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/828x552_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/1080x720_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/1200x800_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/1920x1280_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hudson Williams, left, and Connor Storrie in 'Heated Rivalry'. <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Crave via AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>It's been especially popular with female audiences, who have praised the six-part series' focus on emotional connection over <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//11//13//concert-or-coitus-new-global-study-finds-most-people-would-choose-gigs-over-sex/">sexual explicitness<\/a>. It also continues an upward trend in romance fiction, with sales of romance books more than doubling in the US last year, according to a report by Circana BookScan.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside Storrie and Williams, attendees can expect to see a fantastical, sun-like structure inspired by <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//03//16//new-research-shows-leonardo-da-vincis-mother-was-a-slave-and-he-was-only-half-italian/">Leonardo da Vinci<\/strong><\/a>'s complex knot patterns - known as fantasia dei vinci. Two of these will be simultaneously lit and extinguished in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2026//01//13//italian-tenor-andrea-bocelli-to-headline-2026-winter-olympics-opening-ceremony/">Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli to headline 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Who else will perform at the opening ceremony?<\/h2>\n<p>They might be the buzziest, but Storrie and Williams certainly aren't the biggest names to inaugurate the upcoming Winter Olympics. <\/p>\n<p>It was announced last week that Italian tenor <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2026//01//13//italian-tenor-andrea-bocelli-to-headline-2026-winter-olympics-opening-ceremony/">Andrea Bocelli will headline<\/strong><\/a> the opening ceremony show, while American pop star and five-time Grammy Award-winner Mariah Carey will also perform. <\/p>\n<p>Alongside the main stadium show, events will take place all across Northern Italy as part of the Games' drive to encourage widespread participation and accessibility. <\/p>\n<p>Of the 116 scheduled events, six will be debut categories, including Ski Mountaineering and Women' Large Hill Ski Jumping. <\/p>\n<p>The closing ceremony is on 22 February at the historic Verona Arena_._<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769164803,"updatedAt":1769177677,"publishedAt":1769177537,"firstPublishedAt":1769177537,"lastPublishedAt":1769177537,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a9bd3e60-1b79-5abd-9678-76bf82391aba-9623650.jpg","altText":" Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, right, during the 83rd Golden Globes, 2026. ","caption":" Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, right, during the 83rd Golden Globes, 2026. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Kevork Djansezian\/CBS Broadcasting via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/36\/50\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2f5f1a5d-a89a-5606-9696-c206d30ed216-9623650.jpg","altText":"Hudson Williams, left, and Connor Storrie in 'Heated Rivalry'. ","caption":"Hudson Williams, left, and Connor Storrie in 'Heated Rivalry'. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Crave via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2298,"urlSafeValue":"bryce","title":"Amber Louise Bryce","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28926,"slug":"flambeau-olympique","urlSafeValue":"flambeau-olympique","title":"Olympic torch","titleRaw":"Olympic torch"},{"id":10885,"slug":"winter-olympics","urlSafeValue":"winter-olympics","title":"Winter Olympics","titleRaw":"Winter Olympics"},{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"},{"id":15390,"slug":"tv-show","urlSafeValue":"tv-show","title":"TV show","titleRaw":"TV show"},{"id":28960,"slug":"hbo","urlSafeValue":"hbo","title":"HBO","titleRaw":"HBO"},{"id":28750,"slug":"lgbtq","urlSafeValue":"lgbtq","title":" LGBTQ+ ","titleRaw":" LGBTQ+ "}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2220260},{"id":2850118},{"id":2848451}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":{"id":1978,"urlSafeValue":"milano","title":"Milano"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2026\/01\/23\/winter-olympics-2026-heated-rivalry-tv-stars-named-as-official-torchbearers","lastModified":1769177537},{"id":2864421,"cid":9623081,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Sicily-Hurricane Harry Economic Cost","daletPyramidId":3971026,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Taormina mayor says urgent action needed after \u20ac1bn storm damage in Sicily","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Cyclone Harry hits Sicilian economy: Officials call for urgent action","titleListing2":"","leadin":"Sicily is assessing up to \u20ac1bn in damage after Cyclone Harry hit the Ionian coast, destroying infrastructure, homes, and tourism businesses. In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Cateno De Luca, mayor of Taormina, calls for urgent action.","summary":"Sicily is assessing up to \u20ac1bn in damage after Cyclone Harry hit the Ionian coast, destroying infrastructure, homes, and tourism businesses. In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Cateno De Luca, mayor of Taormina, calls for urgent action.","keySentence":"","url":"taormina-mayor-says-urgent-action-needed-after-1bn-storm-damage-in-sicily","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2026\/01\/23\/taormina-mayor-says-urgent-action-needed-after-1bn-storm-damage-in-sicily","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"While global attention is on the World Economic Forum in Davos, where leaders are navigating Donald Trump\u2019s tariff threats against Greenland, another European island is grappling with a devastating economic shock.\n\nSicily, the Mediterranean\u2019s largest island, is assessing the fallout from Cyclone Harry after days of extreme waves and torrential rain battered its eastern Ionian coast, wiping out public infrastructure, damaging homes, and disrupting a tourism economy that underpins much of the region\u2019s income.\n\nDuring the night between 20 and 21 January, off eastern Sicily, waves exceeded 12 metres in height \u2014 an unprecedented phenomenon for Italy and the Mediterranean Sea.\n\nPreliminary estimates from local authorities put the public-sector linked damage at \u20ac740mn, a figure expected to climb well above \u20ac1bn once losses to hotels, restaurants, and related services are fully accounted for.\n\nIn an exclusive interview with Euronews, Cateno De Luca, mayor of Taormina, one of southern Europe\u2019s most high-value tourism destinations, said damage to public works alone in neighbouring coastal towns \u2014 including Letojanni, Santa Teresa di Riva, Mazzeo, Roccalumera and Giardini Naxos \u2014 is estimated at around \u20ac100mn.\n\n\u201cThat figure covers only infrastructure,\u201d De Luca said, citing additional losses to electricity and water networks, wastewater treatment facilities, and dozens of seaside homes.\n\nDespite the scale of destruction, no fatalities were recorded \u2014 a result De Luca attributed to the effectiveness of regional civil protection alerts and emergency assistance.\n\nEmergency measures and funding risks\n\nThe Sicilian regional government has already launched the formal procedure to request a state of emergency, with approval by Italy\u2019s Council of Ministers expected within days.\n\nItaly\u2019s civil protection minister Nello Musumeci visited the affected areas on Wednesday to assess the damage first-hand.\n\nDe Luca urged Rome to include fast-track emergency procedures in the decree to speed up reconstruction, warning that bureaucratic delays could amplify economic damage.\n\n\u201cThe amount of funding matters, but the way it is deployed matters even more,\u201d he said, calling for municipalities to act as implementing authorities rather than creating a centralised emergency body.\n\nAsked whether Italy could seek support from the European Union Solidarity Fund, De Luca said the conditions were clearly met. Such funding would target both infrastructure repair and long-term mitigation works.\n\nThe Solidarity Fund was set up to respond to major natural disasters in\u00a0 Europe, although the extent of the damage must meet the relevant thresholds to unlock funding.\n\n\u201cThese are structurally fragile areas,\u201d De Luca said. \u201cRebuilding without addressing the causes would leave the territory exposed to the same risks.\u201d\n\nHe also acknowledged that Sicily has historically struggled to fully and efficiently use EU funds compared with other European regions.\n\nIs tourism at risk this summer?\n\nThe economic outlook for Sicily remains fragile. De Luca warned that large sections of the coastline may not be fully restored in time for the coming summer, raising the risk of lost bookings, reduced employment, and knock-on effects across the regional economy.\n\n\u201cThe priority is to avoid a chain collapse,\u201d he said, pointing to potential spillovers from tourism into hospitality, transport, and household incomes. \"We must act now,\" he added.\n\nLooking ahead, De Luca sought to reassure tourists, investors, and international operators.\n\nHe said Taormina\u2019s municipal administration has the financial and administrative capacity to react quickly while waiting for regional and national support.\n\n\u201cTaormina has gained international visibility and market share in recent years,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will do everything possible to protect that brand, maintain service quality, and return to normality as soon as possible.\u201d\n\nWhile the coming months are expected to be challenging, local authorities insist that recovery efforts are already under way \u2014 with the stakes high not just for infrastructure, but for Sicily\u2019s wider economic resilience.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>While global attention is on the World Economic Forum in Davos, where leaders are navigating Donald Trump\u2019s tariff threats against Greenland, another European island is grappling with a devastating economic shock.<\/p>\n<p>Sicily, the Mediterranean\u2019s largest island, is assessing the fallout from Cyclone Harry after days of extreme waves and torrential rain battered its eastern Ionian coast, wiping out public infrastructure, damaging homes, and disrupting a tourism economy that underpins much of the region\u2019s income.<\/p>\n<p>During the night between 20 and 21 January, off eastern Sicily, waves exceeded 12 metres in height \u2014 an unprecedented phenomenon for Italy and the Mediterranean Sea.<\/p>\n<p>Preliminary estimates from local authorities put the public-sector linked damage at \u20ac740mn, a figure expected to climb well above \u20ac1bn once losses to hotels, restaurants, and related services are fully accounted for.<\/p>\n<p>In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Cateno De Luca, mayor of Taormina, one of southern Europe\u2019s most high-value tourism destinations, said damage to public works alone in neighbouring coastal towns \u2014 including Letojanni, Santa Teresa di Riva, Mazzeo, Roccalumera and Giardini Naxos \u2014 is estimated at around \u20ac100mn. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat figure covers only infrastructure,\u201d De Luca said, citing additional losses to electricity and water networks, wastewater treatment facilities, and dozens of seaside homes.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the scale of destruction, no fatalities were recorded \u2014 a result De Luca attributed to the effectiveness of regional civil protection alerts and emergency assistance.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-youtube-embed\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//embed//5Mag11NUDe8/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Emergency measures and funding risks<\/h2>\n<p>The Sicilian regional government has already launched the formal procedure to request a state of emergency, with approval by Italy\u2019s Council of Ministers expected within days. <\/p>\n<p>Italy\u2019s civil protection minister Nello Musumeci visited the affected areas on Wednesday to assess the damage first-hand.<\/p>\n<p>De Luca urged Rome to include fast-track emergency procedures in the decree to speed up reconstruction, warning that bureaucratic delays could amplify economic damage. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe amount of funding matters, but the way it is deployed matters even more,\u201d he said, calling for municipalities to act as implementing authorities rather than creating a centralised emergency body.<\/p>\n<p>Asked whether Italy could seek support from the European Union Solidarity Fund, De Luca said the conditions were clearly met. Such funding would target both infrastructure repair and long-term mitigation works.<\/p>\n<p>The Solidarity Fund was set up to respond to major natural disasters in Europe, although the extent of the damage must meet the relevant thresholds to unlock funding.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese are structurally fragile areas,\u201d De Luca said. \u201cRebuilding without addressing the causes would leave the territory exposed to the same risks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He also acknowledged that Sicily has historically struggled to fully and efficiently use EU funds compared with other European regions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//03//12//bridge-to-sicily-a-strategic-project-for-italy-and-europe-or-a-waste-of-resources/">Bridge to Sicily: a strategic project for Italy and Europe or a waste of resources?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2026//01//08//mount-etna-tour-guides-protest-new-restrictions-on-visiting-europes-most-active-volcano/">Mount Etna tour guides protest new restrictions on visiting Europe\u2019s most active volcano<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Is tourism at risk this summer?<\/h2>\n<p>The economic outlook for Sicily remains fragile. De Luca warned that large sections of the coastline may not be fully restored in time for the coming summer, raising the risk of lost bookings, reduced employment, and knock-on effects across the regional economy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe priority is to avoid a chain collapse,\u201d he said, pointing to potential spillovers from tourism into hospitality, transport, and household incomes. \"We must act now,\" he added.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, De Luca sought to reassure tourists, investors, and international operators. <\/p>\n<p>He said Taormina\u2019s municipal administration has the financial and administrative capacity to react quickly while waiting for regional and national support.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTaormina has gained international visibility and market share in recent years,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will do everything possible to protect that brand, maintain service quality, and return to normality as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While the coming months are expected to be challenging, local authorities insist that recovery efforts are already under way \u2014 with the stakes high not just for infrastructure, but for Sicily\u2019s wider economic resilience.