In 2010, 52.9% of Swiss voters agreed that foreigners convicted of certain crimes should be deported. Following the vote, in March 2015, Switzerland’s parliament approved laws enacting the measure. The Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), the vote’s organiser, cried foul, claimed the new laws watered down the original text, and proposed a more rigid formulation that voters […]
Archives for February 2016
Swiss asylum requests dropped in January
Statistics released today show the number of asylum requests fell by nearly a quarter in January, compared to December. A total of 3,618 applications were lodged during the month. The largest number, 1,224, came from Afghanistan, followed by Syria (488), Iraq (367) and Eritrea (233). The Swiss State Secretariat of Migration said that numbers typically drop during […]
Have you ever wondered what Adele might sound like in Swiss German?
Below, the 23 year old Swiss singer Marina Ortega sings the Adele track “Hello” in Swiss German. Her Swiss German version was posted on her the music sharing website Soundcloud. On her Facebook page she describes herself as a singer and songwriter with a passion for motorsport. The singer from Lake Zurich started playing the piano when she was […]
European stocks at recession prices show faith faltering on growth
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. European shares declined for a sixth day as investors fretted over global growth prospects. For European investors trying to assess just how bad sentiment is right now, consider this: the last time stocks were this low, the region had just suffered its longest-ever recession and corporate profits were about […]
What could the Chinese year of the fire monkey bring to Switzerland?
Every year in the Chinese lunar calendar is associated with one of 12 animals combined with one of five elements: metal (gold), earth, water, wood or fire. This year is the year of the fire monkey and celebrations to mark the new year take place on 8 February 2016. Fire monkeys have large personalities but are prone to irritability. […]
Swiss stocks slump on disappointing earnings and gloomy economic outlook
5 February 2016 – Swiss and global market roundup. Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The SMI is set to underperform global markets this week after stocks lost ground on disappointing earnings reports and gloomy economic data releases. Stock markets around the world are also set to finish the week mostly lower as the fluctuating oil […]
Film pick: Chocolat – the true story of a black circus performer in 1800s France
12 February 2016. CHOCOLAT **1/2 (vo French) This bittersweet tale is based on the true story of a black circus performer in the France of the late 1800s. It features Omar Sy of “Les Intouchables”, and James Thierree, a grandson of Charlie Chaplin who has an uncanny resemblance to the famed comic. Actor/director Roschdy Zem has […]
Credit Suisse surprises market with large loss
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Last October, Credit Suisse Group AG Chief Executive Officer Tidjane Thiam called two of his bank’s businesses the “ugly ducklings that no one likes.” He’s just been reminded why. The Zurich-based lender’s units that trade corporate bonds and securitized products contributed about $500 million in so- called mark-to-market losses […]
Swiss approach to preventing Cologne-like sex attacks ahead of carnival
Ahead of the Luzern carnival, which runs from 4 to 9 February 2016, the canton has produced a six page flyer featuring pictograms, covering subjects such as gender equality, religious tolerance, democracy, rule of law and rules around social interaction. The Swissinfo video below explains that the flyer is intended to inform foreigners about western behavioural norms […]
What awful smell tastes amazing in a Sauvignon Blanc?
This week Nina tastes an unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc from Domaine Croix Duplex in Lavaux, Switzerland and describes a awful smell that tastes great. Look out New Zealand! It is remarkable how many grape varieties the Swiss now have and just how well they make wine. If only the world knew about the fact that they are […]