Author: switzerlandtimes.ch
More than seven years after a slim majority (51.9%) of the UK electorate voted to leave the EU, Switzerland and the UK have agreed a deal that clears the way to more open cooperation in the financial services sector, helping to restore the pre-Brexit arrangement between the two nations. On Thursday, Switzerland and the UK announced an agreement to improve trade in financial services between the two nations, reported RTS. Although Switzerland is not an EU member it has agreements with Brussels that make it in many ways effectively a member. These agreements streamlined the flow of financial services trade…
Households typically need most electricity in the evening after the sun has set. This means the solar electricity created during the day needs to be stored somewhere. The challenge with car batteries is the need for high performance. Cars need range and rapid power delivery. This means car batteries with less than 80% of the capacity are no longer useful in cars. The Swiss company UpVolt spied an opportunity to use these old car batteries to power homes, reported SRF. The company has been collecting old car batteries and putting them together in shipping containers and hooking them up to…
On 14 December 2023, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) said it was ending its interest rate tightening cycle after a clear slowdown in inflation. With inflation rising more slowly than the central bank’s 2% ceiling (it was 1.4% in November 2023), the SNB left its key interest rate at 1.75% for a second consecutive meeting. While the SNB is still willing to intervene in currency markets by buying and selling Swiss francs, Jordan said that can go in both directions and the SNB is no longer focusing on selling francs. Even though the SNB doesn’t forecast inflation to rise above…
With all of the price hikes in Switzerland it is difficult to believe inflation is running at around 2% (it was 1.4% in November 2023). Health insurance premiums in 2024 are on average 8.7% higher than they were in 2023. Now Swiss car insurance is set to get more costly. The insurance advisor VZ predicts an average rise of 15% for vehicle insurance in 2024, reported RTS. The average expected rise is 15%. However, some premiums may rise by as much as 50%, said VZ. One reason behind the rise seems to be inflation. New car prices have jumoped by…
Switzerland has a shortage of doctors. Training more is one way the government hopes to alleviate the problem. However, the high cost of training and the high level of staff turnover are formidable head winds. In Switzerland, becoming a doctor requires six years of study. At an average annual cost of CHF 120,000, the total cost comes to CHF 720,000 (US$ 818,000), reported RTS. These costs do not include everything. Costs associated with practical experience are not included. These costs are around double the cost in the United Kingdom. Medical training is the most expensive course in Switzerland, costing seven…
Christmas season to transform your classroom into a festive wonderland! Decorating for Christmas not only spreads joy but also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for both students and educators. In this article, we’ll explore creative Christmas decor ideas in classroom that will make your classroom stand out and create lasting memories. Detailed xmas outdoor decoration ideas These Christmas decor ideas in classroom will enhance your world and students: Welcome the Season at the Door Start the holiday magic right at the entrance. A vibrant and festive door decoration sets the tone for what awaits inside. Consider a wreath adorned…
In a commendable demonstration of innovative financing in the world of finance, Astor Wealth Group has emerged as a distinctive private lender, willing to offer loans against Rare Art and Collectible items. Notably, it comprises an exclusive subset of specialized financiers who go the extra length to merge the realms of art appreciation and high-value investment. Astoundingly yet in a fitting tribute to its groundbreaking approach, Astor Wealth Group has recently extended credit facilities to a Chinese customer who prefers anonymity. Remarkably, a piece from Vincent Van Gogh’s acclaimed catalogue, “Vase with Poppies and Daisies” (June 1890), formed the…
With a score of 0.962 out of 1.000, Switzerland topped the United Nation’s latest Human Development Index for 2021, a measure that includes life expectancy, education and income. The index, designed to look beyond GDP as a measure of well-being, was launched in 1990. Published on 8 September 2022, the latest report on 2021 reveals how inequalities and uncertainty are reinforcing one another to drive polarisation across the world. It also shows that decades of progress on life expectancy, education and economic prosperity have begun to unravel since the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past two years, around 90% of nations…
On the 18 June 2023 the Swiss electorate will vote on the Federal Act on Climate Protection Targets, Innovation and Strengthening Energy Security. The question before voters is whether to accept the government’s counter-proposal to the Glacier Initiative, a popular vote formulated in 2018. The original Glacier Initiative was aimed at drastically reducing the use of fossil fuels in Switzerland even if this required bans from 2050. However, instead of putting their text to voters, the organisers decided to conditionally withdraw their referendum in favour of a government counterproposal. In the meantime, enough signatures were collected – 50,000 in this…
This week, a Swiss organisation focused on urban transport with 20 members, announced its support for city-wide 30 km/h speed limits, a limit significantly lower than the current standard limit of 50 km/h in urban areas. On 16 May 2023, the organisation, which brings together 20 towns, ranging from Zurich (the largest) to Chiasso (the smallest), published its position on 30 km/h speed limits. It concluded that lower speeds cut noise, improve safety, reduce road use and tilt the balance in favour of public transport. It said that while antinoise barriers help with noise pollution, noise must be reduced at…