Francesco Schettino, the captain of the cruise liner Costa Concordia that ran aground on a Tuscan island in January killing 32 people, appeared in court Monday as hearings to decide whether to indict him and others for the shipwreck began. The judge who oversaw preliminary investigations, Valeria Montesarchio, will preside over hearings.
Category: News
Cyclone Cleopatra to bring heavy storms over Tuscany
“Cleopatra”, a Mediterranean cyclone, will usher autumn into Italy. Generated by the clash between the cold air moving southwards from the Arctic to Spain and Morocco and the warm air from the Saharan hinterland, Cleopatra will become strongest between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Costa Concordia, captain Schettino sacked
The captain of the cruise liner Costa Concordia that ran aground on a Tuscan island in January killing 32 people was fired in July, the Costa Crociere company said Wednesday, confirming a press report. Schettino apologised in July for being “distracted” on the night of Italy’s worst maritime disaster since World War II.
Heavy rainfalls expected on Monday in Florence
The weather alert is coming to Florence. Atlantic perturbations brought rain to the Alps and the northern regions. Other perturbations will briefly pass through the north-eastern and central-souther areas of the country, bringing with them sudden storms. The city mobility commissioner, Massimo Mattei, urges people to be careful and to reduce as far as possible the movements.
High pollution lurks in most Italian cities
Most Italian cities have higher levels of pollution than regulations permit, said an environmental report released Tuesday. Airborne pollution – made up of dust, smoke and hazardous substances in liquid form – exceeded legal limits in many cities, according to 2010 data collected by researchers. That included Florence, Prato, Rome, Milan, Pescara, Naples, Palermo and Siracusa.
Medicine: dead in Pisa endocrinologist Pinchera
Aldo Pinchera, internationally renowned endocrinologist, is died last night in his home in Pisa. He died for heart problems. Professor of Endocrinology and director of the first school of specialization in Endocrinology and parts of the University of Pisa was 78 years old.
FIAT CEO Marchionne apologizes to Florence
Speaking to students FIAT CEO and ACEA president, Sergio Marchionne said Matteo Renzi “is a poor copy of Obama, but he thinks he is Obama, the mayor of a little and poor city.” The classification of “little and poor” related to Florence has sparked anger in Florence. Political, trade associations and even churchmen criticized Marchionne.
Italian police, opened the section of ANPS in NYC
It was opened yesterday in New York a new section of ANPS, the National Association of Italian State Police. It ‘s the first based in the United States and the third outside of Italy, after Toronto and Melbourne. The ceremony was held in the Palais des Nations, at the presence of the Consul General of Italy in New York, Natalia Quintavalle.
Luxuria: emulate Vespucci’s courage
Vladimir Luxuria expressed admiration for people that, like Vespucci, “risk their lives to explore what is unknown.” She advised students “cross the borders” of prejudice, specifically the “border of the division of men and women.” and work to accept things that are different. She specked to the students in Florence.
Prince Albert II and Charlene are in Florence
In the early afternoon the Prince Albert II of Monaco, along with his wife Charlene, after landing at the airport of Peretola and being greeted by the console of the principality Alessandro Giusti, Prefect Luigi Varratta and the Quaestor Francis Zonno, went to visit Palazzo Vecchio.