Recently published emissions numbers for 2016 show that Switzerland has not met its 2016 target for reducing emissions. The 2016 target, set at 27% less than emissions in 1990, was missed by 2.2%. Because of this the government must raise the tax on emissions from CHF 84 to CHF 96 per tonne of CO2 equivalent […]
Cannabis cigarettes soon available at Coop
20 Minutes. Low-THC cannabis cigarettes will soon be available in the Swiss supermarket chain Coop. Products with less than 1% tétrahydrocannabinol (THC) are not illegal in Switzerland, however their rapid rise in popularity has created controversy. Selling such products in supermarkets is a significant step in the product’s evolution. Swiss cigarette manufacturer Heimat has come up with a […]
Swiss franc more overvalued than 6 months ago according to Economist burger index
The Economist magazine’s 6-monthly Big Mac index shows the Swiss franc to be even more overvalued than it was in January 2017. The index, which compares the US$ price of a Big Mac around the world places Switzerland at the top with a price of US$ 6.74. This is 27.2% more expensive than the United […]
Still problems with forced deportation in Switzerland
20 Minutes. The Swiss government recently released a report on the forced repatriation of foreigners. The document sets out problems with the process, in particular the use of balaclavas and guns by the police, the way deportees are restrained, and the separation of families. The national commission for the prevention of torture, the commission behind the report focused […]
Swiss cheese fraudster gets 3 year prison sentence
20 Minutes. A court in the canton of St. Gallen sentenced a cheese vendor to three years in prison, half of it behind bars. The man was judged guilty of fraudulently using Switzerland’s world-famous Emmental cheese brand and other crimes. In addition to prison, the cheese seller was ordered to pay CHF 1 million in relation to […]
Minister criticises Swiss vote against international courts
20 Minutes. On Wednesday Simonetta Sommaraga, federal councillor and head of the federal department of justice and police, publicly denounced the referendum launched by the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) to put Swiss law ahead of international law. The plan dubbed the initiative for self-determination passed the 100,000 signature threshold last year. It was officially submitted […]
Over two thirds of Swiss would like to change jobs
A survey shows that 71% of those working in German-speaking Switzerland would change jobs if they could. Dream jobs vary significantly by gender. The survey, conducted by Marketagent.com on behalf of XING Switzerland, questioned around 1,000 employees in German-speaking Switzerland between the ages of 18 and 65. If age and and education could be ignored, 71% of the […]
Swiss franc outstrips other currencies over last 117 years
Recent analysis by Credit Suisse, London Business School and Cambridge Judge Business School shows the Swiss franc’s enduring strength. The reports says that for a small country with just 0.1% of the world’s population and less than 0.01% of its land mass, Switzerland punches well above its weight financially. The country has had the world’s […]
Volkswagen to recall 22,000 of its cars in Switzerland
20 Minutes. The newspaper 20 Minutes reported that around 22,000 Volkswagen cars in Switzerland are to be recalled because their ABS brake system does not function correctly. On Wednesday, blick.ch published a statement made by Dino Graf, a spokesperson for Amag, a Swiss car importer, that confirms the manufacturer’s recall plan. Swiss VW owners will be […]
Switzerland’s most beautiful villages
By Bill Harby Congratulations Moudon. This enchanting hamlet is the newest official member of a coterie of beautiful historic Swiss villages. Generally, the Swiss don’t like to brag. Even when it comes to cheeses, chocolate and direct democracy, they’re more likely to just offer you a taste and let you decide for yourself. But when […]
