RECOR-BREAKING rain produced floods in a vast swath of Italy’s Tuscany region as Storm Ciaran pushed into the country overnight, trapping residents in their homes, inundating hospitals and overturning cars.
At least five people were killed, bringing the storm’s death toll in western Europe to 12 on Friday.
Italian Civil Protection authorities said that nearly eight inches of rain fell in a three-hour period.
While Italy’s communist tradition remains fragmented and politically marginal, France’s party is attempting to re-establish itself as an independent force rooted in working-class organisation, says NICK WRIGHT
Emergency phone alerts could help Britain respond to rising wildfire risk, but Australia’s experience suggests they work best as part of a broader strategy, write ELLIOT CONVERY-FISHER and KATE PARKINS



