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The devastating glacier collapse in Blatten: what next?

A view on June 6 of the millions of tonnes of rock, ice and other debris that engulfed the mountain village of Blatten in the Lötschental valley after a local glacier collapsed on May 28.

This content was published on Jun 13, 2025 Two weeks after a landslide wiped out most of the Alpine village of Blatten, talk of reconstruction is picking up, but huge challenges remain.

Do you worry about the environmental impact of AI?

Current artificial intelligence tools need huge amounts of energy and natural resources to function. Does this affect the way you use them?

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Jan 14, 2025

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Science and technology: Insights from Switzerland

Our monthly newsletter helps you understand how developments in science and technology out of Switzerland are shaping our lives.

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Blatten VS to be rebuilt in three to five years

Landslide-hit Swiss village to be rebuilt within five years

This content was published on Jun 13, 2025 The Swiss village of Blatten, which was decimated by a landslide, is to be rebuilt in three to five years.

FHNW simulates the Martian landscape for Mars rover "Hufi"

Swiss university simulates Martian landscape for Mars rover tests

This content was published on Jun 13, 2025 A Swiss university has created a Martian landscape testing zone to test and train its own Mars rover, called Hufi.

Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?

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Jun 13, 2025

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Swiss Re experts warn of growing risks from heatwaves

This content was published on Jun 12, 2025 Up to half a million people worldwide die every year as a result of extreme heat, according to a report by Swiss Re.

Switzerland in the bottom quarter of the ranking for renewable energies

Switzerland lags behind European peers in renewable energy ranking

This content was published on Jun 12, 2025 Switzerland ranks 22nd out of 28 countries in Europe in terms of solar and wind energy production.

Swiss Reddit study on fake news stirs ethics debate

This content was published on Jun 11, 2025 A controversial fake news study on the social media platform Reddit, has highlighted the ethical challenges of conducting research on society.

In Blatten, in the Lötschental valley in Valais, an estimated nine million cubic metres of ice, mud and rock crashed down a nearby mountain on May 28, wiping out the village. The few houses that remained intact were later flooded.

Blatten: what price for preserving Swiss mountain life?

This content was published on Jun 11, 2025 Swiss debates on preserving Alpine life have intensified following the Blatten glacier collapse. Discover the discussion shaping mountain village futures.

Opinion

Swiss climate scientist: CO2 removal is tricky but essential

This content was published on Jun 11, 2025 Initiatives to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air are faltering – not because they don’t work, but because we fail to see opportunities and lack vision, says Swiss climate scientist Cyril Brunner.

The fake news study on Reddit failed to inform particpants in advance

How a fake news study tested ethical research boundaries

This content was published on Jun 10, 2025 A controversial fake news study on Reddit has highlighted the ethical responsibilities of conducting studies on society.

Considerable landslide risk prevails in many Grisons valleys

Many Swiss valleys face considerable landslide risk

This content was published on Jun 7, 2025 There is a considerable risk of landslides in many valleys in Switzerland, particularly in canton Graubünden.

How does your country prepare for and respond to natural disasters?

Have you experienced natural disasters in your country of residence? How are these events predicted and responded to?

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Jun 6, 2025

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Data centres use four times more electricity than the average

Data centres use four times more electricity than average

This content was published on Jun 5, 2025 The power consumption of data centres, used in particular for AI, is four times higher than average, warns the International Telecommunication Union.

Heat is the greatest climate risk for Switzerland, according to the federal government

Drought is greatest climate risk for Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 5, 2025 Increasing heat and droughts have become the greatest climate-related risks to human health in Switzerland.

Valais Council of State: 10 million for the people of Blatten

Canton Valais gives CHF10 million to Blatten after devastating landslide

This content was published on Jun 4, 2025 Canton Valais is releasing CHF10 million ($12.1 million) in emergency funds for the mountain village of Blatten, which was wiped out by a devastating glacier collapse last week.

Cassis: "almost a miracle" that Blatten was only one of the missing

Swiss minister highlights Blatten ‘miracle’ at disaster reduction meeting

This content was published on Jun 4, 2025 The fact that only one person is missing after the huge glacier collapse that engulfed the Swiss mountain village of Blatten last week is “almost a miracle”, according to Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.

Climate refugees left in legal limbo

This content was published on Jun 3, 2025 “Climate refugees” are not recognised by international law. Should a new status be created to protect them?

The seven worst landslides in Swiss history

This content was published on Jun 2, 2025 A photo essay looking at some of the biggest landslide disasters in Swiss history.

Microsoft invests 400 million dollars in Swiss AI expansion

Microsoft invests $400 million in Swiss AI expansion

This content was published on Jun 2, 2025 Among other things, the existing data centres in the Geneva and Zurich regions are being expanded as part of this investment.