Category Archive: 3) Swiss Markets and News
The Confederation says yes to electronic voting
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
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
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
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
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
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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Citizens’ Juries – providing a neutral recommendation on voting issues
In Switzerland, issues up for vote are typically complex and the interests of different parties are often difficult to decipher. One solution could be the use of a citizens’ jury whereby a few citizens are selected at random to provide a balanced assessment of voting issues for the many. — swissinfo.ch is the international branch …
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Swiss Luxury Watches Fail to Meet Environmental Standards
The Swiss branch of the environmental organisation, WWF, has called on Swiss-based watch companies to take more responsibility for ecological and social impacts, notably the use of gold. In its reportexternal link analysing the 15 biggest watch brands, the WWF says its findings are highly worrying as most companies have done nothing to address and counter climate change.
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Swiss government approves post-Brexit deal on treatment of UK and Swiss nationals
Today, The Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive, announced it has approved a deal safeguarding the rights of Swiss and UK citizens after Brexit. The agreement is part of a package of deals being worked out as part of a plan dubbed “Mind the Gap”. Under the agreement, any UK citizen residing in Switzerland before Brexit will retain all of their existing rights for life.
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Switzerland could see vote on laws banning age discrimination
Heidi Joos, the managing director of the organisation Avenir 50 plus, and others, plan to launch a referendum aimed at introducing laws against age discrimination in Switzerland. Age discrimination in recruitment is common in Switzerland. Some job search websites allow filtering by age, and job adverts sometimes specify applicants be below a particular age.
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Smartphones change Swiss shopping habits
More and more people in Switzerland are relying on their smartphone to shop, pay and transfer money, although, compared internationally, the Swiss are still cautious. The Global Mobile Consumer Survey 2018, published on Wednesday by consultants Deloitte, found that 92% of all adults in Switzerland own at least one smartphone, 5% own only a mobile phone and 3% own neither. Similar trends are seen globally.
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Where the Swiss emperors lived
The origins of the Habsburg family, one of the most influential in European history, are Swiss. Their castle still stands on a hill overlooking the town of Habsburg, in northern Switzerland. — swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss …
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ABB – from local company to global conglomerate
ABB is preparing to sell the power grid division, one of its most important businesses, to the Japanese conglomerate Hitachi. We take a look back at ABB’s rich history that begun in 1891 in Baden, in the northern canton Aargau. (SRF, swissinfo.ch) — swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its …
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Star DJ breathes new life in Romansh musical tradition
The world-renowned Austrian DJ and producer Richard Dorfmeister ventures into new terrain as he remixes works by a Romansh choir song composer. — 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, interviews and …
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Crime of solidarity
Two young men from Geneva helped migrants cross the border between Italy and France. After 11 days in jail and 4 weeks of house arrest they were eventually found guilty and received a six month suspended sentence. Nouvo brings you short videos about Switzerland, Swiss current affairs and the wider world. Keep up to date … Continue reading »
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Apple will fix tech-glitch to benefit TWINT
Switzerland’s Competition Commission announced on Tuesday that Apple has agreed to come up with a more competitive technical solution to the benefit of Swiss payment method TWINT. The automatic activation of Apple Pay at payment terminals can interrupt payments made by the TWINT application, noted the commission.
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Majority of Swiss company CEOs are foreign
A total of 52% of CEOs from the 50 firms on the SMI Expandedexternal link stock exchange are from abroad, according to a study published on Monday by the recruitment consultancy Heidrick & Strugglesexternal link. A year ago, when the profiles of Swiss executives were evaluated for the first time, the figure was 49%.
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UK signs air service deal with Switzerland for post-Brexit flights
British Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling is set to sign an agreement with Switzerland on Monday to ensure air services continue to operate between the two countries after Brexit. Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, but uncertainty over how, or even if, Brexit will happen has increased the possibility of the country exiting without a deal on departure terms, a scenario that some companies said would usher in chaos.
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Swiss prepare to fight age discrimination
A people's initiative, allowing workers over 50 to sue for age discrimination, will be launched soon, the NZZ am Sonntag reported on Sunday. According to Heidi Joos, the CEO of Avenir 50 plus, one of the organisations behind the project, this proposed constitutional provision should allow employees to sue a company if they believe they have been dismissed for age-related reasons or if their application for employment has not been taken into account...
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