Alexia’s back from holiday, refreshed and raring to go. I had lots of fun relaxing in the Devonshire countryside, ahhh … Kudos to Goldsmith for looking after the blog last week, but it’s now safely back in my hands, muahahaha.

And what great news to return to. Following an International Whaling Commission meeting last week, Greenland has been denied approval to expand its whale slaughter. Excuse me for a moment while I stifle a triumphant yelp (*$@&woo!). Whales die a horrible, long and painful death during harpooning, and some take hundreds of bullets to eventually lose the battle and breathe their last breath.

There’s a whole lot of detail to go with this story at the BBC, and a cute ‘design your own whale’ widget you can check out here.

Iceland is storming headfirst down the same controversial path of the Japanese, starting this year’s whale slaughter yesterday. Without much regard for the country’s image it would seem. Even the country’s foreign minister warned that, “I believe this is sacrificing long term interests for short term gains, despite the quota being smaller than in previous years.”

40 minke whales will be killed in this year’s slaughter, despite the whalers asking for quota of 100. Sure, the current number is somewhat better, but I think we all agree with the British government department Defra when they say, “We would like to make clear our country’s opposition to this unnecessary, inhumane operation, and urge the government of Iceland to reconsider its position and reverse its decision.” Read more at the BBC.