Latest news with #KEYSTONE
DW
6 hours ago
- Climate
- DW
Inside the Swiss valley partially swallowed by a glacier – DW – 06/03/2025
The dramatic collapse of Switzerland's Birch glacier wiped the village of Blatten off the map. DW spoke to locals and experts about what happened and what comes next. Days after a natural disaster strikes, you often find survivors combing through rubble for their belongings or shoveling mud out of their crumbling homes. You might see prime ministers walking around the zone offering condolences, or rescue crews operating big, mechanical diggers to clear the scene. But the Swiss village of Blatten is caught in a kind of post-catastrophe paralysis. Buried under millions of cubic meters of rock and ice debris, it has been all but wiped off the map. And the site is still too unstable for crews to access, almost a week after the Birch glacier collapsed and swallowed the Alpine idyll. Evacuated resident Daniel Ritler describes the moment the glacier destroyed his hometown as being like 'an explosion' Image: Rosie Birchard/DW "It was like an explosion — like an explosion in my heart," evacuee Daniel Ritler told DW as he looked out over his buried hometown. "We knew immediately that everything was destroyed." "For seconds, there was an emptiness. You could really feel it," he added. "There was still a bit of hope, but as soon as the fog cleared, we saw the catastrophe." Evacuated in time Ritler, who kept sheep and ran a tourism business in Blatten, is staying with friends for now. "We lost our house, our stables, and of course, all those memories. We lived in a little paradise," he said. Though the deluge is thought to have claimed one life, Ritler and the other roughly 300 residents were evacuated in time. And many here feel lucky to be alive — aware that a similar event in a less wealthy country could have wrought even more damage. Injured cow 'Loni' was evacuated along with most residents of the Alpine village days before the landslide Image: Peter Klaunzer/KEYSTONE/dpa/picture alliance We meet him in Wiler, 3.5 kilometers (2.1 miles) from Blatten and the closest accessible point to the disaster zone, which is now serving as a crisis coordination hub. Here, the usual Alpine soundtrack of birdsong and the river rushing down the valley is drowned out by helicopters taking off, transporting scientists and geologists to survey the damage aerially, and assess the risk of further fallout. Mountain populations 'more and more threatened' One of those experts is glaciologist Saskia Gindraux. "We had a lot of rock and silt and sediment going onto a glacier, and this mass caused the glacier to really push forward — and everything just went down the valley," she explained. The unstable mountain face and thousands of tonnes of rocky debris has made it impossible for emergency workers to intervene to stabilise the zone Image: Cyril Zingaro/KEYSTONE/dpa The Swiss scientist told DW that a "coincidence of causes" led to the collapse. "It's hard to say this is linked to climate change and this one is not. It's hard to put a label on an event, but we are facing really high temperatures here in the Alps," she told DW. "It's twice the normal increase of other parts of the world," she added. Alpine glaciers have been retreating for decades, which Gindraux said makes the rock less stable. "That's one cause ... The other one is maybe permafrost that is melting, and the other one, the geology." "With climate change, we saw that the oldest natural hazards, so rock fall or glacier collapse or landslides, etc, they increase in frequency." "The population in the mountains are more and more threatened with these types of events." Fears neighbors 'won't come back' Aside from the hum of helicopters, the streets of Wiler are quiet. Local resident Alex Rieder is packing up his car: Two black bin bags full of clothes and other basics for his neighbors who have found themselves suddenly homeless. "Will they be compensated for the belongings they lost?" he wondered. "That has to happen quickly. Now because people need money to live. Because if they're gone for 10 or 20 years, they won't come back," Rieder told DW. Image: Rosie Birchard/DW Rieder fears for the future of life in this part of the Alps. "There's only one school left in the entire valley," he said. Inside his garage, Rieder shows us masks he helped craft for the local carnival — just one of many traditions dating back centuries here. He knows that if more people leave, this cultural heritage will become harder and harder to hold onto. But asked if he thinks it will disappear entirely, Rieder is defiant. "Traditions will never die. That will be the last thing. Because that's what gives people the most strength." No more evacuations planned No further evacuations are planned in nearby towns or villages for now. But they remain on high alert. Some 45 minutes' drive away in Gampel, flood prevention measures are in place, with some smaller bridges deliberately deconstructed to avoid further fallout. "We now have to see how the dangers develop further at the site of the damage. Rock masses could continue to fall from the mountain — and we have to keep monitoring how the danger develops in terms of the course of the river," regional president Christian Rieder told DW on Sunday. Locals face uncertainty after Swiss Alps glacier collapse To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "Depending on how the danger develops ... we will take further measures," he added. The situation was "stable' on Monday with "no notable changes" at the Birch glacier, according to Swiss broadcaster RTS. But smaller landslides continue, and there has been "no improvement" to allow crews to enter the zone securely. 'We have to find a new purpose' For survivors whose homes and livelihoods are buried in a greyish-brown debris, which authorities say is 100 meters (328 feet) deep in some areas, it's clear there's no going back. From the drivers' seat of his van, with the views of lush mountain landscapes filling the windows and wing mirrors bearing the disaster that unfolded here, evacuee Daniel Ritler told DW it is hard to imagine what life after Blatten might look like. "I built a farm from scratch, always adapting to the challenges of the future," he said, adding: "That was before." "Now we have to find a new place to live and a new purpose. And it will certainly take some time until we can find our way again."
