Keystone-ATS gives you a first overview of the news, with the latest news unearthed in the press. Without forgetting birthdays and the saying of the day!
Switzerland weather flash
Time for hours to come – in the blink of an eye!
15.01.2025
Today’s highlights
ELECTRICITY: The Association of Electrical Companies and Electrosuisse are holding their annual congress this Wednesday in Bern. Federal Councilor Albert Rösti and European Union Ambassador Petros Mavromichalis will discuss collaboration between Switzerland and the EU.
DIPLOMACY: Norway will host on Wednesday the third meeting of an international alliance aimed at encouraging a two-state solution, Israeli and Palestinian, in the Middle East. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini and the UN envoy for the Middle East, the Norwegian Tor Wennesland, are expected in Oslo.
ICE HOCKEY: Genève-Servette and the Zurich Lions will face off this evening from 8:15 p.m. at Les Vernets for their Champions Hockey League semi-final first leg. The Genevans, holders of the trophy, recently changed coaches as did the Zurichois, reigning Swiss champions.
Seen in the press
SECURITY : Between 2018 and 2023, the company Securitas received mandates worth 283 million francs from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). No company has received so much money from the Confederation in the field of asylum, reports Blick. In 2023, order volume increased by 73 percent compared to the previous year. At the time, more than ten temporary accommodation centers for asylum seekers had been opened, the SEM explained to justify this increase. According to Blick, nearly 77 million francs were paid to Securitas in 2023 to ensure the security of federal asylum centers. In addition, other security companies, such as the Protectas group, received mandates worth 37 million francs the same year.
RETAIL: Aldi will replace the Coop subsidiary on the Basel station footbridge. The discounter has obtained permanent commercial space in a SBB station for the first time, reports the Basler Zeitung. The three companies involved confirmed the change to the newspaper. Coop must vacate the retail space at the end of April 2026, because SBB has not extended the rental contract. Aldi explains its success thanks to the “high frequency concept” developed especially for the Basel station store. The discounter invested one million francs in the new brand.
INDUSTRY : Train manufacturer Stadler wants to lift partial unemployment for 119 employees at the Altenrhein (SG) plant next week. This decision is explained by the improvement in the activity of the subcontractor of Sierre (VS), affected by the floods, reports the St. Galler Tagblatt. Last year, Stadler was also affected by bad weather in Spain. Flooding continues to impact deliveries. “Delays vary from a few weeks to several months,” a company spokesperson said.
Birthdays and jubilees
– One year ago (2024): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Switzerland. He meets the Federal Council as well as the presidents of the parties and the Federal Chambers. The next day, he participated in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
– 10 years ago (2015): The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is abolishing the floor rate of 1.20 francs per euro with immediate effect.
– 20 years ago (2005): A Texas court martial sentences American soldier Charles Graner to ten years in prison for his role as leader in the abuse of inmates at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
Saying of the day
If it freezes in Saint-Maur, half the winter is outside
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