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769104593,"updatedAt":1769162890,"publishedAt":1769162886,"firstPublishedAt":1769162886,"lastPublishedAt":1769162886,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/30\/81\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0cbc7ce0-c3e8-53fd-92db-9999a345b43c-9623081.jpg","altText":"FILE. View of Houses on the Shore in Taormina, Sicily, Italy.","caption":"FILE. View of Houses on the Shore in Taormina, Sicily, Italy.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Alexandra S, Pexels","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3410,"urlSafeValue":"cingari","title":"Piero Cingari","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":17750,"slug":"sicily","urlSafeValue":"sicily","title":"Sicily","titleRaw":"Sicily"},{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"},{"id":16484,"slug":"dogal-afet","urlSafeValue":"dogal-afet","title":"natural disaster","titleRaw":"natural disaster"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"youtube","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2864350},{"id":2864268},{"id":2864402}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/economy\/economy"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"business","verticals":[{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","url":"\/business\/economy"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":72,"urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/business\/2026\/01\/23\/taormina-mayor-says-urgent-action-needed-after-1bn-storm-damage-in-sicily","lastModified":1769162886},{"id":2864540,"cid":9623566,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NC3 ITALY HARRY DAMAGE","daletPyramidId":3975916,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Cyclone Harry causes major damage across Sardinia, southern Italy","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Cyclone Harry causes major damage across Sardinia","leadin":"Cyclone Harry has devastated Sardinia, causing damages expected to reach hundreds of millions of euros, according to governor Alessandra Todde.","summary":"Cyclone Harry has devastated Sardinia, causing damages expected to reach hundreds of millions of euros, according to governor Alessandra Todde.","keySentence":"","url":"cyclone-harry-causes-major-damage-across-sardinia-southern-italy","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/23\/cyclone-harry-causes-major-damage-across-sardinia-southern-italy","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cyclone Harry has caused widespread and severe damage across Sardinia, with losses expected to reach hundreds of millions of euros, according to regional governor Alessandra Todde.\n\nFlooding has hit towns and rural areas alike, while key infrastructure has suffered heavy strain. Several major roads remain closed.\n\nTodde said it will take days to assess the full economic impact of Cyclone Harry in Sardinia. Some damage is not yet visible, particularly in ports, roads and coastal areas.\n\nBeaches and coastlines eroded by the storm will need careful evaluation and restoration before the scale of the losses becomes clear.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cyclone Harry has caused widespread and severe damage across Sardinia, with losses expected to reach hundreds of millions of euros, according to regional governor Alessandra Todde. <\/p>\n<p>Flooding has hit towns and rural areas alike, while key infrastructure has suffered heavy strain. Several major roads remain closed. <\/p>\n<p>Todde said it will take days to assess the full economic impact of Cyclone Harry in Sardinia. Some damage is not yet visible, particularly in ports, roads and coastal areas. <\/p>\n<p>Beaches and coastlines eroded by the storm will need careful evaluation and restoration before the scale of the losses becomes clear.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769160837,"updatedAt":1769162138,"publishedAt":1769162038,"firstPublishedAt":1769162038,"lastPublishedAt":1769162038,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/35\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_593ad1bd-51cf-5883-870d-f2d7fa9e02e3-9623566.jpg","altText":"Storm Harry caused severe flooding, aerial view of Capoterra, Sardinia, Italy, Jan. 22, 2026","caption":"Storm Harry caused severe flooding, aerial view of Capoterra, Sardinia, Italy, Jan. 22, 2026","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Screenshot from a Radiotelevisione Italiana video.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2134,"urlSafeValue":"mauduit","title":"Frederique Mauduit","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"id":2134,"urlSafeValue":"mauduit","title":"Frederique Mauduit","twitter":null}]},"keywords":[{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"},{"id":10155,"slug":"storm","urlSafeValue":"storm","title":"Storm","titleRaw":"Storm"},{"id":17856,"slug":"extreme-weather","urlSafeValue":"extreme-weather","title":"Extreme weather","titleRaw":"Extreme weather"},{"id":14968,"slug":"sel-felaketi","urlSafeValue":"sel-felaketi","title":"Floods","titleRaw":"Floods"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2864329},{"id":2864039},{"id":2862363}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"-BtkTcYKF3Q","dailymotionId":"x9yclsw"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/67\/22\/05\/ED_PYR_3467225_20260123094540.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11661397,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/67\/22\/05\/SHD_PYR_3467225_20260123094540.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":16150912,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/67\/22\/05\/FHD_PYR_3467225_20260123094540.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":48642116,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":" 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COLOSSEUM PASSAGE","daletPyramidId":3971252,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Colosseum's Commodus Passage reopens after extensive restoration work","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Colosseum's Commodus Passage reopens after extensive restoration work","titleListing2":"Colosseum's Commodus Passage reopens after extensive restoration work","leadin":"The passage, constructed somewhere between the years 90 and 98, allowed emperors to get to their seats without having to use the main entrances, the vomitoria, through which the masses would spew forth into the Colosseum.","summary":"The passage, constructed somewhere between the years 90 and 98, allowed emperors to get to their seats without having to use the main entrances, the vomitoria, through which the masses would spew forth into the Colosseum.","keySentence":"","url":"colosseums-commodus-passage-becomes-accessible-thanks-to-eu-funds","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/01\/23\/colosseums-commodus-passage-becomes-accessible-thanks-to-eu-funds","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Rome reopened the Colosseum's secret imperial corridor to the public in October, following extensive restoration funded by European Union recovery programmes and Italian archaeological park resources.\n\nThe underground passage, known as the Commodus Passage, connected areas reserved for Roman nobility with the exterior of the ancient amphitheatre.\n\nThe route, which ensured imperial privacy, was built after the construction of the Flavian Amphitheatre at the turn of the first and second centuries. It was discovered in the 19th century.\n\nThe restoration received 160,000 euros from Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in addition to ordinary Colosseum Archaeological Park funds, according to Barbara Nazzaro, the monument's technical officer.\n\nThe EU contribution enabled the construction of accessibility features, including a convertible staircase that transforms into a platform for visitors with mobility difficulties to reach lower levels.\n\n\"This has made it possible to overcome architectural barriers, with the construction of a staircase that we like to call 'magic', because it becomes a platform and allows descent to this lower floor,\" Nazzaro told Euronews.\n\nComplex restoration and new works planned\n\nBuilt after the construction of the Flavian Amphitheatre at the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries and discovered in the 19th century, the secret passage ensured the emperor's privacy.\n\nThe renovation work took place in a particularly delicate underground environment, which was capable of restoring artefacts of great archaeological value.\n\nWalls covered with marble, later replaced by plaster painted with landscape subjects. In the niches at the entrance to the route, the remains of arena scenes can be seen.\n\nIn the absence of the original vaults, the restoration project used evocative lighting to enhance the space without compromising its historical integrity.\n\nA second building site is already planned, affecting a new section of the passageway that is currently not accessible.\n\n\"The new restoration work will allow us to recover other very important fragments of stucco and frescoes, which have also been preserved in their decorations,\" Barbara Nazzaro told Euronews.\n\nTen projects funded by EU\n\nThere are a total of 10 projects planned to enhance the Palatine, part of the Caput Mundi plan, financed by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with the aim of upgrading archaeological sites, historic gardens, parks, and innovative tourist routes.\n\nThe recent opening of the House of the Griffins is part of the selection with the aim \"of opening secret places to the public,\" explained the director of the Department for the Enhancement of the Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture Alfonsina Russo.\n\nThese include the Schola Praeconum, which was opened last year. A building on the southern slopes of the Palatine, once home to those who announced the circus pompae.\n\nBut also the dungeons of St Anastasia under the Palatine Basilica and the secret rooms of the Domus Tiberianae, and many others. These also include the Coenatio Rotunda, on the Barberini Vineyard, which, according to some sources, could be the famous rotating dining room linked to Nero's Domus Aurea.\n\n\"All of these works have already begun,\" said Russo, \"and should be completed this year according to the timetable of the PNRR.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Rome reopened the Colosseum's secret imperial corridor to the public in October, following extensive restoration funded by European Union recovery programmes and Italian archaeological park resources.<\/p>\n<p>The underground passage, known as the Commodus Passage, connected areas reserved for Roman nobility with the exterior of the ancient amphitheatre. <\/p>\n<p>The route, which ensured imperial privacy, was built after the construction of the Flavian Amphitheatre at the turn of the first and second centuries. It was discovered in the 19th century.<\/p>\n<p>The restoration received 160,000 euros from Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in addition to ordinary Colosseum Archaeological Park funds, according to Barbara Nazzaro, the monument's technical officer.<\/p>\n<p>The EU contribution enabled the construction of accessibility features, including a convertible staircase that transforms into a platform for visitors with mobility difficulties to reach lower levels.<\/p>\n<p>\"This has made it possible to overcome architectural barriers, with the construction of a staircase that we like to call 'magic', because it becomes a platform and allows descent to this lower floor,\" Nazzaro told Euronews.<\/p>\n<h2>Complex restoration and new works planned<\/h2>\n<p>Built after the construction of the Flavian Amphitheatre at the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries and discovered in the 19th century, the secret passage ensured the emperor's privacy. <\/p>\n<p>The renovation work took place in a particularly delicate underground environment, which was capable of restoring artefacts of great archaeological value.<\/p>\n<p>Walls covered with marble, later replaced by plaster painted with landscape subjects. In the niches at the entrance to the route, the remains of arena scenes can be seen.<\/p>\n<p>In the absence of the original vaults, the restoration project used evocative lighting to enhance the space without compromising its historical integrity. <\/p>\n<p>A second building site is already planned, affecting a new section of the passageway that is currently not accessible.<\/p>\n<p>\"The new restoration work will allow us to recover other very important fragments of stucco and frescoes, which have also been preserved in their decorations,\" Barbara Nazzaro told Euronews.<\/p>\n<h2>Ten projects funded by EU<\/h2>\n<p>There are a total of 10 projects planned to enhance the Palatine, part of the Caput Mundi plan, financed by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with the aim of upgrading archaeological sites, historic gardens, parks, and innovative tourist routes.<\/p>\n<p>The recent opening of the House of the Griffins is part of the selection with the aim \"of opening secret places to the public,\" explained the director of the Department for the Enhancement of the Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture Alfonsina Russo.<\/p>\n<p>These include the Schola Praeconum, which was opened last year. A building on the southern slopes of the Palatine, once home to those who announced the circus pompae.<\/p>\n<p>But also the dungeons of St Anastasia under the Palatine Basilica and the secret rooms of the Domus Tiberianae, and many others. These also include the Coenatio Rotunda, on the Barberini Vineyard, which, according to some sources, could be the famous rotating dining room linked to Nero's Domus Aurea.<\/p>\n<p>\"All of these works have already begun,\" said Russo, \"and should be completed this year according to the timetable of the PNRR.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769106857,"updatedAt":1769179178,"publishedAt":1769157077,"firstPublishedAt":1769157077,"lastPublishedAt":1769179178,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","altText":"Colosseum","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Colosseum","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/20\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cb4faccb-4082-5b73-9162-8cfbc9e4b39d-9622038.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"orlandi","twitter":"@giorgiaorlandi_","id":978,"title":"Giorgia Orlandi"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture","titleRaw":"Culture","id":574,"title":"Culture","slug":"culture"},{"urlSafeValue":"rome","titleRaw":"Rome","id":2082,"title":"Rome","slug":"rome"},{"urlSafeValue":"archaeology","titleRaw":"Archaeology","id":4162,"title":"Archaeology","slug":"archaeology"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2434870},{"id":2753022},{"id":2854961}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"w-jr6qZxLxI","dailymotionId":"x9ycfu6"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":134040,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":21009033,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/63\/89\/00\/ED_PYR_3463890_20260123082744.