Latest news with #DaveGraham
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Climate
- Japan Today
Swiss residents in shock after glacier debris buries village
A few remaining houses are seen after a massive rock and ice slide covered most of the village of Blatten, Switzerland May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth By Dave Graham Residents struggled on Thursday to absorb the scale of devastation caused by a huge slab of glacier that buried most of their picturesque Swiss village, in what scientists suspect is a dramatic example of climate change's impact on the Alps. A deluge of millions of cubic meters of ice, mud and rock crashed down a mountain on Wednesday, engulfing the village of Blatten and the few houses that remained were later flooded. Its 300 residents had already been evacuated earlier in May after part of the mountain behind the Birch Glacier began to crumble. Rescue teams with search dogs and thermal drone scans have continued looking for a missing 64-year-old man but have found nothing. Local authorities suspended the search on Thursday afternoon, saying the debris mounds were too unstable for now and warned of further rockfalls. With the Swiss army closely monitoring the situation, flooding worsened during the day as vast mounds of debris almost two kilometers across clogged the path of the River Lonza, causing a huge lake to form amid the wreckage and raising fears that the morass could dislodge. Water levels have been rising by 80 centimeters an hour from the blocked river and melting glacier ice, Stephane Ganzer, head of the security division for the Valais canton, told reporters. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter is returning early from high-level talks in Ireland and will visit the site on Friday, her office said. "I don't want to talk just now. I lost everything yesterday. I hope you understand," said one middle-aged woman from Blatten, declining to give her name as she sat alone disconsolately in front of a church in the neighboring village of Wiler. Nearby, the road ran along the valley before ending abruptly at the mass of mud and debris now blanketing her own village. A thin cloud of dust hung in the air over the Kleines Nesthorn Mountain where the rockslide occurred while a helicopter buzzed overhead. Werner Bellwald, a 65-year-old cultural studies expert, lost the wooden family house built in 1654 where he lived in Ried, a hamlet next to Blatten also wiped out by the deluge. "You can't tell that there was ever a settlement there," he told Reuters. "Things happened there that no one here thought were possible." PROFOUND SHOCK The worst scenario would be that a wave of debris bursts the nearby Ferden Dam, Valais canton official Ganzer said. He added that the chances of this further mudslide were currently unlikely, noting that the dam had been emptied as a precaution so it could act as a buffer zone. Local authorities said that the buildings in Blatten which had emerged intact from the landslide are now flooded and that some residents of nearby villages had been evacuated. The army said around 50 personnel as well as water pumps, diggers and other heavy equipment were on standby to provide relief when it was safe. Authorities were airlifting livestock out of the area, said Jonas Jeitziner, a local official in Wiler, as a few sheep scrambled out of a container lowered from a helicopter. Asked how he felt about the future, he said, gazing towards the plain of mud: "Right now, the shock is so profound that one can't think about it yet." The catastrophe has revived concern about the impact of rising temperatures on Alpine permafrost where thawing has loosened some rock structures, creating new mountain hazards. For years, the Birch Glacier has been creeping down the mountainside, pressured by shifting debris near the summit. Matthias Huss, head of Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland, pointed to the likely influence of climate change in loosening the rock mass among the permafrost, which triggered the collapse. "Unexpected things happen at places that we have not seen for hundreds of years, most probably due to climate change," he told Reuters. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Army searches for missing man after glacier debris buries Swiss village
