European Sources

A SWISS town has been buried after a devastating landslide sent a massive avalanche crashing down the mountain, submerging homes and forcing residents to evacuate. A massive cloud of ice and debris surged towards the small village of Blatten, completely wiping it out. SRFThe small village of Blatten covered in a plain of mud and soil[/caption] SRFThe shocking moment the avalanche hurtled towards the village[/caption] SRFThe glacier collapse registered as an earthquake on the Richter scale[/caption] Fortunately, the village of 300 residents were evacuated a week earlier after experts warned them of the impending danger. The glacier collapse registered as an earthquake with a Richter scale measurement of 3.1. Drone footage from Swiss broadcaster SRF showed the entire village covered by a vast plain of mud and soil, with a river running through it. Emergency crews in the Wallis region revealed that a huge chunk of the Birch glacier broke off at around 3.30pm local time. The Swiss government has dispatched the army to the scene after local authorities requested assistance. Although no injuries or deaths have been reported, the residents of Blatten will not be able to return, as the entire village has been destroyed. Matthias Bellwald, Blatten’s mayor, said: “The unimaginable has happened. “We have lost our village, but not our heart. “We will support each other and console each other.” Blatten’s residents have been promised funding from the Swiss government to house them in the local area. However, Raphaël Mayoraz, head of the regional Natural Hazards office, warned that more evacuations could be needed in towns near the Blatten area. Experts had been closely monitoring the glacier’s movements, which intensified before triggering the massive avalanche. “An unbelievable amount of material thundered down into the valley,” said Matthias Ebener, a spokesperson for local authorities in the southwestern canton of Valais. Local authorities were deploying by helicopter and across the area to assess the damage, Jonas Jeitziner, a spokesman for the Ltschental crisis center, told The Associated Press by phone. EPAAn avalanche from the Birch glacier covers buildings in Blatten, Switzerland[/caption] EPAA number of houses were destroyed in the village[/caption] APA mixture of ice, rock, snow and water reached the valley floor[/caption] Swiss glaciologists have repeatedly expressed concerns about a thaw in recent years, attributed in large part to global warming, that has accelerated the retreat of glaciers in Switzerland. The landlocked Alpine country has the most glaciers of any country in Europe, and saw 4% of its total glacier volume disappear in 2023. That was the second-biggest decline in a single year after a 6% drop in 2022. In 2023, residents of the village of Brienz, in eastern Switzerland, were evacuated before a huge mass of rock slid down a mountainside, stopping just short of the community. Brienz was evacuated again last year because of the threat of a further rockslide. It comes after a British man was killed after he was swept 50ft to his death in a horrific avalanche at the popular French ski resort Val Thorens. And a skier who died in a massive avalanche in the French Alps had his body discovered thanks to his elbow still sticking out from the snow. APBlatten’s residents have been promised funding from the Swiss government[/caption] EPAExperts had been closely monitoring the glacier’s movements[/caption]

A BRIT mum has died in a horror motorbike crash while on a couple’s holiday in Jamaica. Lisa Ball, 53, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, was on board a rented scooter when a pick-up truck smashed into the bike and sent her flying over 60ft across the road. FacebookBrit grandma Lisa Ball has died in a horror motorbike crash while on holiday in Jamaica[/caption] FacebookLisa was on a dream holiday to the Caribbean with her partner Anthony Hurt as the pair celebrated their anniversary[/caption] FacebookLisa was rushed to hospital but passed away as Anthony was left with minor injuries[/caption] Lisa was on a dream holiday to the Caribbean with her partner Anthony Hurt as the pair celebrated their anniversary. Anthony is thought to have been driving the scooter with Lisa sat as a passenger when the truck pulled out from a restaurant car park on the island’s tourist trail near to Montego Bay. Both were dramatically thrown from the Honda scooter along the North Coast Highway, according to horrified witnesses. The tragic accident took place around 7.40pm on May 19. Lisa tragically suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to hospital. Anthony reportedly escaped with just minor injuries to his feet. A shocked eyewitness who stopped at the scene to help Lisa described the tragedy. Kacia Campbell-Jones said: “I am still reeling from the shock of the incident, which made for a sleepless night.” She also revealed