On Wednesday, the Federal Council said it will cut Switzerland’s TV-Radio tax from CHF 451 to CHF 365 annually from 2019. According to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, the cut is made possible by cost savings from simplifying the system and an increase in the numbers who will pay it – everyone will soon pay, not […]
Paternity leave plan rejected by Switzerland’s executive
Yesterday, Switzerland’s Federal Council rejected an initiative proposing paid paternity leave, and it recommends parliament do the same. It thinks the estimated CHF 420 million cost is too high. It also fears the proposed hike in social security tax (APG) to fund it, could hurt the economy. The plan, which will be put to a […]
End of tax-free online shopping delayed by a year
Last year Switzerland’s government announced plans to change the rules on charging VAT on imported goods. Currently, most things ordered abroad and sent through the post to Switzerland that attract VAT of less than CHF 5, are waived through customs free of charge. This means if you buy clothing worth less than CHF 62.50, or […]
A third of Switzerland’s population mistrusts Islam, according to survey
Recently, the Swiss federal statistical office published preliminary results of a survey on Switzerland’s attitudes toward foreigners, which included questions on nationality, race, language and religion. The survey, which questioned 3,000 people across Switzerland, was designed to take the pulse of multicultural coexistence in Switzerland, a nation which is home to people of more than […]
Guides to Swiss mountain biking: Verbier
When it comes to mountain biking, Switzerland spoils for choice. After spending much of the summer exploring some of what’s on offer, Le News decided it was time to dish up a taste, in bite sized chunks, starting with Verbier. Like the skiing, Verbier’s downhill mountain biking is at the more adventurous end of the […]
Toxic substance finds its way into European mattresses
A contaminated batch of a chemical used to make foam mattresses, and other foam-based products, ended up in part of Europe’s foam production line. Chemicals giant BASF said that contaminated batches of toluene diisocyanate (TDI), made between 25 August and 29 September 2017, were supplied to 50 customers from a plant in East Germany. The […]
If Catalonia were part of Switzerland
According to the BBC, Spain’s government is set to remove autonomy from the region after Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, failed to meet Madrid’s deadline for clarifying whether he had declared independence. Earlier this month, RTS, Switzerland’s state broadcaster said neutral Switzerland was ready to help facilitate discussions between Spain’s government and Catalonia. In addition to […]
Geneva gets burgers, Lausanne gets lentils.
In Geneva, Wednesday brought news of Burger King moving into the city’s main train station. According to 20 Minutes, the food chain will replace the Buffet de la gare, shown in this photograph taken in 1923. Times are changing, and, so it seems, tastes and ways of eating. By chance the announcement coincided with World Obesity […]
Majority of Swiss see a future beyond car ownership
A recent study finds that a majority of Swiss see a future beyond car ownership. This new post-car world, set out by a team of geographers, architects, urbanists, economists, engineers, and political and social scientists, asked the public to imagine living in a society that would choose to live car free, not out of environmental constraints […]
The new 10 Swiss franc note hand mystery
The third in a series of gorgeous new Swiss franc bank notes will be released by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) on October 18th. The 10-franc note keeps its yellow colour, but most everything else in the design and construction is different. What’s most remarkable about the new bank note? Not the 40 centimes or […]
