Новости за 22.04.2024

Switzerland is often ranked as one of the world’s most innovative and competitive countries, with a reputation for excellence in science and education. But financial pressures have squeezed the upcoming federal education, research and innovation budget. Critics fear the quality of Swiss research and competitiveness will suffer. Last month the Swiss government announced plans to spend a maximum of CHF29.2 billion ($32 billion) over the next three years for Switzerland to “remain an international leader in education, research and innovation”. Читать дальше...

Switzerland once again has a full-fledged astronaut. Marco Sieber from Bern officially joined the astronaut corps of the European Space Agency (ESA) on Monday after completing basic astronaut training in Cologne, Germany. Sieber, 35, is to become the second Swiss person in space. Between 2026 and 2030, the new European astronauts will fly on missions to the International Space Station (ISS) to conduct scientific experiments, it was announced at the ceremony. "Becoming an astronaut has always been a dream for me... Читать дальше...

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is increasing the minimum reserve requirements for domestic banks. To this end, it is amending the national bank ordinance starting on July 1, 2024. Specifically, according to a press release issued on Monday, liabilities from callable customer deposits (excluding tied pension assets) will be included in full in the calculation of the minimum reserve requirement in the future, as will other relevant liabilities. The previous exception that only 20% of these liabilities... Читать дальше...

According to the latest statistics, the Swiss birth rate has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years. We asked you what you thought was behind this drop in fertility rates and how this will impact society. In this video we read out a cross-section of your replies. These are not necessarily our views.

The police court in Bellinzona will announce its first-instance ruling in the proceedings against a German theologian teaching in Lugano on Monday afternoon. The professor at the Faculty of Theology is accused of discrimination and incitement of homophobia. The 68-year-old professor at the University of Italian-speaking Switzerland (USI) has been charged with allegedly authorising the publication of a homophobic article in a theological monthly publication of which he is the editor. The man, who had pleaded not guilty... Читать дальше...

In Geneva and neighbouring France, the gigantic project for CERN's new particle accelerator, planned for 2045, is the subject of debate. Currently under study, its environmental impact is already causing concern among the local population. The small French commune of Charvonnex, 35 kilometres south of Geneva, is still an unspoilt place: one road surrounded by forests and fields. This rural setting will soon be a thing of the past. The municipality lies on the route of the future CERN Collider (FCC). Читать дальше...

Egypt has welcomed home a 3,400-year-old statue depicting the head of King Ramesses II after it was stolen and smuggled out of the country more than three decades ago, the country's antiquities ministry said on Sunday. The statue is now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo but not on display. The artefact will undergo restoration, the ministry said in a statement. The statue was stolen from the Ramesses II temple in the ancient city of Abydos in Southern Egypt more than three decades ago. The exact date is not known... Читать дальше...

Legislators across Europe should pay close attention to the landmark ruling of the European Court of Human Rights against Switzerland, says an expert on international climate cases. The decision against Switzerland may not be the only one creating a sensation. Switzerland is not doing enough to protect its citizens from the negative impacts of climate change. This was ruled by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg. In early April, the court reprimanded the federal government for... Читать дальше...

The earth shook near Yvonand in canton Vaud early on Monday morning with a magnitude of around 3.9 on the Richter scale. This earthquake was probably felt over a wide area, according to the Swiss Seismological Service of the federal technology institute ETH Zurich (SED). The quake occurred at 3:35am near Yvonand, it said. Damage is not normally expected in the event of an earthquake of this magnitude. The SED registers an average of three to four earthquakes per day in Switzerland and neighbouring countries, or 1,000 to 1,500 quakes per year. Читать дальше...

For the second year in a row, Marcel Hug has achieved the so-called marathon double with triumphs in Boston and eight days later in London. The wheelchair athlete from canton Thurgau notched up his fifth win in the British capital. Hug, who had triumphed a week earlier in Boston with a course record and a large lead, took victory in the London Marathon on Sunday in a time of 1:28:35. This put him 31 seconds ahead of American Daniel Romanchuk, who took second place. There was also triumph for the Swiss in the women's race. Читать дальше...

The tax reform affecting Swiss emigrants in Thailand since January 1 contains a number of grey areas. The authorities have therefore clarified the situation in recent months, particularly with regard to the taxation of pensions. Does the reform have an impact on second or third pillar payments? Has the double taxation agreement been amended? If you can prove that you are living off your savings, do you have to file a tax return? These are just some of the questions from the Swiss Abroad that we received... Читать дальше...