Topic: Lampedusa

10 books to read before you go to Italy this summer

It seems that new travel guides to Italy are being published every five minutes or so. But for those who want to keep it simple, here are the handful of absolute must-read books – three classic novels included – that no tourist to Italy should ever be without.

Libya's rebels come to Washington. Who else has offered support?

Libya’s rebel government, the Transitional National Council, today accepted a US invitation to set up shop in Washington. But the offer did not come with US recognition of the council as Libya’s sole legitimate representative. Here’s how the US gesture compares with three other countries:

Arab refugee influx causes Europe to rethink its open borders

France wants to overhaul the Schengen agreement, which allows free movement across European borders. A key issue: including large groups of immigrants among the potential 'threats to public order' that allow temporary internal border controls.

Rebel advances in Misurata raise hope of humanitarian breakthrough

Thousands of refugees are stranded in Misurata, Libya, and UN officials have warned of potential humanitarian crisis. But on Wednesday, rebels claimed to have captured the Misurata airport.

Capsized boat sharpens Europe's concern over migrant influx from Libya, Tunisia

Italy continued searching for survivors of a boat that capsized after leaving Libya for Lampedusa, the Italian island where thousands of migrants have landed since the start of Arab unrest.

Silvio Berlusconi promises evacuation of migrants from island

Silvio Berlusconi promised to evacuate North African migrants that overwhelmed a small Italian island near Tunisia and Libya. 18,000 African migrants began living in tent communities on the island after political turmoil in Tunisia and other northern African countries erupted earlier this year.

Merkel and Sarkozy rattled by election losses

Germany's antinuclear Green Party won control of a state government for the first time in local elections Sunday. In France, Le Pen's right-wing party gained momentum.

Libya should be Europe's problem – not America's

European powers can no longer act as casual bystanders expecting the US to resolve strategic challenges in Libya and the Middle East. Washington should tell Europe to put its own money – and troops, if necessary – where its own strategic interests lie.

Migration from Libya and Tunisia: prayers for refugees

A Christian Science perspective: As migration from Libya and Tunisia continues, our prayers for progress and peace can help forward the cause of freedom.

As Europe watches Arab unrest, fears over oil, migration shade its response

Some have criticized Europe for responding slowly to the upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt, though the EU was quick to condemn Libya's violence.

Boatloads of Tunisians land in Italy, sparking refugee crisis

Italy has called for an emergency European Union summit to respond to a potential 'biblical exodus' of refugees from North Africa, after more than 4,500 Tunisians landed on a remote Sicilian island in the past week.

Why is Italy honoring Libya's Qaddafi on coup anniversary?

As trade between Italy and Libya expands, Italy to honor Qaddafi with Air Force's aerobatics team. But some Italians compare this 'undeserved' honor to Scotland's release of Lockerbie bomber.

Italy to stem a human tide of immigrants

The Italian Navy this week will begin turning back Africans who have transformed Lampedusa, Italy, into the site of a humanitarian crisis.

Hundreds of African migrants die in shipwreck off Libya's coast

A soccer team gives hope to refugees in Italy

The émigrés, many of whom fled persecution in their own lands, form the country’s first professional team made up entirely of refugees.

What book reviewers are saying this week

That Summer in Sicily

Marlena de Blasi offers a taste of old-world Sicily with this story of love among the almond blossoms.