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The son of a Belgian victim of wildfire disputes Spanish officials' accounts of warnings
The son of a Belgian who died in the Spanish wildfires has disputed claims by authorities that his father, and other victims, ignored official advice to 'huddle in place.' He said emergency services had not given them any guidance. Belgian virologist Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt told ? On Saturday, Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt told? Stanislas verdonckt, a 33-year old Belgian man, was one of eight victims found dead by the wildfire in a valley near the Paraje el Curato region where he had lived at the outskirts Bedar. Verdonckt, a Belgian resident, travelled to Spain and spoke with neighbours who survived the fire. Verdonckt claimed that no official told the group the fire was headed their way, or that it was safer to stay home rather than run. "The people who died didn't fail to follow orders, because there were none. He said that no information had been provided. They only fled when the fires were almost upon them. It was their last resort. Local officials and police contacted residents by phone or went door to door to give them instructions on how to safely evacuate or shelter in place depending on the speed of the fire. Angel Collado, Bedar's mayor, urged Stanislas verdonckt and the rest of the group to take shelter. Verdonckt did not receive a response to a request for comment from the Andalusian Regional Government, which is responsible for emergency services, local administration, or the Spanish Civil Guard Police, who were involved in rescue operations. Twelve people, mostly foreigners, like Stanislas verdonckt, and one Spaniard, died in the wildfires that reached Bedar above Los Gallardos. The identities of the victims have not yet been confirmed. Firefighters are still battling to put out the fires. CLOSE ENOUGH FOR FLAMES TO BE TOUCHED Verdonckt reported that a group of neighbours, including his father, tried to leave on a paved street, but were stopped by the flames. They couldn't have gotten through the main road, because they weren't warned beforehand. He said that nobody had warned them of the danger. When they tried to escape, it was too late. The group tried to escape by car on the dead-end dirt road of the neighbours, which runs along a mountainside. He said that when they couldn't make it, the group abandoned their cars to flee on foot. It was not an option. He said that they drove to the end, but when the fires started, some people ran to try and get into the valley. Verdonckt was told by a neighbour who had survived the fire in his house that the flames were close enough to touch the house. Verdonckt stated that his father was a keen photographer and hiker who had lived in the area for many years. He knew the terrain and spoke Spanish. Verdonckt stated that his father discussed the options to protect himself during their final phone call. Verdonckt stated that Stanislas Verdonckt remained calm in "even the most desperate situations". He also went over "plans A, B and c". "My father's one of the most intelligent people I know." He was always analytical and checked boxes. He was checking boxes: 'Can we do this? "," he replied. At that point, they had just minutes left before they would be engulfed by the fire and trapped. (Editing by Cynthia Osterman).
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UKMTO says crew abandon container ship near Oman after fire onboard
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency, on Sunday, the crew of a container ship abandoned it after military authorities reported that there had been a fire caused by a 'damage in its rear near 'Oman. The UKMTO had earlier reported that it received a report about an incident which occurred nine nautical miles (16,7?km?) east of Oman. In a new advisory, the agency said that it was informed by the military authorities and?the vessel's security officer, that the crew abandoned the vessel, and are presently in a?lifeboat. The authorities are?continuing their investigation. The U.S. launched a new wave of strikes on Iran Sunday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) forces targeted a container ship flying the flag of Cyprus transiting through Strait of Hormuz. The?U.S. reported that "a civilian crew member is missing, and the vessel cannot continue its journey due to significant engine room damage and an onboard fire." Central Command released a statement on X. Iran's IRGC Navy said earlier on a Sunday that it had struck a vessel which had "jeopardized Maritime Security by switching off their?systems". This vessel, along with other vessels, had attempted to transit? through an unauthorized route despite being warned to correct its direction.
