The Costa Concordia at Giglio

Divers searching the Costa Concordia have found eight more bodies, including that of a 5-year-old Italian girl, onboard the semi-submerged cruise ship.

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I walk in the valley of light, and marvel

Olives, vines, mushroom-scented woods - the Val d'Orcia in southern Tuscany has entranced generations of visitors. Juliet Clough joined a party of walkers to discover its secrets

chianti and cornflakes

By their Volvos shall you know them . . . As a new film spotlights Brits behaving badly in Tuscany

State of emergency declared in Tuscany after severe flooding

The Italian government declared a state of emergency yesterday in the north-western corner of Tuscany, where flash floods have transformed mountain valleys into terrifying rivers of mud, killing at least 12 people and forcing a mass search for two dozen others.

A stylish scurry across the Arno

The British have always loved Florence. George Bull enjoys a celebratio n of the jewel of Chiantishire

Judge frees the Florence 'monster'

ANDREW GUMBEL

Letter: Hell is on holiday - with the British

From Mr Robert Sandow

Obituary: Kinta Beevor

Kinta Beevor inherited her strong character from the distaff side but it was not until she was in her eighties that she followed her many ancestresses into print. Her A Tuscan Childhood was published in 1993 and is now a Penguin paperback.

The 7.15 at Siena

Next Wednesday evening, the Palio hits the piazza. Report by Michael Sheridan. Photographs by Francesco Cito

BOOK REVIEW / A heart of stone: 'The Marble Kiss' - Jay Rayner: Macmillan, 12.99 pounds

THIS energetic, well-written first novel divides its narrative between a Tuscan hill town in the 15th century and 1980s Florence. As with Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, it juxtaposes an animated portion of history with the obsessive, often misguided efforts of interested parties in the present day to tell a ripping good yarn. It also raises deeper questions: Has humanity really changed in 500 years? What on earth is history?

Florence murder trial opens

ROME - A farm labourer went on trial yesterday accused of being the 'monster of Florence', the serial killer who preyed on courting couples in the countryside around the city, murdering 16 people in 17 years, writes Fiona Leney.

Gelli's assets seized

AREZZO - An Italian judge yesterday ordered the seizure of assets alleged to be worth 16.5bn lire (pounds 6.5m) from Licio Gelli, former head of the banned Propaganda Due (P2) masonic lodge, who is free pending appeal against an 18-year prison sentence.

Siena horses finish unscathed

The medieval Palio of Siena horse race, the focus of controversy in July when three thoroughbreds had to be put down after heavy falls, was run yesterday without further losses, Reuter reports from Siena.

The lean at Pisa is a little less

THE LEANING Tower of Pisa is setting a timely example to Italian politicians - after 800 years, it is beginning to straighten itself up, writes John Shirley.

Letter: Brighten our summer

Sir: A visit to Tuscany, where the fireflies were firing away on all cylinders, prompts me to suggest that the pleasures of the English summer would be enhanced by the sight of fireflies here.
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James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

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An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

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Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
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Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

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Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

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Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats
Giro d'Italia: The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

As the Giro d'Italia tackles the brutal climb, Simon Usborne takes on the snow and switchbacks – and soon realises what the fuss is about
National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

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Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
Sent down at the Old Bailey: A tour of the world's most famous court

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A tour of the world's most famous court
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

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The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
British football scores an own goal

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Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
James Lawton: Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again

James Lawton

Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again