Mysterious ancient artefacts, which may have traces of the Black Plague, have been appearing in the melting ice glaciers of the Swiss Alps and puzzling the archaeologists.&nbsp;

People, who belonged to the Iron Age,&nbsp;Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, have travelled across the icy mountain passes of the Alps along with cows, mules, oil, wine, skis, weapons, and more.

Their belongings which they may have lost or abandoned are now surfacing as the glaciers melt in the mountains and leaving clues regarding their past civilizations&nbsp;and eras.

According to Business Insider, the objects which humans have left behind ages ago, are now coming out of the melting glaciers.&nbsp;

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Switzerland&nbsp;has the largest number of glaciers in comparison to any other European country and it has been receding quickly as global temperatures soar.&nbsp;

According&nbsp;to the Swiss Academy of Sciences, the country lost nearly 10 per cent of its total glacier volume in 2022 and 2023.&nbsp;

Many people after finding these unique artefacts lying on the ice, take them as keepsakes.

<h2>Researchers study artefacts at Valais Museum&nbsp;</h2>

Many of these mysterious artefacts have been kept by the Valais History Museum, which is located atop a steep hill towering in the centre of town.&nbsp;

The museum also organised a travelling glacial archaeology exhibition of these artefacts.&nbsp;

The archives, in which additional artefacts have been kept and studied, are present in a discrete building in another part of town.&nbsp;

The researchers have hidden the glacial findings in a giant freezer in the basement and in rooms full of bins.

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The researchers have been carrying out the study of the new objects closely in the museum's archives.&nbsp;

These discoveries are giving more information regarding human history and ancient economies in the region.

Nearly 30 such discoveries have been reported by hikers on the app in the first two years. Around half of those discoveries were old bombs or human remains.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Mysterious ancient artefacts, which may have traces of the Black Plague, have been appearing in the melting ice glaciers of the Swiss Alps and puzzling the archaeologists.

Mysterious ancient artefacts, which may have traces of the Black Plague, have been appearing in the melting ice glaciers of the Swiss Alps and puzzling the archaeologists. People, who belonged to the Iron Age, Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, have travelled across the icy mountain passes of the Alps along with cows, mules, oil, wine, skis, weapons, and more. Their belongings which they may have lost or abandoned are now surfacing as the glaciers melt in the mountains and leaving clues regarding their past civilizations and eras. According to Business Insider, the objects which humans have left behind ages ago, are now coming out of the melting glaciers. Also Read: Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek 'computer' tracked lunar calendar Switzerland has the largest number of glaciers in comparison to any other European country and it has been receding quickly as global temperatures soar. According to the Swiss Academy of Sciences, the country lost nearly 10 per cent of its total glacier volume in 2022 and 2023. Many people after finding these unique artefacts lying on the ice, take them as keepsakes. Researchers study artefacts at Valais Museum Many of these mysterious artefacts have been kept by the Valais History Museum, which is located atop a steep hill towering in the centre of town. The museum also organised a travelling glacial archaeology exhibition of these artefacts. The archives, in which additional artefacts have been kept and studied, are present in a discrete building in another part of town. The researchers have hidden the glacial findings in a giant freezer in the basement and in rooms full of bins. Watch: Original 'Harry Potter' cover art up for sale The researchers have been carrying out the study of the new objects closely in the museum's archives. These discoveries are giving more information regarding human history and ancient economies in the region. Nearly 30 such discoveries have been reported by hikers on the app in the first two years. Around half of those discoveries were old bombs or human remains. (With inputs from agencies)

Artefacts, which may have traces of Black Plague, emerge mysteriously from Alps glaciers

In response to the verdict related to the exploitation of their domestic workers at their luxurious Geneva villa, Hindujas have moved a higher court and released a media statement breaking the silence on the matter.&nbsp;

A spokesperson for Kamal, Prakash, Namrata and Ajay Hinduja while refuting the court sentencing said that there has been no "imprisonment, conviction, sentence, or detention" of the Hinduja family members and that the human trafficking charges have been dismissed, according to reports.

This comes after four members of the prominent Hinduja family were sentenced to up to four and a half years in prison by a Swiss court for the exploitation of Indian domestic workers. While the criminal court acquitted the billionaire family members of the more severe charge of human trafficking.&nbsp;

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The statement by Hindujas maintained the innocence of the four while pointing out the lack of complainants in the case. It revealed that the&nbsp;complainants earlier "were led into signing statements that they didn't even understand."&nbsp;

"It may be noted that the case has no complainants left anymore and they had declared in the court that they were led into signing statements that they didn't even understand. They had neither intended to nor initiated such proceedings. All of them further testified that the four Hinduja Family Members treated them with “respect, dignity and like family”," the statement read.&nbsp;

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Notably, the family has appealed against the lower court conviction and said in a statement, "Per Swiss law procedures, the lower court's judgment is rendered ineffective and inoperative as the presumption of innocence is paramount until and unless a final judgment by the highest adjudicating authority is enforced."

The Hinduja family faced accusations of smuggling Indian labourers into Switzerland, confiscating their passports and subjecting them to grueling 16-hour workdays without overtime pay, as per reports.&nbsp;

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According to the prosecution, the domestic workers were forced to sleep in windowless basement quarters on bunk beds and were forbidden from leaving the property.

<h2>Spent more on dog&nbsp;</h2>

Swiss prosecutor Yves Bertossa highlighted the treatment of the family's pets and compared it with the treatment of family members of their servants.

"The Hindujas spent more for one dog than one of their servants," as per Bloomberg report.&nbsp;

Bertossa detailed the dire conditions and revealed that one female servant received as little as 7 Swiss francs (nearly Rs 660) for 18-hour workdays, seven days a week.

In stark contrast, the Hinduja family spent 8,584 Swiss francs (about Rs 8 lakh or $9573) annually on their pet dog.

(With inputs from agencies)

In response to the verdict related to the exploitation of their domestic workers at their luxurious Geneva villa, Hindujas have moved a higher court and released a media statement breaking the silence on the matter.

In response to the verdict related to the exploitation of their domestic workers at their luxurious Geneva villa, Hindujas have moved a higher court and released a media statement breaking the silence on the matter. A spokesperson for Kamal, Prakash, Namrata and Ajay Hinduja while refuting the court sentencing said that there has been no "imprisonment, conviction, sentence, or detention" of the Hinduja family members and that the human trafficking charges have been dismissed, according to reports. This comes after four members of the prominent Hinduja family were sentenced to up to four and a half years in prison by a Swiss court for the exploitation of Indian domestic workers. While the criminal court acquitted the billionaire family members of the more severe charge of human trafficking. Also Read | Israeli strikes kill at least 42 Palestinians in Gaza refugee camp: Hamas The statement by Hindujas maintained the innocence of the four while pointing out the lack of complainants in the case. It revealed that the complainants earlier "were led into signing statements that they didn't even understand." "It may be noted that the case has no complainants left anymore and they had declared in the court that they were led into signing statements that they didn't even understand. They had neither intended to nor initiated such proceedings. All of them further testified that the four Hinduja Family Members treated them with “respect, dignity and like family”," the statement read. Also Read | Kanishka bombing 1985 investigation 'active and ongoing': Canadian police Notably, the family has appealed against the lower court conviction and said in a statement, "Per Swiss law procedures, the lower court's judgment is rendered ineffective and inoperative as the presumption of innocence is paramount until and unless a final judgment by the highest adjudicating authority is enforced." The Hinduja family faced accusations of smuggling Indian labourers into Switzerland, confiscating their passports and subjecting them to grueling 16-hour workdays without overtime pay, as per reports. Watch | Drunkest Russia has been in a decade, President Putin raises taxes to discourage Vodka consumption × According to the prosecution, the domestic workers were forced to sleep in windowless basement quarters on bunk beds and were forbidden from leaving the property. Spent more on dog Swiss prosecutor Yves Bertossa highlighted the treatment of the family's pets and compared it with the treatment of family members of their servants. "The Hindujas spent more for one dog than one of their servants," as per Bloomberg report. Bertossa detailed the dire conditions and revealed that one female servant received as little as 7 Swiss francs (nearly Rs 660) for 18-hour workdays, seven days a week. In stark contrast, the Hinduja family spent 8,584 Swiss francs (about Rs 8 lakh or $9573) annually on their pet dog. (With inputs from agencies)