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":134040,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":31120752,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/63\/89\/00\/SHD_PYR_3463890_20260123082744.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":134040,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":104350382,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/63\/89\/00\/FHD_PYR_3463890_20260123082743.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture","id":10,"title":"Culture","slug":"culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","id":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"it","storyId":9622038,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2026\/01\/23\/colosseums-commodus-passage-becomes-accessible-thanks-to-eu-funds","lastModified":1769179178},{"id":2864059,"cid":9621249,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"VALENTINO FASHION GIORGIA","daletPyramidId":3953947,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Does the passing of Valentino mark the end of an era for Italian fashion design?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Does the passing of Valentino mark the end of an era?","titleListing2":"Does the passing of Valentino mark the end of an era for Italian fashion design?","leadin":"Valentino Garavani - both as designer and as businessman - was one of the few remaining figures who paved the way for Italy\u2019s fashion golden era which defined global luxury. His death raises the question of whether the \"Made in Italy\" fashion model can thrive in a changing global market","summary":"Valentino Garavani - both as designer and as businessman - was one of the few remaining figures who paved the way for Italy\u2019s fashion golden era which defined global luxury. His death raises the question of whether the \"Made in Italy\" fashion model can thrive in a changing global market","keySentence":"","url":"does-the-passing-of-valentino-mark-the-end-of-an-era-for-italian-fashion-design","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/01\/21\/does-the-passing-of-valentino-mark-the-end-of-an-era-for-italian-fashion-design","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"For many the death of the \u201cLast Emperor\u201d is seen as the natural ending of a an entire generation of fashion designers. Only a few months ago, Giorgio Armani, another Italian runaway genius died.\n\nPaola Fendi is the last remaining member of a group of creatives who made Italian style known all over the world. It included names such as Gianni Versace, Moschino, Missoni, Krizia and many others.\n\nThe late eighties, also known for Italy\u2019s economic \u201cboom\u201d were the golden era of so called \u201cMade in Italy\" fashion brands. Milan was the hot spot \u2013 everyone wanted to get dressed there - and none of the biggest fashion houses had yet been acquired by foreign investors.\n\nSo - what should we make of the fact that this generation has come to an end? is the \u201cItalian\u201d excellence in fashion over and what does the future have in stock?\n\nAccording to Carlo Fei, an international consultant in brand strategy and a Professor at Luiss University where he teaches Fashion and Made in Italy industries \u2013 there is no reason to panic.\n\n\u201cThe issue is not whether a brand is Italian or not, but rather the ability to understand how markets function\u201d, he told Euronews.\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t think that the passing of these iconic figures, is going to determine the end of the Made in Italy brand, especially in fashion\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t buy the narrative according to which, the fact that some of these fashion houses have been bought by foreign investors weakens the attractiveness of Italian brands\u201d.\n\n'Style must last and not obey seasonal trends'\n\nFei believes that it has more to do with the way a fashion brand is managed. \u201cThe personal luxury market is worth 360 billion euros and has to be protected\u201d, he added. \u201cValentino was a visionary who realised early on that style must last and did not obey seasonal trends. The popularity of second-hand clothing these days is proof of that\u201d.\n\nAccording to the fashion expert, the intersection between foreign investments and Italian brands \u201cis a win-win scenario\u201d. \u201cThey have sustained brands at a time of crisis. Big French groups helped some Italian brands grow. They would not have been able to do that on their own\u201d.\n\nA report by Istituto Marangoni from 2024 confirmed that, despite the geopolitical uncertainty, Italian groups like Prada and Moncler outperformed French giants like Lvmh and Kering.\n\n\u201cThere are so many Italian brands that are still doing great\u201d. Fei said. \u201cTake Prada, Brunello Cucinelli, Moncler and Tod\u2019s, but it doesn\u2019t matter who owns the brand, it\u2019s all down to how they are being managed\u201d.\n\nThe fashion industry has certainly changed since the Italian heyday of fashion, clients\u2019 demands are no longer the same and the market is evolving rapidly.\n\n\u201cIn such a climate, where a brand\u2019s credibility matters more that a mere display those who understand how to surf such changes will grow. Companies that have benefited from selling under the Made in Italy label should also be the ones who protect it\u201d, Fei concluded.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>For many <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2026//01//19//fashion-designer-valentino/">the death of the \u201cLast Emperor\u201d <\/a>is seen as the natural ending of a an entire generation of fashion designers. Only a few months ago, Giorgio Armani, another Italian runaway genius died. <\/p>\n<p>Paola Fendi is the last remaining member of a group of creatives who made Italian style known all over the world. It included names such as Gianni Versace, Moschino, Missoni, Krizia and many others. <\/p>\n<p>The late eighties, also known for Italy\u2019s economic \u201cboom\u201d were the golden era of so called \u201cMade in Italy\" fashion brands. Milan was the hot spot \u2013 everyone wanted to get dressed there - and none of the biggest fashion houses had yet been acquired by foreign investors.<\/p>\n<p>So - what should we make of the fact that this generation has come to an end? is the \u201cItalian\u201d excellence in fashion over and what does the future have in stock?<\/p>\n<p>According to Carlo Fei, an international consultant in brand strategy and a Professor at Luiss University where he teaches Fashion and Made in Italy industries \u2013 there is no reason to panic.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe issue is not whether a brand is Italian or not, but rather the ability to understand how markets function\u201d, he told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think that the passing of these iconic figures, is going to determine the end of the Made in Italy brand, especially in fashion\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t buy the narrative according to which, the fact that some of these fashion houses have been bought by foreign investors weakens the attractiveness of Italian brands\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>'Style must last and not obey seasonal trends'<\/h2>\n<p>Fei believes that it has more to do with the way a fashion brand is managed. \u201cThe personal luxury market is worth 360 billion euros and has to be protected\u201d, he added. \u201cValentino was a visionary who realised early on that style must last and did not obey seasonal trends. The popularity of second-hand clothing these days is proof of that\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>According to the fashion expert, the intersection between foreign investments and Italian brands \u201cis a win-win scenario\u201d. \u201cThey have sustained brands at a time of crisis. Big French groups helped some Italian brands grow. They would not have been able to do that on their own\u201d. <\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.istitutomarangoni.com//en//maze35//industry//why-italy-outperformed-france-in-luxury-first-half-2024-results/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">A report by Istituto Marangoni from 2024 <\/a>confirmed that, despite the geopolitical uncertainty, Italian groups like Prada and Moncler outperformed French giants like Lvmh and Kering. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are so many Italian brands that are still doing great\u201d. Fei said. \u201cTake Prada, Brunello Cucinelli, Moncler and Tod\u2019s, but it doesn\u2019t matter who owns the brand, it\u2019s all down to how they are being managed\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>The fashion industry has certainly changed since the Italian heyday of fashion, clients\u2019 demands are no longer the same and the market is evolving rapidly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn such a climate, where a brand\u2019s credibility matters more that a mere display those who understand how to surf such changes will grow. Companies that have benefited from selling under the Made in Italy label should also be the ones who protect it\u201d, Fei concluded. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769007184,"updatedAt":1769020895,"publishedAt":1769020893,"firstPublishedAt":1769020893,"lastPublishedAt":1769020894,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/12\/49\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a25faa44-51bb-5092-bc8e-3931b94e1efc-9621249.jpg","altText":"fashion designers","caption":"fashion designers","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"CORRADO GIAMBALVO\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1968,"height":1206}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":978,"urlSafeValue":"orlandi","title":"Giorgia Orlandi","twitter":"@giorgiaorlandi_"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":27236,"slug":"fashion-industry","urlSafeValue":"fashion-industry","title":"fashion industry","titleRaw":"fashion industry"},{"id":29762,"slug":"made-in-italy","urlSafeValue":"made-in-italy","title":"Made in Italy","titleRaw":"Made in Italy"},{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"},{"id":28024,"slug":"luxury-goods","urlSafeValue":"luxury-goods","title":"luxury goods ","titleRaw":"luxury goods "}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2863492},{"id":2689460},{"id":2493892}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":{"id":424,"urlSafeValue":"rome-italy","title":"Rome, Italy"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2026\/01\/21\/does-the-passing-of-valentino-mark-the-end-of-an-era-for-italian-fashion-design","lastModified":1769020894},{"id":2864039,"cid":9621060,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NC7 ITALY STORM HARRY","daletPyramidId":3952411,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Storm Harry hits Malta, Corsica and Catalonia with floods","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Storm Harry hits Malta, Corsica and Catalonia with floods","leadin":"Storm Harry caused significant flooding and damage across the Mediterranean, with Malta, Lipari, Corsica, and Catalonia experiencing severe weather conditions.","summary":"Storm Harry caused significant flooding and damage across the Mediterranean, with Malta, Lipari, Corsica, and Catalonia experiencing severe weather conditions.","keySentence":"","url":"storm-harry-hits-malta-corsica-and-catalonia-with-floods","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/01\/21\/storm-harry-hits-malta-corsica-and-catalonia-with-floods","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Storm Harry swept across parts of the Mediterranean this week, leaving flooding and damage in its wake. In Malta, residents woke on Tuesday to fallen trees and damaged buildings, with coastal towns such as Marsascala, Sliema and Bir\u017cebbu\u0121a battered by strong winds and high seas.\n\nOn the Italian island of Lipari, towering waves crashed onto the seafront, forcing closures and disrupting boat services. Further north, Corsica saw torrents of rain push rivers past their banks, flooding parts of the island after more than 200 millimetres fell in a single day.\n\nIn Spain\u2019s Catalonia region, waves up to six metres pounded beaches while heavy rain flooded streets in Girona, capping a week of turbulent Mediterranean weather.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Storm Harry swept across parts of the Mediterranean this week, leaving flooding and damage in its wake. In Malta, residents woke on Tuesday to fallen trees and damaged buildings, with coastal towns such as Marsascala, Sliema and Bir\u017cebbu\u0121a battered by strong winds and high seas.<\/p>\n<p>On the Italian island of Lipari, towering waves crashed onto the seafront, forcing closures and disrupting boat services. Further north, Corsica saw torrents of rain push rivers past their banks, flooding parts of the island after more than 200 millimetres fell in a single day.<\/p>\n<p>In Spain\u2019s Catalonia region, waves up to six metres pounded beaches while heavy rain flooded streets in Girona, capping a week of turbulent Mediterranean weather.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1769002850,"updatedAt":1769006404,"publishedAt":1769006247,"firstPublishedAt":1769006247,"lastPublishedAt":1769006247,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/10\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e8a605cd-dfcf-5655-ba0f-7ae1ae569326-9621060.jpg","altText":"After Storm Harry passed, residents went out into the streets to assess the damage, Messina, Sicily, Italy, Jan. 20, 2026.","caption":"After Storm Harry passed, residents went out into the streets to assess the damage, Messina, Sicily, Italy, Jan. 20, 2026.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"screenshot from a video","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2134,"urlSafeValue":"mauduit","title":"Frederique Mauduit","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"id":2134,"urlSafeValue":"mauduit","title":"Frederique Mauduit","twitter":null}]},"keywords":[{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"},{"id":10155,"slug":"storm","urlSafeValue":"storm","title":"Storm","titleRaw":"Storm"},{"id":17856,"slug":"extreme-weather","urlSafeValue":"extreme-weather","title":"Extreme weather","titleRaw":"Extreme weather"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2863883},{"id":2862363},{"id":2860787}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"LVdG77z6VXM","dailymotionId":"x9y7rfs"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":11255492,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/49\/05\/06\/ED_PYR_3449056_20260121135206.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":15536395,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/49\/05\/06\/SHD_PYR_3449056_20260121135206.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":47998940,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/49\/05\/06\/FHD_PYR_3449056_20260121135206.