13 January 2023. By Neptune L’IMMENSITA ***1/2 (vo Italian) There’s no doubt about it, Penelope Cruz is not only an international star, but also a magnificent actress. In every one of her films, she entrances with her beauty but also with the soul she pours into the character she portrays. And so it is with […]
Chart of the week: the life expectancy gap
In Switzerland, the gap between male and female life expectancy at birth has been shrinking. However, the gap in life expectancy at the age of 65, which only emerged in 1876 has remained relatively consistent over the last two decades, according to statistics from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Over the last 20 years it […]
Swiss government increases federal tax deductions to account for inflation
Now that inflation has returned, so has bracket creep, a situation where inflation pushes taxable income into higher tax brackets and reduces the tax busting value of deductions. To compensate, Switzerland’s federal government announced higher deductions and higher tax brackets this week. From the 2023 tax year couples with two wage earners will be able […]
Price comparison website could combat Switzerland’s inexplicably high fuel prices
Crude oil prices are now back to where they were in January 2022, but retail pump prices are now more than 20% above prices back then. Many are wondering why. Without cost transparency suspicion understandably abounds. In mid January 2022, before Russia invaded Ukraine, WTI crude oil was trading below US$ 90 a barrel. Then […]
FILM: ELVIS ***** 5 stars!
8 July 2022. By Neptune Sorry for this third edition of the same films…but it’s summer (and the living is easy…) and I am taking a little holiday. As you all are…The multiplexes are full of mediocre fare for the kids, and some bad excuses for adult entertainment, so go out to the beaches, sit […]
Swiss road traffic almost back to pre-Covid level
Less traffic was one silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, long hours spent in traffic jams returned to Switzerland in 2021. On some stretches the waiting is worse. A report published this week by Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) is grim reading for road users in a hurry. The Covid pandemic led to a […]
Swiss government wants to close F-35 fighter jet deal before vote
This week, the Federal Council said it is considering accelerating the purchase of 36 F-35 fighter jets, expressing concern that the current deal might not be maintained beyond its 31 March 2023 expiration, reported RTS. Prices and delivery dates, currently 2027, may have to be renegotiated at less favourable terms, according to a Council of […]
Abandon organic farming to feed world, recommends Syngenta boss
In the face of a global food crisis, Erik Fyrwald, the boss of chemicals giant Syngenta, has called for the world to abandon organic farming, reported RTS. The pandemic, extreme weather and the war in Ukraine have pushed the prices of some foods up significantly. Africa and southeast Asia are the regions most exposed to […]
Median Swiss salary hit 6,665 francs in 2020
Data published this week was published on Swiss salaries in 2020. If you earned more than CHF 6,665 a month working full time then you were in the top 50% of salary earners in Switzerland. If you earned less then you were in the bottom half. At the current exchange rate, CHF 6,665 a month […]
Swiss eat more cheese in 2021
A report published on 25 March 2022, showed average annual cheese consumption in Switzerland hit 23.17 kilos per person in 2021, up from 23.07 kilos in 2020 (+0.4%). Residents of Switzerland consumed a total of 203,896 tonnes of cheese in 2021, a year-on-year rise of 1,089 tonnes (+0.5%). The most popular cheeses were fondu and […]
