Since 2010, young men and women in Switzerland have moved apart politically at an accelerated pace, according to a Sotomo poll run on behalf of the newspaper NZZ am Sonntag, reported RTS. The study, which asked respondents to place themselves on a political scale between 0 and 10, with 0 being extreme left and 10 […]
Switzerland’s cantons make bigger than expected profits in 2022
In 2022, together, Switzerland’s cantons were expected to spend CHF 1.1 billion more than they brought in from taxes. Instead, they made a collective profit of CHF 3.5 billion, a positive delta of CHF 4.6 billion, reported RTS. Switzerland collects tax at three levels: municipal, cantonal and federal. Cantonal taxes are typically the largest slice. […]
54 percent of women in construction report sexual harassment in Switzerland
Women make up less than 20% of Switzerland’s construction workforce. In some fields such as metal construction, scaffolding and roofing the proportion of women is around 5%. Potential reasons for this include gender-specific conditioning and social norms and the high proportion of men in sector. A survey published this week points to other reasons. Between […]
FILM: L’IMMENSITA ***1/2
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 […]
