Extreme weather that has hit Italy this year, lashing urban areas and devastating crops across several regions, will cost the country billions. The largest insurers already face more than €3 billion ($3.2 billion) in claims from floods and hurricanes that stormed the regions of Veneto and Emilia Romagna earlier this year, according to an analysis published by Sole 24 Ore on Sunday. The total is sure to rise following deadly rains centered on Tuscany and northern regions in the past week, killing seven people and causing damage already estimated above €300 million, according to the civil protection agency. Italy’s ... (full story)