Switzerland’s Federal Council is looking at a proposal to make pension payments compulsory for self-employed workers in the same way that they are for salaried workers. In Switzerland there are three elements to pensions. A universal state pension, funded from social security payments, a second element, known as a second pillar, which is a pot […]
Swiss EU immigration – unfortunately there is no plan B, says president in interview
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Switzerland’s plan to solve an immigration dilemma with the European Union could avoid being held up by another referendum if it gets strong support in parliament next week, according to Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann. A clear result in a final vote on Dec. 16 with the Swiss People’s Party, […]
Credit Suisse planning more Swiss job cuts
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Credit Suisse Group AG is preparing a new cost-savings program that puts as many as 1,300 jobs in Switzerland on the line, according to Schweiz am Sonntag. The plan will be announced Wednesday, when the lender holds its investor day in London, the newspaper said, without saying where it […]
Swiss parliament rejects tobacco advertising ban
20 Minutes. According to a study published by the Swiss federal office of public health last December1, two thirds of the Swiss public were in favour of banning tobacco advertising, everywhere except at the point of sale. 58% were even in favour of a blanket ban, while one in six wanted to see cigarette price increases. Switzerland’s […]
Highly contagious virus killing cats in Zurich
20 Minutes. A dangerous and highly contagious virus has been detected at a veterinary clinic in Zurich. The clinic has decided to accept no more cats for the next two weeks. Fortunately the virus is not transmittable to humans or other animals species. This highly rare form of the feline calicivirus kills around 60% of […]
With no fanfare or idealogical division Switzerland gets a new president
Today, Switzerland announced its new president for 2017. 53-year-old Swiss Christian Democrat party member, Doris Leuthard, will take over from outgoing president Johann Schneider-Ammann on 1 January 2017, less than three weeks before the scheduled start of Donald Trump’s term as US president. Her term will last one year. His will last four. Born in […]
Swiss fact: 90 percent of Swiss electricity came from hydro in 1970. Now it’s only 60.
According to Swiss statistics1, 90% of the nation’s electricity was generated hydraulically in 1970. By 2015, this percentage had fallen to 60. What happened? Between these dates hydroelectric output increased by 26%, from around 31,000 GWh to nearly 40,000 GWh. At the same time demand shot up faster requiring an 89% increase in output, an […]
Over 4,000 studios for rent. Standing room only. Telephone included.
The contractural requirement for Swisscom to provide every commune with a telephone box comes to an end at the end of next year. Late last week, the Federal Council adopted a new plan that will come into force in 2018. Internet subscriptions without a fixed phone contract should also be part of the new plan. The […]
Swiss government questions latest PISA scores
The much awaited Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) scores were published by the OECD today. It is a moment when those in charge of education are reminded of what it felt like when they were young, arriving home to present their school report cards to their parents. In 2015, PISA tests were given to […]
Siblings carry their severed heads 40 paces to become Zürich’s patron saints
In 3rd century Zürich, Roman soldiers beheaded brother and sister Felix and Regula and their unlucky but exceedingly loyal servant Exuperantius for being Christian converts. Then things got interesting. Legend says they picked up their heads, walked 40 paces (uphill no less), knelt down, prayed, then finally expired. For this miracle, Regula and Felix were […]
