U.S. announces ban on African ivory trade with series of exemptionsJune 3, 2016 - 11:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. authorities on Thursday, June 2 announced a near-total ban on the trade of African elephant ivory, finalizing a years-long push to fight the poaching of the threatened animals, AFP reports. Conservation groups welcomed the move by the United States, the world's second-largest consumer of illegal ivory after China, even though it comes with notable exemptions including for antiques. The new rule, which takes effect July 6, "substantially limits" imports, exports and sales of ivory across state lines, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said. "Today's bold action underscores the United States' leadership and commitment to ending the scourge of elephant poaching and the tragic impact it's having on wild populations," Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said, according to AFP. More than 35,000 elephants are slaughtered each year on the African continent from an approximate population of more than 450,000 in the wild. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) hailed the U.S. move to protect the species as historic. But the new restriction comes with a series of exemptions, including for documented antiques which are at least 100 years old and meet several additional requirements, AFP says. Other exempt items include certain musical instruments, furniture and firearms that contain less than 200 grams of ivory. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |