Switzerland: village devastated by glacier collapse
The centuries-old Swiss village of Blatten has been devastated by a catastrophic glacier collapse. Prior concerns about the stability of the Birch Glacier had prompted authorities to evacuate all 300 residents and livestock. Days later, over nine million cubic metres of ice and rock cascaded down, obliterating homes, landmarks, and even the village church. The collapse, which registered on national seismic monitors, left Blatten buried in debris and triggered flood concerns by blocking the River Lonza. Experts described the destruction as ‘unprecedented’. Due to global warming, the rapid thaw of permafrost, long considered the glue of the Alps, is destabilising entire mountainsides. Although the timely evacuation saved lives (only one man is missing), the complete loss of the village has raised new alarms about the pace and impact of climate change on vulnerable mountain communities.
Germany: WW2 bombs defused after mass evacuation
Authorities in Cologne have safely defused three large American World War 2 bombs after evacuating over 20,000 people in what officials described as the city’s largest operation since the war. Discovered in a shipyard, the bombs triggered the evacuation of a densely populated 10,000 sq m area, including homes, shops, schools, a hospital, a major train station, and cultural sites. Bomb disposal efforts could only begin once every resident was accounted for, with police warning that refusal to leave would lead to forced removal and fines. Ambulances transported intensive care patients, while couples scheduled to marry at city hall were relocated. The city ground to a halt: roads were closed, public transit was suspended, and normally lively streets went silent. While WWII bomb discoveries are not uncommon in Germany, the size and impact of this operation were exceptional. Authorities praised residents cooperation and reminded the public to remain calm and prepared, underscoring the lingering dangers of past conflicts.
Gaza ‘worse than hell on earth’, says ICRC president
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, has condemned the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, calling it ‘worse than hell on earth.’ In an interview, she declared that ‘humanity is failing’ as the world watches the war’s horrors unfold. Spoljaric said that neither the Hamas attacks on Israel nor Israel’s military response justify violations of international law. She stressed that every party in conflict must uphold the Geneva Conventions, which protect civilians and non-combatants. Gaza’s devastation has stripped civilians of basic human dignity, with aid efforts overwhelmed and even hospitals - like the ICRC’s field unit in Rafah - no longer safe. On 3 June alone, 184 patients arrived at the facility, including 27 dead or dying. The ICRC, which is not participating in the new US-backed food aid system, criticised its dangerous design. Spoljaric urged global leaders to act immediately, warning that if legal and moral norms continue to collapse, the damage will extend far beyond the Middle East. On 4 June, the USA vetoed a UN resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire: see
South Korea: new president faces immediate challenges
Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s new president, has entered office immediately following the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who failed in an attempt to impose martial law. Lee’s decisive victory, with nearly 50% of the vote, was a public rejection of authoritarianism. Though he campaigned to heal democracy and unify the country, his first task is confronting a crisis stemming from US trade and security policies under Donald Trump. South Korea faces 25% tariffs on all exports to the USA, threatening its already shrinking economy. The issue is compounded by Trump’s approach to intertwining trade with security commitments, casting doubt on the US military’s ongoing role in defending South Korea. Now, Washington’s strategic shift toward countering China could see US troops redeployed, leaving Seoul more vulnerable. Lee will seek to stabilize the economy and navigate complex diplomacy with both the USA and China, while asserting his country’s independence in a changing geopolitical landscape.