By Dave Graham WILER, Switzerland (Reuters) -The army was deployed and rescue specialists were airlifted in to search for a man still missing on Thursday after a huge chunk of glacier crashed down a mountain in Switzerland, burying much of a picturesque Swiss Alpine village. Blatten had already been evacuated more than a week earlier when part of the mountain behind the Birch glacier began to crumble but a 64-year-old man was thought to have been in the area of the deluge of ice, mud and rock on Wednesday. The debris has carved a grey gash into the wooded mountainside, stripping it bare of trees and leaving channels of water seeping over the mass of rock and earth below. A thin cloud of dust hung in the air over the Kleines Nesthorn mountain where the rockslide occurred and a helicopter buzzed overhead. Experts were concerned that the debris was blocking a nearby river, causing a new lake to form and posing a flood risk on top of the rest of the devastation. Three rescue specialists have been airlifted to the site, Swiss cantonal police and officials said. The army has also been deployed to the area to assist, they said. Swiss officials were struggling to come to terms with the scale of the landslide, which officials said blanketed around 90% of the village. "This is the worst we could imagine. This event leaves us shocked," Albert Roesti, the Swiss environment minister, said late on Wednesday at a press conference in the Valais canton, where the village is. The incident has revived concern about the impact of rising temperatures on Alpine permafrost, even if environmental experts have so far been cautious about attributing the glacier's collapse to the effects of climate change. The degeneration of part of the Birch glacier in the Loetschental valley occurred after sections of the mountain behind it began breaking off in the past few days, and ultimately brought down much of the ice mass with it. Christian Huggel, a professor of environment and climate at the University of Zurich, said that various factors were at play in Blatten where it was known that permafrost had been affected by warmer temperatures in the Alps. He added that the debris was damming up the Lonza river next to the village, saying this could pose a major challenge with up 1 million cubic meters of water accumulating there daily.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
La Onda 2025: Napa Valley's Latin music festival returns with food, fun and rhythm
La Onda returns to Napa for its second year, celebrating Latin music, food and culture in the heart of Wine Country. The two-day event, scheduled to take place on Saturday-Sunday, May 31 and June 1 at the Napa Valley Expo, featuring an eclectic lineup that spans regional Mexican and several various sub-genres, Latin pop and so much more. Hitting the festival grounds just after BottleRock Napa Valley, a Memorial Day weekend staple, La Onda benefits from much of the same infrastructure. Attendees can expect similar perks, including multi-level seating and lounge areas, a silent disco, VIP experiences and even an on-site spa. The inaugural La Onda in 2024 drew more than 60,000 fans who enjoyed not only musical sets on the main stage but performances by roaming Mariachi bands to electrifying Lucha Libre matches. For festivalgoers looking for the perfect selfie, brightly colored lowriders served as Instagram-ready backdrops. Organizers deemed it a resounding success, with attendees lauding it for representing the vibrant diversity of Latino communities. 'There was something missing in the Northern California festival scene — an authentic, large-scale festival dedicated 100% to Latino culture,' acknowledged Dave Graham, partner at BottleRock Napa Valley which produces the La Onda. 'We saw the response from the crowd and on social media — just how much it was wanted and appreciated. We're excited to bring that same energy into year two.' Who is performing at La Onda 2025? The 2025 lineup promises big names and diverse talent within the Latin music world. On Saturday, May 31, Mexican singer-songwriter Marco Antonio Solis, Banda MS and Pepe Aguilar are expected to take the stage, while Carin León and Grupo Firme are slated to close out the festival on Sunday, June 1. Other highlights include performances by Xavi, Tito Double P, Yuridia, Eden Muñoz, Ángela Aguilar and Clave Especial. Various DJs, from Subelo Neo to Mexican Institute of Sound, will also bring the beats throughout the weekend. Other featured acts include Chino Pacas, La Receta, Camila Fernández, Los Aptos, Sonora Tropicana, MAR, Edgar Alejandro, Christian Nava, Codiciado, Oscar Maydon, Alicia Villarreal, Michelle Maciel, Reyna Tropical, Miguel Cornejo, Erre, Los De La 4, Adriana Ríos and Ysrael Barajas. Where is La Onda? The festival takes place at the Napa Valley Expo, a 26-acre venue just minutes from downtown Napa, which also hosts BottleRock Napa Valley. While La Onda uses much of the same footprint, it has its own distinct personality. 'Our team is super motivated to transform the space into something completely different,' said Justin Dragoo, chief operating officer at BottleRock. 