Bratten, Switzerland: Landslide Devastation in May 2025
Alexandre Agrusti/AFP via Getty Images
In May 2025, the picturesque village of Bratten in the Swiss Alps was tragically destroyed by a massive glacier collapse. Thanks to meticulous monitoring, nearly all residents were safely evacuated.
The initial warning signs emerged on May 14, when the Swiss avalanche warning service reported a minor rockfall in the area. Trained observers, who typically have other full-time roles, were on alert for signs of potential danger.
Detailed investigations followed, utilizing images from cameras installed on the glacier after a previous avalanche in the 1990s. “The angles provided crucial insights into shifts in the mountain,” explained Mylène Jacquemart from ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
On May 18 and 19, 300 residents were evacuated, but one individual, a 64-year-old man, resisted leaving his home.
On May 28, the situation escalated as the glacier suffered a catastrophic collapse. “This was an enormous rock avalanche,” Jacquemart stated.
The glacier had accumulated debris from previous years, and when a rockfall occurred, it triggered the collapse of 3 million cubic meters of ice, along with 6 million cubic meters of rock, ravaging a significant portion of the village. Regrettably, the man who opted to remain was killed.
Contrary to some media reports suggesting advanced surveillance technology monitored the glacier, Jacquemart clarified, “The observer’s office didn’t have an elaborate alarm system; a simple red light indicated a problem.”
However, Jacquemart emphasized that Switzerland’s monitoring system ensures effective communication and distinct accountability regarding evacuation decisions.
Satellite Image of the Landslide Area on May 30
European Union, Copernicus Sentinel 2 imagery
What contributed to this disaster? The likelihood of rockfalls exacerbated by climate change is a pressing concern. As global warming causes Alpine glaciers to retreat, the incidence of rockfalls is on the rise. Switzerland’s average temperature has increased by nearly 3 degrees since the pre-industrial era, resulting in melting permafrost that allows water to infiltrate cracks in the rocks.
“There’s a clear connection between climate change and the increase in rockfalls,” Jacquemart remarks. “Dramatic transformations are occurring in high-altitude regions, and the consequences are alarming.”
Yet, Jacquemart advises against attributing the Bratten tragedy solely to recent warming phenomena. The slow geological adjustment to post-Ice Age conditions could also be a factor, she notes.
The immediate future remains unclear for Bratten’s residents. Local authorities declared that the village cannot be reconstructed on unstable ground. Plans are underway for rebuilding, but the area remains susceptible to further landslides, and establishing protective measures demands significant financial resources.
“Communities in mountainous regions worldwide, from the Alps to the Andes and the Himalayas, face increasing threats from the intensity and frequency of mountain-related disasters,” stated Kamal Kishore, United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, in a recent statement. “Their livelihoods, cultural heritage, and way of life are under severe threat.”
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WThe inaugural stage adaptation of the globally acclaimed book and film series The Hunger Games is set to debut in London next week, offering fans an “emotional” and “immersive” adventure for those willing to shell out up to £200.
Located at Canary Wharf’s specially designed 1,200-seat Troubadour, the production will feature Hollywood star John Malkovich portraying the nefarious President Snow, who oversees a televised spectacle of mortal teenage combat. This event is part of a recent surge in launches aimed at tapping into the growing consumer appetite for experiential entertainment tied to successful franchises.
From escape rooms and ax throwing to slumber parties and the Secret Cinema’s recreation of iconic scenes from Back to the Future at Olympic Park, the market for innovative and unique outings is booming. Recent pop-up attractions have been linked to Minecraft, Jurassic World, and Squid Game.
With significant investment flooding into this sector, companies are increasingly counting on proven intellectual properties to draw crowds, often with varying degrees of success.
“We’ve examined numerous immersive experiences,” says Hollywood investor Chip Seelig, who supports Come Alive!, a theatrical venture inspired by the 2017 film “The Greatest Showman.” “Even prominent intellectual property does not assure success. Attracting an audience without a globally recognized IP is quite challenging. We see this as a crucial factor for success.”
Seelig’s TSG Entertainment co-financed and produced the blockbuster film. Before its release, he sought ways to bring it to life through real-world experiences and reached a rights agreement with 20th Century Fox, which is now part of Disney.
Disney also has plans to present its more traditional theatrical interpretation of The Greatest Showman, which is set to premiere at Bristol Racecourse in the spring.
While productions like Come Alive! have shown promise, successfully extending performances for another year at the former BBC Earth Experience site, the commercial viability remains uncertain due to the high costs associated with live productions.
The challenges faced by traditional theater serve as a cautionary tale for the emerging field of immersive entertainment.
A recent report by The New York Times highlighted that none of the 18 commercial musicals that premiered on Broadway last season turned a profit, with at least three that had budgets of $20 million (approximately £15 million) closing within four months of opening.