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AFP - Cateno De Luca","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No Comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/video\/2026\/01\/21\/storm-harry-hits-malta-corsica-and-catalonia-with-floods","lastModified":1769006247},{"id":2863720,"cid":9619563,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CULTURE VITRUVIUS BASILICA REMAINS ","daletPyramidId":3939166,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Italy's 'Tutankhamun's tomb': Archaeologists hail discovery of sole Vitruvius basilica ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Archaeologists unearth only building by Roman architect Vitruvius","titleListing2":"Italian archaeologists\u2019 discovery of Vitruvius\u2019 basilica hailed as on a par with Tutankhamun's tomb","leadin":"The newly excavated basilica is the only building definitively attributed to Marcus Vitruvius Pollonius, a founding figure of western architecture.","summary":"The newly excavated basilica is the only building definitively attributed to Marcus Vitruvius Pollonius, a founding figure of western architecture.","keySentence":"","url":"italys-tutankhamuns-tomb-archaeologists-hail-discovery-of-sole-vitruvius-basilica","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/01\/21\/italys-tutankhamuns-tomb-archaeologists-hail-discovery-of-sole-vitruvius-basilica","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Archaeologists in Italy have unearthed the remains of a 2,000-year-old basilica designed by the pioneering ancient Roman architect Vitruvius.\n\nItaly's Culture Minister, Alessandro Giuli, likened the discovery to that of Tutankhamun's tomb, adding that it is \u201csomething that our grandchildren will be talking about\u201d.\n\nThe archaeological treasure was discovered during excavations for the redevelopment of Piazza Andrea Costa, in the city of Fano, in the region of Le Marche. Researchers were able to positively identify it as Vitruvius\u2019 design after finding columns that directly corresponded with the architect\u2019s description.\n\nThe rediscovery of a missing basilica\n\nThe newly excavated basilica is the only building definitively attributed to Marcus Vitruvius Pollonius, a founding figure of western architecture.\n\nVitruvius' De Architectura (The Ten Books on Architecture) is the only complete treatise on architecture to survive from antiquity and is regarded as the first book on architectural theory.\n\nHis instruction on the classical proportions of buildings underpinned artists\u2019 works for centuries after, including Leonardo da Vinci, whose totemic drawing of the human body is known as the Vitruvian Man.\n\nVitruvius, who lived in Fanum Fortunae (now Fano) in the first century BC, referred to the basilica specifically in his seminal text, describing it as a majestic public building intended for the administration of justice and business affairs.\n\nBut the building\u2019s location was lost over time, and became a mystery. For centuries, scholars and archaeologists have searched for traces of it.\n\n\"For more than 2,000 years we have been waiting for this discovery,\" said Fano Mayor Luca Serfilippi during the presentation of the finding.\n\n\"Today in Fano, a fundamental piece of the mosaic that preserves the deepest identity of our country was discovered,\u201d Giuli added at the conference. \u201cThe history of archaeology and research is now divided into before and after this discovery.\u201d\n\n\u2018Something exceptional for the city of Fano\u2019\n\nAuthorities say the finding is set to shine an international spotlight on the city of Fano in Le Marche, one of Italy\u2019s less well-known regions.\n\n\"This remarkable discovery truly represents something exceptional in the history of archaeology, architecture, and the morphology of the city of Fano,\u201d said Giuli.\n\n\"In the coming months and years, we will realise the importance of this extraordinary find and, at the same time, a renewed public awareness of the importance of protection, conservation, and archaeological research in places like Fano.\"\n\nThe city has a Vitruvian Study Centre that Serfilippi said has been working to promote the figure of Virtruviou for more than 30 years.\n\nPresident of the Le Marche region, Francesco Acquaroli, said, \u201cWe are fully aware of the value this heritage can bring, not only economically, but above all in terms of tourism and culture.\u201d\n\nInvestigations will continue at the construction site to see how much more of the basilica can be unearthed and whether the site will be opened to the public.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Archaeologists in Italy have unearthed the remains of a 2,000-year-old basilica designed by the pioneering ancient Roman architect Vitruvius. <\/p>\n<p>Italy's Culture Minister, Alessandro Giuli, likened the discovery to that of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//video//2025//03//28//a-digital-exhibition-in-london-is-inviting-visitors-to-step-into-king-tutankhamuns-tomb/">Tutankhamun's tomb<\/strong><\/a>, adding that it is \u201csomething that our grandchildren will be talking about\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The archaeological treasure was discovered during <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2026//01//07//sound-the-horn-rare-iron-age-battle-trumpet-found-among-hoard-in-norfolk/">excavations for the redevelopment of Piazza Andrea Costa, in the city of Fano, in the region of Le Marche. Researchers were able to positively identify it as Vitruvius\u2019 design after finding columns that directly corresponded with the architect\u2019s description. <\/p>\n<h2>The rediscovery of a missing basilica<\/h2>\n<p>The newly excavated basilica is the only building definitively attributed to Marcus Vitruvius Pollonius, a founding figure of western <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//architecture/">architecture. <\/p>\n<p>Vitruvius' De Architectura (The Ten Books on Architecture) is the only complete treatise on architecture to survive from <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2026//01//15//lava-up-new-mineral-study-reveals-buried-dirt-about-bath-time-in-ancient-pompeii/">antiquity and is regarded as the first book on architectural theory.<\/p>\n<p>His instruction on the classical proportions of buildings underpinned artists\u2019 works for centuries after, including <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//leonardo-da-vinci/">Leonardo da Vinci<\/strong><\/a>, whose totemic drawing of the human body is known as the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2022//03//12//vaccine-sculptures-and-textbook-drawings-where-do-art-and-science-meet/">Vitruvian Man<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Vitruvius, who lived in Fanum Fortunae (now Fano) in the first century BC, referred to the basilica specifically in his seminal text, describing it as a majestic public building intended for the administration of justice and business affairs. <\/p>\n<p>But the building\u2019s location was lost over time, and became a mystery. For centuries, scholars and archaeologists have searched for traces of it.<\/p>\n<p>\"For more than 2,000 years we have been waiting for this <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2026//01//08//morocco-fossil-find-leads-to-new-understanding-of-human-history-and-movement/">discovery,/" said Fano Mayor Luca Serfilippi during the presentation of the finding.<\/p>\n<p>\"Today in Fano, a fundamental piece of the mosaic that preserves the deepest identity of our country was discovered,\u201d Giuli added at the conference. \u201cThe history of archaeology and research is now divided into before and after this discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u2018Something exceptional for the city of Fano\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Authorities say the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//11//07//precious-antique-egyptian-vase-found-in-pompeii-street-food-area/">finding is set to shine an international spotlight on the city of Fano in Le Marche, one of Italy\u2019s less well-known regions. <\/p>\n<p>\"This remarkable discovery truly represents something exceptional in the history of archaeology, architecture, and the morphology of the city of Fano,\u201d said Giuli. <\/p>\n<p>\"In the coming months and years, we will realise the importance of this extraordinary find and, at the same time, a renewed public awareness of the importance of protection, conservation, and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//12//09//archaeologists-find-2000-year-old-party-boat-off-alexandria/">archaeological research in places like Fano.\" <\/p>\n<p>The city has a Vitruvian Study Centre that Serfilippi said has been working to promote the figure of Virtruviou for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n<p>President of the Le Marche region, Francesco Acquaroli, said, \u201cWe are fully aware of the value this heritage can bring, not only economically, but above all in terms of tourism and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Investigations will continue at the construction site to see how much more of the basilica can be unearthed and whether the site will be opened to the public.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768915292,"updatedAt":1768979711,"publishedAt":1768979698,"firstPublishedAt":1768979698,"lastPublishedAt":1768979710,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/95\/63\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4e006451-39ac-5a1e-bf23-c2c0acdd0b46-9619563.jpg","altText":"The archaeological treasure was found during excavations in the city of Fano, in the region of Le Marche. ","caption":"The archaeological treasure was found during excavations in the city of Fano, in the region of Le Marche. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Italy's Ministry of Culture","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1500,"height":841}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2460,"urlSafeValue":"hughes","title":"Rebecca Ann Hughes","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":4144,"slug":"architecture","urlSafeValue":"architecture","title":"Architecture","titleRaw":"Architecture"},{"id":15548,"slug":"discovery","urlSafeValue":"discovery","title":"discovery","titleRaw":"discovery"},{"id":28606,"slug":"archeology","urlSafeValue":"archeology","title":"archaeology","titleRaw":"archaeology"},{"id":30182,"slug":"ancient-rome","urlSafeValue":"ancient-rome","title":"ancient rome","titleRaw":"ancient rome"},{"id":4229,"slug":"history","urlSafeValue":"history","title":"History","titleRaw":"History"},{"id":16914,"slug":"roma-imparatorlugu","urlSafeValue":"roma-imparatorlugu","title":"Roman Empire","titleRaw":"Roman Empire"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2840529},{"id":2863492},{"id":2861587}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2026\/01\/21\/italys-tutankhamuns-tomb-archaeologists-hail-discovery-of-sole-vitruvius-basilica","lastModified":1768979710},{"id":2863492,"cid":9618499,"versionId":4,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CULTURE VALENTINO DIES AGED 93","daletPyramidId":3930074,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Valentino, 'The Last Emperor' of Italian fashion dies aged 93","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Valentino, Italian fashion's 'Last Emperor' dies aged 93","titleListing2":"Italian fashion designer Valentino dies at the age of 93","leadin":"Valentino, the renowned Italian fashion designer who proudly boasted he \"knows what women want\" has died in Rome. His sumptuous creations saw him crowned the king of the red carpet for major celebrities needing to be dressed to impress.","summary":"Valentino, the renowned Italian fashion designer who proudly boasted he \"knows what women want\" has died in Rome. His sumptuous creations saw him crowned the king of the red carpet for major celebrities needing to be dressed to impress.","keySentence":"","url":"fashion-designer-valentino","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/01\/19\/fashion-designer-valentino","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Valentino Garavani, the veteran jet-set Italian fashion designer has died at his home in Rome. He was 93.\n\nKnown for his high-glamour gowns, often in his trademark shade of 'Valentino red', he was a firm pillar of the country's fashion industry and his firm crucially remained relevant over many decades from its early days in the 1960s and beyond his own retirement in 2008.\n\nIn a statement posted on social media, his foundation said \u201cValentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us, but a true source of light, creativity and vision\u2033.\n\n'I know what women want'\n\nUniversally known by his first name, Valentino was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and movie stars, from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan, who swore the designer always made them look and feel their best.\n\n\u201cI know what women want,\u201d he once remarked. \u201cThey want to be beautiful.\u201d\n\nNever one for edginess or statement dressing, Valentino made precious few fashion faux-pas throughout his nearly half-century-long career. His fail-safe designs made Valentino the king of the red carpet, the go-to man for A-listers\u2019 awards ceremony needs.\n\nHis sumptuous gowns have graced countless Academy Awards, notably in 2001, when Roberts wore a vintage black and white column to accept her best actress statue.\n\nCate Blanchett also wore Valentino \u2014 a one-shouldered number in butter-yellow silk \u2014 when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2004.\n\nValentino was also behind the long-sleeved lace dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore for her wedding to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968. Kennedy and Valentino were close friends for decades, and for a spell the one-time U.S. first lady wore almost exclusively Valentino.\n\nHe was also close to Diana, Princess of Wales, who often donned his sumptuous gowns.\n\nBeyond his signature orange-tinged shade of red, other Valentino trademarks included bows, ruffles, lace and embroidery; in short, feminine, flirty embellishments that added to the dresses\u2019 beauty and hence to that of the wearers.\n\nCinema Paradiso\n\nValentino was born into a well-off family in the northern Italian town of Voghera on May 11, 1932. He said it was his childhood love of cinema that set him down the fashion path.\n\n\u201cI was crazy for silver screen, I was crazy for beauty, to see all those movie stars being sensation, well dressed, being always perfect,\u201d he explained in the 2007 television interview.\n\nAfter studying fashion in Milan and Paris, he spent much of the 1950s working for established Paris-based designer Jean Desses and later Guy Laroche before striking out on his own. He founded the house of Valentino on Rome\u2019s Via Condotti in 1959.\n\nEarly fans included Italian screen sirens Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren, as well as Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Legendary American Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland also took the young designer under her wing.\n\nPicture perfect\n\nPerpetually tanned and always impeccably dressed, Valentino shared the lifestyle of his jet-set patrons. In addition to his 46-metre yacht and an art collection including works by Picasso and Miro, the couturier owned a 17th-century chateau near Paris with a garden said to boast more than a million roses.