Armani considering sale of 15 per cent stake to luxury and eyewear groups

Peter srinivasan

Rome — Giorgio Armani’s fashion empire could distribute a 15 per cent stake among three major international groups, according to Italian media reports, as the company begins implementing succession plans outlined before the designer’s death.

Italian daily La Repubblica reported that the Armani group is considering dividing the stake equally between LVMH, L'Oréal and EssilorLuxottica.

The move would reflect indications reportedly contained in Armani’s will naming the three groups as preferred strategic partners and potential investors in the company.

Culture, Business, Rome, Italy
11 May 2026
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Former Italian ambassador arrested over alleged Russian visa scheme

Peter srinivasan

Rome — An Italian former ambassador to Uzbekistan has been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged scheme that allowed Russian nationals to obtain long term Italian visas using forged documentation, prosecutors in Rome said on Monday.

Piergabriele Papadia De Bottini and his former collaborator Tatiana Tarakanova are under investigation for alleged corruption and facilitating illegal immigration following a probe led by the Guardia di Finanza and the Rome public prosecutor’s office.

Culture, Rome, Embassy Row, World, Italy
11 May 2026
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Iran rebuffs criticism over Hormuz food supply disruption at FAO meeting

Mattia Bortali

 ROME - Iran has dismissed a critical UAE-inspired motion at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) council and urged the UN body to help mitigate the impact of the US Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic.

 The motion, adopted at an unscheduled FAO meeting held last week to discuss disruption to food supply chains in the Strait of Hormuz, included criticism of Iran’s attacks on gulf countries and food-related infrastructure in the region.

U.N., Rome, World
9 May 2026
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Fashion show in Rome aims to challenge conventions and redefine contemporary style

Peter srinivasan

 Rome – A collective fashion show bringing together emerging designers, inclusive casting and immersive visual storytelling will take place in the capital next week as part of Rome Fashion Path.

Titled Fashion Unlocked Oltre le regole. Dentro il cambiamento, the event will be staged on 13 May at Jo&Joe Roma at 6.30pm, presenting what organisers describe as a fashion experience that goes beyond the traditional runway format.

Culture, Business, Rome, Italy
8 May 2026
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Princess of Wales to visit Reggio Emilia in first overseas engagement since cancer treatment

Peter srinivasan

Rome – Catherine, Princess of Wales will travel to Reggio Emilia on 13–14 May for a visit centred on the internationally acclaimed Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education, in what will mark her first official trip abroad since 2023 and her first solo overseas engagement in almost a decade.

The visit, announced as part of her work with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, underlines the Princess’s long standing interest in the formative importance of the first five years of life and her growing international profile in the field of childhood development.

Culture, Rome, World, Italy
7 May 2026
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