Since the pandemic ended, only 3 out of 46 new musicals not based on existing, familiar IP have turned a profit.
An additional hurdle for the still-nascent experiential industry is that the gold rush mentality has led many operators to launch events that often fall short of expectations.
Last year, an unofficial event dubbed the “Detroit Bridgerton Themed Ball,” priced between $150 and $1,000, went viral for the wrong reasons when attendees were seen sitting on the floor munching Kit Kats while watching a lone pole dancer perform.
Similarly, Glasgow’s poorly executed Willy Wonka Experience, advertised as a “festival of chocolate in all its delightful forms,” garnered negative global attention when it was abruptly canceled, prompting police involvement due to angry families who had spent hundreds of pounds on an event that left children in tears.
The current productions have faced criticism. Ticket prices for Elvis Evolution, which premiered at London’s Excel Center in the summer, range from £75 to £300. It was initially marketed as a concert experience featuring “AI and holographic projection of stars.”
The original promise of a “life-sized digital Elvis performing iconic moments from music history for the first time on a UK stage” ended up showcasing AI-generated “luxury archival footage.”
Layered Reality, the production company behind the show, admitted that the hologram had not been included by the time tickets went on sale but claimed to be “overwhelmed” by positive feedback from attendees.
One attendee described the experience as “absolutely awful,” while a VIP ticket holder labeled it “a shambles from start to finish.”
While some fans appreciated it—one enthusiast claimed to have “Loved every minute”—reviews remain mixed. The Telegraph awarded it one star, while Time Out provided a slightly more favorable three-star rating, noting a “fair amount of booing.”.
“The immersive arts and entertainment sector is certainly not on the verge of collapse,” declare analysts at Gensler Institute in their 2025 Immersive Entertainment & Culture Industry Report. “Nevertheless, confusion is beginning to arise as lesser quality offerings are filtered out.”
“The current trend in the industry is setting unrealistic expectations, exacerbated by a flood of AI-generated imagery and misleading marketing language.”
Gensler’s report estimates that the global immersive entertainment market is valued at £98 billion this year, with predictions of reaching £351 billion by 2030.
Little Lion Entertainment (LLE), responsible for the Crystal Maze live experience in London and Manchester based on the cult classic TV show from the 1990s, has secured a 10-year rights extension with production company Banijay.
“This isn’t just an expansion; it’s the start of a global adventure,” stated Tom Lionetti Maguire, founder and CEO of LLE. “We’re reimagining the Crystal Maze experience for future generations.”
The success of Secret Cinema, a pioneer in producing events themed around films and shows like Star Wars, Stranger Things, and James Bond, indicates that well-funded media executives remain optimistic about the future of this sector.
In September, news broke that Ari Emanuel, a Hollywood heavyweight who co-founded the US entertainment conglomerate Endeavor and currently leads World Wrestling Entertainment and Ultimate Fighting Championship, was nearing a deal to purchase the parent company of Secret Cinema.
Emanuel’s global events firm is close to finalizing an agreement with Todayics Group, a US-based digital ticketing company that acquired Secret Group in a $100 million transaction in 2022.
TodayTix co-founder Merritt Baer shared that the company opted not to launch any productions last year as it “reorganized and reimagined what our audiences want.”
“Many are throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks,” he noted. “If they fail to meet audience expectations, it can create lasting damage and erode trust in the sector.”
“Secret Cinema boasts a strong brand and heritage, emphasizing its commitment to quality and aiming for the upper echelons of its industry. Numerous savvy individuals recognize that the experience is where the past connects with the future.”
“Companies like Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and others have significantly elevated the standards for both the quality and quantity of content entering our homes. Producers of live theater and events must similarly elevate their offerings to entice audiences away from their living rooms.”
eLeanor, 24, is a historian from Poland and a university lecturer in Warsaw. Isabel, 25, works as a detective for the NYPD. Brooke, 39, is an American homemaker who enjoys the vibrant Miami lifestyle, supported by her often-absent husband.
All three women engage in unfaithfulness and exchange nude photos and explicit videos via the growing number of adult dating sites that present an increasingly realistic array of AI companions for subscribers willing to pay a monthly fee.
At the TES Adult Industry Conference held in Prague last month, the attendees noted a surge in new platforms allowing users to form relationships with AI-generated girlfriends, who strip in exchange for tokens bought through bank transfers.
The creators of this new venture assert that it marks an advancement over webcam services, where real women remove clothing and converse with men, potentially leading to exploitation in certain sectors of the industry. They also contend that AI performers do not suffer illnesses, do not require breaks, are not exhausted at the end of their shifts, nor do they experience humiliation from client demands.
“Would you rather choose porn rife with abuse and human trafficking, or interact with AI?” asked Steve Jones, who operates an AI porn site. “We’ve heard about human trafficking where girls are forced to be on camera for 10 hours a day. There’s never an AI girl that’s trafficked. There’s never an AI girl forced or humiliated in a scene.”