Hindujas move higher court after Swiss court gives jail term for exploiting staff

Scotland kept their hopes alive in Euro 2024 with a hard-fought draw, 1-1, versus Switzerland at Euro 2024 on Wednesday. After an early goal from Scott McTominay gave the Scotts a desirable start, Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri's stunning strike&nbsp;within the next 15 minutes, saw the contest&nbsp;equally poised at 1-1. Eventually, it became&nbsp;the final scoreline despite both sides creating enough chances to go ahead. With this result, the Scotts and Switzerland are in a straight shootout for the final spot from Group A. Hungary were&nbsp;knocked out following the loss to hosts Germany&nbsp;earlier in the day. With a 2-0 win over Hungary, the home side are already into the Round of 16.

Talking about the battle between Scotland and Switzerland, the Scotts took an early lead following a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany in the tournament opener. Andy Robertson made a powerful run down the left wing and passed the ball to Callum McGregor, who set up McTominay. McTominay’s shot took a deflection off Fabian Schar, wrong-footing the Swiss goalkeeper, to give a 1-0 lead to his side in the 13th minute.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Switzerland was quick to respond as Shaqiri made full use of a defensive error, intercepting a wayward pass and curling a shot into the top corner to level the scores.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/euro-2024-host-germany-ease-past-hungary-to-book-last-16-berth-733313">Euro 2024: Host Germany ease past Hungary to book last 16 berth</a>

From thereon, there were a lot of chances created by both sides. From the Swiss, captain Ricardo Rodriguez narrowly missed with a volley whereas Dan Ndoye repeatedly tested Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn. In addition, Ndoye had a goal disallowed for offside following a corner kick as the scores remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, Scotland were pumped up courtesy of their enthusiastic travelling supporters. In the second half, Grant Hanley came close to take his side to a 2-1 lead, hitting the post with a header from a cross. Moreover, McTominay also nearly scored his second of the night with a powerful shot only to be blocked by Manuel Akanji.&nbsp;

Following the closely-fought battle, Scotland remain alive in the tournament whereas the Swiss missed out on a chance to secure early qualification for the knockouts alongside Germany.

Scotland kept their hopes alive in Euro 2024 with a hard-fought draw, 1-1, versus Switzerland at Euro 2024 on Wednesday. After an early goal from Scott McTominay gave the Scotts a desirable start, Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri's stunning strike within the next 15 minutes, saw the contest equally poised at 1-1.

Scotland kept their hopes alive in Euro 2024 with a hard-fought draw, 1-1, versus Switzerland at Euro 2024 on Wednesday. After an early goal from Scott McTominay gave the Scotts a desirable start, Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri's stunning strike within the next 15 minutes, saw the contest equally poised at 1-1. Eventually, it became the final scoreline despite both sides creating enough chances to go ahead. With this result, the Scotts and Switzerland are in a straight shootout for the final spot from Group A. Hungary were knocked out following the loss to hosts Germany earlier in the day. With a 2-0 win over Hungary, the home side are already into the Round of 16. Talking about the battle between Scotland and Switzerland, the Scotts took an early lead following a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany in the tournament opener. Andy Robertson made a powerful run down the left wing and passed the ball to Callum McGregor, who set up McTominay. McTominay’s shot took a deflection off Fabian Schar, wrong-footing the Swiss goalkeeper, to give a 1-0 lead to his side in the 13th minute. On the other hand, Switzerland was quick to respond as Shaqiri made full use of a defensive error, intercepting a wayward pass and curling a shot into the top corner to level the scores. Also read: Euro 2024: Host Germany ease past Hungary to book last 16 berth From thereon, there were a lot of chances created by both sides. From the Swiss, captain Ricardo Rodriguez narrowly missed with a volley whereas Dan Ndoye repeatedly tested Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn. In addition, Ndoye had a goal disallowed for offside following a corner kick as the scores remained unchanged. Meanwhile, Scotland were pumped up courtesy of their enthusiastic travelling supporters. In the second half, Grant Hanley came close to take his side to a 2-1 lead, hitting the post with a header from a cross. Moreover, McTominay also nearly scored his second of the night with a powerful shot only to be blocked by Manuel Akanji. Following the closely-fought battle, Scotland remain alive in the tournament whereas the Swiss missed out on a chance to secure early qualification for the knockouts alongside Germany.

Euro 2024: Scotland keep themselves alive with 1-1 stalemate vs Switzerland

Ukraine&nbsp;President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the end of the peace summit in Switzerland that Kyiv is ready to hold peace talks tomorrow if Moscow pulls out of Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, nearly 80 countries called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-summit-world-leaders-slam-putins-peace-terms-as-kyiv-aims-for-broad-consensus-to-end-war-732181">peace agreement</a> amid the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv.&nbsp;

<h2>Peace talks ‘tomorrow’ if Russia leaves</h2>

Speaking at the end of the two-day summit which saw the participation of world leaders and representatives from more than 90 countries, Zelensky said, “Russia can start negotiations tomorrow if they pull out of our territories.”&nbsp;

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The Ukrainian president’s remarks came in response to a question by BBC asking if Ukraine’s setbacks on the battlefield had forced him to consider diplomatic moves. However, Zelensky said that was not the case and Russia’s presence at negotiations would demonstrate its willingness for peace.

While speaking to the press, the Ukrainian president also thanked the world leaders who attended the summit and hailed the “first steps toward peace”. Zelensky said Kyiv is also in talks with some countries who offered to host a “second peace summit.”

This was after reports that no country came forward to host another such meeting.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian president also said that the participation of world leaders in the summit held at Burgenstock resort shows that the international support for Kyiv, despite Russia’s pressure, is not weakening.&nbsp;

“We are responding to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine not only with a full-scale defence of human life but also with full-scale diplomacy,” said Zelensky.&nbsp;

<h2>Key regional powers, including India, withhold signatures</h2>

Out of the 92 countries which attended the summit, 78 nations called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to stop the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv.&nbsp;

The joint communique which capped the two-day conference marked by Russia and China’s absence was signed by more than 80 countries and international organisations.&nbsp;

The final declaration of the summit referred to the Russian invasion as “war,” a label that Moscow has rejected, and calls for Ukraine’s control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and its Azov Sea ports to be restored.

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The final text was signed by the three main European Union institutions and 27 EU member states. However, key regional powers including India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Saudi Arabia withheld their signatures.&nbsp;

The declaration focused on issues of nuclear safety, food security, and the exchange of prisoners, as well as children removed from Ukraine amid the war.&nbsp;

Swiss President Viola Amherd, in her closing remarks, warned that the “road ahead is long and challenging”.

<h2>Russia mocks the summit</h2>

Meanwhile, Russia continued to ridicule the event from afar.&nbsp;

“None of the participants in the ‘peace forum’ knows what he is doing there and what his role is,” said Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and now deputy chairman of the country’s Security Council.

