Eurotopics.net

The hitman who assasinated Slovakian investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée two years ago has been sentenced to 23 years in prison. He had confessed to the crime and given the contractor's name. Another court case against this suspect has been suspended due to the coronavirus crisis. Slovakian media explain why the shooter wasn't sentenced to life in prison.

Measures to stop the spread of Sars-Cov-2 are facing people with unprecedented challenges. Some are trying to juggle work at home with childcare, while others are worried about losing their entire livelihood. Commentators reflect on the long-term consequences of the state of emergency and how states should react.

In a televised address Queen Elizabeth has called on the British to be strong in face of the coronavirus pandemic, saying that she hopes that in the years to come people will be proud of how they faced this challenge. The queen normally only addresses the nation in her Christmas speech. But this message was more than worthwhile, journalists concur.

Many observers are saying that the virus has also brought the European project to a standstill: member states are closing their borders, restricting their citizens' freedoms and implementing their own national policies. In the discussion about solutions, commentators call for more flexibility and less fixation on the pros and cons of coronabonds.

According to Unesco, 1.5 billion children and adolescents around the world are currently unable to attend school because of the coronavirus pandemic. Forced to stay at home, they are missing out on a large chunk of their daily activities and learning opportunities. But the education sector is quickly finding ways to deal with the situation and those affected are coming up with inventive solutions. Observers take hope.