Geneva voters on Sunday came out in support of introducing a minimum
wage, guaranteeing every worker in one of the world's priciest cities at
least $25 an hour.
Read more at:
Geneva voters approve 'world's highest' minimum wage - The Local
Showing posts with label Switzerland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Switzerland. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Switzerland-Davos 2020: American politics is the biggest risk facing the world right now, say experts
American politics is the biggest threat facing the world in 2020 and
the looming presidential election will stress the country's
institutions, influence economic and foreign policy and further divide
an already polarized electorate, with potentially huge consequences for
the climate, business and investors.
That's the view of experts at consultancies Eurasia Group and Control Risks.
The World Economic Forum, which is preparing to hold its annual meeting of political leaders and CEOs next week in Davos, is also warning of increased turbulence this year from trade conflicts and political polarization that makes it harder to tackle global challenges.
Read more: Davos 2020: American politics is the biggest risk facing the world right now, say experts
That's the view of experts at consultancies Eurasia Group and Control Risks.
The World Economic Forum, which is preparing to hold its annual meeting of political leaders and CEOs next week in Davos, is also warning of increased turbulence this year from trade conflicts and political polarization that makes it harder to tackle global challenges.
Read more: Davos 2020: American politics is the biggest risk facing the world right now, say experts
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Switzerland: Worlds most innovative country
Read more at:
https://www.thelocal.ch/20190724/still-on-top-switzerland-names-worlds-most-innovative-country-again
https://www.thelocal.ch/20190724/still-on-top-switzerland-names-worlds-most-innovative-country-again
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For additional information, including advertising rates - e-mail:Freeplanet@protonmail.com
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Switzerland - Davos Economic Forum where the elite avoid discussing how to solve the increasing disparity between rich and poor
Davos Economic Forum: the elite talk about everything, except truly
searching ways to decrease the ever increasing economic gap between the
rich and the poor .
Read more at:
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Spain - Swiss relations : Tit for Tat - Banking Industry: HSBC whistleblower held in Swiss-Spanish extradition saga
Whistleblower Herve Falciani, a former HSBC employee who exposed massive
tax evasion via Swiss accounts, was Wednesday arrested in Spain but
released again on Thursday. Falciani had fled to Spain to avoid jail in
Switzerland. The arrest of the whistleblower comes at a sensitive time
in Swiss-Spanish relations when Swiss courts are considering a Spanish
extradition request for Catalan separatist Marta Rovira, who fled to
Switzerland earlier this year.
Read more: HSBC whistleblower held in Swiss-Spanish extradition saga
Read more: HSBC whistleblower held in Swiss-Spanish extradition saga
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Davos: Vision versus Economic Capacity and Power - by RM
 |
| Economic Power (USA) Versus Vision (EU) |
At the end of the Davos economic gathering, it was interesting to note how much the speeches given by European leaders differed from that of the American President.
The Europeans, including their present champion, Emmanuel Macron, spoke with no exception, not only about the positive values of global trade, but also about major issues confronting the world, such as global warming.
The obvious conclusion one could make from these speeches in Davos, listening to these two different trains of of thought, is that unless the one submits to the others way of thinking - there is no harmony possible - and this, regardless of all the enormous challenges the world is facing today.
Unfortunately for the EU, is the fact that the Union is not unified enough to speak with one voice and put their "money where their mouth is", and consequently can not only offer a carrot as an alternative, but also when needed not use a stick against "Bougie Man" Trump.
The result of all this will be, as the saying goes, "when two dogs fight over a bone, another dog will take it",
That dog, if it has not already taken the bone, will be China.
Bottom line : Europe urgently needs to put its house in order, and those member states which like the status quo, better get out, or get thrown out of the EU.
Copy Right EU-Digest
Friday, January 26, 2018
EU - Davos: New momentum for Europe?
US President Donald Trump wants to put America first. And China isnot
exactly a champion of democracy and human rights. That's why
someEuropeans think it's time for them to step up to the plate and play a
more important role on the world stage. In their speeches in Davos, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron both spoke out for free trade, international rules and universal humanist values.