The summit is “just another ploy to divert everyone’s attention, reverse the cause and effect of the Ukrainian crisis (and) set the discussion on the wrong track,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the end of the peace summit in Switzerland that Kyiv is ready to hold peace talks tomorrow if Moscow pulls out of Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the end of the peace summit in Switzerland that Kyiv is ready to hold peace talks tomorrow if Moscow pulls out of Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, nearly 80 countries called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement amid the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv. Peace talks ‘tomorrow’ if Russia leaves Speaking at the end of the two-day summit which saw the participation of world leaders and representatives from more than 90 countries, Zelensky said, “Russia can start negotiations tomorrow if they pull out of our territories.” The Ukrainian president’s remarks came in response to a question by BBC asking if Ukraine’s setbacks on the battlefield had forced him to consider diplomatic moves. However, Zelensky said that was not the case and Russia’s presence at negotiations would demonstrate its willingness for peace. While speaking to the press, the Ukrainian president also thanked the world leaders who attended the summit and hailed the “first steps toward peace”. Zelensky said Kyiv is also in talks with some countries who offered to host a “second peace summit.” This was after reports that no country came forward to host another such meeting. The Ukrainian president also said that the participation of world leaders in the summit held at Burgenstock resort shows that the international support for Kyiv, despite Russia’s pressure, is not weakening. “We are responding to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine not only with a full-scale defence of human life but also with full-scale diplomacy,” said Zelensky. Key regional powers, including India, withhold signatures Out of the 92 countries which attended the summit, 78 nations called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to stop the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv. The joint communique which capped the two-day conference marked by Russia and China’s absence was signed by more than 80 countries and international organisations. The final declaration of the summit referred to the Russian invasion as “war,” a label that Moscow has rejected, and calls for Ukraine’s control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and its Azov Sea ports to be restored. Also Read | India opts out of joint statement at Ukraine Peace Summit, emphasises on dialogue & diplomacy The final text was signed by the three main European Union institutions and 27 EU member states. However, key regional powers including India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Saudi Arabia withheld their signatures. The declaration focused on issues of nuclear safety, food security, and the exchange of prisoners, as well as children removed from Ukraine amid the war. Swiss President Viola Amherd, in her closing remarks, warned that the “road ahead is long and challenging”. Russia mocks the summit Meanwhile, Russia continued to ridicule the event from afar. “None of the participants in the ‘peace forum’ knows what he is doing there and what his role is,” said Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and now deputy chairman of the country’s Security Council. The summit is “just another ploy to divert everyone’s attention, reverse the cause and effect of the Ukrainian crisis (and) set the discussion on the wrong track,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week. (With inputs from agencies)

Zelensky says will hold peace talks ‘tomorrow’ if Russia leaves Ukrainian territories

A conference is underway in Switzerland aimed at establishing a framework for peace between Ukraine and Russia. The Swiss Peace Summit drew leaders and representatives from over 100 countries and international organisations. Notably absent from the discussions at the luxury Burgenstock resort near Lucerne was delegation from Moscow.

Swiss President Viola Amherd opened the summit while expressing hope for future summits that might include Russia.

"We will not be able to negotiate or even proclaim peace for Ukraine here on the Bürgenstock, but we wish to inspire a process for a just and lasting peace, and we wish to take concrete steps in this direction," she noted. "We can prepare the ground for direct talks between the warring parties: that is what we are here for."

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The summit, attended by more than 50 heads of states and governments, was held against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to rally support for his 10-point peace plan that he announced at the G20 summit in Indonesia in November 2022. It included food and energy security, release of all prisoners and deportees, restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity among others.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Everything that will be agreed upon at the summit today will be a part of the peace-making process that we all need,” Zelensky said at a news conference alongside Swiss President Viola Amherd ahead of the conference.

"﻿I believe that we will witness history being made here.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris has already announced that the United States would provide over $1.5 billion to assist Ukraine. Harris is also attending the conference.&nbsp;

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China declined to participate in the peace summit arguing that any meaningful discussion&nbsp;should involve both Russia and Ukraine.

<h2>What is Moscow's peace proposal?&nbsp;</h2>

The summit comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated&nbsp;Kremlin's peace proposal, which calls for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from four regions claimed by Moscow and for Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations.

Zelensky firmly rejected this plan and compared Putin’s demands to those of Adolf Hitler.&nbsp;

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the discussions at the peace summit as foundational for future negotiations. "This is a diplomatic seedling that we are watering so that it can grow," he said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A conference is underway in Switzerland aimed at establishing a framework for peace between Ukraine and Russia. The Swiss Peace Summit drew leaders and representatives from over 100 countries and international organisations.

A conference is underway in Switzerland aimed at establishing a framework for peace between Ukraine and Russia. The Swiss Peace Summit drew leaders and representatives from over 100 countries and international organisations. Notably absent from the discussions at the luxury Burgenstock resort near Lucerne was delegation from Moscow. Swiss President Viola Amherd opened the summit while expressing hope for future summits that might include Russia. "We will not be able to negotiate or even proclaim peace for Ukraine here on the Bürgenstock, but we wish to inspire a process for a just and lasting peace, and we wish to take concrete steps in this direction," she noted. "We can prepare the ground for direct talks between the warring parties: that is what we are here for." Also Read | 'Deaths happen within 48 hours': Rare flesh-eating bacteria spreads in Japan The summit, attended by more than 50 heads of states and governments, was held against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to rally support for his 10-point peace plan that he announced at the G20 summit in Indonesia in November 2022. It included food and energy security, release of all prisoners and deportees, restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity among others. “Everything that will be agreed upon at the summit today will be a part of the peace-making process that we all need,” Zelensky said at a news conference alongside Swiss President Viola Amherd ahead of the conference. "﻿I believe that we will witness history being made here.” US Vice President Kamala Harris has already announced that the United States would provide over $1.5 billion to assist Ukraine. Harris is also attending the conference. Also Read | Russian SU-24 bomber briefly violates Swedish airspace China declined to participate in the peace summit arguing that any meaningful discussion should involve both Russia and Ukraine. What is Moscow's peace proposal? The summit comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Kremlin's peace proposal, which calls for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from four regions claimed by Moscow and for Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations. Zelensky firmly rejected this plan and compared Putin’s demands to those of Adolf Hitler. Watch | US Supreme Court rejects federal ban on gun 'bump stocks' × German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the discussions at the peace summit as foundational for future negotiations. "This is a diplomatic seedling that we are watering so that it can grow," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Global leaders gather in Switzerland to pave way for Russia-Ukraine peace

World leaders began gathering in Switzerland on Saturday for a summit to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine, but the absence of powerful allies of Moscow such as China will blunt its potential impact.

Switzerland: 50 World leaders join Ukraine summit in test of Kyiv's diplomatic clout

Switzerland is hosting a summit on Saturday, with aim to build broad international support for Ukrainian President Zelensky's peace proposals and that include the full withdrawl of Russian troops from Ukraine.

Leaders head to Peace Summit  in Switzerland under shadow of Putin's demands

China will not attend the Ukraine peace conference that is set to take place in Switzerland next month, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry stating that it does not meet its expectation of including both Moscow and Kyiv.

Switzerland is aiming at a broad-based turnout from several parts of the world for the summit that is due for mid-June, which Bern anticipates will do the underpinning for a peace process in Ukraine.

Russia, as per news agency Reuters reports, was not invited and dismisses the talks as meaningless without its participation.

"The arrangements for the meeting still fall far short of China's requests and the general expectations of the international community, making it difficult for China to participate," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a routine briefing.

"China has always insisted that an international peace conference should be endorsed by both Russia and Ukraine, with the equal participation of all parties, and that all peace proposals should be discussed in a fair and equal manner. Otherwise, it will be difficult for it to play a substantive role in restoring peace."