“Would you rather choose porn rife with abuse and trafficking, or interact with AI?” says Steve Jones. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos
Most websites feature a ready-made girlfriend option, typically depicting smiling, young, white women, but also grant subscribers the chance to craft their own ideal online companion. This option reveals developers’ perspectives on the ideal female archetype. One site offers options ranging from film stars and yoga instructors to florists and lawyers. Personality traits include “Obliging: Submissive, Eager to Please,” “Innocent: See a Cheerful, Naive World,” and “Career-oriented: Nurturing, Protective, Always Comforting.” Users can specify age and even request a teenage model, along with choices for hair, eye color, skin tone, and breast size.
The increasing appeal of AI girlfriends has generated concern among women’s rights activists, who argue that they reinforce harmful stereotypes. In her book, The New Age of Fascism, Laura Bates notes that AI companions are “programmed to be charming, gentle, and subservient, always telling you what you want to hear.”
Amid rising worries regarding AI-generated images of child sexual abuse, the Prague conference developers spoke about an integrated moderation system that prevents users from creating illegal content by flagging keywords and phrases like “children” and “sister.” However, many platforms permit users to dress their AI girlfriends in school uniforms.
Products showcased at the TES conference in Prague. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos
A representative from Candy.ai, one of the new AI dating platforms exhibited at the conference, mentioned that their AI girlfriends offer diverse services. “If you seek an adult-oriented relationship similar to porn, that option exists. Or if you prefer deep discussions, that’s available too. It all depends on the user’s wants,” he explained. While the majority of users are heterosexual men, AI boyfriends are also on offer. Some pre-made AI girlfriends are designed to undress quickly. “Others may say: ‘No, I don’t know you.’ Thus, you need to cultivate your relationship with them for something like that.”
The growth of AI girlfriend platforms has been fueled by advancements in large-scale language models, enabling more lifelike interactions with chatbots and rapid innovations in AI image generation. Most sites continue to focus on text and images, yet brief AI-generated videos are increasingly common. Demand is particularly high among users aged 18-24, many of whom are gamers familiar with avatar customization.
Over the past year, new startups entering the sector have surged dramatically. “AI products are emerging like mushrooms, dynamic and ephemeral. They appear, fizzle out, and then are replaced by another wave,” commented Alina Mitt of Joi Ai, a site dedicated to “AI-Lationships.” “To survive in this market, you need to be bold and resilient. It’s like a fierce battle.”
The developers presented rapid advancements in the realism of AI-generated pornographic images and the transition to engaging AI video clips. Daniel Keating, the CEO of a company providing AI girlfriend experiences, showcased the distinctions between mediocre and high-quality AI companions. His platform offers users numerous AI-generated women in their lingerie, stressing that inferior quality AI tends to exhibit “overly polished plastic smoothness” on the skin, while high-quality AI girlfriends incorporate “natural skin textures, imperfections, moles, freckles, and slight asymmetries that appear much more authentic.”
UK regulator Ofcom highlights updates to the UK’s online safety laws at TES Prague. Photo: Photo by Bjoern Steinz/Panos
His company managed to license the images of established adult stars to produce AI replicas, generating continuous income streams. “It’s profitable and cost-effective. Creators love this because they are relieved from the need to dress up and shoot content,” he noted.
An advertising executive from Ashley Madison expressed interest in the rapid expansion of a site focused on AI relationships, which caters to individuals seeking discreet connections. “AI dating is brand new territory for us. How do you compete against those who can mold their own fantasies instead of pursuing real relationships with women?” she inquired, requesting anonymity. “Some people wish to create something appealing in their minds, thus avoiding genuine connections.”
“You don’t need to go out on dates, acquire girlfriends, or build romantic relationships. AI serves as a safe space for young people to hone their social skills,” explained Jones, adding that AI allows for unfettered behavior without repercussions. “People might say things to AI that they wouldn’t dare convey to real individuals. ‘Oh silly girl, what’s the matter?’ In fantasy role-playing games, participants often prefer experiences distinct from reality.”
The deepest blue hole in the world, also known as an ocean sinkhole, can be found off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It plunges to a depth of at least 420 meters (1,378 feet), remaining unexplored by researchers.
Local divers discovered the lake, named “Ta’am Dja” or “Deep Sea” in Mayan, over two decades ago. In 2021, scientists attempted to measure its depth using an echo sounder, estimating it to be 275 meters (902 feet). However, a later expedition in 2023 employed a device called a conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) profiler, revealing a depth of 420 meters (1,378 feet) without reaching the bottom.
Blue holes are naturally formed vertical-walled caves on the ocean floor, typically found in coastal regions with soluble rock formations like limestone. These geological formations may reach only a few tens of meters in depth and could be interconnected with underwater cave systems.