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Six dead and dozens injured as Russia attacks Ukraine with drones, missiles
Officials said that Russia carried out missile and drone strikes on Ukraine on Saturday. Six people were killed and dozens injured. Kyiv was waiting for a supply of air defence ammunition due to a shortage. Authorities reported that two glide bombs struck a crowded area of the northern city Sumy and killed four people. They also injured 17 others. The bombs were aimed at a bus stop. Pictures showed a yellow bus that had one side ripped off. A missile strike earlier that day on Odesa in southern Ukraine killed two people and injured another. Meanwhile, a drone struck a civilian enterprise in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, injuring seven. In the meantime, eleven people were wounded in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, during an attack overnight that involved drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise-missiles. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine, said that the attacks in Kyiv had already affected the city's infrastructure before an air raid alert was sent. "Our defenders were able to take out most of the targets but not the missiles." He reiterated his call to Ukraine's NATO allies for them to deliver quickly the support packages agreed on at the NATO Summit this week. Ukraine's air force reported on Saturday morning that Russia had launched 121 drones and six cruise missiles as part of the attacks overnight, including those against Kyiv. The Pentagon said that it had shot down at least two cruise-missiles and 111 drones. UKRAINE REQUESTS SUPPLIES FROM ALLIES In the last month, Ukraine has had a difficult time destroying ballistic missiles that travel at speeds several times faster than sound. The Ukrainian government has asked allies to increase their supplies of these munitions. It has also encouraged Europe to collaborate with Kyiv in developing its own anti-ballistic system. The U.S. president Donald Trump announced this week that Ukraine would be given a license to manufacture its own Patriot missiles. Zelenskiy, after Saturday's attack called for these projects to be moved "as quickly as possible". In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks against the capital. In the last month, more than 60 people have been killed in attacks on Kyiv. Kyiv has, in turn pressed Russia's military logistic in the occupied south of Ukraine. It aims to rob Russian forces from fuel and munitions through strikes on trucks and vessels far behind the frontlines. Robert Brovdi, the chief of Ukraine's drone force, said that his units struck 21 fuel-tanker vessels overnight in the Sea?of Azov, along with seven other cargo ships and support vessels, bringing the number of vessels hit this?week up to 76. Zelenskiy said that the goal of the drone campaign was to bring Russia to a negotiating table. Vladimir Putin, however, has not publicly indicated a willingness to soften his position. Russian authorities announced on Saturday that one person was killed by a drone attack on four vessels in the?Taganrog Bay, on the Sea of Azuv. This included a tanker transporting methanol. Following drone attacks, two fuel depots as well as the Taganrog port caught fire on Friday. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that air defence units in Russia had shot down a total 178 Ukrainian drones overnight over different regions. (Reporting and editing by William Mallard in Kyiv, Tomaszjanowski, Barbara Lewis, Joe Bavier, and Max Hunder)
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Floods in Bangladesh leave 44 dead and over a half million homeless
At least 44 people have been killed by floods and landslides in southeastern Bangladesh as a result of monsoon rains that lasted for days. Authorities raced to provide aid on Saturday. The Disaster Management Ministry said that on Saturday, flooding in seven districts -- Chattogram (Cox's Bazar), Bandarban (Rangamati), Khagrachhari (Moulvibazar), Moulvibazar, and Habiganj - had disrupted everyday life, stranded thousands of families and isolated 267,918 homes. Rescue and relief efforts have been slowed by power outages, damaged roadways and broken communication links. Many residents were unable to cook as flood waters submerged their homes. Others are still struggling with thick layers of mud covering kitchens and living areas. We have no electricity and there is no water in our house. We have run out of dry food and spend the nights with our children in darkness because we don't have electricity. Thousands of families rely on emergency relief and dry food, such as flattened or puffed-up rice or biscuits. Aid workers have found it difficult to reach the worst-hit areas due to washed-out roads and bridge damage. As authorities intensify their relief efforts, army and navy personnel are transporting food, drinking-water, medicines, and other essential supplies by boat to remote communities. The government is doing all it can to help flood victims. "We are distributing relief, drinking water and medical supplies, and we encourage people who have lost their homes to move to the nearest shelter," said Disaster Management and Relief minister Iqbal Hossain during a trip to Chattogram. Heavy rains also caused landslides to occur in Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar this week. 16 people, including women, children, and refugees were killed. In the camps, more than a million Rohingya live. The makeshift shelters built on steep, deforested hillsides are particularly vulnerable to flooding during monsoon. Bangladesh is one the most disaster-prone nations in the world, as monsoon season rains are responsible for regular floods, erosion of rivers and landslides. Scientists claim climate change increases extreme rainfall, increasing the severity and scale of disasters. (Reporting and editing by Ruma Bavier; Ruma Paul)
