By Michelle Rahimi
Italy update
The southeastern crater of Italy’s Mount Etna has increased in height after six months of activity, making Europe’s tallest active volcano more pronounced than ever.
Mount Etna’s youngest and most active crater is now above sea level at 11,000 feet, breaking a new record, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
Since mid-February there have been nearly fifty episodes of ash and lava being released from the crater leading to a transformation of the volcano’s outline, which has been calculated through satellite images.
Mount Etna has apparently been more active since February, posing threat to surrounding villages, with ash being released damaging crops, dirtying streets, slowing traffic, and creating a nuisance in surrounding areas.
France update
On Tuesday, France’s government warned of a Covid-19 crisis in the country’s overseas territories, including the Caribbean, and Martinique.
It is reported that infection rates have climbed to levels that are unprecedented on France’s mainland.
Martinique tightened a lockdown and told tourists to leave, with similar measures being implemented in the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe.
This has negatively affected the Caribbean islands at the height of the summer season.
Regarding these overseas territories, it is reported that the Delta variant is more contagious and is about to hit a population that is not well protected by vaccinations.
About the author:
Michelle Rahimi is a Diplomacy and International Relation’s Master’s candidate at the School for International Training, located in Brattleboro, Vermont, United States of America.
She obtains an extensive passion for international relations with first-hand knowledge from traveling across many countries and is experienced in working with different teams and individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
