Mexico Suspends Child Matador Bullfight

Child protection and anti-bullfighting campaigners managed Thursday to suspend a battle between a Franco-Mexican child bullfighter and six young bulls due this weekend in southeast Mexico.

The city hall in Merida announced the suspension of the bullfight by Michelito, an 11-year-old bullfighting star, against six calves aged from one to two years, or "becerros."

France to Allow Child Matador Bullfight
A banned bullfight involving a 10-year-old child matador will go ahead Thursday in the southern French town of Arles despite protests from anti-corrida campaigners, organisers said.

The state human rights commission was studying the case following complaints from animal rights groups and child protection officials as well as an appeal for the fight to go on from the bullfighter's father, said Manuel Ibarra, a city hall official.

Several bullfights by Michelito were banned in France last summer after protests from anti-bullfighting associations.

Michelito's father, former French bullfighter Michel Lagravere, told AFP he hoped Saturday's bullfight would still go ahead.

Prize Bull To Be Cloned By Spanish Rancher
El Pais reported about a Spanish rancher who has ideas to clone his most-prized bull. If done, his would be the maiden attempt in the history of bull fighting.

"It's not a ban but a suspension," Lagravere said, adding that prosecutors would make a final decision late Friday.

Michelito has killed dozens of bulls in Mexico since he was six years old. The anti-bullfighting alliance in France said it had targeted him over other becerrada participants because "he fights in corridas aiming to kill."

No More Bullfighting In Tamil Nadu
An Indian court on Friday banned a centuries-old tradition of bullfighting in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, calling the ritual "barbaric".

Source-AFP
SRM

Protestors Strip, Don Horns Against Spain's Running of the Bulls
Hundreds of animal rights activists took part in a "Running of the Nudes" Thursday to protest the traditional running of the bulls ceremony in the Spanish town of Pamplona.