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Businessman suspected of falsifying deeds after selling land to Kushner Resort in Albania
The country's organized crime-fighting agency revealed in case files reviewed by that a Miami-based Miami businessman was wanted in Albania for allegedly laundering drugs money. He is suspected of fabricating the deeds on land where Jared Kushner plans to build a multibillion-dollar resort. Kujtim Kakrani, the lawyer of Artur Shehu denies any accusations made against him. He confirmed that Albanian prosecutors issued a warrant for Shehu to be arrested for money laundering for drug gangs. The case files accuse Shehu and his associates of trafficking South American cocain into European ports and laundering funds by using them to create a real estate business, which included falsifying land ownership documents. "None of the allegations made about Mr. Artur Shehu are true. Cakrani stated that Shehu is not a drug dealer or a forger. "Mr Shehu knows of the accusations made by the Albanian prosecutor." He is not concerned by these allegations because he believes that the truth differs from what the Albanian prosecution claims. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment if it received any requests from Albania to find or detain Shehu. Shehu sold in April the planned resort's strip of pristine Albanian coast to Albania Land Development. This company is owned by Sazan Real Estate Development, the project developers who are backed by Kushner, and other investors. Prosecutors wrote in case files that "reasonable suspicions" were formed based on the evidence that the assets mentioned above had been acquired by using forged documents. No allegations of wrongdoing are made in the files against Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Kushner or any other investor involved in the project. No evidence was found that any of the investors knew about any suspicions regarding Shehu before they purchased land from him. When asked about the allegations made against Shehu, a spokesperson from Sazan Real Estate Development said that the company did not respond to them but believed the land acquisitions had been legitimate. Albania Land Development has not responded to any requests for comment. A spokesperson for?Kushner refused to comment on this story. Sazan confirmed that Kushner was an investor in this project. However, Sazan did not reveal the exact nature or extent of Kushner's investment. DISPUTED PROJECTS ON PRISTINE LAND The claim that the deeds were falsified adds another obstacle to a project that is already facing protests from?allegations it threatens wildlife. Residents of Zvernec, a village near the project, have been fighting Shehu in court for more than 10 years. Last month, 12 of them presented title deeds or tax records which they claimed proved that they were the legal owners of the property. Kostandin Beko, their lawyer, stated that the case was still open and they planned to ask a court to stop the resort project. Albania, once one the poorest, most isolated countries of Europe, is now a EU candidate and experiencing a construction boom along the last unspoiled coast of Europe on the Adriatic Sea. The Kushner resort will be built along a stretch with wild beaches, forests and a wetlands that is home to sea turtles. The flamingos have become a symbol for those who oppose the project. They call their protests "the Flamingo Revolution". Ivanka Trump, Kushner's spouse, has stated that she and Kushner came up with the idea of the resort after they saw the coast years ago from a boat. Kushner revealed the plans in 2024 on social media, with an artist's rendition showing the land covered by a hotel, villas and pools, as well as jetties for yachts. He hasn't publicly revealed how much he invested. Albanian government strongly supports the plans, and claims that the protests were staged by political opponents. Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania, said last month that this was a beautiful project and it would proceed regardless. A government spokesperson responded that it would not interfere in private transactions but said that the project was being carried out in accordance with Albanian and EU law. Brussels had previously urged Albania, as an EU candidate, to adhere to EU environmental regulations in relation to the project. The spokesperson of the EU's executive Commission declined to comment on this story. ALBANIAN PROSECUTORS STEP INSIDE The case files against Shehu have been prepared by Albania’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK), which was set up in 2019. Its investigators and prosecutors are independent from the regular police and prosecutor service. The 200-page files have not been released. A spokesperson confirmed the investigation of the SPAK but refused to elaborate further. The files date from June 12, 2026. SPAK announced publicly on the same day arrest warrants against 20 people accused of trafficking in narcotics, and laundering money from that trade. The arrest warrants do not identify the suspects by name but only by initials. This is in accordance with the standard practice of Albania, where suspects are never publicly identified before being charged. The initials on the arrest warrants correspond to the full name of the people described in the case file, including one suspect who is identified as "A.Sh." Shehu's attorney Cakrani confirmed that Shehu is a target. He said that he wasn't concerned about the arrest warrant because it was "widely known" that Albanian prosecutors worked under the influence politicians and businessmen. SPAK has yet to confirm if any of the suspects have been arrested or charged. The Albanians living in Miami SPAK documents state that Shehu sold the land for the project of the resort for approximately EUR110 million. It claims to have frozen the funds in the account a notary so they could not reach Shehu. SPAK stated in its files that Shehu, and his associates, "purchased property using illegally acquired funds and forging ownership documents by creating fake property titles or artificially enlarging properties." The properties were transferred or traded so that they could not be easily traced by authorities. A spokesperson from Sazan Real Estate said: "We still believe that the land acquisitions in question were done lawfully and according to applicable procedures." We will always respect any legal process and cooperate as needed. The spokesperson did not respond to my question about why Shehu's land acquisitions are legal, despite the allegations made by the prosecutors. Shehu’s lawyer Cakrani told Shehu that Shehu’s family owned the land from the Ottoman Empire, more than 100 year ago, and had sold it lawfully to the investors. Cakrani described Shehu, a good citizen who sought asylum in the United States after "criminal groups" had killed his brother in front of him in 1998. This account could not be independently verified. Reporting by Fatos bytyci, Edward McAllister, Timour Azhari in Dubai, Amina lsmail in Brussels, and Andrew Goudsward, Washington. Writing by Edward McAllister, Editing by Peter Graff.
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Taiwan evacuates thousands as Typhoon Bavi hits Japan's southern islands
On Saturday, Typhoon Bavi pounded?Japan’s?southern Sakishima Island chain with heavy rainfall and violent winds as it headed toward Taiwan. Authorities warned of the dangers of flooding and landslides. Ishigaki Island, a part of Okinawa Prefecture, was strewn with debris, and only a few vehicles braved the rain and gale. The strong currents in a harbour were caused by the storm's strong winds, which reached a maximum sustained speed of 144 km/h (90mph) near the centre. Authorities warned of gusts up to 198 km/h. All Saturday, flights and ferry services in Ishigaki - a popular tourist spot - were suspended. More than 24,000 Okinawa households lost power and?345 airlines cancelled flights. Taiwan's government evacuated 14,000 people from mountainous areas, as the island was shut down for the approaching Bavi. Although Bavi is not expected to land on Taiwan, the government has taken precautions in order to prevent deaths, as forecasts call for rain of upto 3 feet (1 meter) in certain areas. All 280 domestic flights and 920 international flights were cancelled, and most of the people evacuated lived in the North and East. Most cities and counties in Taiwan have declared Saturday a Typhoon Holiday. This means that any offices or schools open over the weekend will be closed. The main north-south rail line was open, but with a reduced service. Some people were still on the streets despite the wind and rain in the downtown area of the capital Taipei. Yeh Maohsiung (68), a Taipei resident, said, "It's okay, it's nothing serious." He was out walking his dog in the morning. "It's only a little more wind." In Beitou, a neighbourhood of Taipei in the foothills surrounding the mountains, gusts up to 60 mph (100 kph) knocked trees down and swollen rivers. Bavi will hit Wenzhou in eastern China, a city with a population of?10,000,000, on Sunday morning. Chen Qiuqin in her 60s walked to her parents home through steady rain to prepare them for the approaching typhoon. "I was worried about the flowerpots that were on my mother's balcony, so I will help move them in." She said, "I was worried because my parents are both old and home alone. I didn't feel at ease." Reporting by Joseph Campbell, Angie Teo, Yimou Le in Taipei and Go Nakamura in Wenzhou. Additional reporting by Ella Cao and Go Nakamura in Wenzhou. Writing by Ben Blanchard & Chang-Ran Kim. Editing by Kim Coghill & William Mallard.
