Category Archive: 3) Swiss Markets and News

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What does perfect bread taste like?

2019-01-07

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What goes into a really good loaf of bread? A researcher is investigating the secret of bread’s taste and explains what bakers can still improve on. What goes into a really good loaf of bread? A researcher is investigating the secret of bread’s taste and explains what bakers can still improve on. (SRF/swissinfo.ch) — swissinfo.ch …

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VAT now applied to most foreign online shopping from 1 January 2019

2019-01-06

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2019-01-06

In 2016, Switzerland’s government decided to tighten the VAT exemption on imported purchases, a move that affects most online orders from foreign retailers. The new rules took effect on 1 January 2019 – they were originally planned for 1 January 2018 but systems and processes were not ready.

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EU needs more flexible negotiation tactics: UBS chairman

2019-01-05

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2019-01-05

The European Union should stop dictating terms to Switzerland and start negotiating an acceptable compromise if it wants to find agreement on future ties, says UBS chairman Axel Weber. In an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, Weber said the current EU demands are unlikely to be approved by the Swiss people should they be put to a referendum.

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One in two Swiss is happy with personal finances

2019-01-04

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2019-01-04

One Swiss in two is satisfied with the state of their financial situation, according to a study. Just under a third (28%) expect their finances to improve in 2019. The French-speaking population is feeling much more positive than last year.

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Visitors flock to Swiss ski resorts over Christmas and New Year

2019-01-03

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2019-01-03

Ski resorts have reported a busy period over Christmas and the New Year with numerous visitors enjoying the sunny weather and good snow conditions. The chic resort of Verbier in canton Valais registered over 20,000 skiers a day over the Christmas period, Laurent Vaucher, director of the Téléverbier lift company, told Keystone SDA on Wednesday.

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Calls for CO2 regulations for trucks too

2019-01-03

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The trucks emit almost the same amount of CO2 as they did 25 years ago. The Alpine Initiative is therefore calling for tighter CO2 legislation. According to government figures, today’s heavy goods vehicles (HGV) – the trucks used for the transportation of goods – emit almost the same amount of CO2 as they did 25 …

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European Perch Crowned Fish of the Year

2019-01-02

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2019-01-02

The European perch, or Perca fluviatilis, has been named the Fish of the Year for 2019. The Swiss Fishing Association said on Wednesday external linkthat it had chosen the perch to remind the public of its popularity, particularly as a culinary delicacy in Switzerland.

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Nestlé beats Royal Dutch Shell to become top in Europe

2019-01-01

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2019-01-01

The Swiss-based food and drink multinational Nestlé is the most valuable European company, according to a new international survey. Nestlé edges out Royal Dutch Shell to move into 15th position worldwide – up three places with a stock market value of $252 billion (CHF250 billion), the annual report by the services company Ernst&Young found.

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Police Warn of fake Swiss Franc Notes

2018-12-31

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2018-12-31

Swiss Francs
Since the beginning of December 2018 more and more counterfeit 100 Swiss franc notes have been appearing in the Swiss canton of Valais in and around Sion and Conthey. The fake notes, which the local Police say can be spotted if compared to real ones, have been making their way into circulation via shopping centres, kiosks and service stations in the Sion and Conthey region.

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Poll finds majority for greenhouse tax on plane tickets

2018-12-31

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2018-12-31

An overwhelming majority of people in Switzerland appear to be in favour of introducing a tax on plane tickets to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An online poll, published by the SonntagsZeitung newspaper, showed that 70% of respondents said they were prepared to pay between CHF12 to CHF50 ($12.2-$50.8) towards a CO2 tax depending on the duration of a flight.

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From Andermatt to Sedrun – one huge skiing area

2018-12-31

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Two skiing areas have just inaugurated a newly built connection, joining Andermatt in Canton Uri to Sedrun in Canton Graubünden. Pro-environment … Two skiing areas have just inaugurated a newly built connection, joining Andermatt in Canton Uri to Sedrun in Canton Graubünden. Pro-environment groups will be keeping an eye on the 130-million-franc project. (SRF/swissinfo.ch) — …

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Swiss Lead Ranking of Globalised Countries

2018-12-30

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2018-12-30

Switzerland was the most globalised country in the world, according to a 2016 survey by the KOF Swiss Economic Institute. It moved up one place to the top compared with the previous year. The Netherlands, Belgium. Sweden and Britain followed in the next places. The United States are in 23rd place and the Comoros, Afghanistan and Guinea-Bissau are bottom of the 195-country rankingexternal link, which was published on Thursday.

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Agism most frequent form of discrimination in Switzerland, according to survey

2018-12-30

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2018-12-30

Elderly-man
Growing old is something that happens to nearly all of us. However, according to a recent study close to one in three people (28%) reported age-related discrimination in Switzerland in 2017. The rate of age discrimination (28%) is higher than sexism (22%) and racism (12%), according to Christian Maggiori, a professor focused on social work interviewed by the newspaper La Liberté.

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Swiss Export Industry backs EU Framework Deal

2018-12-29

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2018-12-29

Hans Hess
Switzerland’s largest industrial employer, the Association of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Industries, has come out in favour of a controversial accord, covering relations with the European Union. Hans Hess, president of Swissmem, said the draft agreement was tailor-made for Switzerland.

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The Confederation says yes to electronic voting

2018-12-28

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There are three ways of voting in Switzerland: By ballot, by post and via Internet. However, only 4 cantons offer electronic voting to all their … There are three ways of voting in Switzerland: By ballot, by post and via Internet. However, only 4 cantons offer electronic voting to all their citizens so far. Others …

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Mixed Outlook for Swiss watchmakers

2018-12-28

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2018-12-28

Swiss Watch Industry
The Swiss watchmaking industry expects a continuing rise in exports next year but is concerned that the United States’ protectionist trade policy could have a negative impact on the sector. Jean-Daniel Pasche, president of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, said the sector would record in 2018 the third consecutive year with growth, and the value of exports could exceed CHF21 billion ($21.2 billion).

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The Great Swiss climbing tour: bolting your way up

2018-12-27

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What is sport climbing all about? And where are the most beautiful spots in Switzerland to reach new heights, hanging on by your fingernails? — swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, …

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Swiss Post handles record volume of Christmas parcels

2018-12-27

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2018-12-27

Swiss Post sorted and delivered a record 1.4 million parcels a day in the week before Christmas, which can be attributed to the continued growth of online shopping. This compares with last year’s record of 1.3 million set on December 19, Swiss Post said on Boxing Day.

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Swiss foreign minister defends proposed EU deal

2018-12-26

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2018-12-26

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has rejected criticism of the results of negotiations with the European Union about a framework accord, encompassing all aspects of political relations between Switzerland and the 28-nation bloc.

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Halal label on Swiss chocolate sparks controversy

2018-12-25

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2018-12-25

Some consumers in Switzerland and abroad have been questioning the halal label on Toblerone chocolate bars. Although certified as halal in April, it was only this week that a small storm began brewing on social media – with some people calling for boycotts of the chocolate produced by Mondelez in Bern.

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