Olympic boycott Children found in wine cellar Bear breaks hearts

JUAN CARRITO, a rare brown bear who became famous across Italy and the world for his visits to sleepy mountain villages in the Abruzzo region has died after being hit by a car. The three­year­old Marsican bear passed away on Monday, January 23.

The bear, known affectionately as ‘Juan Carrito’ was hit by a car in the town of Castel di Sangro. The bear became famous for his outings into small villages in Abruzzo, attracting global fame after he wolfed down a whole batch of biscuits in a local bakery in 2021.

The bear faced repeated attempts to rewild him before several periods in an enclosure due to the risk to himself and the community, but remained a social character.

The regional President, Marco Marsilio took to Facebook to express the whole community’s sense of loss at the death of an incredible creature who brought great joy to many writing, “His loss saddens not only Abruzzo but the whole world that discovered Abruzzo and the beauty of bears through the numerous videos of him since he was a cub.”

Police broke into the man’s home after he pepper sprayed social workers who had tried to visit the home. Concerns had been raised after the man was seen with young children and had purchased at least five such cellars in the area.

It is understood firearms were found in the possession of the unnamed man who had moved to the home some months ago. Police are said to be looking into the legality of the firearms but have in the meantime released the man saying the situation appeared to be of no risk to the children. Although the cellars were not fit for living in, the police say they found no evidence of sexual abuse and they did not appear to be neglected. The children were taken into care with the couple unable to confirm their identities. It appears the children were born in England but it is not known whether they are British citizens.

3.5 million packets of contraband tobacco were seized by the Guardia Civil in one day.

Gas field closes

By Peter McLaren­Kennedy

THE Groningen gas field, the largest in Europe, is in danger of being closed down despite gas shortages according to Dutch government officials.

Speaking to a UK news outlet on Tuesday, January 24 a government official in The Hague said that the field is dangerous. Hans Vijbrief said that the site won’t be expanded but the opposite may happen. He said: “We won’t open up more because of the safety issues. It is politically totally unviable.” Groningen production has been reduced substantially over the years due to seismic activity in the area, and according to OilPrice.com was only kept open due to the energy crisis. They say there has been much speculation about government plans given that the site has the potential to fill the shortfall from Russian supplies.

Initially, the government in the Hague spoke about expanding the site but that is now definitely not going ahead with Vijbrief saying: erybody who has some knowledge of earthquake danger tells me that it’s really very dangerous to keep on producing there. I’m quite convinced it’s wise to close it down.”

Breeding ban