Switzerland moves toward EU arms cooperation while maintaining neutrality
Switzerland is taking steps toward deeper defence cooperation with the European Union, launching talks on a non-binding arms partnership while maintaining its neutral stance.
A massive glacial landslide in southern Switzerland has buried the village of Blatten, formed a dangerous lake by blocking the River Lonza, and raised fears of flooding downstream as emergency crews monitor the situation.
A catastrophic landslide involving millions of cubic meters of ice, rock, and mud crashed down the Birch Glacier in southern Switzerland on Wednesday, burying the village of Blatten and obstructing the River Lonza. The powerful deluge has created a natural dam, forming a lake behind a wall of debris stretching nearly two kilometers.
The village’s 300 residents had already been evacuated earlier in the week after geological instability was detected. Though some houses remained standing after the initial landslide, they were later damaged or flooded by rising water levels. A 64-year-old man remains missing, but rescue operations have been suspended due to dangerous conditions.
On Thursday, the blocked river forced water to back up, raising fears that a sudden breach of the debris could trigger destructive flooding. Emergency services warned residents of the downstream villages of Gampel and Steg to prepare for possible evacuation.
By Friday afternoon, some water had started to seep through the debris, relieving some of the pressure. Authorities expressed cautious optimism that the situation would stabilize, though they are maintaining emergency precautions.
The Swiss army remains on standby with water pumps, excavators, and heavy equipment, ready to assist in flood mitigation once conditions allow. Scientists suggest the event may be linked to the accelerating impact of climate change in the Alps, where warming temperatures are destabilizing mountain glaciers and permafrost.
The Swiss Insurance Association has estimated damages could run into the hundreds of millions of Swiss francs, though exact figures are not yet available, and it is unclear how many properties in Blatten were insured.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as part of a broader global security alert issued by Washington.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged China to work toward a permanent resolution of their border dispute, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust after the 2020 military clash.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed using closer cooperation with Pacific rim countries as a foundation to redesign the World Trade Organization (WTO), citing rising trade tensions and global fragmentation.
China and Ecuador mark a key step in strengthening bilateral ties by agreeing to expand and deepen cooperation in trade, investment and economic development.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 27th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The man behind one of Japan’s most disturbing serial murder cases—dubbed the ‘Twitter killer’—has been executed, breaking a nearly three-year pause in the country’s use of capital punishment.
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