\n\nValentino and his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti flitted among their homes \u2014 which also included places in New York, London, Rome, Capri and Gstaad, Switzerland \u2014 traveling with their pack of pugs and regularly joined by A-list heavy-hitting friends including Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.\n\n\u201cWhen I see somebody and unfortunately she\u2019s relaxed and running around in jogging trousers and without any makeup ... I feel very sorry,\u201d the designer told RTL television in a 2007 interview. \u201cFor me, woman is like a beautiful, beautiful flower bouquet. She has always to be sensational, always to please, always to be perfect, always to please the husband, the lover, everybody. Because we are born to show ourselves always at our best.\u201d\n\nOver the years, Valentino\u2019s empire expanded as the designer added ready-to-wear, menswear and accessories lines to his stable. Valentino and Giammetti sold the label to an Italian holding company for an estimated $300 million in 1998. Valentino would remain in a design role for another decade.\n\nValentino has been the subject of several retrospectives, including one at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, which is housed in a wing of Paris\u2019 Louvre Museum. He was also the subject of a hit 2008 documentary, Valentino: The Last Emperor that chronicled the end of his career in fashion.\n\nHis body will repose at the foundation\u2019s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday.\n\nThe funeral will be take place on Friday 23 January at 11:00, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza della Repubblica 8, in Rome.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Valentino Garavani, the veteran jet-set Italian fashion designer has died at his home in Rome. He was 93.<\/p>\n<p>Known for his high-glamour gowns, often in his trademark shade of 'Valentino red', he was a firm pillar of the country's fashion industry and his firm crucially remained relevant over many decades from its early days in the 1960s and beyond his own retirement in 2008.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement posted on social media, his foundation said \u201cValentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us, but a true source of light, creativity and vision\u2033.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//84//99//808x539_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Valentino Garavani presents an exhibition of his best creations at the Ara Pacis museum as part of his 45th anniversary celebrations, 6 July 2007\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/384x256_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/640x427_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/750x500_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/828x552_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1080x720_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1200x800_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1920x1280_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Valentino Garavani presents an exhibition of his best creations at the Ara Pacis museum as part of his 45th anniversary celebrations, 6 July 2007<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Pier Paolo Cito<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>'I know what women want'<\/h2>\n<p>Universally known by his first name, Valentino was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and movie stars, from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan, who swore the designer always made them look and feel their best.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know what women want,\u201d he once remarked. \u201cThey want to be beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Never one for edginess or statement dressing, Valentino made precious few fashion faux-pas throughout his nearly half-century-long career. His fail-safe designs made Valentino the king of the red carpet, the go-to man for A-listers\u2019 awards ceremony needs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.728\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//84//99//808x590_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Valentino and American actress Gwyneth Paltrow at the premiere of 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' in Los Angeles, 1 April 2009\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/384x280_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/640x466_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/750x546_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/828x603_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1080x786_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1200x874_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1920x1398_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Valentino and American actress Gwyneth Paltrow at the premiere of 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' in Los Angeles, 1 April 2009<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Matt Sayles<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.9455252918287937\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//84//99//808x1584_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Julia Roberts wore a vintage Valentino gown when she and then-boyfriend Benjamin Bratt attended the 73rd annual Academy Awards, March 2001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/384x747_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/640x1245_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/750x1459_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/828x1611_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1080x2101_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1200x2335_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1920x3735_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Julia Roberts wore a vintage Valentino gown when she and then-boyfriend Benjamin Bratt attended the 73rd annual Academy Awards, March 2001<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Kim Johnson<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>His sumptuous gowns have graced countless Academy Awards, notably in 2001, when Roberts wore a vintage black and white column to accept her best actress statue.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.4716703458425313\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//84//99//808x1188_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Actress Cate Blanchett wore a Valentino yellow silk taffeta gown with train and a satin burgundy bow sash at the 77th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb 2005\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/384x565_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/640x942_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/750x1104_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/828x1219_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1080x1589_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1200x1766_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1920x2826_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Actress Cate Blanchett wore a Valentino yellow silk taffeta gown with train and a satin burgundy bow sash at the 77th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb 2005<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Chris Pizzello <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Cate Blanchett also wore Valentino \u2014 a one-shouldered number in butter-yellow silk \u2014 when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2004.<\/p>\n<p>Valentino was also behind the long-sleeved lace dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore for her wedding to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968. Kennedy and Valentino were close friends for decades, and for a spell the one-time U.S. first lady wore almost exclusively Valentino.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"1.3315579227696406\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//84//99//808x1077_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Jacquelin Onassis and Valentino on walkabout on the southern Italian island of Capri, 31 Aug 1970\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/384x511_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/640x852_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/750x999_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/828x1103_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1080x1438_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1200x1598_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1920x2557_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Jacquelin Onassis and Valentino on walkabout on the southern Italian island of Capri, 31 Aug 1970<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>He was also close to Diana, Princess of Wales, who often donned his sumptuous gowns.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond his signature orange-tinged shade of red, other Valentino trademarks included bows, ruffles, lace and embroidery; in short, feminine, flirty embellishments that added to the dresses\u2019 beauty and hence to that of the wearers.<\/p>\n<h2>Cinema Paradiso<\/h2>\n<p>Valentino was born into a well-off family in the northern Italian town of Voghera on May 11, 1932. He said it was his childhood love of cinema that set him down the fashion path.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was crazy for silver screen, I was crazy for beauty, to see all those movie stars being sensation, well dressed, being always perfect,\u201d he explained in the 2007 television interview.<\/p>\n<p>After studying fashion in Milan and Paris, he spent much of the 1950s working for established Paris-based designer Jean Desses and later Guy Laroche before striking out on his own. He founded the house of Valentino on Rome\u2019s Via Condotti in 1959.<\/p>\n<p>Early fans included Italian screen sirens Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren, as well as Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Legendary American Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland also took the young designer under her wing.<\/p>\n<h2>Picture perfect<\/h2>\n<p>Perpetually tanned and always impeccably dressed, Valentino shared the lifestyle of his jet-set patrons. In addition to his 46-metre yacht and an art collection including works by Picasso and Miro, the couturier owned a 17th-century chateau near Paris with a garden said to boast more than a million roses.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.667\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//61//84//99//808x539_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Valentino and American actress Sharon Stone wearing a wedding gown at Paris presentation of Valentino's 1994 Spring\/Summer ready-to-wear collection\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/384x256_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/640x427_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/750x500_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/828x552_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1080x720_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1200x800_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/1920x1281_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Valentino and American actress Sharon Stone wearing a wedding gown at Paris presentation of Valentino's 1994 Spring\/Summer ready-to-wear collection<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Valentino and his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti flitted among their homes \u2014 which also included places in New York, London, Rome, Capri and Gstaad, Switzerland \u2014 traveling with their pack of pugs and regularly joined by A-list heavy-hitting friends including Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I see somebody and unfortunately she\u2019s relaxed and running around in jogging trousers and without any makeup ... I feel very sorry,\u201d the designer told RTL television in a 2007 interview. \u201cFor me, woman is like a beautiful, beautiful flower bouquet. She has always to be sensational, always to please, always to be perfect, always to please the husband, the lover, everybody. Because we are born to show ourselves always at our best.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Over the years, Valentino\u2019s empire expanded as the designer added ready-to-wear, menswear and accessories lines to his stable. Valentino and Giammetti sold the label to an Italian holding company for an estimated $300 million in 1998. Valentino would remain in a design role for another decade.<\/p>\n<p>Valentino has been the subject of several retrospectives, including one at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, which is housed in a wing of Paris\u2019 Louvre Museum. He was also the subject of a hit 2008 documentary, <em>Valentino: The Last Emperor<\/em> that chronicled the end of his career in fashion.<\/p>\n<p>His body will repose at the foundation\u2019s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday. <\/p>\n<p>The funeral will be take place on Friday 23 January at 11:00, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza della Repubblica 8, in Rome.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768841829,"updatedAt":1768909168,"publishedAt":1768843876,"firstPublishedAt":1768843876,"lastPublishedAt":1768892695,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP\/Alessandra Tarantino","altText":"FILE: Fashion designer Valentino Garavani during a photo-call to present the documentary film 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' in Rome, 16 Nov 2009","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"FILE: Fashion designer Valentino Garavani during a photo-call to present the documentary film 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' in Rome, 16 Nov 2009","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_03515fff-52be-5532-ad28-4ddd6bab1580-9618499.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1125},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"FILE: Valentino and American actress Sharon Stone wearing a wedding gown at Paris presentation of Valentino's 1994 Spring\/Summer ready-to-wear collection","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"FILE: Valentino and American actress Sharon Stone wearing a wedding gown at Paris presentation of Valentino's 1994 Spring\/Summer ready-to-wear collection","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d0fd7133-e448-5a81-ac8d-7bb600bdfab7-9618499.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1334},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"FILE: Jacquelin Onassis and Valentino on walkabout on the southern Italian island of Capri, 31 Aug 1970","callToActionText":null,"width":1502,"caption":"FILE: Jacquelin Onassis and Valentino on walkabout on the southern Italian island of Capri, 31 Aug 1970","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7897a763-17e5-5d1e-983b-1030600bbc83-9618499.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2000},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Chris Pizzello ","altText":"FILE: Actress Cate Blanchett wore a Valentino yellow silk taffeta gown with train and a satin burgundy bow sash at the 77th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb 2005","callToActionText":null,"width":1359,"caption":"FILE: Actress Cate Blanchett wore a Valentino yellow silk taffeta gown with train and a satin burgundy bow sash at the 77th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb 2005","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e16bb1a9-f881-5031-88ad-d9aa1d344649-9618499.