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China rejects Trump's accusation that it breached Geneva trade deal
The U.S. and Chinese flags are seen on the day of a bilateral meeting between the U.S. and China, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 10, 2025. KEYSTONE/EDA/Martial Trezzini/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks with with Liao Min, Deputy Minister of Finance of China, during a bilateral meeting between the U.S. and China, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 11, 2025. KEYSTONE/EDA/Martial Trezzini/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo China said on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump's accusations that Beijing had violated the consensus reached in Geneva trade talks were "groundless", and promised to take forceful measures to safeguard its interests. The comment by the commerce ministry was in response to Trump's remarks on Friday that China had breached a bilateral deal to roll back tariffs. The ministry said China had implemented and actively upheld the agreement reached last month in Geneva, while the U.S. had introduced multiple "discriminatory restrictive" measures against China. Those measures included issuing guidance on AI chip export controls, halting sales of chip design software to China and revoking visas for Chinese students, the ministry added. "The U.S. government has unilaterally and repeatedly provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations," the ministry said in a statement. It did not elaborate on what forceful measures it might take in response. Beijing and Washington agreed in mid-May in Geneva to pause triple-digit tariffs for 90 days. In addition, China also promised to lift trade countermeasures that restricted its exports of the critical metals needed for U.S. semiconductor, electronics and defence production. Trump on Friday also announced a doubling of import tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50%. While China is the world's largest steel producer and exporter, it ships very little to the United States after a 25% tariff imposed in 2018 shut most Chinese steel out of the market. China ranks third among aluminium suppliers. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
DW
4 days ago
- Climate
- DW
Swiss glacier collapse: Situation stabilizes overnight – DW – 05/31/2025
Water that had accumulated behind the collapsed glacier has began to flow downstream, alleviating some fears. Forecast rain means that residents will likely have to remain alert. with dpa along with Austrian and Swiss media Following the dramatic rock fall and glacier collapse on Wednesday in the Swiss Lötschental valley, officials said on Saturday that the situation had eased. One fear had been that the Lonza River, which had been backed up behind the ice, rock and debris, could result in a flood wave. However, officials said the river had found new paths down the valley in the southern Swiss canton of Valais. Construction machinery has been deployed to control the run-off of accumulated water. The municipalities of Gampel and Steg informed residents of the work, saying: "The aim is to ensure the smooth flow of debris and alluvial debris through the bed of the Lonza stream within the villages." Authorities expressed relief that the Lonza River has begun to flow down the valley, reducing the risk of a flood swell Image: Jean-Christophe Bott/KEYSTONE/picture alliance What did authorities say about the Swiss glacier on Saturday? Stephane Ganzer, from the Valais state council, said that there had been no major problems overnight. The situation on Saturday was "currently satisfactory" and the night had been "quite quiet," Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported. The council decided on Friday evening to open a nearby dam, warning residents downstream to make way for the water. Residents were already on alert and ready to evacuate in the case of a dangerous swell of water behind the debris cone. The heat has sped up the melting of the glacier ice and rain has been forecast for the next days. Both could lead to a buildup of accumulated water and increase the risk of further landslides. Further evacuations after Swiss glacier collapse To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Blatten: Buried village to be rebuilt The glacier collapse was caused by rockfalls from 3,000 meters (9842.5 feet) that crashed into the Birsch Glacier, triggering the landslide on Wednesday afternoon. Millions of cubic meters of ice and rock were sent crashing through the Lötschental valley and burying the village of Blatten, which had already been evacuated. Water from the Lonza was then blocked behind the almost 2-kilometre-long debris cone. Blatten's municipal president Matthias Bellwald said the village would be rebuilt. "Blatten is under a debris cone. Together we will do what is humanly possible to rebuild the village for the village to have a future. Together we are strong," Swiss newspaper the Neue Zürchner Zeitung quoted him as saying at a press conference. Work has begun to remove large objects blocking the flow of water Image: Cyril Zingaro/KEYSTONE/dpa Edited by: Wesley Dockery
Mid East Info
