The XXV Winter Olympic Games officially began in Milan and will last until February 22. The flag of Ukraine at the opening ceremony will be carried by speed skater Yelyzaveta Sydorko and skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych.
The opening ceremony of the XXV Winter Olympic Games has begun in Italy at the San Siro stadium in Milan. The Games will take place from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, where approximately 2,900 athletes will compete in 16 disciplines.
Pope Leo XIV called for an Olympic truce at the start of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. He emphasized the values of fair competition and called sport "an expression of our humanity."
The NOC of Ukraine revealed details of the national team's stay at the 2026 Olympic Games. All 46 Ukrainian athletes have been accredited on time and admitted to the competitions; there are no problems with logistics or injuries.
In Milan, approximately 70 shower cabins were found damaged in the Olympic Village, which is preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Investigators suspect deliberate sabotage.
During curling matches in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the lights went out at the Olympic Stadium, delaying the game for five minutes. The organizers did not name the cause of the incident.
Italian special services prevented cyberattacks on the MFA websites and facilities related to the Winter Olympic Games. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani linked the attackers to Russia.
The International Olympic Committee is exploring the possibility of holding the Winter Olympic Games in January and the Paralympic Games in February. This is due to the shrinking number of locations with stable snow cover in March.
The NOC of Ukraine showed the living conditions of Olympians in the Cortina village, where the Ukrainian national team has already settled. Luge athlete Nazariy Kachmar shared his impressions of the comfortable conditions and atmosphere.
Ukraine has named skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych and 21-year-old short track speed skater Yelyzaveta Sydorko as flag bearers for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Sydorko will be the youngest Ukrainian short track speed skater at the Olympics.
Four days before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Ukrainian athletes began moving into the Olympic villages in Northern Italy. The organizers have created several separate villages near the competition venues.
The UN and the organizers of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina have called for a seven-week pause in all global conflicts a week before the start of the competitions. This break covers the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, as well as an additional week before and after each event.
The US plan to involve ICE officers in security for the Winter Olympics in Milan has drawn criticism from Italian officials. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has spoken out against the presence of ICE representatives.
Ukraine has approved the official composition of the delegation and 46 athletes who will represent the country at the XXV Winter Olympic Games in 2026. Ukrainian athletes will compete in 11 sports in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
The organizers of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games have unveiled the design of the Olympic cauldrons, dedicated to the creative legacy of Leonardo da Vinci. For the first time, two flames will be lit and extinguished simultaneously in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Andriy Mandziy won gold at the Nations Cup in luge in Oberhof. This is his second consecutive gold medal of the season.
The NBA and FIBA are developing a new European basketball championship, which could start in October 2027. The league will have 16 teams, 12 of which will be permanent franchises, and 4 spots will be for qualification.
Nine people have been arrested in Italy on suspicion of collecting 7 million euros under the guise of humanitarian aid, which was actually transferred to Hamas militants. More than 70% of the donations went to finance Hamas' military wing and support the families of terrorists.
The Milan prosecutor's office concluded that 21 alleged cases of Russian drones flying over the European Joint Research Centre (JRC) were a technical error. The security system of the JRC nuclear site produced false positives due to a common GSM signal booster.
Italian brand Prada will create 2,000 pairs of sandals in India, inspired by traditional footwear, following criticism. Each pair will retail for approximately $930, combining Indian craftsmanship and Italian technology.
The organizers of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games received the Olympic flame at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. This marked the beginning of a 63-day torch relay that will travel across Italy before the Olympics in February.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law completely banning the circulation of vapes and electronic cigarettes. Violations are punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Stylist Olena Mudrenko spoke about the trendy colors for winter 2025–2026, including mocha brown, chili pepper red, and lime green. Buttery yellow, sky blue, burgundy, chocolate, gray, and milky white also remain relevant.
Italian supercar manufacturer Ferrari reported a 5% increase in core operating profit in the third quarter of 2025, reaching 670 million euros. This exceeded analysts' average forecast of 649 million euros, thanks to strong pricing and high demand for personalized car features.
On October 31, the world celebrates a number of holidays, including Frankenstein Day in the USA and Great Britain, World Lemur Day, World Savings Day, and International Black Sea Day. Halloween, rooted in the ancient Celts, and Reformation Day in honor of Martin Luther also fall on this day.
Singer Rihanna suffered losses of $36 million due to the unsuccessful joint fashion project Fenty with Louis Vuitton. The reason for the failure was the COVID-19 pandemic and the high cost of the collections, which made them inaccessible to most fans.
The Council of the International Ski Federation (FIS) has banned athletes from Russia and Belarus from participating in qualifying competitions for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. This decision makes their participation impossible even in a neutral status.
Ukrainian citizens abroad can provide DNA samples for the identification of missing relatives at SE "Document" units in seven countries. The procedure includes submitting an application and collecting biological material for molecular genetic examination.
The Milan City Council has approved the demolition of the San Siro stadium. A new 71,500-seat arena worth 1.2 billion euros will be built in its place.
The International Paralympic Committee has lifted the partial suspension of Russia and Belarus, restoring their full membership rights. The decision was made at the IPC General Assembly in Seoul, despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
