Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Find out what's going on today in Switzerland with The Local's short roundup of the news.
Switzerland blocked nearly 6 billion francs of Russian assets
In an update regarding Swiss sanctions against Russian oligarchs and companies, Erwin Bollinger, Deputy Ambassador at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), said the frozen assets have a value of 5.7 billion francs. This number is expected to climb, as new holdings are discovered.
Unlike other countries, whose governments are actively searching for Russian assets, Switzerland is relying on cantons, as well as financial institutions, to make an inventory of their customers and to declare to SECO whether they manage funds of people against whom sanctions are in place.
READ MORE: EXPLAINED: Why Switzerland is a magnet for Russian money
Each Swiss canton gets its own stamp
Entitled "My canton - our Switzerland", the new sheet of ”Priority Mail A” stamps depicting the unique character of each canton, as well as the cultural and political diversity of Switzerland, is going on sale today.
Stamps can be purchased at 1.10 francs a piece;the entire sheet costs 29.70. They are available at all post offices throughout Switzerland or online.
26 stamps for 26 cantons. Photo: Post Office press release
Swiss universities cut student exchanges with Russia
Russia has become increasingly isolated on the economic front since the invasion of Ukraine. Now sanctions and boycotts have also reached the academic world, with a number of Swiss universities interrupting student exchanges with their Russian counterparts.
So far, this action has been taken by the Federal Polytechnic Institute of Zurich, as well universities of Bern, Zurich, St. Gallen and Fribourg.
In doing so, they are following the advice of their umbrella organisation, Swissuniversities, also known as the Rectors' Conference of Swiss Universities, which recommends suspending scientific cooperation with Russia in areas where there is a risk of supporting the Russian government.
READ MORE: EXPLAINED: Why Switzerland has not banned Russia’s propaganda networks
Bern denies Putin's mistress lives in Switzerland
According to the public broadcaster RTS, Swiss government has not turned a deaf ear to reports that Putin's girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, and their children are hiding somewhere in Switzerland.
"All this unrest and possible damage to Switzerland's image ended up causing concern in high places in Bern and in certain embassies", RTS reported, adding that the pressing question of Kabaeva's whereabouts was even on the agenda of the Federal Council's Ukraine task force.
But so far, authorities found no trace of her. The Federal Department of Justice and Police told RTS that "the necessary checks have been carried out, but there is no indication of the presence of this person in Switzerland".
READ MORE: Ukraine: Pressure builds on Switzerland to deport ‘Putin’s mistress’
Warm weather across Switzerland this weekend
This week ends on a high note: sunshine and unseasonably high temperatures — reaching the 20-degree mark in some areas — are expected to continue for at least the next few days.
Auf den Bergen (wie hier am #Säntis) herrscht noch Winter, in den Tälern und im Flachland macht sich der Frühling breit. Hier die Temperaturen von heute Nachmittag, in #BadRagaz und #Chur gab es um die 21 Grad! In der kommenden klaren Nacht kühlt es aber wieder gut ab. (km) pic.twitter.com/EseyGGnBgo
— MeteoNews Schweiz (@MeteoNewsAG) March 23, 2022
While temperatures will be lower at night and early in the morning, they will go up to around 18 degrees in the afternoon in many regions.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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Switzerland blocked nearly 6 billion francs of Russian assets
In an update regarding Swiss sanctions against Russian oligarchs and companies, Erwin Bollinger, Deputy Ambassador at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), said the frozen assets have a value of 5.7 billion francs. This number is expected to climb, as new holdings are discovered.
Unlike other countries, whose governments are actively searching for Russian assets, Switzerland is relying on cantons, as well as financial institutions, to make an inventory of their customers and to declare to SECO whether they manage funds of people against whom sanctions are in place.
READ MORE: EXPLAINED: Why Switzerland is a magnet for Russian money
Each Swiss canton gets its own stamp
Entitled "My canton - our Switzerland", the new sheet of ”Priority Mail A” stamps depicting the unique character of each canton, as well as the cultural and political diversity of Switzerland, is going on sale today.
Stamps can be purchased at 1.10 francs a piece;the entire sheet costs 29.70. They are available at all post offices throughout Switzerland or online.
26 stamps for 26 cantons. Photo: Post Office press release
Swiss universities cut student exchanges with Russia
Russia has become increasingly isolated on the economic front since the invasion of Ukraine. Now sanctions and boycotts have also reached the academic world, with a number of Swiss universities interrupting student exchanges with their Russian counterparts.
So far, this action has been taken by the Federal Polytechnic Institute of Zurich, as well universities of Bern, Zurich, St. Gallen and Fribourg.
In doing so, they are following the advice of their umbrella organisation, Swissuniversities, also known as the Rectors' Conference of Swiss Universities, which recommends suspending scientific cooperation with Russia in areas where there is a risk of supporting the Russian government.
READ MORE: EXPLAINED: Why Switzerland has not banned Russia’s propaganda networks
Bern denies Putin's mistress lives in Switzerland
According to the public broadcaster RTS, Swiss government has not turned a deaf ear to reports that Putin's girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, and their children are hiding somewhere in Switzerland.
"All this unrest and possible damage to Switzerland's image ended up causing concern in high places in Bern and in certain embassies", RTS reported, adding that the pressing question of Kabaeva's whereabouts was even on the agenda of the Federal Council's Ukraine task force.
But so far, authorities found no trace of her. The Federal Department of Justice and Police told RTS that "the necessary checks have been carried out, but there is no indication of the presence of this person in Switzerland".
READ MORE: Ukraine: Pressure builds on Switzerland to deport ‘Putin’s mistress’
Warm weather across Switzerland this weekend
This week ends on a high note: sunshine and unseasonably high temperatures — reaching the 20-degree mark in some areas — are expected to continue for at least the next few days.
Auf den Bergen (wie hier am #Säntis) herrscht noch Winter, in den Tälern und im Flachland macht sich der Frühling breit. Hier die Temperaturen von heute Nachmittag, in #BadRagaz und #Chur gab es um die 21 Grad! In der kommenden klaren Nacht kühlt es aber wieder gut ab. (km) pic.twitter.com/EseyGGnBgo
— MeteoNews Schweiz (@MeteoNewsAG) March 23, 2022
While temperatures will be lower at night and early in the morning, they will go up to around 18 degrees in the afternoon in many regions.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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