that the fatal crash took place as the couple were celebrating their anniversary as well as Lisa’s birthday. Lisa, who was also known on social media as Jo-Ann Pickles, was reportedly staying at a resort near the coastal town of Lucea. Tributes have poured in for the beloved family woman since her death was confirmed by Jamaican police. Her heartbroken daughter Chloe Watson left a heart-aching message on social media saying: “Love you mum.” She added: “She was a much-loved mum and nana of Olivia, Daisy, Lyla, Lillie and Madelyn.” As close friend Fiona Ward said: “This beautiful lady is one of my closest friends, she came to Jamaica for a holiday with her partner they were having the best time until this tragic accident. “This is such devastating news for her family and friends. Everyone who loved Jo is grieving.” Lisa was also labelled as a “gentle soul, kind and caring” by Claire Ettenfield, a salon owner in her hometown of Keighley. The driver of the pick-up truck involved in the crash has been taken into custody by Jamaican police for questioning. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told The Sun: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities.” Lisa’s death is the latest fatal tourist road accident in Jamaica in recent months. In February, a Canadian holidaymaker lost her life on the same highway just hours after she arrived at the island’s airport. The British Foreign Office has guidance online for tourists warning them to be aware of the dangers of road accidents in the Caribbean. It states: “Many roads are badly maintained with poor signage. In some locations a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. “Road accidents and fatalities are common. Roads in rural areas are often narrow and winding and poorly lit at night. “Weather conditions can exacerbate poor driving conditions. “Driving standards vary. Lane discipline is poor. Speeding and drink-driving is common. Many drivers do not have car insurance.” FacebookTributes have poured in for the beloved family woman since her death was confirmed by Jamaican police[/caption]

AN ALLEGED gang member wanted over the fatal stabbing of a young man in London has been arrested in Spain. Six mobsters went on the run after the tragic murder of 21-year-old Giovanny Rendon Bedoya in Walworth, south London, on April 21. SolarpixAn alleged gang member wanted over the fatal stabbing of a young man in London has been arrested near Barcelona[/caption] SolarpixSeveral men went on the run after the tragic murder of 21-year-old Giovanny Rendon Bedoya in Walworth, south London, on April 21[/caption] The fugitive was detained at the request of British authorities in the town of Sabadell around 15 miles north-west of the Catalan capital as he entered a restaurant, Spanish police said. He is said to belong to the dangerous Latin gang known as the Trinitarios. They have become a major security threat across much of Europe in recent years especially in cities like Madrid and London. The alleged killer is now facing extradition to the UK and a possible “life sentence” according to Spanish cops. Met Police pleaded for information around the death of Giovanny earlier this year. It comes as three of the six people initially arrested have now been bailed pending further inquiries. In the latest update this month, they said a fourth man has now been charged with murder. All four men have been named by police as Joseph Jimenez, 21, Angel Gonzales Angulo, 19, Brian Villada-Hernandes, 19, and Zozoro Mohamed Olivier, 20. Cops previously said a 17-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of murder. Confirming the latest arrest near Barcelona today, Spain’s National Police said in a statement: “National Police officers have arrested a member of the Trinitarios gang in the town of Sabadell in Barcelona who is wanted by the British justice system after allegedly committing a murder in the United Kingdom. “An international arrest warrant was issued for him after the crime which took place on April 14. “He could face a life sentence for attacking with five other alleged members of the same gang, another young man from a rival gang who was killed. “The investigation was launched by the British authorities on 14 April when the fugitive and five other alleged members of the Trinitarios gang violently accosted another young man from a rival gang following a dispute.” Giovanny was attacked just after 9pm and was left with serious injuries which resulted in the amputation of fingers, the loss of an organ and multiple fractures. These injuries resulted in his death, police confirmed at the time. The Trinitarios gang is said to have been founded in 1993 by two Dominicans facing separate murder charges being held in the Rikers Islands New York City jail. The gang’s notoriety across the globe even caused them to be scrutinised by the Trump administration this year. Donald Trump described them as “animals” as he carried out his sweeping sanctions on US criminal enterprises. Nearly two dozen Trinitarios gang members were hit with RICO conspiracy charges in February. They were accused of six murders and 11 attempted murders, according to the US Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts. Spiralling violence around Madrid in recent years has been blamed on the fracturing and spread of Dominican gangs which have become Spain’s primary urban security threat. Officials believe the man arrested today may have been in Spain trying to flee to the Dominican Republic. The Sun has contacted the Metropolitan Police for further comment. SolarpixThe alleged killer is now facing extradition to the UK and a possible “life sentence” according to Spanish cops[/caption]

A BRAVE Brit holidaymaker had an “incredible” holiday in war-torn Ukraine – despite harrowing air raid alerts forcing him to take shelter in the subway. Daring tourist Adam Smith stayed at a £7-a-night hostel for five days in the capital Kyiv – and now says he “can’t wait to go back” there. Jam Press/@AdrenalinefuelledBrit holidaymaker Adam Smith went on holiday to war-torn Ukraine[/caption] Jam Press/@AdrenalinefuelledThe Brit was woken up while dozing off to the harrowing sound of air rad alerts[/caption] Jam Press/@AdrenalinefuelledThe Brit said he ‘can’t wait to go back’[/caption] He embarked on the trip while Vladimir Putin‘s Russia continued to pummel Ukrainian cities with devastating drone blitzes and air strikes as part of his bloody invasion. 32-year-old Adam first had to fly to Krakow, Poland, before taking a gruelling 10-hour train to arrive at his budget hostel in the city centre. But moments after getting some shut eye, Adam was suddenly woken by a chilling air raid alert. He had to rush to the nearest subway to escape Putin’s brutal strikes. The Northampton man told Luxury Travel Daily: “The air raid siren went off when I was just drifting off. “I knew I’d hear it at some point because it’s pretty much every night. He continued: “It was about 11pm and I could hear it in the distance. “I didn’t know what to do but I went to the shelter.” The intrepid tourist detailed that his experience felt “very real” – and explained that he felt more excited than scared. He described the shelter that him and hundreds of other locals had to take refuge in during the overnight air attack. Adam said: “We were all the way at the bottom of the subway. There were around 500 people. “The atmosphere is really hard to describe. “It felt like when you do a minute’s silence, there was just quiet anticipation waiting for the all clear or get bombed.” He also told of the worrying fact that “a lot of people don’t bother going to the shelter because they’re really bored of it”. Adam even described his fatigue of bloodthirsty Putin’s constant attacks. “By the end of the trip, I couldn’t be bothered,” he said. The bold holidaymaker said the sirens blared three times a night during his trip. Adam’s family begged him not to go on the trip but his friends weren’t surprised. Jam Press/@AdrenalinefuelledHe explored the city of Kyiv and said he loved the people and food there[/caption] Jam Press/@AdrenalinefuelledView from the train he had to take from Poland to Ukraine[/caption] Jam Press/@AdrenalinefuelledHe said there weren’t many tourists[/caption] He said: “I’ve always wanted to go, even before the war, but the war has gone on for so long. “Some people say there’s no war and other people say Ukraine is destroyed. There’s definitely a war.” The whole trip set Adam back £250 – with a return flight from London Luton Airport to Poland costing just £40. From there, the return train from Krakow to Kyiv was £80. Adam took about £100 to spend, and said that the most expensive activity was a war-themed tour which cost £200. He also described Ukraine: “It was quite grey, I’m not sure if that was the war or the winter. “There weren’t many tourists.“ But the keen traveller is already making plans to go back to Kyiv in summer, and said that he “loved” the city. “The people were helpful and the food was good,” he said. “I went on a tour of occupied cities that Russia had been pushed out of and that was interesting,” Adam added. It comes after mad Putin launched Russia’s biggest air assault on Ukraine yet which killed three siblings as well as 10 others during a gargantuan blitz over the weekend. The three tragic children were siblings from the same Martyniuk family and named as Roman, 17, Tamara, 12 and Stanislav, aged eight. Nato scrambled fighter jets after Russian forces launched 367 missiles and drones in the largest single attack since the start of the war in 2022. Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, said Moscow used a mix of 69 ballistic and cruise missiles and 298 drones, including Iranian-designed Shahed drones. It was the most massive strike in terms of the number of air attack weapons on the territory of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ihnat said. The Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of Ukraine. AlamyPhoto released by Ukraine shows extent of ongoing invasion and attacks on Kyiv, May 25[/caption] Jam Press/AdrenalinefuelledAdam explored many parts of the city and went on a war-themed tour[/caption] Jam Press/AdrenalinefuelledHe travelled despite Putin’s ongoing invasion and constant blitzes[/caption]

