Seven weeks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the global food and energy crisis that’s followed, the UN Secretary-General has explained what needs to happen to get help to the most vulnerable. Climate shocks and chronic violence have also created famine-like conditions and desperate scenes in Somalia and South Sudan, humanitarians tell us, while in Brazil, activists, women journalists and others, face appalling violence, a top rights expert has said. In more positive news, we hear how a small town in Italy played its part in the global “slow food” movement.