Italy: unrest in the south
02 Apr 2020
Lockdown is the only solution to ending the pandemic, and Italy’s government has extended it beyond 3 April with no new deadline. In the south, hunger and hardship threaten to be even bigger problems than the…
European shortage of fruit and veg
02 Apr 2020
Suppliers say fresh fruit and vegetables in Europe could dwindle as the coronavirus pandemic hampers the global movement of produce and people across borders. Governments are looking at ways to ease shortages, including ‘green lanes’ to…
Europe: Christian perspective
26 Mar 2020
‘We grieve for those who have lost their lives or loved ones. We grieve about the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions of this pandemic. We are grateful for those working tirelessly to care for the sick,…
EU: self-preservation
26 Mar 2020
The European Union is showing major evidence of stress thanks to the pandemic. Every member state considers its own national interests over those of the rest of the EU. Economist Branko Milanovic called the crisis ‘a…
Croatia: earthquake rocks Zagreb
26 Mar 2020
On 22 March a 5.3-magnitude quake, the largest in 140 years, brought panicked residents out into the streets at 6am. The interior minister told people, ‘Keep your distance. Don't gather together. We are facing two serious…
Europe: life in lockdown
19 Mar 2020
Over 250 million Europeans are in full or partial lockdown as Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and France have closed schools and all non-essential shops and ordered people to stay at home. Italians in lockdown sing together…