China had earlier this week, as per Reuters, declined the invitation to the summit, stating that its conditions were not met.

The conditions by Beijing included equal participation by both Russia and Ukraine and fair discussions on all proposals.

"We are very sorry that the Chinese side does not use the opportunity to present its position on the platform of the Summit in Switzerland," a spokesperson for the Ukrainian embassy in Beijing was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arson-and-attacks-across-europe-is-russia-behind-them-727361">Arson and attacks across Europe: Is Russia behind them?</a>

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov put forward a suggestion on Thursday stating that China could arrange a peace conference in which Moscow and Kyiv could participate.

This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China where he said that Ukraine may take the opportunity to get a broader group of countries to back Volodymyr Zelensky's demand for a total Russian withdrawal at the Swiss talks.

Putin during his visit to China also expressed support for Beijing's strategy for a peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict stating that China had a complete understanding of what lay behind the crisis.

The Swiss foreign ministry said it noted the conditions for China's participation have not yet been met, particularly as Russia is "currently not involved" in the peace conference.

"For Switzerland, Russia's involvement in the peace process is also essential. The (ministry) it is working actively to involve Russia in the peace process," it added.

The Swiss ministry, which previously highlighted its desire to involve Russia in the peace process, said over 80 countries had shared their confirmation for taking part in the conference.

(With inputs from agencies)

China will not attend the Ukraine peace conference that is set to take place in Switzerland next month, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry stating that it does not meet its expectation of including both Moscow and Kyiv.

China will not attend the Ukraine peace conference that is set to take place in Switzerland next month, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry stating that it does not meet its expectation of including both Moscow and Kyiv. Switzerland is aiming at a broad-based turnout from several parts of the world for the summit that is due for mid-June, which Bern anticipates will do the underpinning for a peace process in Ukraine. Russia, as per news agency Reuters reports, was not invited and dismisses the talks as meaningless without its participation. "The arrangements for the meeting still fall far short of China's requests and the general expectations of the international community, making it difficult for China to participate," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a routine briefing. "China has always insisted that an international peace conference should be endorsed by both Russia and Ukraine, with the equal participation of all parties, and that all peace proposals should be discussed in a fair and equal manner. Otherwise, it will be difficult for it to play a substantive role in restoring peace." China had earlier this week, as per Reuters, declined the invitation to the summit, stating that its conditions were not met. The conditions by Beijing included equal participation by both Russia and Ukraine and fair discussions on all proposals. "We are very sorry that the Chinese side does not use the opportunity to present its position on the platform of the Summit in Switzerland," a spokesperson for the Ukrainian embassy in Beijing was quoted as saying by Reuters. Also read: Arson and attacks across Europe: Is Russia behind them? Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov put forward a suggestion on Thursday stating that China could arrange a peace conference in which Moscow and Kyiv could participate. This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China where he said that Ukraine may take the opportunity to get a broader group of countries to back Volodymyr Zelensky's demand for a total Russian withdrawal at the Swiss talks. Putin during his visit to China also expressed support for Beijing's strategy for a peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict stating that China had a complete understanding of what lay behind the crisis. The Swiss foreign ministry said it noted the conditions for China's participation have not yet been met, particularly as Russia is "currently not involved" in the peace conference. "For Switzerland, Russia's involvement in the peace process is also essential. The (ministry) it is working actively to involve Russia in the peace process," it added. The Swiss ministry, which previously highlighted its desire to involve Russia in the peace process, said over 80 countries had shared their confirmation for taking part in the conference. (With inputs from agencies)

China says will not attend Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland

A woman who was jogging in a lakeside park in Switzerland was allegedly killed by a naked man who was screaming and attacking people, said the police, on Wednesday (May 22). The incident took place in the Villa Alma Park in Männedorf on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;

<h2>What we know about the attack</h2>

According to the local police, the attack took place on Tuesday (May 21) evening on Lake Zurich which is around 20 kilometres southeast of the biggest Swiss city.&nbsp;

“On Tuesday evening, a woman was attacked and fatally injured by a man in Mannedorf,” said Zurich cantonal police, adding that the woman had been out jogging.

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The attack took place shortly before 8:00 pm (local time) and “passers-by reported a man in Alma Park who was running around naked, screaming and physically attacking other people,” said the police. &nbsp;

It added, “The emergency services who quickly arrived on site found a seriously injured woman lying on the ground.” However, despite “immediate resuscitation” the woman died due to her “serious injuries.”

A nearby resident told Swiss newspaper Blick that they saw the woman lying by the side of a lake. “It couldn’t be a swimming accident because the place isn’t easy to reach. It’s a narrow place that you can only get to via a narrow staircase.”

The Swiss police said that the alleged attacker also assaulted another woman, but she did not sustain life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

<h2>Suspect under arrest</h2>

The police have arrested a suspected perpetrator who is said to be a 19-year-old Swiss man. According to media reports, the man attacked people at random before the police arrived.&nbsp;

An employee from the nearby Villa Alma retirement home told Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger that the naked man ran around in circles as if in a trance and he also heard screams.

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“There are a lot of young people out and about in this park in the evenings. It’s crazy what happened here. I was very shocked when I found out this morning,” Joel Eichenberger, 26, told Blick.&nbsp;

The victim’s identity is subject to an ongoing investigation, said the police. The identity of the suspected perpetrator was also not immediately known.&nbsp;

The Swiss police said that they are investigating the background of the attack and whether the perpetrator and the victim knew each other.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A woman who was jogging in a lakeside park in Switzerland was allegedly killed by a naked man who was screaming and attacking people, said the police, on Wednesday (May 22).

A woman who was jogging in a lakeside park in Switzerland was allegedly killed by a naked man who was screaming and attacking people, said the police, on Wednesday (May 22). The incident took place in the Villa Alma Park in Männedorf on Tuesday evening. What we know about the attack According to the local police, the attack took place on Tuesday (May 21) evening on Lake Zurich which is around 20 kilometres southeast of the biggest Swiss city. “On Tuesday evening, a woman was attacked and fatally injured by a man in Mannedorf,” said Zurich cantonal police, adding that the woman had been out jogging. Also Read | More than 1,000 slave labourers may have died in Nazi camps on Alderney, review finds The attack took place shortly before 8:00 pm (local time) and “passers-by reported a man in Alma Park who was running around naked, screaming and physically attacking other people,” said the police. It added, “The emergency services who quickly arrived on site found a seriously injured woman lying on the ground.” However, despite “immediate resuscitation” the woman died due to her “serious injuries.” A nearby resident told Swiss newspaper Blick that they saw the woman lying by the side of a lake. “It couldn’t be a swimming accident because the place isn’t easy to reach. It’s a narrow place that you can only get to via a narrow staircase.” The Swiss police said that the alleged attacker also assaulted another woman, but she did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Suspect under arrest The police have arrested a suspected perpetrator who is said to be a 19-year-old Swiss man. According to media reports, the man attacked people at random before the police arrived. An employee from the nearby Villa Alma retirement home told Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger that the naked man ran around in circles as if in a trance and he also heard screams. Also Read | UK man accused of spying for Hong Kong dies under ‘unexplained circumstances’ “There are a lot of young people out and about in this park in the evenings. It’s crazy what happened here. I was very shocked when I found out this morning,” Joel Eichenberger, 26, told Blick. The victim’s identity is subject to an ongoing investigation, said the police. The identity of the suspected perpetrator was also not immediately known. The Swiss police said that they are investigating the background of the attack and whether the perpetrator and the victim knew each other. (With inputs from agencies)

Switzerland: ‘Screaming naked man’ kills woman jogging in lakeside park

This year Switzerland won the Eurovision Song Contest in the city of Malmo beating runnerup Croatia.

