标签： Europe

In the coastal town of Grindavik, Iceland, Vignir Kristinsson’s gift shop, once bustling with customers, now sees only occasional visitors. The 64-year-old craftsman, who turned his passion for woodworking into a business five years ago, faces an uncertain future as volcanic eruptions have repeatedly forced evacuations since December 2023. The town, home to 3,800 residents, has been closed intermittently, leaving businesses like Kristinsson’s struggling to survive. ‘I’m supposed to run a business when people are told they should not come,’ he lamented. ‘How is that possible?’

Grindavik’s plight is emblematic of Iceland’s volatile relationship with its volcanic landscape. The eruptions, originating from the Sundhnuksgígar crater row, part of the Svartsengi volcanic system, have disrupted life in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Before the first eruption nearly two years ago, the system had been dormant for 783 years. Scientists predict that the volcanic activity is far from over, with the Icelandic Meteorological Office warning of a potential 10th eruption in the coming months.

Residents like Kristólína Ósk Guðjónsdóttir, an 18-year-old high school student, have grown accustomed to the constant stress. ‘When we had to leave, we had five minutes to get our stuff,’ she recalled, describing the first evacuation in November 2023. Since then, she has been attending school in Keflavik, 23 kilometers north of Grindavik, where maintaining a sense of community has been challenging.

Despite the devastation, there are glimmers of hope. The local professional basketball team has resumed games, and authorities are considering reopening schools next year. Some residents are returning, though the town remains largely empty. Tourists, drawn by the dramatic landscape, have become a rare source of activity, flying drones over vast lava fields and exploring the damaged town.

For many former residents, the decision to return is fraught with uncertainty. The government has offered to buy their homes, giving them three years to decide whether to repurchase them. Kristinsson, who now lives in Hafnarfjordur, 42 kilometers northeast of Grindavik, continues to operate his shop sporadically, relying on income from renting an apartment above the store. ‘People who live here now want to see things come back faster,’ he said.

Meanwhile, businesses like Herastubbur Bakari, a 30-year-old bakery, are fighting to stay afloat. Owner Sigurður Enoksson, 60, has no plans to return to his damaged home but remains committed to the town through his bakery. ‘There are not always customers each day,’ he admitted. ‘We are trying our best.’

As Grindavik grapples with the aftermath of the eruptions, its residents’ resilience shines through. While the road to recovery is long, their determination to rebuild offers a testament to the enduring spirit of this Icelandic town.

Tens of thousands of Belgians flooded the streets of Brussels in a nationwide strike, protesting against sweeping government reforms and austerity measures. The demonstrations, organized by Belgium’s three major unions, brought significant disruptions to public transport, halted flights, and suspended operations at Europe’s second-largest port in Antwerp. The protests targeted Prime Minister Bart de Wever’s center-right government, which has introduced controversial measures to reduce the budget deficit, including pension reforms and cuts to unemployment benefits. At Brussels Airport, all departures and many arrivals were canceled, while Charleroi Airport saw a complete shutdown of services. Public transport in the capital was severely affected, with most buses, trams, and underground trains coming to a standstill. The unions are particularly opposed to the government’s plan to increase the number of working days required to qualify for pensions and the elimination of special schemes for sectors like the military and railway workers. Demonstrators, many clad in the red and green colors of the unions, voiced their frustrations over what they perceive as unfair burdens on the working class. ‘It’s always the same part of the population that has to tighten their belts,’ said 29-year-old Anaïs, who criticized the reforms for disproportionately affecting lower-income Belgians. The protests also highlighted broader concerns about the future, with many participants expressing fears for their children’s prospects. Despite the largely peaceful nature of the demonstrations, isolated incidents of vandalism and clashes with police were reported. The strike underscores the growing discontent with the government’s austerity agenda, which includes proposed cuts to child benefits and potential VAT increases. As Belgium grapples with its fiscal challenges, the protests signal a deepening divide between the government and its citizens.

ATHENS, Greece — Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Athens on Tuesday as Greece’s labor unions organized the country’s second general strike this month to oppose a contentious new labor law. The 24-hour strike caused widespread disruptions, including ferry cancellations to and from the Greek islands and reduced public transport services in the capital, leading to severe traffic congestion. Train services were entirely suspended during the strike period. The unions, representing both private sector workers and civil servants, are protesting a proposed labor law that would introduce greater flexibility in working conditions, such as extending occasional shifts to 13 hours through overtime. Critics argue that the legislation, set for a parliamentary vote on Wednesday, could expose workers to potential exploitation by employers. ADEDY, the civil servants’ umbrella union, condemned the law, stating that flexible working hours would effectively dismantle the eight-hour workday, erode work-life balance, and legitimize over-exploitation. Unions are demanding the withdrawal of the legislation, a reduction in the standard workweek from 40 to 35 hours, pay raises, and the restoration of collective bargaining agreements.

A tragic incident unfolded in northern Italy when a deliberate gas explosion at a farmhouse near Verona resulted in the deaths of three Carabinieri military police officers and left at least 15 others injured. The explosion occurred as police and firefighters were executing an eviction order for two brothers and a sister, aged in their late 50s and mid-60s, who had barricaded themselves in the property. The blast, which could be heard up to 5 kilometers away, reduced the building to rubble and caused widespread devastation. A man and a woman were arrested at the scene, while another suspect who fled was quickly apprehended. All three were hospitalized. The farmhouse had been under an eviction order due to debts accrued by the owners. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi described the incident as a time for grieving, noting that previous attempts to evict the siblings had been met with resistance. Mediators had been sent to negotiate with the siblings, but when Carabinieri officers arrived shortly after 3:00 AM, one of the siblings allegedly triggered the explosion. Provincial police commander Claudio Papagno described the act as ‘absolute madness,’ revealing that a gas cylinder had been ignited, directly hitting the officers. Petrol bombs were also found at the property. Among the injured were 11 Carabinieri officers, three state police officers, and a firefighter. Verona prosecutor Raffaele Tito stated that the farmhouse was in a derelict state with no electricity and described the explosion as a ‘premeditated and voluntary homicide.’ Neighbors reported that the siblings had previously threatened to ‘blow themselves up’ rather than leave the house. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto joined other political leaders in paying tribute to the fallen officers, who lost their lives in the line of duty.