Latest news with #ANSA


The Independent
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Barbie designers killed in car crash: ‘Barbie is better because they loved the brand'
Barbie designers Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi were killed in a car crash Sunday with the doll brand writing in a tribute, 'Barbie is better because they loved the brand.' The business and romantic partners died after 82-year-old Egidio Ceriano, driving the wrong way on Italy's A4 Turin-Milan highway, collided head-on with their car in Lombardy, according to Italian news outlet ANSA. Ceriano is accused of driving about four miles in the wrong direction before the crash. Amodio Valerio Giurni, a bank employee, and his wife, Silvia Moramacro, were also in the doll designers' car, according to the Italian outlet. Giurni died and Moramacro was hospitalized. Ceriano, who also died in the crash, had renewed his license two years ago, ANSA reported. In the wake of the crash, Mattel, the maker of Barbie, released a statement on Instagram: "The Barbie team is heartbroken by the loss of Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, two treasured creators and Mattel collaborators who brought joy and artistry to the world of Barbie as Magnia2000." Paglino and Grossi's Magina2000 company specialized in custom dolls. Their work earned them the Barbie Best Friend Award from Barbie fashion designer Carol Spencer in 2016, according to the duo's website. The two are known for their celebrity dolls, which included singers Cher and Lady Gaga and actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Sophia Loren. But the most notable celebrity dolls they created were dedicated to Madonna. After being part of the London 'Simply Madonna' Exhibit in 2009, Paglino and Grossi met the singer in person on 'The Graham Norton Show.' "Their generosity was boundless, creating countless dolls to be auctioned to benefit charities close to fellow collectors' hearts," Mattel's statement read. In 2015, the pair auctioned one of their dolls at the National Barbie Convention for $15,000 for charity. Mattel concluded its statement by writing: 'Barbie is better because they loved the brand, and our beloved collector community is richer for having known them and shared in their passion. Barbie honors their memory with deep gratitude."

Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Gymnastics-Italy withdraw from World University Games after gymnast seriously injured in fall
Italy have withdrawn from the rest of the World University Games in Essen, Germany, after gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli suffered a fall during his routine, sustaining a serious neck injury that required surgery, news agency ANSA reported on Friday. Bonicelli remains in intensive care but is stable and his life is not in danger, the Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI) said, after the 23-year-old was rushed hospital where he underwent surgery following the incident. "From the University Hospital in Essen... we (learned) that today, the athlete, who remained conscious after the accident until the moment of surgery, was awakened from a medically-induced coma and is showing positive signs," the FGI said in a statement on Friday. Italy have withdrawn from the competition due to the emotional impact the incident had on the rest of the team, ANSA reported. REUTERS


L'Orient-Le Jour
4 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Italy can 'no longer accept carnage and famine' in Gaza, FM says
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Friday his country cannot accept "carnage and famine" in Gaza, criticising Israel but stating that Italy was not ready to recognise the state of Palestine, like France plans to do. The opposition has criticised Italy's hard-right government for its stance on Israel but, like many EU countries, has become increasingly concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "We can no longer accept carnage and famine," Tajani said, according to Italy's ANSA news agency, while adding that Rome can only recognise Palestine "at the same time as their recognition of the state of Israel." "The time has come for an immediate cease-fire," Tajani said, speaking at a political party congress. Tajani used the word "famine" as aid groups warned of starvation spreading in Gaza and as Britain, France and Germany were to hold an "emergency call" on the crisis. Late on Thursday, France announced that it would recognize the state of Palestine during a September U.N. meeting. "No military action can justify attacks against civilians," she said.


The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Gymnastics-Italy withdraw from World University Games after gymnast seriously injured in fall
(Reuters) -Italy have withdrawn from the rest of the World University Games in Essen, Germany, after gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli suffered a fall during his routine, sustaining a serious neck injury that required surgery, news agency ANSA reported on Friday. Bonicelli, 23, was rushed to a nearby hospital after receiving immediate assistance from on-site health officials, the Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI) said in a statement. "During the men's artistic gymnastics team competition... Italian Lorenzo Bonicelli had a bad fall from the rings in the third rotation, sustaining an injury," the FGI said on Wednesday. Italy have withdrawn from the competition due to the emotional impact the incident had on the rest of the team, ANSA reported. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru)


7NEWS
18-07-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
James Nowland: Friends of Perth BASE jumper who died in Italy raise money to bring his body home to family
The grieving wife of a Perth BASE jumper who died in an accident in the Italian Dolomites has paid tribute to her husband, saying 'his family meant everything to him'. James Lee Nowland crashed on Wednesday after jumping from prominent rocky peak Sass Pordoi in the Dolomites near the South Tyrolean, Italian news agency ANSA reported. His wife, Candice Nowland, revealed in a statement that James was a family man and respected athlete. 'James was a greatly respected member of the BASE jumping community, having done the sport for over 10 years,' she said. 'His family meant everything to him.' The 42-year-old crashed along a hairpin bend road, at an altitude of about 1,700 metres and 400 metres above the landing point, according to alpine rescue services. Investigators suspect Mr Nowland's parachute didn't open in time due to a technical issue. The group of fellow Australians he was with alerted the rescue services. A mountain rescue team and a helicopter were deployed but he could not be revived. His self-proclaimed 'Australian family' started a GoFundMe on Friday to 'bring James home' to his wife and two young daughters. 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the sudden and devastating loss of our beloved weapon father, work mate, all round legend James who passed away tragically while overseas,' fundraiser organiser Damian Harris wrote. 'James was more than just family and a mate – his presence lit up every room, and their absence now leaves a space no words can fill. 'We are creating this GoFundMe to help cover the unexpected costs of bringing James home to his family to support his girls left behind. 'Any donation, no matter how small, will go directly towards ensuring we can honour James's memory in the way they truly deserve.' Before the fatal accident, Mr Nowland had shared a video on his social media of a group preparing for the Pordoi BASE Race — a wingsuit race among people competing to become the fastest in the world. The competition, which was running from July 16 to July 18, sees racers jump from the top of Sass Pordoi and fly as fast as they can down the mountain to the finish line. Adrian Nowland shared a heartfelt tribute to his brother alongside a picture of them together in the snow in British Columbia. 'Rest in peace brother! Wish we had more times like this together,' he said. 'Hope you're soaring through the clouds doing what you love forever.' BASE jumping refers to the extreme sport of jumping off elevated fixed objects using parachutes or wingsuits, with the word an acronym for building, antenna, span and earth. BASE jumping is illegal in Australia, specifically in national parks and on private property without permission.