Over the third quarter of 2020, home prices in Switzerland rose by an average of 0.2%. However, the prices of some homes rose while others fell. According to figures published by Switzerland’s federal statistical office, the price of individual houses rose 1.1% while the price of apartments fell by 0.6%. The price rise for individual […]
Swiss referendum: ban on financing weapons
On 29 of November 2020, Swiss voters will vote on whether to ban the financing of weapons makers. As are many nations, Switzerland is involved in the arms industry. Swiss companies produce weapons and parts for weapons, while Swiss investors finance weapons manufacturers both in Switzerland and abroad. In Switzerland, weapons manufacture is subject to […]
Swiss referendum: responsible business initiative
On 29 of November 2020, Swiss voters will vote on the responsible businesses initiative, which aims to improve human rights and the environmental protections under Swiss law. Swiss companies are expected to uphold human rights and comply with environmental standards, not just in Switzerland but also when doing business abroad. Switzerland has played an active […]
Non-essential shops to reopen in Geneva
Retailers in the canton of Geneva are allowed to reopen on Saturday 28 November 2020, announced the canton’s government this week. Non-essential businesses have been closed in Geneva since the beginning of November as part of a set of measure design to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus introduced by the government. The reopening […]
Switzerland’s 2021 motorway vignette unveiled
Every year Switzerland’s motorway vignette is a different colour. This year it’s pale metallic green. Valid from 1 December 2020 until 31 January 2022, the new stickers that must be displayed by anyone using Switzerland’s motorway network will be available at the same CHF 40 price in the usual places: service stations, garages, post offices […]
Fribourg raises smoking age to 18, including for e-cigarettes
This week, the government of the canton of Fribourg decided to raise the smoking age from 16 to 18 across the canton, according to RTS. Research suggests that 57% of smokers start before the age of 18. The hope is that if tobacco is less accessible to young people fewer will end up with a […]
Easyjet makes first loss in its history
This week, Easyjet announced its first ever annual loss of nearly £1.3 billion, its only loss in 25 years of operating. As Covid-19 grounded the airline’s planes, revenue disappeared. Revenues for the year to 30 September 2020, were reduced to £3 billion, only 47% of the £6.4 billion earned the year before. Costs were cut […]
Swiss government promises one billion francs for Covid hit businesses
This week, Switzerland’s federal government decided to increase aid money to Covid hit businesses to CHF 1 billion. Before this announcement, Bern had already committed to providing CHF 400 million to struggling businesses. Funding for the first CHF 400 million is split 50-50 between cantonal and federal tax payers. The additional CHF 600 million will […]
Man raising money to help men
Men live shorter lives and are more likely to take their own than women. 17 years ago a group of friends in Australia decided to start the Movember foundation to raise money and awareness of the often overlooked health challenges, both physical and mental, faced by men. Globally, the life expectancy of men (70.8) is […]
Government resists call to use banned insecticide to save Swiss sugar beet
The use of a class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids has been restricted in Switzerland since 2018. Neonicotinoids are a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine developed in the 80s and 90s. They attack the nervous system of insects causing paralysis and death. Their use has been linked to the collapse of the […]
