Switzerland today

Greetings from Bern,

the heat is making news today with water and power supplies affected in Switzerland.

Keystone / Presidential Press Service Hando

In the news: Ukrainian wounded, Covid cases, moving border and Putin parody

• Details have emerged about the Swiss government’s opposition to treating wounded Ukrainians in Swiss hospitals. Neutrality concerns put the Alpine nation in an awkward position.
• The number of cases of Covid are on the rise with 56,000 reported last week. The peak is expected to arrive in mid-AugustExternal link but authorities are hopeful of having a new vaccine for the Omicron variant available by autumn. 
• Melting glaciersExternal link and meandering riversExternal link have prompted a reexamination of Switzerland’s border with Italy and France. Discussions are underway on how to redraw the frontiers and swap areas in order to take new ground realities into account.
• The Russian embassy in Switzerland has taken umbrage at the reproduction of a meme showing Vladimir Putin as a clown External linkin an NZZ story on war propaganda. The use of the image provoked extreme indignation and a threat of legal action. 

©keystone/peter Schneider

Hot water: High temperatures are proving to be a challenge

• The Beznau nuclear plant has been forced to reduce output to avoid further raising temperature of the Aare River and wiping out the fish population. 
• Some museums have been forced to close their doors External linkdue to the heat. Concern for the artworks and visitors means weather trumps culture for the time being at least. 
• The southern town of Mendrisio in canton Ticino has imposed water restrictions External linkon its inhabitants. No more watering the lawn, washing the car or filling up the swimming pool. Violators can be fined as much as CHF10,000.

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Sri Lanka crisis: A Swiss perspective from inside and out

The island nation is in a state of crisis due to a lack of foreign exchange and poor decision-making. The Covid pandemic hurt tourism revenue and remittances from abroad. But the cure proved worse than the disease leading to food shortages and high inflation. We get an insider’s view thanks to the CEO of a Swiss company established in what was then called Ceylon 125 years ago.