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Anti-austerity protester climbs onto St Peter's Basilica

A man climbed St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and unveiled a banner protesting against Italy's austerity measures.

Italian businessman Marcello Di Finizio has protested against austerity measures. Credit: REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

The banner read "stop this massacre a political horror show" which is believed to be a reference to Italy's coalition struggling with high unemployment and the recession.

He climbed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican and unveiled a banner. Credit: REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Family pays tribute to Briton who drowned in Italy

The family of a British tourist who drowned after he succumbed to strong currents on the Italian coast has raised questions over why a red flag was not raised to warn against swimming in that area.

Brian Kent, 45, was dragged under the water when he went for a mid-afternoon dip in the sea with his wife, Sally, yesterday afternoon. His sister-in-law Nicola Phillips paid tribute to him:

We had all looked forward to our trip to Rome and googled the spectacular beaches of Sperlonga.

After arriving we ate lunch and Brian had a pizza and one glass of beer. He waited 30-40 minutes before going into the sea. There was no red flag, and later we found out no life guard on duty.

Sally's son Connor and his brother Aaron managed to pull Sally safely to shore and two unnamed persons eventually found Brian. But we believe it was already too late.

Briton drowns in Italian coastal town of Sperlonga

The family of a British man who drowned while swimming on holiday are believed to have been staying in Rome - about 100km (62 miles) from the seaside town of Sperlonga, where he is thought to have died.

They went to the beach after lunch but high winds meant the sea was particularly rough.

The coastal town of Sperlonga in Italy, where a British man drowned. Credit: Google Maps

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Sons 'tried to save' British man who drowned on holiday

An employee at the Hotel Aurora in Sperlonga has said that the sons of a British man thought to have drowned while on holiday in Italy, pulled the man's wife from the rough sea.

The two sons were unable to save their father who was already unconscious when they reached him, the woman said. She added:

I was in the reception when people burst in to call for help. They said someone was in trouble in the water and we called an ambulance immediately.

I went outside and could see the man in the water. One of his sons was trying to rescue him but I think it was already too late. It was very sad.

There were big waves and the weather was not particularly good.

Read more: British man drowns on holiday in Italy

British man drowns on holiday in Italy

A British tourist has drowned while swimming on a family holiday in Italy. Brian Kent, 46, is said to have been dragged under the water by strong currents when he went for a dip in the sea after lunch in the coastal town of Sperlonga.

He reportedly died minutes after jumping into the water with his wife and other family members. The Foreign Office said it was providing consular assistance to Mr Kent's family.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national and are providing consular assistance to his family."

Death toll rises to seven after Genoa cargo ship crash

Rescue team members search through the debris of the collapsed control tower in Genoa Credit: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters

Seven people have died after a container ship crashed into a control tower in the busy Italian port of Genoa, according to rescuers.

Prosecutors were investigating whether there was a possible mechanical malfunction which left the captain unable to steer the vessel, Italian media reported.

The Jolly Nero crashed into the 50 metre high tower at around 11pm (21.00 GMT) on Tuesday, leading to its collapse into the water.

Four people have been hospitalised following the incident, while a further two people remain missing.

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