23-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Fischer KEYSTONE tactical hub ensures seamless connectivity and interoperability of soldiers' digital equipment with expanded cable range
Fischer Connectors' Swiss-engineered MIL-SPEC solution features an expanded portfolio of cables compatible with Nett Warrior and NATO STANAG 4695/4851 interfaces via Fischer UltiMate 80 connectors. It offers a competitive solution in line with the U.S. Army's Next Generation Hub (NGH) specifications. The new general-purpose, power, radio, EUD, and device cables enable plug-and-play connectivity, compatibility, and interoperability within the battlefield management ecosystem. Olivier Thormann, Product Manager at Fischer Connectors for Fischer KEYSTONE, shares feedback from customers worldwide who have field-tested the Swiss power and data hub: 'Soldiers say it is reliable and simple and does exactly what it's expected to do. They already know how to use it – they clip it on, plug it in, and it just works.' The reliability and ease of use of Fischer KEYSTONE are complemented by enhanced interoperability and advanced device integration capabilities. Since its launch in March 2023, Fischer Connectors' R&D team has developed several new cable options designed to support seamless connectivity, improved ergonomics, and multi-device interoperability for dismounted operations within the Nett Warrior compatibility environment. The cable catalog offers options for integrating EUDs, batteries, radio systems, and devices such as helmet cameras and target acquisition or range-finding systems into soldier-worn gear. It delivers a comprehensive tactical connectivity solution tailored to the rigorous demands of modern warfare. 'KEYSTONE meets the growing demand for easy, reliable connectivity and interoperability of soldier-worn digital equipment in dynamic operational environments,' says Thormann. 'Our cable portfolio addresses essential tactical connectivity needs by combining lean ergonomics with the seamless integration of key devices and C4ISR communication systems. Customers trust Fischer Connectors' hubs as robust plug-and-play solutions that enable real-time communication, intelligence gathering, and precision engagement.' Cables/connectors developed for the Fischer KEYSTONE™ Tactical Hub come in four categories: 1. General purpose, 2. Radio, 3. EUD, 4. Devices. The expanded lineup of standard and customizable cable assemblies compatible with Nett Warrior and NATO STANAG 4695/4851 standards includes extensions, adapters, and interconnects across four categories: • General purpose cables: USB 2.0, RS-232, Ethernet, Nett Warrior type and BB-2590 batteries, right-angle overmolded cable options• Radio cables: Silvus, Bittium, L3 Harris, DTC CODAN, Thales• EUD cables: Standard USB-C right-angle assemblies compatible with Juggernaut cases • Devices cables: Designed for the MOHOC® 2 IP Camera and Safran Vectronix's target acquisition and range-finding systems (PLRF25C, MOSKITO TI, STERNA True North Finder), among others available upon request. KEYSTONE cable assemblies can be customized to meet specific requirements. 'Customization is one of our company's core strengths,' says Thormann. 'Our technical teams collaborate closely with customers to ensure our solutions align precisely with their operational needs and expectations.' The Fischer UltiMate™ 80 Nett Warrior-compatible product line has been expanded with a panel plug (front right). Fischer UltiMate 80: the complete range of Nett Warrior-compatible connectors The Fischer UltiMate 80 connectors used for KEYSTONE are the Nett Warrior-compatible connectors from Fischer Connectors' flagship series of ultra-rugged, MIL-SPEC connectors: the Fischer UltiMate Series. The UltiMate 80 product line has recently been extended to include a new panel plug. This completes a product offering capable of meeting all the integration needs of users seeking products that operate in the most demanding environments. The Fischer KEYSTONE™ Tactical Hub connects soldier digital equipment to manage flows of data and power efficiently and easily. A competitive edge in Soldier Modernization Available with 4 or 6 ports, Fischer Connectors' Swiss-engineered KEYSTONE hub offers a competitive, ready-to-deploy solution in line with the specifications of the U.S. Army's Next Generation Hub (NGH). Designed for simplicity and efficiency, KEYSTONE enables soldiers to manage data and power flows across sights, sensors, night vision devices, radios, and other digital equipment. It keeps teams and commanders connected, powering mission-critical devices while supporting real-time situational awareness and faster decision-making in dynamic operational environments. Fischer KEYSTONE supports USB 2.0 and SMBus data channels, along with power distribution of up to 100 W (5 A max) – all through a lightweight, ergonomic interface. An intuitive power management app is included in Fischer KEYSTONE 6, available either as a standalone application or as an ATAK plug-in on the soldier's EUD. Built with Fischer Connectors' proven MIL-SPEC technologies, KEYSTONE delivers rugged durability, compact form factor and IP68 sealing. It is a comprehensive connectivity platform that meets the demanding requirements of soldier modernization initiatives, including U.S. Army 2030.