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Bahamas grounds Flamingo Air after 10 die in plane crash
The Bahamas' Prime Minister,?Philip Davis, said that 10 people were killed after an aircraft crashed on one of the Caribbean country's islands. Davis stated during a news conference that "once again, tragedy has marked a chapter of our nation's history." "Today was a celebration, but it has now become a mourning day." According to the Bahamian Aviation Accident Investigation Authority, the crash occurred at around 1:00 pm EDT, after the Cessna 402. took off from Lynden Pindling International Airport on its way to San Andros Airport. The authority stated that the aircraft "reportedly experienced difficulties" before it crashed into bushes. Shanta knowles, the police commissioner, said that there were nine passengers on board and one pilot. She said that one person survived at first but died later. Flamingo Air is a Bahamas-based carrier that operated the flight. The Ministry of Transport has suspended the airline’s air operator's certificate as a "precautionary safety measure." Flamingo?didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. However, they told local media that "at this time, the details are?being gathered and we are committed?to cooperating with relevant authorities." (Reporting and editing by Jasper Ward, Washington)
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Michigan Republican: New US-Canada bridge will open soon
After talks about the financial arrangements, the?new bridge? connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario is expected to open soon, according a Michigan Republican. The Gordie Howe Bridge was scheduled to open in early June, after U.S. president Donald Trump threatened to close it in February due concerns over the deal. Michigan Republican Senate Candidate Mike Rogers stated Friday on WJR radio he spoke to U.S. Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick, who informed him that the administration has reached a deal which will be?announced within the next few days in order to allow the bridge's opening to occur soon. Sources confirmed that a deal was reached and that the U.S. would get 50% of the toll revenue. They also said that they could veto any toll increase that exceeds 10%. Early June was planned as the date for a formal ribbon cutting. Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister, said that Canada had agreed to defer the opening of its doors at the request from the Trump administration. Carney stated that "we agreed to delay the opening in order to take the time necessary to resolve outstanding questions." In February, Trump cited Canada’s refusal to sell some U.S. alcohol products in Canadian stores, Canada’s tariffs on milk products and Canada’s trade negotiations with China as reasons why he may not allow the bridge's opening. Matthew Moroun is the owner of the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit to Windsor. He met Lutnick in February and had given $1 million weeks earlier to a Trump-aligned PAC. Canada funded the construction of the bridge in 2018 because the U.S. refused. Tolls were supposed to cover the costs over 30 years. It is unclear how the revenue split will affect the repayment schedule. The new bridge is expected to ease the truck traffic on the Ambassador Bridge, which leads into Detroit. Detroit is the largest port of entry for commercial trucks on the U.S. Canada border, with a value of $126 billion in 2023. According to a University of Windsor report, it will save truckers $2.3billion over the next 30 years. Trump has issued a number of threats towards Canada during his second term, and has dramatically increased tariffs against the U.S. neighbor to the north. Trump hinted last month that he may not renew the free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. (Reporting and editing by Alistair Bell; David Shepardson)
Bousso: The quest of ROI-Gulf Exporters to bypass Hormuz is reshaping the region.
