Rome

Populists target vaccine decree

Rome - Muslimchronicle

Two Italian populist parties running in March elections are promising to scrap a compulsory vaccination law, a hot-button issue after a measles outbreak claimed four lives last year. Under the decree, which sparked heated public debate when it took effect six months ago, children cannot enrol in a creche or kindergarten unless they have been vaccinated against measles as well as nine other diseases.Read more

Pope voices nuclear war concerns at outset

Rome - Muslimchronicle

Pope Francis admitted Monday he was frightened by the prospect of an accidental nuclear war as he headed for a weeklong visit to Chile and Peru. "I think we are at the very edge," the pope told reporters aboard his plane when asked about the threat of a nuclear war in the wake of a recent string of tests by North Korea andRead more

Do not fear the other, pope says on World Migrant Day

Vatican City - Muslimchronicle

called Sunday for hospitality towards migrants, calling it a "sin" to give in to fear of the other as he marked the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. "It is not easy... to put oneself in the shoes of people so different from us," the pontiff said during a solemn mass at St Peter's Basilica. "Local communities are sometimesRead more

Caccia leaves to Rome concluding diplomatic mission in Lebanon

Beirut - Muslimchronicle

Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Gabriele Caccia, on Wednesday left Beirut to Rome, upon the end of his diplomatic mission in the country. It is to note that the Vatican has appointed Caccia as its Ambassador to the Philippines Source: NNARead more

Mira Daher bound for Italy to assume duties

Beirut - Muslimchronicle

Ambassador Mira Daher on Monday left Beirut, heading to the Italian capital, Rome, to assume her duties as Lebanon's Ambassador to Italy. Ambassador Daher assumed the post of Acting Protocol Director at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry Source: NNARead more

Rahi arrives in Saudi Arabia

Beirut - Muslimchronicle

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rahi and his accompanying delegation on Monday evening arrived at King Salman's airbase aboard a private plane, commencing an official visit to KSA. Greeting the Patriarch upon arrival had been Saudi Minister of State for Gulf Affairs, Thamer al-Sabhan, Lebanon's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abdel Sattar Issa, and Saudi and Lebanese dignitaries. Patriarch Rahi isRead more

At least 25 dead in migrant shipwreck off Libya

Rome - Muslimchronicle

At least 25 people are feared to have drowned in a shipwreck off Libya after a dinghy, possibly carrying some 150 migrants, ran into trouble, two rescue organisations said Saturday. "Rubber dinghy sunk north of Tripoli. At least 25 people died in the incident, exact numbers still unclear. Italian navy on the scene," the German charity Sea Watch said onRead more

Italy to send 470 troops to Niger

Rome - Muslimchronicle

Italy will be sending 470 soldiers to Niger to help the west African nation stem the flow of Europe-bound migrants, The Local quoted Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni as saying on Thursday. Agadez, the main city in central Niger, has become a revolving door for economic migrants seeking to reach Europe via Libya, winning notoriety as Africa's people-smuggling capital. "We areRead more

Iran unrest 'start of a big movement'

Rome - Muslimchronicle

The unrest in Iran is just "the beginning of a big movement" that could be more widespread than the demonstrations of 2009, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi said in an interview Sunday. "I think the protests are not going to end soon. It seems to me that we are witnessing the beginning of a big protest movementRead more