Due to poor water circulation, blue holes lack oxygen in their depths, posing challenges for organisms. Some microorganisms thrive in these conditions by consuming sulfur-based compounds like hydrogen sulfide. Additionally, creatures such as foraminifera and nematodes have been discovered living in blue holes, prompting further exploration to unveil the mysteries of Ta’am Dja’s deep blue waters.
This article (by Preston Levy of Norwich) addresses the question, “What are Mexican Blue Holes?”
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If you open your eyes anywhere on Earth, there is life, whether it’s pigeons in the park or invisible microbes covering every surface. However, when the Earth was born 4.5 billion years ago, it was barren. How did the first life originate?
Simply put, I don’t know. Then you’ll be able to reproduce it. Scientists can put the right chemicals into a sealed container under the right conditions, and when they open it, they will find a living organism. No one has ever done this before.
But while we don’t know exactly how life began, there are plenty of clues.
Let’s start with the simplest. What is life made of, and where do its components come from? Living organisms contain thousands of chemicals, including proteins and nucleic acids that carry genetic information. Although these chemicals are complex, we now know that their constituent parts are very easily formed.
The first evidence for this was published in 1953 by a young chemist named Stanley Miller. He filled a glass device with water and his three gases to imitate the oceans and air of the young Earth. Miller heated water and delivered an electric shock to the air to imitate lightning. Within a few days, the setup produced amino acids, which are fragments of proteins.
Since then, scientists have conducted many similar studies. In a study published in September 2020, researchers led by Sara Simcucci, now president of a startup company, Alchemy Co., Ltd.), compiled dozens of experiments. They created a “map” that shows how chemicals change into other substances. He started with just six chemicals used daily, such as water and methane. Creates the tens of thousands of substances found in living things.
The implication is that the young Earth was a biochemical factory. However, having a large amount of these chemicals does not necessarily mean that life will emerge. Just like a pile of bricks automatically becomes a house.
This is where things get tricky. Because we have to think about why something is alive. It boils down to three things. Firstly, the organism often has to maintain itself with an outer layer, and removing that outer layer immediately becomes a problem. Secondly, it must feed itself. This involves complex chemical reactions. And third, life must reproduce itself. In other words, life must have genes that can be inherited.
Research into the origins of life over the past 50 years has been dominated by attempts to create one of these systems on our own, for example by creating genetic molecules that reproduce by copying themselves. Other bits were supposed to come later.
Personally, I have doubts about this approach. None of the three systems live alone; they need each other. Moreover, if Earth were so good at making all the chemicals for life, all three systems could have formed in the same place at the same time. This may be more likely to occur in confined spaces such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents or terrestrial pools.
We still don’t know exactly how life originated, but what was once a complete mystery is now less inexplicable.
Even though the economy is showing some improvement, 2024 may not be much better than 2023 in terms of startups getting a slice of the budget pie.
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If startups want to have any chance of making it through another difficult year, they need to prove their worth now more than ever. Investors told TechCrunch’s Ron Miller and Rebecca Szkutak that they still expect some growth. And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: generative AI.
The Law of X and how cloud leaders should think about growth and profits
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Bessemer Venture Partner Byron Dieter and Bessemer Investor Sam Bondi said, “Many financial executives like the ‘Rule of 40’ because of the clarity of the rules, but it’s important to understand that late-stage business growth “Equivalent emphasis on profitability and profitability is flawed and leads to poor business decisions.”
That’s why the company wants to introduce a new formula into the ring. It is, according to the author, a “rule of X” that provides more “accurate weighting.” [a company’s] Growth and future recurring revenue. ”
Breaking down the pitch deck: Metafuels’ $8 million climate technology seed deck
Metafuel has raised $8 million in seed funding to support its plan to reduce aircraft emissions. However, resident pitch expert Hadje Jan Kamps quickly realized that there were some areas that could be improved. The competition slides are missing, the team his slides are a bit lacking in vibrancy, and the lack of clear questions and use of the funding slides.
Still, Metafuels can paint a picture of a rapidly growing market and how it is positioning itself as a key player within it.
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Why 30 Web3 founders are optimistic about 2024
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CoinFund’s Founder Forecast looked at 30 companies across the company’s Web3 portfolio and found that things are looking good for Web3 companies heading into 2024. For example, he found that 70% of respondents said they were planning to hire in the next year, but no companies were looking to downsize.
A quick guide to ethical and responsible AI governance
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“A strong ethical and risk management framework is essential to navigate the complex landscape of AI applications,” said Phani Dasari, Chief Information Security Officer, Hinduja Global Solutions.
Dasari thoroughly implements key components of AI governance, including policies, procedures, and the processes themselves, helping businesses avoid the risks and benefits of using AI.
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