by Crispian Balmer (Reuters) - Italy’s new government allowed a French charity ship to bring ashore 82 migrants on Saturday in an apparent reversal of the uncompromising, closed-door policy of the previous administration. However, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, who heads the 5-Star Movement in the governing coalition, said the Ocean Viking was only being given access to the … [Read more...]
Captain of Migrant Rescue Vessel Refuses Paris’ Highest Civilian Award
By Forrest Crellin PARIS, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The German captain of rescue ships that saved hundreds of migrants' lives in the Mediterranean has turned down Paris's highest civilian award, accusing the city of hypocrisy over the treatment of migrants. Paris awarded Pia Klemp and her compatriot Carola Rakete the Grand Vermeil Medal in July for their repeated bravery in … [Read more...]
Spanish NGO Seeks Safe Port For 124 People Rescued in Mediterranean
by Sam Edwards (Reuters) A Spanish charity rescue boat sought safe port on Friday after Italy rejected its request to disembark 124 people saved from two migrant rafts in the Mediterranean, the organization said. Non-governmental organization (NGO) rescue boats have largely disappeared from the Mediterranean over the last year as governments have tightened controls. Charity … [Read more...]
German Migrant Rescue Ship Captain Faces Italian Court
By Antonio Denti and Wladimiro Pantaleone AGRIGENTO, Italy, July 1 (Reuters) - The German captain of a charity rescue ship appeared before a court in Sicily on Monday after she was arrested for forcing her way into an Italian port carrying migrants she had rescued off the Libyan coast. The initial hearing in the city of Agrigento was meant to decide whether Carola Rackete, … [Read more...]
German Captain Becomes Anti-Populist Heroine in Italy Migrant Standoff
By Angelo Amante ROME, June 28 (Reuters) - The young German captain of a migrant-rescue ship stranded off Italy dismissed threats of arrest and personal criticism from the country's far right interior minister on Friday, saying her main priority was the safety of 40 rescued Africans. After two weeks at sea, the dreadlocked 31-year-old , Carola Rackete has become a … [Read more...]