The only problem is that the EU itself is deeply divided. The financial crisis has left deep scars, unemployment is high in many countries, the migration crisis has strained relations between member states and nationalism is on the rise.
Nonetheless, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström believes that Europe has a lot to offer to the rest of the world. She sees the current lack of leadership by the US as an opportunity for the EU "to show we can do good trade agreements which re sustainable and mutually beneficial.
We can promote European values through that, and we can create alliances and friendship with countriesacross the globe," Malmström said in a Davos panel called "A new momentum for Europe."
Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands, agreed in principle but added that even the European common market was still far from complete.
"We could add €1.5 trillion [$1.86 trilion] to the European economy — that's the size of the Spanish economy — by implementing the single market for digital, services, capital and
energy."
Adding these elements would create 4 million new jobs in Europe. "At the moment, we are not doing that. The European internal market is only there for goods, only 30 percent of the European economy is part of the internal market," said Rutte.
Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa tried to look on the bright side of life.
After the Brexit decision in the UK, "we have new energy for change in Europe," he said. "It's a Brexit paradox: the remaining 27 countries have made an effort to advance Europe."
Costa pointed to a closer cooperation on defense, an example that was also singled out by Merkel and Macron on the previous day.
But a Germany and a France presenting themselves as Europe's engine also have smaller countries worried, says Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. "We don't want to see meetings in Paris and Berlin where only countries with more than 40 million people are invited to attend — and the smaller countries being told afterwards what is good for Europe."
The current migration crisis has brought to light how deep the divisions in Europe are. Countries like Hungary and Poland are refusing to take in migrants, while Italy and Greece see new boats with Africans arrive at their shores every day.
Read more: Davos: New momentum for Europe? | Business| Economy and finance news from a German perspective | DW | 25.01.2018
The only problem is that the EU itself is deeply divided. The financial crisis has left deep scars, unemployment is high in many countries, the migration crisis has strained relations between member states and nationalism is on the rise.
Nonetheless, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström believes that Europe has a lot to offer to the rest of the world. She sees the current lack of leadership by the US as an opportunity for the EU "to show we can do good trade agreements which re sustainable and mutually beneficial.
We can promote European values through that, and we can create alliances and friendship with countriesacross the globe," Malmström said in a Davos panel called "A new momentum for Europe."
Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands, agreed in principle but added that even the European common market was still far from complete.
"We could add €1.5 trillion [$1.86 trilion] to the European economy — that's the size of the Spanish economy — by implementing the single market for digital, services, capital and
energy."
Adding these elements would create 4 million new jobs in Europe. "At the moment, we are not doing that. The European internal market is only there for goods, only 30 percent of the European economy is part of the internal market," said Rutte.
Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa tried to look on the bright side of life.
After the Brexit decision in the UK, "we have new energy for change in Europe," he said. "It's a Brexit paradox: the remaining 27 countries have made an effort to advance Europe."
Costa pointed to a closer cooperation on defense, an example that was also singled out by Merkel and Macron on the previous day.
But a Germany and a France presenting themselves as Europe's engine also have smaller countries worried, says Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. "We don't want to see meetings in Paris and Berlin where only countries with more than 40 million people are invited to attend — and the smaller countries being told afterwards what is good for Europe."
The current migration crisis has brought to light how deep the divisions in Europe are. Countries like Hungary and Poland are refusing to take in migrants, while Italy and Greece see new boats with Africans arrive at their shores every day.
Read more: Davos: New momentum for Europe? | Business| Economy and finance news from a German perspective | DW | 25.01.2018
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Switzerland - Davos: Indian PM Narendra Modi warns of three major global threats
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi told a packed forum in Davos on Wednesday that the world in its current state looked rather unprepared to face the big challenges of the future.
He urged sweeping reforms to modernize and restructure current political and economic institutions, also with a view to reflecting the needs and developments of emerging economies.
Modi singled out three major challenges mankind was facing right now. He said the greatest threat came from rapid climate change and the resulting extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and rising sea levels which threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world.
