Before and after: Swiss village wiped out by glacier


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The collapse of a Swiss glacier last week destroyed most of Blatten, a tiny village in Switzerland's southern Valais region that was home to about 300 people.

Footage of the May 28 collapse showed thousands of tonnes of ice and rubble hurtling down the mountainside into Blatten. The village was evacuated in the days before.

Celeste Saulo, secretary general of the World Meteorological Organisation, said at a conference in Geneva that the disaster was "a potent warning about our warming world".

"Early action avoided human losses," she said. "From understanding risk to effective forecasts, communication and evacuation, early warnings and early action work. They save lives."

The disaster is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, the Swiss Insurance Association said on Monday.

The collapse was a "major disaster that is virtually unprecedented in its scale and impact on the affected population", it said in a statement.

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The burning issue

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Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo

Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian

Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness

Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon

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Uefa Champions League last 16, second leg
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
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  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Updated: June 04, 2025, 4:55 AM`