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2000},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Kim Johnson","altText":"FILE: Julia Roberts wore a vintage Valentino gown when she and then-boyfriend Benjamin Bratt attended the 73rd annual Academy Awards, March 2001","callToActionText":null,"width":1028,"caption":"FILE: Julia Roberts wore a vintage Valentino gown when she and then-boyfriend Benjamin Bratt attended the 73rd annual Academy Awards, March 2001","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_67393368-c6aa-56cc-93a6-b2d329b2dd4a-9618499.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2000},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Matt Sayles","altText":"FILE: Valentino and American actress Gwyneth Paltrow at the premiere of 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' in Los Angeles, 1 April 2009","callToActionText":null,"width":1750,"caption":"FILE: Valentino and American actress Gwyneth Paltrow at the premiere of 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' in Los Angeles, 1 April 2009","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_df6e806a-5ea3-5107-aeb2-9ce93297197c-9618499.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1274},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Pier Paolo Cito","altText":"FILE: Valentino Garavani presents an exhibition of his best creations at the Ara Pacis museum as part of his 45th anniversary celebrations, 6 July 2007","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"FILE: Valentino Garavani presents an exhibition of his best creations at the Ara Pacis museum as part of his 45th anniversary celebrations, 6 July 2007","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/84\/99\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_17a4dfc4-3523-5654-8146-d3a301d7d352-9618499.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"salako","twitter":"@Toks_Salako","id":66,"title":"Tokunbo Salako"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"fashion","titleRaw":"Fashion","id":111,"title":"Fashion","slug":"fashion"},{"urlSafeValue":"news","titleRaw":"news","id":11940,"title":"news","slug":"news"},{"urlSafeValue":"luxury-shopping","titleRaw":"Luxury shopping","id":20468,"title":"Luxury shopping","slug":"luxury-shopping"},{"urlSafeValue":"fashion-designer","titleRaw":"Fashion designer","id":15488,"title":"Fashion designer","slug":"fashion-designer"},{"urlSafeValue":"obituaries","titleRaw":"Obituary ","id":12848,"title":"Obituary ","slug":"obituaries"}],"widgets":[{"count":6,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2828735},{"id":2806730},{"id":2792626}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"xbTu_9dpezA","dailymotionId":"x9y55y2"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":74280,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":13799950,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/34\/37\/28\/09\/ED_PYR_3437289_20260120113929.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":74280,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":19686583,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/34\/37\/28\/09\/SHD_PYR_3437289_20260120113929.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":74280,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":59663111,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/34\/37\/28\/09\/FHD_PYR_3437289_20260120113929.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP ","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews Italia ","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture","id":10,"title":"Culture","slug":"culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","id":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"urlSafeValue":"europe","id":104,"title":"Europe"},"country":{"urlSafeValue":"italy","id":158,"title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":{"urlSafeValue":"rome","id":2082,"title":"Rome"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"it","storyId":9618498,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2026\/01\/19\/fashion-designer-valentino","lastModified":1768892695},{"id":2862665,"cid":9615076,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Olympic sponsors","daletPyramidId":3902063,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"\u2018Complete contradiction\u2019: Meet the athletes calling out the 2026 Winter Olympics\u2019 polluting sponsors","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Athletes call out polluting firms sponsoring 2026 Winter Olympics","titleListing2":"\u2018Complete contradiction\u2019: Meet the athletes calling out the 2026 Winter Olympics\u2019 polluting sponsors","leadin":"Just three sponsorship deals for the 2026 Olympic Games are predicted to generate 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.","summary":"Just three sponsorship deals for the 2026 Olympic Games are predicted to generate 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.","keySentence":"","url":"complete-contradiction-meet-the-athletes-calling-out-the-2026-winter-olympics-polluting-sp","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2026\/01\/18\/complete-contradiction-meet-the-athletes-calling-out-the-2026-winter-olympics-polluting-sp","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The 2026 Winter Olympics is under growing pressure to \u201cclean up its act\u201d and ditch a trio of polluting sponsors.\n\nScientists and athletes have joined forces ahead of the Games, which are being held in Italy this year, to highlight how deals with huge corporations are making its carbon footprint spiral.\u00a0\n\nMilan Cortina 2026 will be scattered across the mountains of northern Italy, most of which are within the Dolomites \u2013 an area under growing threat from climate change. The 2026 organising committee has already said it plans to make 2.4 million cubic meters of artificial snow, which will require 948,000 cubic meters of water, as warming temperatures continue to melt the region.\u00a0\n\nIn the last five years, Italy has lost a reported 265 ski resorts to rising temperatures, while a major analysis published last year found that global warming is hitting mountain regions, including the Alp,s \u201cmore intensely\u201d than lowland areas.\u00a0\n\nThe 2026 Winter Olympics\u2019 carbon footprint\u00a0\n\nA new report titled Olympics Torched, published by Scientists for Global Responsibility and the New Weather Institute, says the Games will emit around 930,000 tonnes of emissions.\u00a0\n\nHowever, researchers warn that just three of their sponsorship deals are expected to generate 1.3 million tonnes more, boosting the total footprint by almost two and a half times.\u00a0\n\nThe total impact of the Games and these sponsorships will lead to around 5.5 square kilometres of snow cover loss, they estimate. This is equivalent to an area of more than 3,000 Olympic-sized ice hockey rinks.\n\nOil and gas giant Eni, car-maker Stellantis, and Italy\u2019s national airline ITA Airways have been identified as the main culprits, with Eni being responsible for more than half of the added emissions.\u00a0\n\n\u201cEven without the growing mountain of scientific evidence on the impact of global heating on winter sports, it is plain enough to anyone visiting actual mountains that snow cover is being lost and glaciers are melting,\u201d says Stuart Parkinson, director of Scientists for Global Responsibility.\u00a0\n\n\u201cThis report adds to that evidence by showing that winter sports themselves contribute to that impact both directly through their carbon emissions and by promoting major polluters through advertising and sponsorship. But this also means that winter sports can be part of the solution, by cleaning up their own acts and dropping dirty sponsors.\u201d\n\nThe \u2018threatened\u2019 future of winter sports\n\nThe report argues that the most effective actions for reducing emissions would be for the Winter Olympics to end sponsorship deals with high-carbon corporations, avoid the construction of new venues and other infrastructure, and significantly reduce the number of spectators travelling by air.\u00a0\n\n\u201cThe Olympics will always generate emissions, and reducing them must be a priority,\u201d says Swedish cross-country skier Bj\u00f6rn Sandstr\u00f6m. \u201cBut the Games\u2019 greatest influence is the signal they send to the world.\u00a0\n\n\u201cWhen that signal is driven by fossil-fuel sponsorship, it directly contradicts climate science and threatens the future of winter sport.\u201d\n\nGreenlandic biathlete Ukalew Slettermark, a Winter Olympian and former World Junior Champion, argues that it is not \u201cjustifiable\u201d that winter sports are giving oil companies a platform to help them look like they're \u201ccontributing positively to society\u201d when they\u2019re not.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a complete contradiction when the fossil fuel industry is the biggest contributor to climate change, to making winters disappear and therefore also a threat to the very existence of winter sports,\u201d she adds.\n\nEuronews Green has contacted the International Olympic Committee for comment.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2026//01//16//these-european-cities-wont-be-able-to-host-future-winter-olympics-due-to-climate-change/"> <strong>2026 Winter Olympics<\/strong><\/a> is under growing pressure to \u201cclean up its act\u201d and ditch a trio of polluting sponsors.<\/p>\n<p>Scientists and athletes have joined forces ahead of the Games, which are being held in Italy this year, to highlight how deals with huge corporations are making its carbon footprint spiral. <\/p>\n<p>Milan Cortina 2026 will be scattered across the mountains of northern Italy, most of which are within the Dolomites \u2013 an area under growing threat from climate change. The 2026 organising committee has already said it plans to make 2.4 million cubic meters of artificial snow, which will require 948,000 cubic meters of water, as warming temperatures continue to melt the region. <\/p>\n<p>In the last five years, Italy has lost a reported 265 ski resorts to rising temperatures, while a major analysis published last year found that global warming is hitting <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//11//25//from-the-alps-to-the-andes-how-climate-change-in-mountain-regions-is-putting-billions-at-r/">mountain regions<\/strong><\/a>, including the Alp,s \u201cmore intensely\u201d than lowland areas. <\/p>\n<h2>The 2026 Winter Olympics\u2019 carbon footprint<\/h2>\n<p>A new report titled <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.newweather.org//wp-content//uploads//2026//01//Olympics_Torched_report_18-01-2026.pdf/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Olympics Torched<\/strong><\/a>, published by Scientists for Global Responsibility and the New Weather Institute, says the Games will emit around 930,000 tonnes of emissions. <\/p>\n<p>However, researchers warn that just three of their sponsorship deals are expected to generate 1.3 million tonnes more, boosting the total footprint by almost two and a half times. <\/p>\n<p>The total impact of the Games and these sponsorships will lead to around 5.5 square kilometres of snow cover loss, they estimate. This is equivalent to an area of more than 3,000 Olympic-sized ice hockey rinks.<\/p>\n<p>Oil and gas giant Eni, car-maker Stellantis, and Italy\u2019s national airline ITA Airways have been identified as the main culprits, with Eni being responsible for more than half of the added emissions. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2026//01//12//europeans-psychological-bias-to-climate-change-risks-slowing-down-progress-warns-study/">Europeans/u2019 \u2018psychological bias\u2019 to climate change risks slowing down progress, warns study<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//health//2026//01//13//how-olympians-think-about-success-and-failure-and-what-we-can-learn-from-them/">How Olympians think about success and failure and what we can learn from them<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cEven without the growing mountain of scientific evidence on the impact of global heating on winter sports, it is plain enough to anyone visiting actual mountains that snow cover is being lost and glaciers are melting,\u201d says Stuart Parkinson, director of Scientists for Global Responsibility. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis report adds to that evidence by showing that winter sports themselves contribute to that impact both directly through their carbon emissions and by promoting major polluters through advertising and sponsorship. But this also means that winter sports can be part of the solution, by cleaning up their own acts and dropping dirty sponsors.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>The \u2018threatened\u2019 future of winter sports<\/h2>\n<p>The report argues that the most effective actions for reducing emissions would be for the Winter Olympics to end sponsorship deals with high-carbon corporations, avoid the construction of new venues and other infrastructure, and significantly reduce the number of spectators travelling by air. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Olympics will always generate emissions, and reducing them must be a priority,\u201d says Swedish cross-country skier Bj\u00f6rn Sandstr\u00f6m. \u201cBut the Games\u2019 greatest influence is the signal they send to the world. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen that signal is driven by <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//12//08//shell-funded-school-materials-accused-of-downplaying-fossil-fuels-climate-impact/">fossil-fuel sponsorship<\/strong><\/a>, it directly contradicts climate science and threatens the future of winter sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Greenlandic biathlete Ukalew Slettermark, a Winter Olympian and former World Junior Champion, argues that it is not \u201cjustifiable\u201d that winter sports are giving oil companies a platform to help them look like they're \u201ccontributing positively to society\u201d when they\u2019re not.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a complete contradiction when the fossil fuel industry is the biggest contributor to climate change, to making winters disappear and therefore also a threat to the very existence of winter sports,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Euronews Green has contacted the International Olympic Committee for comment.