A piece of a 16th-century fresco fell from the ceiling of a corridor in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery on Wednesday morning, during the opening times of the Florentine museum. The piece has a diameter of around 30 centimeters and fortunately did not hit any visitors.
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The Italian elections explained to Americans
Villa La Pietra Dialogues will present “Italian Elections: Looking Forward Film and Lecture Series” with Roberto D’Alimonte,Professor of Political Science at LUISS-Guido Carli Rome and NYU Florence and Columnist for Il Sole 24 Ore.
Read moreBank of Italy chief shouted down, expects tough 2013
Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco said 2013 was going to be another ”difficult year” during a speech in Florence that was interrupted by protesting students. “Achieving balance in the public accounts is the precondition for success,” he said.
Read moreCosta Concordia, one year after the Giglio tragedy
Authorities are evaluating how to drain the Costa Concordia shipwreck of 230,000 cubic meters of water, which may be contaminated with hydrocarbons, heavy metals and decomposed food, authorities said Friday.
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Concordia prosecutors conclude investigation
Prosecutors in Grosseto have ended their investigation into the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster leaving defense attorneys for the accused 20 days to deposit their replies. Schettino and nine other crew members are accused of manslaughter for the death of 32 people after the Costa Concordia cruise liner ran aground off the Giglio Island.
New “Tuscan” instrument for quantum physics
Italian scientists have created a new gravitational antenna to improve the measurement of the tiniest subjects. Their results, published in the journal Nature Physics, should help in measurement of a point, millions of times smaller than the atom, where Einstein’s theory of relativity meets quantum mechanics.
Government warns of Concordia salvage delays
In a letter addressed to Costa Co-Chief Executives Pierluigi Foschi and Michael Thamm, as well as to the head of Italy’s civil protection agency, Franco Gabrielli, and to the president of the Tuscany Region, Enrico Rossi, Minister Corrado Clini said it was ”urgent” that a working program be developed for the last phase of the stranded ship’s removal and the recovery of the hull in ”an ideal location”.
First flakes of snow on Florence
The icy storm going through Italy reached Florence today. Flakes of snow fell in the city in the first morning. At the moment, no disruption to traffic are recorded. As a result of cold air coming from Greenland a white mantle had held the hills around the city during the night, the temperatures are currently below zero.
Nearly 700 hectolitres of Brunello lost in winery raid
Nearly 700 hectolitres of Brunello di Motalcino were lost Sunday in a raid on a winery in the Montalcino wine-growing region near Siena. Unidentified vandals broke into the cellar of the Case Basse estate, opening the taps on barrels and barriques and allowing the contents to drain away.
PD leader wins big over Renzi in primary runoff
Democratic Party (PD) leader Pier Luigi Bersani will be the centre left’s premier candidate in next spring’s national elections after a big win over Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi in Sunday’s primary runoff. “I’ll be loyal to Bersani,” Renzi said after conceding the victory to PD leader.