The prime minister identified terrorism, and the radicalization of people in many societies, as the second-biggest threat. Without providing concrete examples, he criticized world powers for, in his eyes, making the problem worse by artificially distinguishing between "bad terrorists" and "good terrorists."
Thirdly, Modi said there was no denying the fact that many nations have become increasingly focused on themselves again as globalization "was losing its luster." He mentioned that many trade agreements "had come to a standstill," with cross-border financial investments dropping in many areas.
Read more: Indian PM Narendra Modi warns of three major global threats | Business| Economy and finance news from a German perspective | DW | 23.01.2018
He urged sweeping reforms to modernize and restructure current political and economic institutions, also with a view to reflecting the needs and developments of emerging economies.
Modi singled out three major challenges mankind was facing right now. He said the greatest threat came from rapid climate change and the resulting extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and rising sea levels which threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world.
The prime minister identified terrorism, and the radicalization of people in many societies, as the second-biggest threat. Without providing concrete examples, he criticized world powers for, in his eyes, making the problem worse by artificially distinguishing between "bad terrorists" and "good terrorists."
Thirdly, Modi said there was no denying the fact that many nations have become increasingly focused on themselves again as globalization "was losing its luster." He mentioned that many trade agreements "had come to a standstill," with cross-border financial investments dropping in many areas.
Read more: Indian PM Narendra Modi warns of three major global threats | Business| Economy and finance news from a German perspective | DW | 23.01.2018
Friday, January 19, 2018
Switzerland -Davos: How the Fourth Industrial Revolution can help us prepare for the next natural disaster - Scott L David
In the wake of recent devastating hurricanes, floods, wildfires and
earthquakes in North America, the Caribbean, Latin America and South
Asia, preparing for natural disasters has never been more urgent. Some
estimates suggest flooding damage to coastal cities will cost around US$1 trillion per year by 2050. The cost of naturally-caused forest fires - which exceeded $2billion this year and set a new US record - continues to rise.The “fog of indecision,” is one such vulnerability that results from institutional hesitancy to collaborate and share data in emergency settings. It’s something that can’t continue. Inaction will only contribute to avoidable suffering.
The technologies and systems of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
offer very powerful assets for responding to natural disasters. With
nearly 6 billion mobile phone users worldwide,
connected individuals have proven to be one of the most effective and
efficient ways of strengthening resilience when disaster strikes.
Likewise, social media, drones, satellite imagery and predictive analytics have all been tremendously helpful for coordinating responses and accelerating the recovery of individuals and communities in the aftermath of recent natural disasters.
Likewise, social media, drones, satellite imagery and predictive analytics have all been tremendously helpful for coordinating responses and accelerating the recovery of individuals and communities in the aftermath of recent natural disasters.
Read more: How the Fourth Industrial Revolution can help us prepare for the next natural disaster | World Economic Forum
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Switzerland: Davos attendees are in for one of the bleaker WEF meetings of late
The threat of large-scale cyberattacks and a "deteriorating geopolitical
landscape" since the election of US President Donald Trump have jumped
to the top of the global elite’s list of concerns, the World Economic
Forum (WEF) said ahead of its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
The growing cyber-dependency of governments and companies, and the associated risks of hacking by criminals or hostile states, has replaced social polarisation as a main threat to stability over the next decade, according to the WEF’s yearly assessment of global risks, published on Wednesday in London. The Davos forum starts on January 23 in the Swiss ski resort.
While the economic outlook has improved, nine in 10 of those surveyed said they expected political or trade clashes between major powers to worsen. About 80% expected an increased chance of war.
"Cybersecurity is the issue most on the minds of boards and executives, given the visibility of state-sponsored attacks in an environment of increasing geopolitical friction," John Drzik, president of global risk and digital at Marsh, which contributed to the study, said in an interview.
"Businesses are increasingly dependent on technology and are aware that the openings hackers have are growing. As they invest in things like artificial intelligence, they are widening their attack surface."