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768557342,"updatedAt":1768716104,"publishedAt":1768716056,"firstPublishedAt":1768716056,"lastPublishedAt":1768716103,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/50\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fa565cb6-9654-5cb2-b5d9-ce669ef7e373-9615076.jpg","altText":"People take photos in front of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics rings, in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.","caption":"People take photos in front of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics rings, in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3531,"urlSafeValue":"liam.gilliver@ext.euronews.com","title":"Liam Gilliver","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10885,"slug":"winter-olympics","urlSafeValue":"winter-olympics","title":"Winter Olympics","titleRaw":"Winter Olympics"},{"id":158,"slug":"italy","urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","titleRaw":"Italy"},{"id":15386,"slug":"climate-change","urlSafeValue":"climate-change","title":"climate change","titleRaw":"climate change"},{"id":26126,"slug":"dolomites","urlSafeValue":"dolomites","title":"Dolomites","titleRaw":"Dolomites"},{"id":9385,"slug":"fossil-fuels","urlSafeValue":"fossil-fuels","title":"Fossil fuels","titleRaw":"Fossil fuels"},{"id":25956,"slug":"co2-emissions","urlSafeValue":"co2-emissions","title":"CO2 emissions","titleRaw":"CO2 emissions"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2862113},{"id":2862334},{"id":2862106}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news\/green-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","url":"\/green\/green-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":35,"urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/green\/2026\/01\/18\/complete-contradiction-meet-the-athletes-calling-out-the-2026-winter-olympics-polluting-sp","lastModified":1768716103},{"id":2820385,"cid":9400310,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Travel_Turnstile on Dolomites trail","daletPyramidId":2301959,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Winter Olympics will increase pressure on overtouristed Dolomites, local residents warn","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Winter Olympics will ramp up pressure on overtouristed Dolomites","titleListing2":"Dolomite landowners ask tourists to pay fee on scenic route after 8,000 visitors arrive in one day","leadin":"This summer, Dolomite landowners ask tourists to pay a fee on one scenic route after 8,000 visitors arrived in one day.","summary":"This summer, Dolomite landowners ask tourists to pay a fee on one scenic route after 8,000 visitors arrived in one day.","keySentence":"","url":"dolomite-landowners-ask-tourists-to-pay-fee-on-scenic-route-after-8000-visitors-arrive-in-","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2026\/01\/16\/dolomite-landowners-ask-tourists-to-pay-fee-on-scenic-route-after-8000-visitors-arrive-in-","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"As Italy gears up to host the Winter Olympics next month, residents in Alpine communities are warning that a surge in visitors will strain an area already battling overtourism.\n\nEvents will take place in Milan and in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a UNESCO-designated town known as the 'Queen of the Dolomites', as well as in the nearby localities of Predazzo, Tesero and Anterselva.\n\nLocal authorities and environmental organisations say the Games will exacerbate a worrying tourism trend: the social media fame of scenic spots.\n\nHigh in the Italian Dolomites, a hiking trail on Seceda mountain has become a renowned place for taking dramatic shots of the spiky Odle Peaks.\n\nIn summer, camera-wielding tourists become a nightmare for residents of the area in South Tyrol.\n\nThis winter, an acclaimed ski resort in the Dolomites became the country\u2019s first to cap the number of visitors.\n\nMadonna di Campiglio said it would curb the presence of skiers on the slopes by limiting daily passes purchased online to just 15,000.\u00a0\n\nThe move highlights the wider, growing issue of overtourism, poor visitor behaviour, and environmental damage in Italy\u2019s fragile mountain range.\n\nFarmers ask tourists to pay fee to hike scenic route\n\nThis summer, walkers and locals shared images of the famed Odle trail leading to the Seceda summit jammed with queues of tourists waiting to take Instagram-worthy snaps.\n\nSome 8,000 people reportedly walked the path on a single day last week.\n\nFrustrations grew to the point that local landowners decided to take independent action.\n\nAt the beginning of July, a group of local farmers set up a turnstile with a toll on the Odle trail to protest against the constant passage of tourists who, they say, disrespect the area.\n\n\"The trails are abandoned and the meadows are full of rubbish,\" they said in a statement.\n\nThe turnstile was quickly deactivated by the Puez-Odle Nature Park authorities, but was reinstated by the farmers days later.\n\nThe landowners said in a statement that the initial installation of the turnstile was primarily intended as a provocation - or a \u2018cry for help\u2019 as local newspaper Il Dolomiti describes it.\n\nHowever, since receiving no contact from \u201cpolitical representatives, associations, or organisations\", they chose to reactivate the system.\n\nAnyone who wished to hike along the route was asked to pay a \u20ac5 fee - children and residents excluded.\n\nThe landowners said they were obliged to charge a toll to compensate for the damage to their land and to fund their upkeep of the slopes.\n\nGreater regulation of tourism is needed in the Dolomites\n\nWhile many local tourism associations and mountain guides denounced the landowners\u2019 move, others, including local residents, say the provocation was necessary.\n\nCarlo Alberto Zanella, president of the South Tyrolean branch of the national hiking association Club Alpino Italia (CIA), told local newspaper Salto, \u201cit serves to bring a real problem to public attention.\u201d\n\nHe said visitors walk through or cycle across the meadows bordering the trail, spoiling the fields and their crops before the farmers can harvest.\n\n\u201cYou need education about how to respect the environment. That\u2019s the point.\u201d\n\nLocal tourism groups also acknowledge that overcrowding is partly due to a lack of regulation by provincial authorities.\n\nMussner called for local farmers to be financially compensated for summer tourism, as is done in winter for owners of land crossed by ski slopes.\n\nThis is particularly urgent given the booming interest in mountain destinations amid boiling European summers.\n\nAccording to research by the Demoskopika Institute, for the second consecutive year, South Tyrol is one of the destinations in Italy most exposed to tourist overcrowding, on a par with Venice.\n\nIs Apple to blame for the Seceda mountain\u2019s popularity?\n\nSome say the culprit of this area\u2019s popularity is the technology company Apple.\n\nIt used a photograph of the Seceda mountain as the official wallpaper for its iOS 7 operating system a decade ago.\n\nTwo years ago, it featured the Seceda again in a short promotional video during the iPhone 15 launch event.\n\nLocal groups say the result of that involuntary publicity was a huge increase in visitors, often driven by the desire to just take a few photos of the views and then leave.\n\nThey also say that the cable car from Ortisei that takes passengers to the summit is exacerbating the problem.\n\nThe route has also seen intense overcrowding, with local guides warning visitors to arrive early in the morning to avoid the lengthy queues.\n\nSome tourism and environmental groups are now calling for a price increase in summer or even its complete closure in peak season to prevent the unsustainable influx of visitors.\n\nThe company that operates the cable car has instead proposed tripling its capacity amid much controversy and fears of stoking the overtourism problem.\n\nDolomite ski resort caps visitor numbers\n\nConcerns are growing that the Winter Olympics will also ramp up interest in the Dolomites during the winter.\n\nThe Madonna di Campiglio ski resort has brought in a cap on visitor numbers, which was in place from 28 December, 2025, to 5 January, 2026, and will return during Italy\u2019s annual Carnival (15-22 February, 2026).\n\nAlthough the resort does not say the move was a measure to directly counter overtourism, it said limiting the number of daily pass holders to an \u201cideal number\u201d will help improve the skiing experience as well as customer safety.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nMadonna di Campiglio is also developing new \u201csmart skipasses\u201d to allow skiers to avoid crowded zones during the peak season by \u201cdynamically distributing skier traffic across the 150km of slopes\u201d.\u00a0\n\n\u2018A more holistic approach\u2019\n\nCatherine Warrilow, a tourism brand strategy expert at The Plot, tells Euronews Travel that overtourism can have a negative impact on guest experience, as well as on local residents and the environment.\n\n\u201cLimiting visitors per day to the slopes and lifts may reduce wider impacts but in my experience, it needs a far more holistic approach, coordinated with the local tourist association, businesses and residents,\u201d she adds.\n\nWarrilow argues that managing the flow of visitors to a region rather than just one resort or bottleneck would result in \u201cwider accessibility and sustainability\u201d - describing the resort\u2019s move as a \u201cvisitor management adjustment\u201d rather than a commitment to overtourism.\n\n\u201cI would speculate that this is designed more to even out visitor numbers through the ski season and avert the risk of someone being seriously hurt, as opposed to lessening the impact of tourism on the resort and local area,\u201d she says.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>As Italy gears up to host the Winter Olympics next month, residents in Alpine communities are warning that a surge in visitors will strain an area already battling overtourism. <\/p>\n<p>Events will take place in Milan and in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a UNESCO-designated town known as the 'Queen of the Dolomites', as well as in the nearby localities of Predazzo, Tesero and Anterselva. <\/p>\n<p>Local authorities and environmental organisations say the Games will exacerbate a worrying tourism trend: the social media fame of scenic spots. <\/p>\n<p>High in the Italian Dolomites, a hiking trail on Seceda mountain has become a renowned place for taking dramatic shots of the spiky Odle Peaks. <\/p>\n<p>In summer, camera-wielding tourists become a nightmare for residents of the area in South Tyrol. <\/p>\n<p>This winter, an acclaimed ski resort in the Dolomites became the country\u2019s first to cap the number of visitors.<\/p>\n<p>Madonna di Campiglio said it would curb the presence of skiers on the slopes by limiting daily passes purchased online to just 15,000. <\/p>\n<p>The move highlights the wider, growing issue of overtourism, poor visitor behaviour, and environmental damage in Italy\u2019s fragile mountain range. <\/p>\n<h2>Farmers ask tourists to pay fee to hike scenic route<\/h2>\n<p>This summer, walkers and locals shared images of the famed Odle trail leading to the Seceda summit jammed with queues of tourists waiting to take Instagram-worthy snaps. <\/p>\n<p>Some 8,000 people reportedly walked the path on a single day last week. <\/p>\n<p>Frustrations grew to the point that local landowners decided to take independent action. <\/p>\n<p>At the beginning of July, a group of local farmers set up a turnstile with a toll on the Odle trail to protest against the constant passage of tourists who, they say, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//05//29//svalbard-chios-el-hierro-how-these-european-islands-have-successfully-avoided-overtourism/">disrespect the area.<\/p>\n<p>\"The trails are abandoned and the meadows are full of rubbish,\" they said in a statement. <\/p>\n<p>The turnstile was quickly deactivated by the Puez-Odle Nature Park authorities, but was reinstated by the farmers days later. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1949907717671305647\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The landowners said in a statement that the initial installation of the turnstile was primarily intended as a provocation - or a \u2018cry for help\u2019 as local newspaper Il Dolomiti describes it. <\/p>\n<p>However, since receiving no contact from \u201cpolitical representatives, associations, or organisations\", they chose to reactivate the system. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2026//01//22//this-popular-european-hiking-destination-just-introduced-a-tourist-fee-on-some-of-its-trai/">This popular European hiking destination has upped tourist fees and capped numbers on its trails<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//01//04//from-italys-path-of-love-to-swedens-archipelago-trail-european-hiking-routes-that-opened-i/">From Italy\u2019s path of love to Sweden's archipelago trail: European hiking routes that opened in 2024<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Anyone who wished to hike along the route was asked to pay a \u20ac5 <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//06//05//planning-a-holiday-in-europe-this-year-all-of-2025s-tourist-taxes-bans-and-restrictions-ex/">fee - children and residents excluded. <\/p>\n<p>The landowners said they were obliged to charge a toll to compensate for the damage to their land and to fund their upkeep of the slopes. <\/p>\n<h2>Greater regulation of tourism is needed in the Dolomites<\/h2>\n<p>While many local tourism associations and mountain guides denounced the landowners\u2019 move, others, including local residents, say the provocation was necessary. <\/p>\n<p>Carlo Alberto Zanella, president of the South Tyrolean branch of the national hiking association Club Alpino Italia (CIA), told local newspaper Salto, \u201cit serves to bring a real problem to public attention.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said visitors walk through or cycle across the meadows bordering the trail, spoiling the fields and their crops before the farmers can harvest. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou need education about how to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//03//17//japan-doubles-fee-to-climb-mount-fuji-after-pollution-and-safety-concerns/">respect the environment<\/strong><\/a>. That\u2019s the point.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1947989391114444948\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Local tourism groups also acknowledge that <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//06//23//is-tourism-possible-without-overcrowding-popular-destinations/">overcrowding is partly due to a lack of regulation by provincial authorities. <\/p>\n<p>Mussner called for local farmers to be financially compensated for summer tourism, as is done in winter for owners of land crossed by ski slopes.<\/p>\n<p>This is particularly urgent given the booming interest in mountain destinations amid boiling European summers. <\/p>\n<p>According to research by the Demoskopika Institute, for the second consecutive year, South Tyrol is one of the destinations in Italy most exposed to tourist <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//05//15//this-greek-island-is-europes-most-overtouristed-destination-according-to-new-report/">overcrowding, on a par with Venice. <\/p>\n<h2>Is Apple to blame for the Seceda mountain\u2019s popularity?<\/h2>\n<p>Some say the culprit of this area\u2019s popularity is the technology company Apple. <\/p>\n<p>It used a photograph of the Seceda mountain as the official wallpaper for its iOS 7 operating system a decade ago. <\/p>\n<p>Two years ago, it featured the Seceda again in a short promotional video during the iPhone 15 launch event.