Switzerland wins Eurovision song contest amid Gaza protests

A major european bank is warning of a potential profit squeeze. UBS, a swiss banking company, says recent interest rate cuts in Switzerland will hurt their lending income. It is the first major European Bank to sound this alarm.

European Central bank policy shift threatens bank profits

Campers, hikers, adventurers and thrill-loving tourists. A Swiss Knife tops the list of indispensable items for all of these and more. But the Swiss Knife is now to be out without its integral identity, the blade.&nbsp;

Victorinox, the Swiss company that produces the clasp knife, is now going to begin the production of blade-less Swiss knives in response to tighter regulations that govern the carrying of knives in most of the world. The company now plans to make folding tools that would not feature a blade. This, they hope, will still appeal some prospective customers such as the cyclists.

"We are concerned about the increasing regulation of knives due to the violence in the world," according to Carl Elsener, the fourth-generation CEO of the family-run company Victorinox, The Telegraph reported.

"In some markets, the blade creates an image of a weapon. I have in mind creating a tool that would be useful for cyclists. Cyclists have a need for specific tools but not necessarily a blade," he said. "We already have a tool specifically for golfers."

The company is reportedly in the early phase of product development. So far, the launch date for the new product&nbsp;is not out.&nbsp;

Elsener said in England and certain Asian countries “you are sometimes only allowed to carry a knife if it is needed to carry out a job or if you are in the outdoors”.

“Victorinox wants to counteract this trend with the development of blade-less tools for specific outdoor activities or sports,” he said.

In the United Kingdom, for instance, a person can carry a knife whose folding blade is less than 3 inches (7.62 cm) long. For the rest, apart from the kirpan carried by Sikh religionists, it is illegal to carry knife in public without a reason.

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After 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US in 2001, the sales of Swiss Army Knives fell by more than 30 per cent almost due to the ban on sharp objects introduced by airlines.&nbsp;

“September 11th showed us that we mustn’t depend on just one sector of products,” Elsener said.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: UN report accuses Switzerland of racial discrimination

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Victorinox, based in the small town of Ibach in central Switzerland, produces around 10 million Swiss Army Knives a year. There are now around 400 types to choose from, including one that boasts 73 functions.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Campers, hikers, adventurers and thrill-loving tourists. A Swiss Knife tops the list of indispensable items for all of these and more. But the Swiss Knife is now to be out without its integral identity, the blade.

Campers, hikers, adventurers and thrill-loving tourists. A Swiss Knife tops the list of indispensable items for all of these and more. But the Swiss Knife is now to be out without its integral identity, the blade. Victorinox, the Swiss company that produces the clasp knife, is now going to begin the production of blade-less Swiss knives in response to tighter regulations that govern the carrying of knives in most of the world. The company now plans to make folding tools that would not feature a blade. This, they hope, will still appeal some prospective customers such as the cyclists. "We are concerned about the increasing regulation of knives due to the violence in the world," according to Carl Elsener, the fourth-generation CEO of the family-run company Victorinox, The Telegraph reported. "In some markets, the blade creates an image of a weapon. I have in mind creating a tool that would be useful for cyclists. Cyclists have a need for specific tools but not necessarily a blade," he said. "We already have a tool specifically for golfers." The company is reportedly in the early phase of product development. So far, the launch date for the new product is not out. Elsener said in England and certain Asian countries “you are sometimes only allowed to carry a knife if it is needed to carry out a job or if you are in the outdoors”. “Victorinox wants to counteract this trend with the development of blade-less tools for specific outdoor activities or sports,” he said. In the United Kingdom, for instance, a person can carry a knife whose folding blade is less than 3 inches (7.62 cm) long. For the rest, apart from the kirpan carried by Sikh religionists, it is illegal to carry knife in public without a reason. Also read | France knife attack: What do we know about the stabbing suspect so far? After 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US in 2001, the sales of Swiss Army Knives fell by more than 30 per cent almost due to the ban on sharp objects introduced by airlines. “September 11th showed us that we mustn’t depend on just one sector of products,” Elsener said. Also watch | Gravitas: UN report accuses Switzerland of racial discrimination × Victorinox, based in the small town of Ibach in central Switzerland, produces around 10 million Swiss Army Knives a year. There are now around 400 types to choose from, including one that boasts 73 functions. (With inputs from agencies)

Swiss knife without a blade? Yes, it's happening

In the latest discovery, scientists have found the mysterious reason behind the reappearance of a giant ice hole in Antarctica, which is equal to the size of Switzerland.

In the latest discovery, scientists have found the mysterious reason behind the reappearance of a giant ice hole in Antarctica, which is equal to the size of Switzerland. The rare gaping hole of ice-free water, which is known as a polynya, was first discovered by scientists in 1974 and it remained as a void for two years till it was eventually closed. However, the scientists were left baffled in 2016 and 2017 after the large size polynya reappeared which forced them to look for the reason which was forming the hole. Here's what the scientists found The University of Southampton's researchers discovered that the cause of the mysterious hole was a combination of the ocean's wind, water currents and the increase in the salt level in the water which was melting the sea ice and creating the space. Also Read: Melting ice, burning skin: Antarctic wildlife is getting sunburnt, scientists warn The opening was named by the scientists as the Maud Rise polynya in the 1970s. The name was derived from the underwater mountain which was located beneath the hole in the Weddell Sea. Generally, polynyas appear every year in sea ice which is located in the coastal areas of Antarctica. However, it is unusual for them to get formed hundreds of miles away in the open ocean. In a statement, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Southampton Aditya Narayanan said, "The Maud Rise polynya was discovered in the 1970s when remote sensing satellites that can see sea ice over the Southern Ocean were first launched." "It persisted through consecutive winters from 1974 to 1976 and oceanographers back then assumed it would be an annual occurrence. But since the 1970s, it has occurred only sporadically and for brief intervals. 2017 was the first time that we've had such a large and long-lived polynya in the Weddell Sea since the 1970s," he added. How do polynyas affect oceans? The researchers have now warned that the oceans can be adversely effected by polynyas and lead to rise in sea levels, which rose by 0.3 inches from 2022 to 2023. Watch: Russia activates world's first satellite for Arctic observation The study's co-author and professor at the University of California Sarah Gille said, "The imprint of polynyas can remain in the water for multiple years after they've formed." "They can change how water moves around and how currents carry heat towards the continent. The dense waters that form here can spread across the global ocean," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Antarctica has a giant sea ice hole, as big as Switzerland. Here’s why it keeps reappearing

Switzerland on Thursday said it has invited over 160 delegations from around the world to attend a Ukraine peace conference being hosted in June at Kyiv's request, and to which Russia has not been invited. Watch in for more details!

Switzerland to hold Ukraine peace talks in June, invites 160 delegations

The Swiss government said on Wednesday that it will organize a two-day high-level summit in June to achieve peace in Ukraine, however Russia has stated that it will not participate in the plan.

Switzerland to host Ukraine peace summit on June 15-16

Switzerland to host  Ukraine peace summit in mid-June

In a landmark decision, the European court of human rights has ruled that weak government climate policies violate citizens' fundamental human rights, in a win for a group of Swiss female climate activists. The court’s top bench ruled that Switzerland had violated the rights of a group of older Swiss women to family life, but threw out a French mayor’s case against France and that of a group of young Portuguese people against 32 European countries.

