Bear hunt intensifies Taiwan tensions

Betty Henderson

ITALIAN authorities are still in pursuit of a bear that viciously attacked and killed a 26 ­ year ­ old jogger, Andrea Papi, in Trentino ­ Alto Adige last week. Dubbed JJ4 by experts, the bear was identified through genetic testing as the same one that attacked a father and son in June 2020.

The tragic event has sparked grief and mourning across the region, with hundreds of locals attending Andrea’s funeral on Wednesday, April 12. Andrea was a keen athlete and loved the outdoors, according to his girlfriend who shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram.

The provincial government ordered the killing of the female bear last year, but a court overturned the decision. This time, however, authori ­ ties have decided to euthanise the bear. “We are doing everything we can to locate the bear and ensure the safety of local residents,” said Maurizio Fugatti, the President of Trentino province.

The attack has rekindled the debate about the coexistence of humans and wildlife in the region. Despite being a protected species, bears pose a risk to human safety, especially in resi­ dential areas. Locals are also calling for changes to a plan to reintroduce brown bears in the Alps.

THE French President, Emmanuel Macron, caused a stir with his recent comments about Taiwan. Macron declared that France should not be caught in the middle of a conflict between the US and China over the weekend.

He stood by the comments during a press conference in the Netherlands on Wednesday, April 12, insisting that being a US ally did not mean being a “vassal”, and that France had the right to think for itself.

While his comments have been met with criti­ cism from politicians on both sides of the Atlantic, Macron stands by his words, asserting that nothing has changed in France’s support for the “status quo” in Taiwan.

However, his remarks have left some analysts feeling puzzled, as they suggest the US is to blame for rising tensions over Taiwan, making it difficult for the EU to take a hardline with Beijing.