Category: World News

  • Italy Confirms Right to Citizenship by Descent and Overturns Restrictive New Rules

    In a historic decision, Italy’s Constitutional Court rejected the restrictions imposed by Law 74/2025, which limited Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) to children and grandchildren of Italian citizens. The court reaffirmed that citizenship by blood is a birthright, acquired automatically under the law in force at the time of birth, with no generational limits. This ruling opens the door for millions of descendants of Italians worldwide who had been excluded by previous reforms.


    What the Constitutional Court Ruled

    In ruling No. 142/2025, issued on July 31, 2025, Italy’s Constitutional Court addressed three fundamental principles:

    1. Citizenship by Descent is a Birthright: Italian citizenship by blood is acquired automatically at birth, according to the law in effect at that time, with no need for subsequent recognition.
    2. No Generational Limits Before 2025: Before Law 74/2025, there were no generational limits on the transmission of Italian citizenship by descent.
    3. Need for Individual Judicial Review: Restrictions on citizenship must allow for individual legal review, and arbitrary administrative rules are insufficient.

    This decision allows individuals affected by previous reforms, such as Law 74/2025, to legally challenge those restrictions.


    Impact on Diaspora Communities

    Millions of people, especially in Latin America, lost the right to Italian citizenship by descent due to the 2025 reforms. In Brazil, for example, many descendants of Italians who migrated in the 19th and early 20th centuries were excluded. The Constitutional Court’s decision represents a significant victory for these communities, enabling them to claim their Italian citizenship.


    Next Steps and Legal Implications

    Following the Constitutional Court’s ruling, descendants of Italians affected by the 2025 reforms can now seek judicial recognition of their Italian citizenship. The Court also emphasized that significant changes to citizenship rules must occur through proper legislative processes, not arbitrary administrative decisions. This ensures that future reforms respect the rights of citizens and the Italian diaspora.


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  • Child Malnutrition: The Deadly Cycle Trapping Generations in Poverty

    Pixabay

    More than just a health issue, child malnutrition is a silent sentence condemning millions of children to a future of misery. Scientific studies and reports from international organizations reveal that lack of essential nutrients in childhood harms not only physical growth but also cognitive development, resulting in adults with lower productivity and greater vulnerability to poverty.


    The Impact of Malnutrition on Child Development

    Malnutrition in childhood severely affects physical and mental development. Research shows that malnourished children have stunted growth, impaired cognitive development, and a higher risk of chronic diseases later in life. Additionally, malnutrition can cause nutritional deficiencies, weakening the immune system and increasing susceptibility to infections.


    Poverty and Malnutrition: A Vicious Cycle

    Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of malnutrition. Families in vulnerable economic situations have limited access to nutritious food, perpetuating malnutrition and maintaining the poverty cycle. Moreover, malnutrition increases healthcare costs, reduces productivity, and slows economic growth, keeping poverty and disease ongoing.


    Long-Term Consequences of Child Malnutrition

    Childhood malnutrition has lasting effects. Studies indicate that malnourished children are at greater risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Malnutrition also affects school performance and employment opportunities, limiting economic prospects and perpetuating poverty.


    The Need for Immediate and Sustainable Actions

    It is urgent for governments and international organizations to implement effective policies to combat child malnutrition. This includes improving access to nutritious food, promoting healthy feeding practices, and ensuring adequate healthcare for at-risk children. Only with coordinated actions can the poverty cycle be broken, ensuring a healthier and more prosperous future for upcoming generations.


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