A FRUSTRATED Donald Trump has once again hit out at Vladimir Putin for “tapping us along” over Ukraine peace talks. The US president has said Putin may be intentionally delaying a ceasefire amid Moscow’s continued aggression towards Kyiv this week. SplashA frustrated Donald Trump has once again hit out at Vladimir Putin for ‘tapping us along’ over Ukraine peace talks[/caption] ReutersUkrainian emergency workers extinguish a fire following a Russian rocket strike amid Putin continued aggression[/caption] EPAPutin has several conditions for ending the Ukraine blitz, according to top Russian officials[/caption] Trump’s latest scathing comments towards the Kremlin’s top despot come after mad Vlad declared he will only call off the war in Ukraine if the West vows to keep its hands off Russia’s prized former Soviet states. Putin even demanded he got the assurances in writing. The Russian president said he wants a “written” pledge from Western leaders to stop Nato’s expansion to countries eastward, top Russian officials revealed to Reuters. The eastward expansion refers to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics. These latest remarks from the Kremlin come as the world – especially Mr Trump – continues to wait around for Putin to finally come to the negotiating table. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said he still “can’t tell” if Putin truly wants peace. This comes despite the pair holding a lengthy phone call just last week. Trump did reveal: “We’re going to find out whether or not he’s tapping us along or not, and if he is, we’ll respond a little differently.” The president’s comments came just minutes after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke on the next round of peace talks. He said that Russia has proposed another sit down chat with Ukraine to take place on June 2 in Istanbul. Kyiv is yet to respond. One of the largest stumbling blocks which is delaying any peace deal is said to be over Putin’s desire to control his former Soviet states and keep them away from Nato. This includes Ukraine themselves with the Kremlin always saying Kyiv gaining access to the group is a complete no go under any circumstances. Kyiv has repeatedly said that Moscow should have no say in its sovereign right to pursue Nato membership however. Trump’s latest rhetoric around wanting Putin’s true colours to be revealed is the second time he has spoken on the tyrant is recent days. He sent a furious warning on Tuesday that the Russian leader is “playing with fire” by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks. In a Truth Social post he said: “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. “He’s playing with fire!” What is Nato? NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949. It was created after World War II, primarily in response to growing concerns about Soviet expansion during the early stages of the Cold War. Nato was officially formed with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949 by 12 founding member states. Since then, it has expanded to include 32 member countries. The most recent country to join Nato is Sweden, which became a full member on March 7, 2024. At its core, Nato operates on the principle of collective defence – an attack against one member is considered an attack against all. Kremlin mouthpiece Dmitry Medvedev responded by saying the only truly bad thing to worry about was World War Three. He said: “Regarding Trump’s words about Putin ‘playing with fire’ and ‘really bad things’ happening to Russia, I only know of one REALLY BAD thing: WWIII. During Trump and Putin’s two-hour call Putin said he had agreed to work with Ukraine on a memorandum. The Kremlin says it’s currently drafting its version of the memorandum and that there cannot be a fixed deadline for ceasefire details to be agreed. It comes as Ukraine attacked Moscow overnight in a brutal revenge strike following Russia’s three-day aerial blitz. Ukrainian strikes targeted a key microchip facility in Moscow’s Zelenograd district, with explosions also reported at a drone manufacturing plant and another defence facility in Dubna. Both strikes are believed to have caused significant damage to the Kremlin’s war machine. Moscow’s defence ministry claims Ukraine launched nearly 300 drones overnight. AFPUkrainian emergency servises at a scene after a a Russian strike in Zhytomyr[/caption] AFPThe 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces in the frontline[/caption]