Welcome to Chima's blog.

7 May 2017   From the section Europe These are external links and will open in a new window Share Image copyright GETTY IMAGES Image caption Pools for animals such as bottlenose dolphins must also be made significantly bigger under the rules France has banned the breeding in captivity of dolphins and killer whales, in a move hailed by campaigners as a major victory. The government also banned the keeping of all whales, dolphins and porpoises in captivity, except for orcas and bottlenose dolphins already held. The association of French zoos complained they had not been consulted on the ban. But animal rights activists said it was a "historic French advance". The ban on captive breeding would eventually lead to the end of "marine circuses" in the country, a joint statement from five conservation groups including Sea Shepherd said. Environment Minister Segolene Royal had signed a version of the legislation on Wednesday, but decided ...

These are external links and will open in a new window Share Image copyright AFP Image caption A photo taken from a rebel-held town showed what appeared to be a blaze at Damascus airport Israel shot down "a target" over the Golan Heights, hours after it was accused of a missile strike at a military site near Damascus international airport. Israel deployed its Patriot missile defence system and media reported the target was a drone. The earlier strike had damaged what Syrian rebels said was an arms depot run by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement. Israel said the explosion was "consistent" with its policy. But it stopped short of confirming it was responsible. The Israeli military Twitter account then announced it had intercepted the later "target" over the Golan Heights on the border with Syria, without elaborating. The military declined to confirm the target was a drone. Israel regards Hezbollah, and its key backer Iran, ...

  These are external links and will open in a new window Share Image copyright AFP Image caption North Korea has been releasing photos of mass live-fire exercises The US is to tighten sanctions on North Korea and step up diplomatic moves aimed at pressuring the country to end its nuclear and missile programmes. President Donald Trump's strategy was announced after a special briefing for all 100 US senators. Earlier, the top US commander in the Pacific defended the deployment of an advanced missile defence system in South Korea. Tensions have risen amid fears the North is planning new weapons tests. "The United States seeks stability and the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," said a joint statement issued by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. Image copyright EPA Image caption All 100 senators including Chris Coons (centre) from Delawa...

Image: Mourners at the funeral of one of the victims of the blast at the Coptic church in Alexandria. The number of Christians being persecuted globally has risen over the last four years, according to a charity. Figures from Open Doors show that each month 322 Christians are persecuted, 214 churches and religious buildings are destroyed, and there are 772 acts of violence. At least 44 people were killed in the twin church bombings of Coptic churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday. At the UK headquarters of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, security has been tightened this weekend. Bishop Angaelos, the most senior member of the UK church, says there is no specific threat and the extra measures are to reassure his congregation. He emphasised people were not fearful. Image: Copts in the UK celebrate the Easter weekend He said: "I've heard lots of words. I've heard concern, I've heard anxious, I've even heard angry but I...

Looking evil: Charlize Theron and Vin Diesel as the movie's baddies The latest Fast And The Furious movie is expected to break an all time record to become the biggest worldwide debut of all time. Fasten your seat belts, The Fate Of The Furious is expected to break through Easter weekend to earn a record $532.5m (£425m) in just two days, according to Universal. This would make it the highest grossing opening weekend of all time, leaving behind the seventh episode of the Star Wars franchise. The Force Awakens opened to a staggering ($529) £421m worldwide in December 2015, beating the previous record holder Jurassic World by a long shot. Star Wars: The Force Awakens currently holds the record with £422m worldwide Colin Trevorrow's dinosaur reboot took home £252.9m in two days, nearly £200m less than Fate Of The Furious is expected to pull in. The film's main star and producer Vin Diesel posted a message to his 36.2 million followers on Inst...