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//07//24//european-travellers-turn-to-lesser-known-spots-and-shoulder-season-escapes-amid-overtouris/">European travellers turn to lesser-known spots and shoulder season escapes amid overtourism concerns<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//07//09//how-to-avoid-contributing-to-overtourism-in-mexico-city-as-residents-protest-against-gentr/">How to avoid contributing to overtourism in Mexico City as residents protest against gentrification<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Local groups say the result of that involuntary publicity was a huge increase in visitors, often driven by the desire to just take a few photos of the views and then leave.<\/p>\n<p>They also say that the cable car from Ortisei that takes passengers to the summit is exacerbating the problem. <\/p>\n<p>The route has also seen intense overcrowding, with local guides warning <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//04//24//from-rising-rents-to-rewilding-how-tourists-are-rethinking-their-impact-on-the-places-they/">visitors to arrive early in the morning to avoid the lengthy queues.<\/p>\n<p>Some tourism and environmental groups are now calling for a price increase in summer or even its complete closure in peak season to prevent the unsustainable influx of visitors.<\/p>\n<p>The company that operates the cable car has instead proposed tripling its capacity amid much controversy and fears of stoking the overtourism problem.<\/p>\n<h2>Dolomite ski resort caps visitor numbers<\/h2>\n<p>Concerns are growing that the Winter Olympics will also ramp up interest in the Dolomites during the winter.<\/p>\n<p>The Madonna di Campiglio ski resort has brought in a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//10//09//italian-ski-resort-caps-visitor-numbers-for-the-first-time-as-dolomites-continue-overtouri/">cap on visitor numbers<\/strong><\/a>, which was in place from 28 December, 2025, to 5 January, 2026, and will return during Italy\u2019s annual Carnival (15-22 February, 2026).<\/p>\n<p>Although the resort does not say the move was a measure to directly counter overtourism, it said limiting the number of daily pass holders to an \u201cideal number\u201d will help improve the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2024//12//30//how-one-ski-resort-in-switzerland-has-become-an-unlikely-canvas-for-the-worlds-street-arti/">skiing <\/a>experience as well as customer safety. <\/p>\n<p>Madonna di Campiglio is also developing new \u201csmart skipasses\u201d to allow skiers to avoid crowded zones during the peak season by \u201cdynamically distributing <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//03//03//private-ski-butlers-live-in-chefs-and-rare-cigars-inside-switzerlands-ultra-luxury-travel-/">skier traffic<\/strong><\/a> across the 150km of slopes\u201d. <\/p>\n<h2>\u2018A more holistic approach\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Catherine Warrilow, a tourism brand strategy expert at The Plot, tells Euronews Travel that <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2025//10//07//tenerife-introduces-new-eco-tax-as-canary-islands-report-record-tourist-numbers/">overtourism can have a negative impact on guest experience, as well as on local residents and the environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLimiting visitors per day to the slopes and lifts may reduce wider impacts but in my experience, it needs a far more holistic approach, coordinated with the local tourist association, businesses and residents,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Warrilow argues that managing the flow of visitors to a region rather than just one resort or bottleneck would result in \u201cwider accessibility and sustainability\u201d - describing the resort\u2019s move as a \u201cvisitor management adjustment\u201d rather than a commitment to overtourism.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would speculate that this is designed more to even out visitor numbers through the ski season and avert the risk of someone being seriously hurt, as opposed to lessening the impact of tourism on the resort and local area,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1754055152,"updatedAt":1768568395,"publishedAt":1768567808,"firstPublishedAt":1754055728,"lastPublishedAt":1768568395,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Ciprian Boiciuc ","altText":"The move is highlighting a wider, growing issue of overtourism, poor visitor behaviour, and environmental damage in Italy\u2019s mountains. ","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"The move is highlighting a wider, growing issue of overtourism, poor visitor behaviour, and environmental damage in Italy\u2019s mountains. ","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/40\/03\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5c643135-bf51-5d1f-9679-ae870d1a3b4e-9400310.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"hughes","twitter":null,"id":2460,"title":"Rebecca Ann Hughes"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"dolomites","titleRaw":"Dolomites","id":26126,"title":"Dolomites","slug":"dolomites"},{"urlSafeValue":"over-tourism","titleRaw":"overtourism","id":25684,"title":"overtourism","slug":"over-tourism"},{"urlSafeValue":"hiking","titleRaw":"hiking","id":24440,"title":"hiking","slug":"hiking"},{"urlSafeValue":"travel-trends","titleRaw":"Travel trends","id":30172,"title":"Travel trends","slug":"travel-trends"},{"urlSafeValue":"sustainable-tourism","titleRaw":"Sustainable tourism","id":13868,"title":"Sustainable tourism","slug":"sustainable-tourism"},{"urlSafeValue":"mountain","titleRaw":"Mountain","id":13344,"title":"Mountain","slug":"mountain"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"twitter"},{"count":2,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2819999},{"id":2819571}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"travel-news","urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-news\/travel-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel-news","id":"travel-news","title":"Travel News","url":"\/travel\/travel-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":21,"urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":158,"urlSafeValue":"italy","title":"Italy","url":"\/news\/europe\/italy"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/travel\/2026\/01\/16\/dolomite-landowners-ask-tourists-to-pay-fee-on-scenic-route-after-8000-visitors-arrive-in-","lastModified":1768568395},{"id":2861750,"cid":9610918,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Mineral Deposits Pompeii","daletPyramidId":3864344,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Lava up: New mineral study reveals buried 'dirt' about bath time in ancient Pompeii ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Buried minerals reveal dirt about daily life in ancient Pompeii ","titleListing2":"Come together: Mineral study reveals secrets of ancient Pompeii's bathing culture ","leadin":"New secrets have been revealed about bathing culture in ancient Pompeii. Researchers have found mineral deposits under lava which suggest the city's famous aqueducts were influenced by the Greeks, thousands of years before the establishment of the Roman empire.","summary":"New secrets have been revealed about bathing culture in ancient Pompeii. Researchers have found mineral deposits under lava which suggest the city's famous aqueducts were influenced by the Greeks, thousands of years before the establishment of the Roman empire.","keySentence":"","url":"lava-up-new-mineral-study-reveals-buried-dirt-about-bath-time-in-ancient-pompeii","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/01\/15\/lava-up-new-mineral-study-reveals-buried-dirt-about-bath-time-in-ancient-pompeii","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Bath time in ancient Pompeii has been revealed as not the wholesome and clean experience as some might have thought.\n\nA new study on newly found minerals buried deep under lava, in 79 AD from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, indicate that water in communal areas was unlikely to have been changed regularly.\n\nCombined research by scientists from Germany's University of Mainz suggests the city's bathing culture was influenced by Greeks and then the Samnites, thousands of years before the Roman invasion.\n\nTheir findings, buried under ash, come from the discovery of calcium carbonate deposits, a mineral which reveals the composition of communal water and the presence of human contamination.\n\nWater works\n\nThrough geochemical historical analysis the team was able to reconstruct the chronology of the city's water system.\n\nThis unearthed evidence that illustrates how Pompeii was influenced by the Greeks and then the Samnites way before the Romans ruled the roost.\n\nThe Samnites are described by the British Museum as a warlike mountain people, who, in Italy put up the fiercest resistance to the Romans.\n\nResearchers say the city\u2019s entire water system including the Samnite wells, public baths and the aqueduct the Romans built were preserved by the lava which destroyed Pompeii.\n\nCees Passchier is Professor of Tectonophysics and Structural Geology at the University of Mainz and a co-author of the study on the baths which is published in PNA (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).\n\n\"The water in the early stages of the baths was apparently not very clean. It's not surprising because the water was supplied by a water lifting machine, so you must imagine there was probably a slave running in a kind of a hamster wheel lifting up water buckets and supplying the baths with water,\" says Passchier.\n\nThe great innovation came in the wealthy Augustan Period from from 27 BC to 14 CE when Passchier says communal bathing experienced a boon as every city wanted an aqueduct.\n\n\"People could not afford to build long, long distance aqueducts, they also didn't have the knowledge of it to build them and it's only the starting Greek time, the Greeks started to build longer and larger aqueducts, but it was the Romans, really, with their talent for organizing things, who managed to set up really large aqueducts supplying cities.\n\nIt all came to an end in Pompeii, however, before the height of the Roman era according to Passchier.\n\n\"The Central Baths of Pompeii were under construction when the volcano erupted and they were never put in use, so there were a pretty large number of public baths in Pompeii, and they were increasing in size in the course of time because Pompeii was unfortunately destroyed even before the peak of Roman imperial civilization.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Bath time in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//pompeii/">ancient Pompeii<\/strong><\/a> has been revealed as not the wholesome and clean experience as some might have thought. <\/p>\n<p>A new study on newly found minerals buried deep under lava, in 79 AD from the eruption of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2024//08//12//pompeii-archaeologists-uncover-tragic-final-moments-of-two-victims-of-mount-vesuvius-erupt/">Mount Vesuvius<\/strong><\/a>, indicate that water in communal areas was unlikely to have been changed regularly. <\/p>\n<p>Combined research by scientists from Germany's University of Mainz suggests the city's bathing culture was influenced by Greeks and then the Samnites, thousands of years before the Roman invasion.<\/p>\n<p>Their findings, buried under ash, come from the discovery of calcium carbonate deposits, a mineral which reveals the composition of communal water and the presence of human contamination.<\/p>\n<h2>Water works<\/h2>\n<p>Through geochemical <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//01//17//pompeii-archaeologists-find-once-in-a-century-private-spa-complex-alongside-banquet-hall/">historical analysis<\/strong><\/a> the team was able to reconstruct the chronology of the city's water system.<\/p>\n<p>This unearthed evidence that illustrates how Pompeii was influenced by the Greeks and then the Samnites way before the Romans ruled the roost.<\/p>\n<p>The Samnites are described by the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//british-museum/">British Museum<\/strong><\/a> as a warlike mountain people, who, in Italy put up the fiercest resistance to the Romans.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers say the city\u2019s entire water system including the Samnite wells, public baths and the aqueduct the Romans built were preserved by the lava which destroyed Pompeii.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//11//11//mapping-the-past-300000km-of-roman-roads-charted-in-new-digital-project/">Mapping the past: 300,000km of Roman roads charted in new digital project<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//12//01//enter-the-arena-roman-restoration-project-reveals-secret-commodus-passage-in-colosseum/">'Enter the arena': Roman restoration project reveals secret 'Commodus Passage' in Colosseum <\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Cees Passchier is Professor of Tectonophysics and Structural Geology at the University of Mainz and a co-author of the study on the baths which is published in PNA (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).<\/p>\n<p>\"The water in the early stages of the baths was apparently not very clean. It's not surprising because the water was supplied by a water lifting machine, so you must imagine there was probably a slave running in a kind of a hamster wheel lifting up water buckets and supplying the baths with water,\" says Passchier.<\/p>\n<p>The great innovation came in the wealthy Augustan Period from from 27 BC to 14 CE when Passchier says communal bathing experienced a boon as every city wanted an aqueduct.<\/p>\n<p>\"People could not afford to build long, long distance aqueducts, they also didn't have the knowledge of it to build them and it's only the starting Greek time, the Greeks started to build longer and larger aqueducts, but it was the Romans, really, with their talent for organizing things, who managed to set up really large aqueducts supplying cities. <\/p>\n<p>It all came to an end in Pompeii, however, before the height of the Roman era according to Passchier.<\/p>\n<p>\"The Central Baths of Pompeii were under construction when the volcano erupted and they were never put in use, so there were a pretty large number of public baths in Pompeii, and they were increasing in size in the course of time because Pompeii was unfortunately destroyed even before the peak of Roman imperial civilization.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1768295004,"updatedAt":1768462708,"publishedAt":1768462578,"firstPublishedAt":1768462578,"lastPublishedAt":1768462578,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/61\/09\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_09f9dba4-d656-5a24-8d38-8e1966ce2ed1-9610918.jpg","altText":"FILE: A private bathhouse recently discovered in the Pompeii archaeological site ","caption":"FILE: A private bathhouse recently discovered in the Pompeii archaeological site ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP\/Pompeii Archaeological Park","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1500,"height":843}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":66,"urlSafeValue":"salako","title":"Tokunbo 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