'The decor, the vendors, the sponsors — everything had to reflect the unique spirit of this festival. We love the challenge.' Festival doors open at 11:30 a.m., with the last act ending at 10 p.m. each day. Getting to Festival La Onda 2025 Festivalgoers can easily reach the Napa Valley Expo through a variety of transportation options. Designated ride-hailing pickup and drop-off areas are located at Third and Randolph streets. Vine Transit offers free bus service throughout the weekend. Carpooling is encouraged with limited street parking available on a first-come, first-served basis, while VIP and platinum pass holders enjoy reserved parking. Free bike parking is available at 301 First St. Amtrak San Joaquins provides direct routes with festival shuttles to the venue; and out-of-town visitors can fly into nearby airports. Hotel and transportation packages, including festival shuttles, are available on the La Onda website for cities like San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento and Santa Rosa. What's on the menu at La Onda? One of the festival's main attractions is its incredible culinary offerings. More than 60 renowned eateries will showcase Latin-inspired dishes, with a special focus on the local flavors of Napa Valley, Sonoma County and the greater Bay Area. In addition to the food vendors, guests can enjoy lively bars, wine cabanas and specialty drinks throughout the festival grounds. 'This is a festival designed by Latinos, for Latinos,' said Graham. 'The food, the music, the atmosphere — it's all about celebrating our culture in the heart of one of the best food and wine regions in the world.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Switzerland flexes financial muscle ahead of tariff date in Washington
By Dave Graham ZURICH (Reuters) -Top Swiss officials will this week test whether big commitments to the U.S. can help secure relief from import tariffs, after pharma giant Roche followed its cross-town rival Novartis in announcing major investments in the United States. Roche on Tuesday said it would invest $50 billion in the United States over the next five years, a day before Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Economy Minister Guy Parmelin lead a delegation on a three-day visit to Washington. They want to underline how important Swiss business is to the United States as they seek to persuade President Donald Trump not to hit the country with tariffs that were initially set significantly higher than those for the European Union. Switzerland was shocked by the tariffs and there is broad support in parliament for officials to show how many billions Swiss firms invest now and will do in future, said Sibel Arslan, deputy chair of the lower house foreign relations committee. "This is the only way," the Green Party lawmaker told Reuters. "Now we'll have to see whether the strategy comes off." After the U.S. announced its import duties, one prominent Swiss lawmaker said Switzerland, which abolished its own industrial tariffs last year, should tell Trump it would invest $100 billion during his term. Others floated higher numbers. Purely between Basel-based Roche and Novartis, which committed $23 billion earlier in April, the Swiss officials arrive in Washington armed with hefty investment pledges that Trump-friendly media in the U.S. have vigorously celebrated. Roche said its investment was aligned with the government and part of ongoing discussions between Switzerland and the U.S. Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut and engineering group ABB are among other firms to make commitments from Switzerland, the seventh-biggest foreign investor into the United States. Keller-Sutter, who is also Switzerland's rotating one-year president, spoke to Trump by telephone hours before he announced a 90-day pause on his original tariffs, which cut the 31% rate for Switzerland to the 10% now applied to most countries. She is due to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on her Washington visit, which takes place during the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring meetings. Her government has not given details of other meetings. GOLDEN EGG For all the U.S. economic commitment demonstrated by the Swiss, Bern has hinted the Trump administration should not take its financial muscle for granted. A day after Trump announced his tariffs, Economy Minister Parmelin warned they could work against the U.S. if they led to firms putting "the brakes on certain investments". Lawmaker Arslan agreed, saying Switzerland, whose export-oriented economy is bigger than that of many much larger countries, should not allow itself to be taken advantage of. At around $100,000, Swiss GDP per capita was in 2023 about 20% higher than the United States, World Bank data show. Switzerland is also home to around three times as many Fortune Global 500 companies per capita as the United States, led by the likes of Nestle, Glencore, Roche and Novartis. Klaus