Older Swiss women win historic climate court ruling

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in France, on Tuesday (Apr 9) delivered a landmark ruling and found Switzerland’s failure to adequately tackle the climate crisis a violation of human rights in a case brought by more than 2,000 women.&nbsp;

<h2>About the hearing</h2>

The court ruled in favour of a group of elderly women from Switzerland who argued that the Swiss government’s inadequate efforts to combat climate change put them at risk of dying during heatwaves.&nbsp;

The women, most of whom are in their 70s, argued that their age and gender made them particularly vulnerable to the effects of heatwaves which have become more frequent and are intensifying in recent years due to climate change.&nbsp;

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The court in the French city of Strasbourg heard the case against Switzerland’s government which had been accused of not only undermining the health and quality of life of the women but also putting them at risk of dying.&nbsp;

Court President Siofra O’Leary said the Swiss government had violated the human right to a private and family life as it failed to formulate and implement domestic policies to tackle climate change.&nbsp;

“This included a failure to quantify, through a carbon budget or otherwise, national greenhouse gas emissions limitations,” O’Leary told the courtroom.&nbsp;

She also noted that the Swiss government had failed to meet its past greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The ECtHR also found “critical gaps” in Switzerland’s policies to tackle climate change.&nbsp;

The judgement marks the first time that the court has ruled on climate litigation. Notably, the court does not allow a right to appeal and their judgement is legally binding.&nbsp;

<h2>‘We still can’t really believe it’</h2>

“We still can’t really believe it. We keep asking our lawyers, ‘is that right?’,” said Rosemarie Wydler-Walti, one of the leaders of the Swiss women, KlimaSeniorinnen or Senior Women for Climate Protection, as quoted by the news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg also joined the campaigners in celebrating at the court.&nbsp;

The judgement in the case heard by a 17-judge panel at the ECtHR also comes as dozens of courts across the world are hearing climate lawsuits brought by communities against governments which hinge on human rights.&nbsp;

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“Regardless of the legal arguments, what these cases do is they remind us of the high importance and urgency which our citizens attach to climate action,” said the European Commission spokesperson after the ruling.&nbsp;

<h2>Court dismisses two other cases</h2>

The court dismissed two other cases brought by six Portuguese young people and a former French mayor, both of which largely argued that European governments had failed to tackle climate change quickly enough and that it violated their rights.&nbsp;

The six Portuguese youths filed a lawsuit against 32 European governments, but had been dismissed by the court saying that the two claims were ruled “inadmissible.”

“It is a betrayal beyond words, and today’s rulings make very clear that the European states have a legal responsibility to take real time action and to protect people, to protect its citizens,” said Thunberg.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in France, on Tuesday (Apr 9) delivered a landmark ruling and found Switzerland’s failure to adequately tackle the climate crisis a violation of human rights in a case brought by more than 2,000 women.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in France, on Tuesday (Apr 9) delivered a landmark ruling and found Switzerland’s failure to adequately tackle the climate crisis a violation of human rights in a case brought by more than 2,000 women. About the hearing The court ruled in favour of a group of elderly women from Switzerland who argued that the Swiss government’s inadequate efforts to combat climate change put them at risk of dying during heatwaves. The women, most of whom are in their 70s, argued that their age and gender made them particularly vulnerable to the effects of heatwaves which have become more frequent and are intensifying in recent years due to climate change. Also Read | Earth continues to sear as March emerges as 10th consecutive hottest month The court in the French city of Strasbourg heard the case against Switzerland’s government which had been accused of not only undermining the health and quality of life of the women but also putting them at risk of dying. Court President Siofra O’Leary said the Swiss government had violated the human right to a private and family life as it failed to formulate and implement domestic policies to tackle climate change. “This included a failure to quantify, through a carbon budget or otherwise, national greenhouse gas emissions limitations,” O’Leary told the courtroom. She also noted that the Swiss government had failed to meet its past greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The ECtHR also found “critical gaps” in Switzerland’s policies to tackle climate change. The judgement marks the first time that the court has ruled on climate litigation. Notably, the court does not allow a right to appeal and their judgement is legally binding. ‘We still can’t really believe it’ “We still can’t really believe it. We keep asking our lawyers, ‘is that right?’,” said Rosemarie Wydler-Walti, one of the leaders of the Swiss women, KlimaSeniorinnen or Senior Women for Climate Protection, as quoted by the news agency Reuters. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg also joined the campaigners in celebrating at the court. The judgement in the case heard by a 17-judge panel at the ECtHR also comes as dozens of courts across the world are hearing climate lawsuits brought by communities against governments which hinge on human rights. Also Read | 'China leave': Xi Jinping's effigy trampled upon outside Chinese consulate in Manila “Regardless of the legal arguments, what these cases do is they remind us of the high importance and urgency which our citizens attach to climate action,” said the European Commission spokesperson after the ruling. Court dismisses two other cases The court dismissed two other cases brought by six Portuguese young people and a former French mayor, both of which largely argued that European governments had failed to tackle climate change quickly enough and that it violated their rights. The six Portuguese youths filed a lawsuit against 32 European governments, but had been dismissed by the court saying that the two claims were ruled “inadmissible.” “It is a betrayal beyond words, and today’s rulings make very clear that the European states have a legal responsibility to take real time action and to protect people, to protect its citizens,” said Thunberg. (With inputs from agencies)

Climate inaction by Switzerland violated human rights, rules European Court in case filed by 2,000 women

Authorities on Thursday (Mar 14) called off a search for the final missing member of a group of six skiers that was trapped a few days ago on a Swiss mountain.&nbsp;

Police from the canton of Valais were searching for six people who went missing while on a ski tour departing from the Alpine town of Zermatt.&nbsp;They aimed to reach the town of Arolla.&nbsp;

A search party had already recovered the bodies of five of the people who were caught in severe weather on the 3,710 metre-high Tete Blanche mountain on Saturday on the Zermatt-Arolla path. All five were members of the same family.&nbsp;

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However, the search for the last member was still on. The authorities used helicopters to search the area to find the sixth person, a 28-year-old woman.&nbsp;

The police said the woman had originally put in an emergency call to say the group were in trouble.&nbsp;

All the skiers were believed to have been aged between 21 and 58, but none have been officially identified by authorities.&nbsp;

In a statement, police said, "After consulting with her family, the search has now been stopped."&nbsp;

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<h2>They tried to save themselves&nbsp;</h2>

A lead official, who was part of the rescue group, had told Sky News that the skiers tried to dig "snow caves" to save themselves from the freezing temperatures.&nbsp;

Anjan Truffer, the head of mountain rescue at Air Zermatt AG, was on site when the bodies of five cross-country skiers were found on Sunday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Authorities on Thursday (Mar 14) called off a search for the final missing member of a group of six skiers that was trapped a few days ago on a Swiss mountain. Police from the canton of Valais were searching for six people who went missing while on a ski tour departing from the Alpine town of Zermatt.

