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Colin Chonko

Global Information Society

Feb 21st, 2022

Global News Post # 4

Domestic News Story: Artificial snow saves Olympics and Alpine ski resorts

The Beijing Winter Olympics have highlighted how dependent Swiss alpine resorts have become on artificial snow. In fact, 53% of ski slopes utilized artificial snow which is especially distressing given Switzerland’s reputation as the waterway of Europe. Moreover, the use of artificial snow has negative effects on the surrounding environment. The certain chemicals used to slow the melting of artificial snow have proven negative effects on plant and animal life. The last problem is the vast amount of electricity necessary to power the artificial snow machines.

Domestic News Story: Swiss banking secrecy law clashes with freedom of speech

The leak of Credit Suisse, Switzerland largest bank, has highlighted innate tensions between public good and freedom of speech. A Swiss 1934 law criminalized violating the confidentiality which were strengthened in light of 2015 data links to foreign press. This puts the Swiss press in a painful choice where they publish the data and face up to five years in prison or self-censor themselves, which is especially ironic given Switzerland’s reputation for press freedom.

International News Story: SWISS suspends flights to Ukraine

Airliner SWISS has suspended flights to Ukraine due to fear of a Russian invasion. With 100,000 Russian troops massed on the Eastern border of Ukraine and recent escalation of hostility between Ukrainian and Russian governments SWISS airline has decided to suspend all flights to Kiev from February 21st until February 28th. SWISS airline is a member of the Lufthansa Group the world largest airline alliance. Furthermore, SWISS serves as the flagbearer of Switzerland’s commercial airplane industry.

International News Story: Switzerland advises citizens to leave eastern Ukraine             The Swiss government updated its travel reports to recommend the cessation of non-essential. This is a clear escalation of concern from the Swiss government regarding Swiss citizens in Eastern Ukraine. Switzerland maintains the only remaining embassy in Kiev leaving personal in danger of considerable risk and harm. Given the contentious nature of the content the clear objectivity displayed in the article clearly demonstrates the long