Middle East oil producers will have to face the consequences. The Iran War exposed the dangers in relying solely on one chokepoint to export vital oil and gas. Gulf governments were left with a clear strategy imperative: diversify at all costs. A blockade by Iran of the Strait of Hormuz was long viewed as an "event of doomsday". It would never occur. Experts believed it would take a massive effort from the military and that Tehran wouldn't be willing to stop its exports. These assumptions were 'proven painfully incorrect. Iran used cheap drones and small vessels to impose a nearly airtight blockade, but continued to export its oil.
The result was a global energy crisis that affected the entire region.
The countries lost export revenue and had to close down 11 million barrels of oil per day (bpd), along with refineries and LNG installations.
Washington and Tehran agreed to negotiate an agreement for a permanent ceasefire, but the "Hormuz Genie" can't be put back in the bottle. Future closures now pose a persistent and real risk to the region's economy and its people.
As a consequence, the Gulf countries have become more dependent on alternative routes to export energy, chemicals, and fertilisers.
Pipeline Dreams
Saudi Arabia is the best example of how building pipelines to circumvent Hormuz can be beneficial.
Before the war, Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company, diverted?60% (or?60 million barrels) of its oil shipments from the Gulf Coast to Yanbu on the Red Sea. In the 1980s, Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company, built the 1,200-kilometre (745 mile) route to protect against such a scenario.
The strategic foresight has paid off.
In April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that it expected Saudi Arabia's economic growth to be 3.1% by 2026. This is just 1.4 percentage point less than its pre-war prediction.
Qatar, on the other hand, has no alternative routes to export its oil and LNG, so its economy could contract by 8.6% this year after growing by 2.8% last year, according to IMF.
Other regional players are taking note.
United Arab Emirates were able to bypass Hormuz in part by using their pipeline to the Fujairah oil terminal located outside the Strait. Fujairah's oil terminal was damaged by Iranian airstrikes, but the UAE still managed to export 1.8 million barrels per day, or roughly half its pre-war production.
Abu Dhabi, who left OPEC last May to pursue a growth strategy that is ambitious, has now accelerated construction of a new pipeline, which will double export capacity through Fujairah before 2027.
Iraq is still in a very unenviable situation. The majority of the country's production is concentrated in southern Iraq, which makes it heavily dependent on Hormuz. Companies and authorities in Iraq are therefore looking at ways to improve and expand the northern export routes via Turkey and Syria. Security and political concerns are still major obstacles.
THE QATARI CONUNDRUM
Qatar and Kuwait are faced with a much more complex problem. Both countries, lacking alternative export routes on their own territory, will be forced to rely upon?neighbors to circumvent Hormuz.
Qatar is the world's largest LNG exporter. For Qatar to gain access to beyond the Strait of Gibraltar, it would have to build a pipeline across the Red Sea or through Saudi Arabia, either via Fujairah, Oman or the UAE. Each option has its own geopolitical and economic complications.
These projects would require the construction of new liquefaction capacity outside the Gulf region, which would drive costs up.
This would leave Qatar heavily reliant on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, countries whose relationship with Doha has been strained in recent times. This poses political and strategic risks, which Qatar has sought to avoid for years.
Kuwait faces a similar dilemma. To develop alternative export routes, it would be necessary to deepen energy integration with Saudi Arabia. This highlights how geography could reshape future regional alliances.
DIVERSIFICATION OVERSEAS
Diversification of the Middle East is not the only response that has gained traction.
Gulf national oil companies have been expanding overseas operations to create a hedge for future disruptions in the region. QatarEnergy (formerly Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) and QatarEnergy have been at the forefront of building international portfolios that include oil, gas, and renewables.
This trend will likely accelerate. Acquiring stakes overseas in upstream assets such as refineries, LNG installations and storage terminals would generate valuable income streams, which are not exposed to Gulf risks. Such investments are a great way to ensure that you can continue to grow and be resilient in a world without the certainty of Hormuz.
The race to diversify will shake up government strategies, reshuffle alliances and redirect investments as Middle East producers start the recovery process. It could, in other words reshape this region for many decades.
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(source: Reuters)