Authorities on Thursday (Mar 14) called off a search for the final missing member of a group of six skiers that was trapped a few days ago on a Swiss mountain. Police from the canton of Valais were searching for six people who went missing while on a ski tour departing from the Alpine town of Zermatt. They aimed to reach the town of Arolla. A search party had already recovered the bodies of five of the people who were caught in severe weather on the 3,710 metre-high Tete Blanche mountain on Saturday on the Zermatt-Arolla path. All five were members of the same family. Also read: Canada review TikTok's expansion proposal for national security concerns However, the search for the last member was still on. The authorities used helicopters to search the area to find the sixth person, a 28-year-old woman. The police said the woman had originally put in an emergency call to say the group were in trouble. All the skiers were believed to have been aged between 21 and 58, but none have been officially identified by authorities. In a statement, police said, "After consulting with her family, the search has now been stopped." Also read: SpaceX's Starship, targeting moon missions in future, burned up after 3rd test flight They tried to save themselves A lead official, who was part of the rescue group, had told Sky News that the skiers tried to dig "snow caves" to save themselves from the freezing temperatures. Anjan Truffer, the head of mountain rescue at Air Zermatt AG, was on site when the bodies of five cross-country skiers were found on Sunday. (With inputs from agencies)

Police call off search for missing Swiss skier after mountain tragedy

Authorities in Switzerland's Valais canton were searching for six people who went missing while on a ski tour departing from the Alpine town of Zermatt.&nbsp;

The authorities said that the skiers went missing on Saturday (Mar 9) on the Zermatt-Arolla trail near the Matterhorn summit, which straddles the Swiss-Italian border.&nbsp;

As per the authority, five of the skiers were of the same family from the Valais canton. The sixth person is from the canton of Fribourg.&nbsp;

They went missing around Tête Blanche mountain.&nbsp;

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"The weather conditions are currently very bad, which makes the emergency response very difficult," the police said, without disclosing information about the six missing people.&nbsp;

The police have said that the missing skiers were between the ages of 21 and 58.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Authorities in Switzerland's Valais canton were searching for six people who went missing while on a ski tour departing from the Alpine town of Zermatt. The authorities said that the skiers went missing on Saturday (Mar 9) on the Zermatt-Arolla trail near the Matterhorn summit, which straddles the Swiss-Italian border.

Authorities in Switzerland's Valais canton were searching for six people who went missing while on a ski tour departing from the Alpine town of Zermatt. The authorities said that the skiers went missing on Saturday (Mar 9) on the Zermatt-Arolla trail near the Matterhorn summit, which straddles the Swiss-Italian border. As per the authority, five of the skiers were of the same family from the Valais canton. The sixth person is from the canton of Fribourg. They went missing around Tête Blanche mountain. Also read: Chinese doctors accused of harvesting organs of death row inmates attended Oxford University’s sessions "The weather conditions are currently very bad, which makes the emergency response very difficult," the police said, without disclosing information about the six missing people. The police have said that the missing skiers were between the ages of 21 and 58. (With inputs from agencies)

Switzerland: Police launch search for six skiers missing near Matterhorn

A group of six skiers, five of whom died in the Swiss Alps, made a valiant attempt to survive before the sad end: digging snow caves.

They did this in an apparent bid to shield themselves from the cold, revealed the lead rescuer in an interview with Sky News.

Five members of the same family were among the six skiers who embarked on a ski tour from Zermatt, Switzerland, aiming to reach Arolla.

Anjan Truffer, the head of mountain rescue at Air Zermatt AG, was present when the bodies of five cross-country skiers were discovered on Sunday (Mar 10)&nbsp;near Tete Blanche mountain, following their reported disappearance.&nbsp;

The search for a sixth person is still underway, though Truffer stressed the need for realistic expectations.&nbsp;

Truffer told Sky News&nbsp;that his team faced a delay reaching the&nbsp;site near the famed Matterhorn mountain in the Alps due to snowstorms.

Upon arrival, his French counterparts had already found two bodies.

"We started to look for the others with avalanche transceivers and probes and we immediately discovered two more bodies," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/switzerlands-glaciers-shrink-overall-volume-by-10-in-two-consecutive-years-study-640687">Also read |&nbsp;Switzerland glaciers’ overall volume shrinks by 10% in last two years, small ones may disappear: Study</a>

<h2>Desperate efforts for survival</h2>

Helicopter footage&nbsp;released by police in Valais canton showed ski tracks and snow piles believed to be makeshift shelters constructed by the skiers.

Truffer said these were their attempts to shield themselves from the elements by burrowing into the snow.

"They did try to make a snow cave to protect themselves from the wind," he told Sky News.

Truffer said the group's lack of suitable equipment, particularly small shovels ill-equipped for heavy snowfall, hindered their ability to cope with rapidly accumulating snow.

Also watch |&nbsp;Five out of six missing skiers found dead in Switzerland

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&nbsp;

Setting off from Zermatt, the skiers were also ill-prepared for the harsh conditions, with Truffer noting their light attire.

It is speculated they were training for a race before encountering trouble.

While their ages are estimated to range between 21 and 58, official identification by authorities has not yet been completed.

(With inputs from agencies)

A group of six skiers, five of whom died in the Swiss Alps, made a valiant attempt to survive before the sad end: digging snow caves. They did this in an apparent bid to shield themselves from the cold, revealed the lead rescuer in an interview with Sky News.

A group of six skiers, five of whom died in the Swiss Alps, made a valiant attempt to survive before the sad end: digging snow caves. They did this in an apparent bid to shield themselves from the cold, revealed the lead rescuer in an interview with Sky News. Five members of the same family were among the six skiers who embarked on a ski tour from Zermatt, Switzerland, aiming to reach Arolla. Anjan Truffer, the head of mountain rescue at Air Zermatt AG, was present when the bodies of five cross-country skiers were discovered on Sunday (Mar 10) near Tete Blanche mountain, following their reported disappearance. The search for a sixth person is still underway, though Truffer stressed the need for realistic expectations. Truffer told Sky News that his team faced a delay reaching the site near the famed Matterhorn mountain in the Alps due to snowstorms. Upon arrival, his French counterparts had already found two bodies. "We started to look for the others with avalanche transceivers and probes and we immediately discovered two more bodies," he said. Also read | Switzerland glaciers’ overall volume shrinks by 10% in last two years, small ones may disappear: Study Desperate efforts for survival Helicopter footage released by police in Valais canton showed ski tracks and snow piles believed to be makeshift shelters constructed by the skiers. Truffer said these were their attempts to shield themselves from the elements by burrowing into the snow. "They did try to make a snow cave to protect themselves from the wind," he told Sky News. Truffer said the group's lack of suitable equipment, particularly small shovels ill-equipped for heavy snowfall, hindered their ability to cope with rapidly accumulating snow. Also watch | Five out of six missing skiers found dead in Switzerland Setting off from Zermatt, the skiers were also ill-prepared for the harsh conditions, with Truffer noting their light attire. It is speculated they were training for a race before encountering trouble. While their ages are estimated to range between 21 and 58, official identification by authorities has not yet been completed. (With inputs from agencies)

Skiers tried to make 'snow caves' before they died in Swiss Alps, says rescuer

In Switzerland, the search for the sixth skier who remains untraced is underway. Earlier rescue officials discovered the bodies of five cross-country skiers who went missing over the weekend.

Five out of six missing skiers found dead in Switzerland

India has sealed a significant trade and economic partnership with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. <o:p></o:p>

This landmark agreement, signed on Sunday, involves a binding commitment of $100 billion in investments over the next 15 years. <o:p></o:p>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the pact as a gateway to increased collaboration with EFTA nations, known for their global leadership in innovation and research.<o:p></o:p>

Investment commitment and economic impact<o:p></o:p>

Under the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), EFTA has pledged to bolster foreign direct investments (FDI) in India by $100 billion over the next 15 years. <o:p></o:p>

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the significance of this modern and ambitious trade agreement, marking India's first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with four developed nations. <o:p></o:p>

The pact is poised to enhance economic ties between India and the European bloc, fostering mutual growth and job creation.<o:p></o:p>

Sectoral impact and tariff concessions<o:p></o:p>

According to a report by the Economic Times (ET), the agreement entails substantial tariff concessions, benefiting various sectors such as watch making, chocolates, and machinery. <o:p></o:p>

Swiss imports, including watches and chocolates are set to enjoy duty-free imports after a phased elimination period.<o:p></o:p>

Currently, custom duties apply to 95.3 per cent of Swiss imports.

A Reuters repot cited Guy Parmelin, a Swiss economic representative, who highlighted the vast potential for trade and investment in the Indian market.

He noted that the agreement was the culmination of 21 negotiation rounds. India ranks as the fifth-largest trading partner of the EFTA grouping, following the European Union, the United States, Britain, and China.