Stoehlker, a Zurich-based public relations consultant, said given the difficulty even allies of Trump have had in steering him away from tariffs, the Swiss delegation was on a "journey of hope" in Washington. But big investment announcements were the most powerful weapon Switzerland could deploy in attempting to remind Trump of the ties binding the U.S. and Swiss economies, he said. Not only are Swiss companies among the top investors in the United States, they are also major sources of revenue for U.S. investors like Blackrock and the Vanguard Group that have big holdings in Swiss corporations, Stoehlker said. "Economically speaking, Switzerland is part of the U.S.," he said. "They're not going to break this Swiss golden egg." Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Switzerland flexes financial muscle ahead of tariff date in Washington
By Dave Graham ZURICH (Reuters) -Top Swiss officials will this week test whether big commitments to the U.S. can help secure relief from import tariffs, after pharma giant Roche followed its cross-town rival Novartis in announcing major investments in the United States. Roche on Tuesday said it would invest $50 billion in the United States over the next five years, a day before Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Economy Minister Guy Parmelin lead a delegation on a three-day visit to Washington. They want to underline how important Swiss business is to the United States as they seek to persuade President Donald Trump not to hit the country with tariffs that were initially set significantly higher than those for the European Union. Switzerland was shocked by the tariffs and there is broad support in parliament for officials to show how many billions Swiss firms invest now and will do in future, said Sibel Arslan, deputy chair of the lower house foreign relations committee. "This is the only way," the Green Party lawmaker told Reuters. "Now we'll have to see whether the strategy comes off." After the U.S. announced its import duties, one prominent Swiss lawmaker said Switzerland, which abolished its own industrial tariffs last year, should tell Trump it would invest $100 billion during his term. Others floated higher numbers. Purely between Basel-based Roche and Novartis, which committed $23 billion earlier in April, the Swiss officials arrive in Washington armed with hefty investment pledges that Trump-friendly media in the U.S. have vigorously celebrated. Roche said its investment was aligned with the government and part of ongoing discussions between Switzerland and the U.S. Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut and engineering group ABB are among other firms to make commitments from Switzerland, the seventh-biggest foreign investor into the United States. Keller-Sutter, who is also Switzerland's rotating one-year president, spoke to Trump by telephone hours before he announced a 90-day pause on his original tariffs, which cut the 31% rate for Switzerland to the 10% now applied to most countries. She is due to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on her Washington visit, which takes place during the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring meetings. Her government has not given details of other meetings. GOLDEN EGG For all the U.S. economic commitment demonstrated by the Swiss, Bern has hinted the Trump administration should not take its financial muscle for granted. A day after Trump announced his tariffs, Economy Minister Parmelin warned they could work against the U.S. if they led to firms putting "the brakes on certain investments". Lawmaker Arslan agreed, saying Switzerland, whose export-oriented economy is bigger than that of many much larger countries, should not allow itself to be taken advantage of. At around $100,000, Swiss GDP per capita was in 2023 about 20% higher than the United States, World Bank data show. Switzerland is also home to around three times as many Fortune Global 500 companies per capita as the United States, led by the likes of Nestle, Glencore, Roche and Novartis. Klaus Stoehlker, a Zurich-based public relations consultant, said given the difficulty even allies of Trump have had in steering him away from tariffs, the Swiss delegation was on a "journey of hope" in Washington. But big investment announcements were the most powerful weapon Switzerland could deploy in attempting to remind Trump of the ties binding the U.S. and Swiss economies, he said. Not only are Swiss companies among the top investors in the United States, they are also major sources of revenue for U.S. investors like Blackrock and the Vanguard Group that have big holdings in Swiss corporations, Stoehlker said. "Economically speaking, Switzerland is part of the U.S.," he said. "They're not going to break this Swiss golden egg."
