The curtain rose on a moment of myth and magic: Cupid's kiss awakening Psyche, a tender beginning that blossomed into a dazzling tribute to Italy itself. From opera and art to fashion, music and dance, the Milano Cortina opening ceremony unfolded as a vibrant celebration of culture. An explosion of colour, romance and theatrical flair that felt unmistakably Italian. The spectacle then drifted into a dreamlike Fantasia chapter.
Before the campaign was all but officially interrupted by two deadly and destructive storms, some conservative figures in the country had staged a rare display of apparent unity by declaring their support for Seguro in an attempt to head off the possibility of a far-right presidency. Others, including Portugal's centre-right prime minister, Luis Montenegro, have refused to throw their weight behind the socialist.
Fierce fighting continues on the front line between Russian and Ukrainian forces despite the frigid winter temperatures, said Ukraine's Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskii, who stated the front line now stretches about 1,200km (750 miles) in length along eastern and southern parts of Ukraine. Increasing technological improvements in drone warfare on both sides of the conflict mean that the so-called kill zone where troops are in greatest danger on the front line is now up to 20km (12 miles) deep, Syrskii told reporters.
LATEST: More homes and businesses at risk as flood threat to peak this morning Series of Status Orange and Yellow warnings in place Coast Guard has asked public to stay away from waterways and exposed coastal areas Some schools may close today as flooding may affect transport The threat of flooding is set to peak this morning, with road networks expected to bear the brunt of the deluge. However, damage to residential and commercial properties is also likely, emergency services have warned.
London Underground Brands have been playing with the signage on London's tube network for many years but recent examples have proved intrusive and annoying. Ben Kay examines what's gone wrong Creative Review A Century Ago: What To Call The Northern Line? Londonist Mainline / Overground Rail journeys on Southern, Thameslink and the Gatwick Express remain severely disrupted following an early morning derailment and a signal failure in south-east London. BBC News
According to data from the European Research Council (ERC), applications from the United States for its starting, consolidator and advanced grants to individual researchers - each worth up to €2.5 million (US$5.3 million) over five years - rose by 120% in its most recent round of calls, compared to an overall rise in applications of 17% (see Choosing Europe below).
The theme of this week's Power Rankings is, for any reason, who is the "top" player from each NHL team that isn't on an Olympic roster going to Milan. How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday. Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Jan. 29. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.
Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Milan to reject the presence of United States immigration agents in the city before the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Games. The student-led demonstration on Friday featured banners reading ICE should be in my drinks, not my city in reaction to the reported presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials providing security for the US delegation at the games.
I am because I know the people that we've got, the good people that we've got, the good players that are here but who are at home as well. I know there is a determined group to make sure that we are constantly up there at the top of world rugby to be able to compete, and that will always be the case.
A senior Russian military general has been shot multiple times in Moscow in an assassination attempt. Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, deputy head of the Defence Ministry's Main Directorate of the General Staff was shot several times on Friday and has been rushed to hospital. The general was accused of playing a major role in the Salisbury poisonings in the UK of the former double Russia n agent Sergei Skripal for British intelligence.
Markets were also bruised as a planned €220bn tie-up between mining giants Glencore and Rio Tinto was shelved. The pair have had a long-running, on-off engagement that has seen them try to tie the knot before. "Many wondered whether it might be third time lucky when Rio Tinto and Glencore got back around the table to discuss a deal which would have created the world's biggest mining company - but today it emerged it was not to be,"
On Thursday, Ukraine's energy minister, Denys Shmyal, warned Ukrainians to prepare for more power blackouts in the coming days as Russian air attacks continued. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Russia had struck energy infrastructure 217 times this year. Shmyal said 200 emergency crews were working to restore power to 1,100 buildings in Kyiv alone. Russia has been targeting Ukrainian power stations, gas pipelines and power cables since mid-January, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without heat or electricity at various points.
Just seven new petrol cars were sold in Norway last month, data shows. The country, which is the frontrunner in the uptake of electric vehicles, shifted a record low number of new fossil-fuel cars in January, information from the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council (OFV) reveals. Only seven petrol, 29 hybrid and 98 diesel cars were registered, while more than 2,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold.
In its strategy to maintain acceptable performance levels for mobile users, VMO2 has expanded its relationship with infrastructure modernisation firm Zinkworks. VMO2) added that it is building on two years of experience monitoring its fixed broadband network, where the technology is said to have reduced repair times by more than a third, cutting the need for engineer visits by 12%.
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics officially began with the opening ceremony on Friday. The performances highlighted Italy's legacy of music, fashion, arts, and culture. Team USA's opening ceremony outfits, designed by Ralph Lauren, featured patriotic touches.
