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Italian town declares war on ‘aggressive’ geese

They’ve been described as the best guard animals that exist, but the more quirky characteristics of geese are causing angst among residents in a town in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige.

Italian town declares war on 'aggressive' geese
Photo: Tambako The Jaguar

The region is home to an array of dangerous wild animals, such as wolves, bears and boars. But this is not what is fuelling fear over public safety in the town of Mori.

The recently-elected mayor, Stefano Barozzi, is instead waging war against what he says are “aggressive” geese, issuing an order on June 23rd to have them “captured and removed” from the Mori side of the Adige river, Trento Today reported on Tuesday.

In recent months, the animals have allegedly been wrecking havoc, engaging in all sorts of wrongdoing such as wandering into private and public property, to such an extent that they are now seen as a threat to public safety.

The most vulnerable group are cyclists taking a ride along the river bank, and those living in river-side homes, particularly children and the elderly, the mayor said.

Their presence has reportedly “heightened the sense of insecurity” among residents, with many making complaints to the police.

But on a Facebook page dedicated to the town of almost 10,000, other residents were baffled by the move.

“Do they not have anything else to do?” asked one commenter. “They wage a war against aggressive geese. Well, I have not read in any newspaper about anyone being attacked by a goose.”

Another wrote: “I can propose the same for bears, wolves, wild boars, dinosaurs and wild coyote.”

Geese might get a bad rap in Mori, but according to National Geographic magazine, they’re the best guard animals anyone could have, owing to their incredible eyesight and hearing. They are also extremely defensive of their territory, and aren’t easily distracted or lured with food, as guard dogs can be. 

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French forces tortured and murdered Algerian freedom fighter in 1950s, admits Macron

French forces "tortured and murdered" Algerian freedom fighter Ali Boumendjel during his country's war for independence, President Emmanuel Macron admitted on Tuesday, officially reappraising a death that was covered up as a suicide.

French forces tortured and murdered Algerian freedom fighter in 1950s, admits Macron
Malika, the widow of Ali Boumendjel, pictured in 2001. Photo: Stefan Fferberg/AFP

Macron made the admission “in the name of France” during a meeting with Boumendjel’s grandchildren.

The move comes after Macron in January refused to issue an official apology for abuses committed during the occupation of Algeria – instead, he agreed to form a “truth commission” as recommended by a report commissioned by the government to shed light on France’s colonial past.

Atrocities committed by both sides during the 1954-1962 Algerian war of independence continue to strain relations between the countries.

Boumendjel, a nationalist and lawyer, was arrested during the battle of Algiers by the French army, “placed incommunicado, tortured, and then killed on 23 March 1957,” the Elysee Palace said in a statement.

“Ali Boumendjel did not commit suicide. He was tortured and then killed,” Macron told Boumendjel’s grandchildren, according to the statement.

It is not the first time the real cause of death was acknowledged.

In 2000, the former head of French intelligence in Algiers Paul Aussaresses confessed to ordering Boumendjel’s death and disguising the murder as a suicide, according to the statement.

It added that Macron on Tuesday had also reiterated his desire to give families the opportunity to find out the truth about this chapter of history.

Last month, Boumendjel’s niece Fadela Boumendjel-Chitour denounced what she called the “devastating” lie the French state had told about her uncle.

French historian Benjamin Stora, who wrote the government-commissioned report, has said there is a “never-ending memory war” between the two countries.

The report has been described by the Algerian government as “not objective” and falling “below expectations.”

During his 2017 election campaign, Macron – the first president born after the colonial period – declared that the occupation of Algeria was a “crime against humanity”.

He has since said there was “no question of showing repentance” or of “presenting an apology” for abuses committed in the North African country.

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