Author: switzerlandtimes.ch

An analysis of 20 brands of honey sold in Switzerland found 17 were adulterated. The testing, run by SRF, involved looking at the DNA present in the products. It looked at the types of DNA present and absent in the samples, which were taken mainly from low-priced imported products. The tests, which involve identifying more than 10 million DNA sequences in the honey samples, have been criticised by retailers. Based on the tests only 3 products were deemed authentic and unadulterated. Honey DNA profiles are complex and follow distinct patterns making it easy to identify fraud. The DNA testing was…

This year’s edition of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index is notably downbeat. It explores what’s wrong with representative democracy and why the democratic model developed over the past century is in trouble. Popular disaffection with democratic government is increasingly being expressed in an anti-incumbent backlash and rising support for populist insurgents. Some may argue that the success of populist insurgents at the expense of mainstream parties proves that representative democracy is working well. However, the scale of the backlash suggests that representative democracy has not been working satisfactorily for some time, according to the EIU. In addition, much…

To coincide with International Women’s Day on 8 March, The Economist publishes an annual study on the best places to be a working woman across the OECD. This year, Switzerland is ranked 26th out of 29 nations, the same position as last year. Only Japan, Turkey and South Korea rank lower. The main reason behind Switzerland’s poor rank is likely well known to most families where both mum and dad work: the high cost childcare. Switzerland has the highest childcare costs in the OECD. The average cost across the OECD is 14% of the average wage. In Switzerland the average…

Many expats, particularly north Americans, may be surprised to discover that Halloween is not a big event in Switzerland. But it is catching on. Long before Halloween existed, a Gaelic festival known as Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the descent into winter darkness. Some believed it was the time when the souls of the dead roamed the earth. The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to come from an old practice of people disguising themselves as spirits and demanding rewards in exchange for good fortune. Impersonating departed souls was believed to offer protection from them. One version…

This week, a Swiss court upheld the acquittal of former FIFA president Joseph Blatter and former UEFA president Michel Platini on fraud charges, SRF reported. The public prosecutor had sought suspended prison sentences of one year and eight months for the two defendants over questionable payments. However, both Blatter (89) and Platini (69) were acquitted. The pair were previously cleared in 2022 after prosecutors failed to prove fraud beyond reasonable doubt. Following that verdict, the federal prosecutor appealed, seeking a retrial. The prosecution alleged that payments authorised by Blatter and made to Platini were not for actual work, as the…

Swiss citizenship is typically for life, except in rare cases where it was obtained fraudulently or if an individual with another nationality is deemed to seriously harm the interests and reputation of Switzerland and in doing so compromise the nation’s security – this happened in 2019 for the first time. However, retaining Swiss citizenship was not always as automatic as it is today, RTS reported. Until 1952, Swiss women automatically lost their citizenship upon marrying a foreign national. From 1952 to 1992, women who married foreigners could retain their Swiss nationality only if they applied to keep it within ten…

Many Swiss car insurance providers plan to substantially raise premiums this year, according to research by RTS. Some customers are already reporting hikes of around 20%. According to RTS, most insurers, including AXA, Generali, Helvetia, Postfinance, Zurich and Smile Insurance, are planning to increase their premiums. Some insurance companies justify the premium increases as necessary to cover rising repair costs. Cars have become more high tech and this is pushing up the cost of repair. Cars are covered in cameras and sensors that are costly to replace. Other insurers blame inflation. Smile Insurance said it was increasing premiums due to…

This week, the Federal Council said it would look at a proposal to ban access to social media in Swiss classrooms, reported RTS. The ban aims to effectively prevent the use of mobile phones in class and would apply to those under 16. The proposal is supported by politicians on both the left and the right. Maya Graf, a politician who supports the proposal, said that research suggests smartphones interfere with the development of children and teenagers and negatively affect their mental health, ability to concentrate and to learn. Rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts have all risen since…

A study yet to be published by Switzerland’s Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO) found traces of car tire pollution in vegetables grown and sold in Switzerland, reported SRF. The study found chemical additives used in tire production in one third of the vegetables tested. Researchers at EPFL in Lausanne tested around one hundred samples of commonly consumed vegetables, which include lettuce, cabbage, spinach, onions, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, courgettes and pumpkins. The produce, which was sourced from Switzerland, Italy, Spain and France, was purchased from wholesalers and retailers in Switzerland. The compounds detected are used by…

Small businesses are the backbone of the global economy, yet many face challenges accessing reliable banking services due to high fees, slow international payments, and restrictive lending policies. Fintech giant Black Banx, serving 69 million customers globally, has positioned itself as a solution-driven financial platform, removing these barriers with its instant account setup, multi-currency banking, low-cost international payments, and crypto-friendly financial solutions. Breaking Traditional Banking Barriers Many traditional banks impose lengthy verification processes, high transaction fees, and limited global banking options, making it difficult for small businesses to scale. Black Banx eliminates these obstacles by offering: Instant Account Opening: Small…