Drzik said recent high-profile security breaches that have fuelled this perception include the WannaCry ransomware attack, which infected more than 300,000 computers across 150 countries, and NotPetya, which caused two companies losses in excess of $300m. The cost of cybercrime to firms over the next five years could reach $8-trillion, the WEF said.
Similarly, thousands of attacks every month on critical infrastructure from European aviation systems to US nuclear power stations show state-sponsored hackers are attempting to "trigger a breakdown in the systems that keep societies functioning," the WEF said.
In the preview, which would suggest Davos attendees are in for one of the bleaker forums in recent memory, almost two-thirds of global leaders saw risks intensifying from 2017. Climate change and extreme weather remained the greatest concerns of those surveyed. Economic worries receded as a unified pick-up in growth and stocks at record highs suggest the world may finally be r
Read more: Davos attendees are in for one of the bleaker WEF meetings of late
The growing cyber-dependency of governments and companies, and the associated risks of hacking by criminals or hostile states, has replaced social polarisation as a main threat to stability over the next decade, according to the WEF’s yearly assessment of global risks, published on Wednesday in London. The Davos forum starts on January 23 in the Swiss ski resort.
While the economic outlook has improved, nine in 10 of those surveyed said they expected political or trade clashes between major powers to worsen. About 80% expected an increased chance of war.
"Cybersecurity is the issue most on the minds of boards and executives, given the visibility of state-sponsored attacks in an environment of increasing geopolitical friction," John Drzik, president of global risk and digital at Marsh, which contributed to the study, said in an interview.
"Businesses are increasingly dependent on technology and are aware that the openings hackers have are growing. As they invest in things like artificial intelligence, they are widening their attack surface."
Drzik said recent high-profile security breaches that have fuelled this perception include the WannaCry ransomware attack, which infected more than 300,000 computers across 150 countries, and NotPetya, which caused two companies losses in excess of $300m. The cost of cybercrime to firms over the next five years could reach $8-trillion, the WEF said.
Similarly, thousands of attacks every month on critical infrastructure from European aviation systems to US nuclear power stations show state-sponsored hackers are attempting to "trigger a breakdown in the systems that keep societies functioning," the WEF said.
In the preview, which would suggest Davos attendees are in for one of the bleaker forums in recent memory, almost two-thirds of global leaders saw risks intensifying from 2017. Climate change and extreme weather remained the greatest concerns of those surveyed. Economic worries receded as a unified pick-up in growth and stocks at record highs suggest the world may finally be r
Read more: Davos attendees are in for one of the bleaker WEF meetings of late
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Tax Systems - money is not determinating factor: The happiest countries in the world also pay a lot in taxes
 |
| The US Tax System needs an overhaul |
Their populations are, in many cases, largely homogeneous. And they also have something else in common: They each pay a lot in taxes.
According to the United Nations' latest World Happiness Report, as covered by CBS News, the top 10 happiest countries are:
1. Norway
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Switzerland
5. Finland
6. Netherlands
7. Canada
8. New Zealand
9. Australia
10. Sweden
Report co-author Jeffrey Sachs, who is also the director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, tells CBS that "happiness is a result of creating strong social foundations," and that if other nations prioritized "social trust" and "healthy lives," they could also find that their citizens become more content.
The top three happiest countries, Norway, Denmark and Iceland, are all among the highest taxed countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in terms of total tax revenue as a percentage of GDP. The widely enjoyed social benefits residents get in exchange for their taxes, such as universal health care, access to education and subsidized parental leave, could have something to do with the "strong social foundations" touted by Sachs.
Note EU-Digest: These countries are happy, mainly for all the services they are getting in exchange for paying high taxes. Specially in the area of healthcare and low pharmaceutical costs, obviously also by enjoying great infrastructural advantages and obviously modern public transportation systems. In America right-wing politicians (mainly Republicans) have figured out that by telling the taxpayers they pay the lowest taxes in the world, it will make corrupt practices by them easier. Unfortunately over time this made the US taxpayer the big loser.
Read more: The happiest countries in the world also pay a lot in taxes
Friday, January 22, 2016
Oil Prices Rebound Above $30. Is A Rally Finally Here?
