UNITED KINGDOM

Kremlin-backed Falcon Project Sparks Smuggling Fears

Arab interest in falcons has a dark side, with out-of-control poaching and smuggling to the Gulf region
The king motions for the white falcon to be brought closer and reaches out to stroke its chest, smiling as the bird blindly swivels its head, a hood covering its eyes.Russia's Vladimir Putin this month engaged in some falcon diplomacy on a Middle East tour, gifting prized gyrfalcons to Saudi King Salman and Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, a falconry enthusiast.In Russia, however, Arab interest in falcons has a dark side, with out-of-control poaching and smuggling to the Gulf region, where they find an eager market thanks to deep-rooted hunting traditions.
More news
Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong speaks to the media outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong after learning he had been barred from standing in upcoming local elections

Hong Kong Bars Democracy Activist Joshua Wong From Local Election

Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was barred Tuesday from standing in upcoming local elections after months of huge and frequently violent protests in the city.Wong, one of the most prominent figures in the otherwise leaderless movement, accused the government of "political screening" after an election officer ruled invalid his nomination for the November poll.The 22-year-old was sent to prison earlier this year over the democracy protests he helped lead in 2014. He immediately joined the historic anti-government protests rocking the city upon his release in June.
Johnson suffered a major setback when he was forced to agree to delay Britain's departure from the European Union beyond this week's October 31 deadline

UK PM To Push Again For Election After EU Backs Brexit Delay

The British Prime Minister is expected to make a fresh attempt Tuesday to force an early election, despite MPs rejecting his plan, after the European Union agreed to postpone Brexit for up to three months.MPs defeated a third attempt on Monday by Boris Johnson to call a snap poll, with the Conservative leader immediately announcing an alternative plan that could yet see an election in early December.

Pages

  • Promoted in Sarah Palin

IBT Spotlight

We Help Businesses Find B2B Service Providers They Can Trust.