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World in brief

Fox hunters and dogs turn out for first season since sport was banned

By wire services
Published November 6, 2005

LONDON - Thousands of fox hunters and hounds rode out Saturday at the start of the first season since their sport was banned, some of them intending to pursue tradition but others allegedly breaking the law.

The Hunting Act, which outlaws traditional fox hunting, hare-coursing and other kinds of hunting in which dogs pursue and kill the prey, was passed last year after an acrimonious battle in Parliament and noisy demonstrations in the streets.

The rural umbrella group the Countryside Alliance denied there had been any lawbreaking Saturday.

Dozens of hunters set out in the chilly weather, hounds at their heels. Many participated in drag-hunting - which involves laying a scent trail for the hounds to follow.

Other hunters simply took their hounds for some exercise, while some got around the ban by using birds of prey to catch foxes. Still others kill foxes with guns - which is not banned by the law.

Late Saturday, an antihunting group, the League Against Cruel Sports, said the ban appeared to have been largely successful.

AZERBAIJAN: Azerbaijanis elect a new Parliament today amid allegations of electoral fraud and fears that protests could be violently suppressed.

ETHIOPIA: Sporadic gunfire erupted outside the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Saturday as security forces kept a fragile calm, after a week of political violence in which at least 44 people were killed and thousands arrested. The unrest started Tuesday over allegations of fraud, intimidation and violence in the May 15 parliamentary elections.

[Last modified November 6, 2005, 02:15:12]