Oil prices plumbed new lows this week, dropping below $28 per barrel. But oil also closed out the week on a positive note, with huge gains on Thursday and Friday, rallying back above $30 per barrel. The price increase could be a sign that the markets think that oil has been far oversold, that trading this low has been “irrational,” as the head of Saudi Aramco put it this week.
Adding to the upsurge was growing speculation that central banks around the world will take additional action to provide some monetary stimulus amid worrying signs of faltering growth. EU central bank chief Mario Draghi provided the clearest indication yet that his institution may act as soon as March.
It’s a little premature to say a rally is on, but oil prices are going to have to rise at some point with so much production currently underwater. CMC Markets, a UK-based trader, says that $34 is the next resistance point for oil, from a technical perspective. If oil can break above $34 per barrel, then the rally could have some momentum.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nigeria’s oil minister Emmanuel Kachikwu said that he expects oil to rise to $40 by the end of the year. Oil prices could get worse in the short-term, but “the second half of this year holds more promise,” he said.
Insure-Digest
Adding to the upsurge was growing speculation that central banks around the world will take additional action to provide some monetary stimulus amid worrying signs of faltering growth. EU central bank chief Mario Draghi provided the clearest indication yet that his institution may act as soon as March.
It’s a little premature to say a rally is on, but oil prices are going to have to rise at some point with so much production currently underwater. CMC Markets, a UK-based trader, says that $34 is the next resistance point for oil, from a technical perspective. If oil can break above $34 per barrel, then the rally could have some momentum.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nigeria’s oil minister Emmanuel Kachikwu said that he expects oil to rise to $40 by the end of the year. Oil prices could get worse in the short-term, but “the second half of this year holds more promise,” he said.
Insure-Digest
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Switzerland - Davos: Why The Davos Elite Won't Solve Our Global Problems - by Hakan Altinay
The international calendar is peppered with a number of meetings of the elite. This week we have the crown jewel: Davos.
Much of the media love these events. They provide a good photo opportunity as well as a legitimate and safe tag line. The latent assumption is that our key problems are things that elites identify and solve; they possess the requisite expertise, and, of course, power.
But there is the problem of elite narcissism. As thinkers have observed since antiquity, those who seek power are often morally unqualified and those who are qualified often do not lust after power.
Research has shown that chief executives score four times higher on sociopathology indexes than the rest of the population. Yet other research shows drivers of luxury cars don’t heed pedestrian crossings, whereas drivers of standard cars observe them more consistently.
Read more: Why The Davos Elite Won't Solve Our Global Problems Social Europe
Much of the media love these events. They provide a good photo opportunity as well as a legitimate and safe tag line. The latent assumption is that our key problems are things that elites identify and solve; they possess the requisite expertise, and, of course, power.
But there is the problem of elite narcissism. As thinkers have observed since antiquity, those who seek power are often morally unqualified and those who are qualified often do not lust after power.
Research has shown that chief executives score four times higher on sociopathology indexes than the rest of the population. Yet other research shows drivers of luxury cars don’t heed pedestrian crossings, whereas drivers of standard cars observe them more consistently.
Read more: Why The Davos Elite Won't Solve Our Global Problems Social Europe
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Postal Services: Swiss test postal drones for future deliveries
The Swiss postal service has begun testing parcel deliveries by unmanned drones.
Eventually for areas which are difficult to access such as mountanous regions this will be the postal service of the future.
Extensive tests will analyse the technical restrictions of the drones, including limited battery life.
Swiss Post says it envisages using the drones for mainly emergency situations, which could involve bringing supplies to an area that has been cut off from the outside world following a storm.
Tests are going to run until the end of July although widespread use the flying postmen is not expected for another five years.
Eventually for areas which are difficult to access such as mountanous regions this will be the postal service of the future.
Extensive tests will analyse the technical restrictions of the drones, including limited battery life.
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Tests are going to run until the end of July although widespread use the flying postmen is not expected for another five years.
Read more: Swiss test postal drones for future deliveries | euronews, world news
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