New investigations into the Raiffeisen-Vincenz case
The Zurich public prosecutor’s office has launched a new investigation into the case of former Raiffeisen boss Pierin Vincenz. It is suspected that Vincenz and his adviser Beat Stocker have secretly paid out money, the “SonntagsZeitung” wrote. Namely from the current boss of financial product provider Leonteq, Lukas Ruflin, and founder Jan Schoch. Ruflin and Schoch sold subscription rights as part of a 2014 capital increase by the Raiffeisen Group. The public prosecutor emphasized that all those involved can also be acquitted and that the presumption of innocence applies. Ruflin, Schoch and Stocker knew nothing about the investigation and denied any guilt.
Federal Intelligence Service: “Authoritarian Traits in Selenskyj”
The Federal Intelligence Service (NDB) has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “authoritarian tendencies”. Selenskyj is trying to eliminate political competition ahead of next year’s presidential election, according to a report cited by the “NZZ am Sonntag”. Kiev mayor Vitaly Klitschko was named as a competitor. The FIS expects Western states to put pressure on Zelenskyy on this point, the newspaper writes. The report was written in the aftermath of the Wagner mercenary coup attempt two weeks ago.
Cantons are pushing for the construction of hydrogen infrastructure
The cantons have urged the Bundesrat to set up a hydrogen infrastructure. “No more valuable time should be lost,” the NZZ am Sonntag quoted the Energy Directors’ Conference (EnDK) as saying in a letter to the government. The EnDK fears that Switzerland will lag behind. European Union (EU) plans envision a hydrogen transport network that bypasses Switzerland. It runs through Italy, Austria and Germany – although there is a natural gas pipeline in Switzerland that can be converted. According to the EnDK, the Federal Council should also include the topic in the exploratory talks with the EU.
Ranking of terms of employment: Bern has it at its best
Employees of the city council of Bern have the best working conditions compared to other cities and the federal government. Only federal wages are higher, according to an analysis by the “SonntagsZeitung”. The paper examined 33 cantonal and municipal administrations, as well as the federal government. The cities of Zurich, Basel, Geneva and Lausanne are also very hospitable. The situation is different in the cantonal administrations. Especially in the countryside, civil servants received fewer allowances and lower wages. At CHF 33,294, the minimum wage is the lowest in the canton of St. Gallen. In the big cities the minimum wage was more than 50,000 francs, in the federal government around 65,000 francs.
FDP advocates cheaper KK insurance model
The FDP party advocates a cheaper health insurance model as an alternative to compulsory basic insurance. Nowadays, insured persons would pay a fixed amount even if they did not receive all services, FDP National Councilor Andri Silberschmidt (ZH) told the “SonntagsBlick”. The group submitted the motion in mid-June. The FDP faction provides an individual selection of services. Insured persons must also conclude a long-term contract with the health insurers. The proposal is contrary to the principle of solidarity in healthcare, criticized Susanne Gedamke, director of the Patient Organization Foundation.
Early retirement pays off for menopausal women
For many women born between 1961 and 1969, early retirement pays off thanks to compensation. The compensation can be up to 60,000 francs, calculated pension specialist Andreas Zeller from “NZZ am Sonntag”. The VZ Vermögenszentrum confirmed the statement. However, the bill can vary widely, according to a spokesman for VZ. Pension specialists also agreed that women often lack information about retirement. For example, many are unaware that the retirement age is being raised in three-month increments and not turning 65 all at once.
Greens against deception by artificial intelligence
The Swiss parties want to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) from deliberately misleading the public. Green President Balthasar Glättli (ZH) has submitted a proposal for a corresponding agreement to the parties, as “SonntagsBlick” wrote. According to the newspaper, all parties except the SVP have responded positively. The FDP, recently criticized for an AI-generated election poster, also approved the project. The proposal is not effective for the SVP. Glättli deduced from previous feedback that the parties also agreed on an agreement for the period after the 2023 election campaign.
Initiative against fireworks is likely to come
The citizens’ initiative against fireworks can have enough signatures on August 1. The initiative committee has already collected 90,000 of the 100,000 signatures required, as “Le Matin Dimanche” wrote. The initiators want to ban the sale and use of fireworks. Exceptions should apply to events of supra-regional importance, with a cantonal permit. The initiative committee has until November 3 to collect the remaining signatures.
The battle for research funds will intensify
According to the Swiss Nobel Prize winner Kurth Wüthrich, the international battle for research funds will intensify in the coming years. Funds are scarce everywhere, including in China, he said in an interview with the “SonntagsZeitung”. It is a catastrophe that Swiss researchers will eventually be excluded from the Horizon research programme. According to Wüthrich, funding from the European Union is also regarded as a prize in the scientific world. “Anyone who receives such a scholarship rises to a new league.” The rector of the University of Geneva and former president of the association of Swiss universities, Yves Flückiger, does not believe that Switzerland will be included in the current programme. “We see competition getting fiercer,” he told “SonntagsBlick”.
Swiss companies have paid millions to Russia
According to Ukrainian activists, Swiss companies have filled Russia’s war coffers well. Swiss companies reportedly paid at least $275 million to the Russian state last year, SonntagsBlick reported. The article is based on research by the pro-Ukrainian organization B4Ukraine and the Kiev School of Economics. In terms of turnover of international companies, Switzerland ranks third, behind the US and Germany. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld said the data was flawed. The professor from the American University of Yale has been observing international companies in Russia since the outbreak of war.
(lacquer/sda)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