The estimated total bilateral trade between India and the EFTA amounted to $25 billion in 2023, according to the trade ministry.

The Swiss government described the agreement as including a thorough and enforceable section addressing trade and sustainable development.<o:p></o:p>

Apart from that, the pact is expected to facilitate cheaper imports of machinery, enhancing India's industrial capabilities. <o:p></o:p>

Additionally, concessions on processed agricultural products (PAP) from India are anticipated to further stimulate trade.<o:p></o:p>

Emphasis on services and visa commitments<o:p></o:p>

Services form a crucial aspect of the agreement, with both India and EFTA extending concessions in various sub-sectors such as accounting, auditing, and legal services. <o:p></o:p>

Notably, EFTA's commitments in audio-visual services, including gaming and animation, hold significant promise for India's burgeoning service sector. <o:p></o:p>

Moreover, India has secured commitments regarding visa regulations, ensuring smoother mobility for categories such as intra-corporate transferees and contractual service suppliers.<o:p></o:p>

Industry response and export opportunities<o:p></o:p>

Industry leaders have welcomed the pact, citing its potential to boost India's export potential and create employment opportunities. <o:p></o:p>

ET cited Chandrajit Banerjee, the Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), who highlighted the historic $100 billion investment commitment from EFTA, indicating its potential to stimulate economic growth.<o:p></o:p>

Improved market access for Indian goods in EFTA markets is expected to expand export avenues, further enhancing India's global trade footprint.<o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from Reuters)<o:p></o:p>

India has sealed a significant trade and economic partnership with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.

India has sealed a significant trade and economic partnership with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. This landmark agreement, signed on Sunday, involves a binding commitment of $100 billion in investments over the next 15 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the pact as a gateway to increased collaboration with EFTA nations, known for their global leadership in innovation and research. Investment commitment and economic impact Under the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), EFTA has pledged to bolster foreign direct investments (FDI) in India by $100 billion over the next 15 years. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the significance of this modern and ambitious trade agreement, marking India's first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with four developed nations. The pact is poised to enhance economic ties between India and the European bloc, fostering mutual growth and job creation. Sectoral impact and tariff concessions According to a report by the Economic Times (ET), the agreement entails substantial tariff concessions, benefiting various sectors such as watch making, chocolates, and machinery. Swiss imports, including watches and chocolates are set to enjoy duty-free imports after a phased elimination period. Currently, custom duties apply to 95.3 per cent of Swiss imports. A Reuters repot cited Guy Parmelin, a Swiss economic representative, who highlighted the vast potential for trade and investment in the Indian market. He noted that the agreement was the culmination of 21 negotiation rounds. India ranks as the fifth-largest trading partner of the EFTA grouping, following the European Union, the United States, Britain, and China. The estimated total bilateral trade between India and the EFTA amounted to $25 billion in 2023, according to the trade ministry. The Swiss government described the agreement as including a thorough and enforceable section addressing trade and sustainable development. Apart from that, the pact is expected to facilitate cheaper imports of machinery, enhancing India's industrial capabilities. Additionally, concessions on processed agricultural products (PAP) from India are anticipated to further stimulate trade. Emphasis on services and visa commitments Services form a crucial aspect of the agreement, with both India and EFTA extending concessions in various sub-sectors such as accounting, auditing, and legal services. Notably, EFTA's commitments in audio-visual services, including gaming and animation, hold significant promise for India's burgeoning service sector. Moreover, India has secured commitments regarding visa regulations, ensuring smoother mobility for categories such as intra-corporate transferees and contractual service suppliers. Industry response and export opportunities Industry leaders have welcomed the pact, citing its potential to boost India's export potential and create employment opportunities. ET cited Chandrajit Banerjee, the Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), who highlighted the historic $100 billion investment commitment from EFTA, indicating its potential to stimulate economic growth. Improved market access for Indian goods in EFTA markets is expected to expand export avenues, further enhancing India's global trade footprint. (With inputs from Reuters)

India secures $100 billion investment commitment in landmark trade pact with EFTA

Five out of the six cross-country skiers who went missing in the Swiss Alps over the weekend have been found dead, according to a Reuters report citing police in the canton of Valais on Monday (March 11). The search operation for the last missing person is still ongoing.

The group of skiers, in the age bracket of 21 to 58, had left Zermatt on Saturday morning (March 9) with the aim of reaching the town of Arolla later that day. However, they went missing&nbsp;in the Tete Blanche mountain area.

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/switzerland-police-launch-search-for-six-skiers-go-missing-near-matterhorn-698656">storm</a> over the weekend further hindered&nbsp;the helicopters and rescuers from reaching the area, but on Sunday evening (March 10), a team was finally able to reach the spot via helicopter,&nbsp;police said in a statement.

At approximately 9:20 pm (2020 GMT), they located the bodies of the missing&nbsp;skiers.

While five of the skiers are believed to be from the same family, authorities have not yet released their identities.

A press conference is scheduled later on Monday (March 11)&nbsp;in Sion, the canton capital. The group's disappearance was reported by a family member who was supposed to meet them in Arolla on Saturday (March 9).

Also watch |&nbsp;India-EFTA trade pact: How it benefits India?

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<h2>What is Zermatt famous for?</h2>

Zermatt is famous primarily for its proximity to the iconic Matterhorn mountain, one of the most recognisable peaks in the Swiss Alps.

This picturesque mountain resort town offers stunning views of the Matterhorn and serves as a popular destination for skiing, mountaineering, and hiking enthusiasts from around the world.

Zermatt is also renowned for its car-free environment, preserved traditional Alpine architecture, luxury hotels, and upscale dining and shopping options. Additionally, the Glacier Express, one of Switzerland's most scenic train routes, terminates in Zermatt, adding to the town's allure for tourists seeking breathtaking Alpine experiences.

(With inputs from agencies)

Five out of the six cross-country skiers who went missing in the Swiss Alps over the weekend have been found dead, according to a Reuters report citing police in the canton of Valais on Monday (March 11).

Five out of the six cross-country skiers who went missing in the Swiss Alps over the weekend have been found dead, according to a Reuters report citing police in the canton of Valais on Monday (March 11). The search operation for the last missing person is still ongoing. The group of skiers, in the age bracket of 21 to 58, had left Zermatt on Saturday morning (March 9) with the aim of reaching the town of Arolla later that day. However, they went missing in the Tete Blanche mountain area. A storm over the weekend further hindered the helicopters and rescuers from reaching the area, but on Sunday evening (March 10), a team was finally able to reach the spot via helicopter, police said in a statement. At approximately 9:20 pm (2020 GMT), they located the bodies of the missing skiers. While five of the skiers are believed to be from the same family, authorities have not yet released their identities. A press conference is scheduled later on Monday (March 11) in Sion, the canton capital. The group's disappearance was reported by a family member who was supposed to meet them in Arolla on Saturday (March 9). Also watch | India-EFTA trade pact: How it benefits India? What is Zermatt famous for? Zermatt is famous primarily for its proximity to the iconic Matterhorn mountain, one of the most recognisable peaks in the Swiss Alps. This picturesque mountain resort town offers stunning views of the Matterhorn and serves as a popular destination for skiing, mountaineering, and hiking enthusiasts from around the world. Zermatt is also renowned for its car-free environment, preserved traditional Alpine architecture, luxury hotels, and upscale dining and shopping options. Additionally, the Glacier Express, one of Switzerland's most scenic train routes, terminates in Zermatt, adding to the town's allure for tourists seeking breathtaking Alpine experiences. (With inputs from agencies)

Switzerland: Five out of six missing cross-country skiers found dead, search on for last person

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