Free Republic

The British government’s Ministry of Justice had blocked a “culturally insensitive” move to ban cat meat and dog meat, fearing it could offend people in Asian countries. Cabinet Office chief Michael Gove drew up plans to outlaw the possession of cat and dog meat over the while he was still Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), according to reports. However, the move is understood to have been blocked by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), currently headed by former solicitor-general Robert Buckland, after “nervous civil servants” suggested it was “culturally insensitive” and liable...

An Italian TV chef has been suspended after he horrified animal lovers and station chiefs by praising the delights of cat meat during a show. Beppe Bigazzi, enraged animal rights experts around the country when he gave advice on preparing 'tender, white cat meat' in a section of the show usually reserved for advice about nutrition. Mr Bigazzi is co-presenter on Italy's version of Ready Steady Cook - called La Prova del Cuoco (The Cooks' Challenge).

SHEIK Taj Aldin al-Hilali's comments about women are just the tip of the iceberg of extreme views which could have damaged Australian society over the past decade, Treasurer Peter Costello says. Sheik al-Hilali is under fire after suggesting in a Ramadan sermon last month skimpily dressed women invited sexual attack, comparing them to uncovered meat tempting neighbourhood cats. Mr Costello said the sheik had a history of making inflammatory comments, dating back to the late 1980s when he made public anti-semitic remarks. "The latest episode is just the latest in a long tradition. I congratulate the muslim community for dealing...