Breeding ban

THE Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Minister in the Netherlands, Piet Adema told a local news source on Friday, January 20 that dog breeds that suffer breathing problems and who suffer from other problems due to their small skulls and snouts will be banned in the very near future. This includes popular breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, Maltese, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.

Cats who also suffer from pain and lameness such as those bred to have folding ears are also likely to be included in the ban, although Adema emphasised that no definitive list has yet been agreed upon. He said that what people often find cute is harmful to the animal adding: “These people often have the best of intentions, but often don’t know that animals can suffer permanently. Dogs with a snout that is too short, for example, have to constantly gasp for breath.” costing around €200. For avid skiers there are also VIP tickets available to watch the events from the slopes and on your skies, these tickets costing around €300.

The proposed ban on dogs and cats has been widely welcomed by veterinarians and animal protection charities.

Five per cent of the proceeds will go to ‘Hi arribarem!’, and Special Olympics Andorra. The competition will give spectators the chance to see the best in the world, close up and within driving distance of towns in and around Spain and central Europe.

Sanction strike

IRAN’S Foreign Ministry has blacklisted 22 individuals and three entities from the European Union as tensions escalate. Tehran announced the sanctions, accusing the European groups of “supporting terrorism” and “stoking unrest” in the country.

The sanctions were announced on Wednesday, January 25 alongside sanctions on a British entity and eight officials. The measures include banning individuals from entering Iran and asset confiscation within the country. They come as European politicians and public figures have expressed concern about the state of human rights and women’s rights in the country.

Those sanctioned in Europe included several members of the European Parliament, executives from French magazine Charlie Hebdo, military officials, police and military leaders.

The entities blacklisted by Tehran included the European Friends of Israel in the European Parliament, a Jewish community radio in Paris and Heberger, a construction company accused of creating chemical weapons used during the Iran­Iraq war.

An EU attempt to designate the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp as a terrorist organisation is currently facing legal difficulties.