Swiss super-rich tax the climate with private jet flights – that’s the Sunday news

Switzerland ranks 6th for private jet flights

With almost a hundred departures per day, Switzerland is the sixth European country with the most private jet flights. On a per capita basis, Switzerland tops the ranking if you exclude the small island nation of Malta, as the Sunday paper and Le Matin Dimanche reported. The figures come from the environmental organization Greenpeace. Private jets emit between three and fifteen tons of CO2 into the atmosphere in three hours – slightly more than the average Swiss emits in one year. The “SonntagsZeitung” followed the flight schedules of famous Swiss: some recorded 14 flights a day, 149 flights in one year and distances from Zurich to Grenchen SO.

Warning against the use of AI in election campaigns

Communications expert Moritz Zumbühl has warned against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in this year’s election campaign. Even if a false image of a politician came to light as such, the reputation would be damaged, said the chairman of the communications agency Feint of the “SonntagsZeitung”. The Swiss parties must agree not to use AI for negative campaigns in the election year. Jobs would do nothing. “It is therefore easier to mark authenticity – real press photos and texts, for the veracity of which people vouch for their name,” said Zumbühl.

Resignation of Secretary of State Livia Leu

Outgoing Secretary of State Livia Leu sees no improvement in the negotiations with the European Union. That is why she resigned, as the “SonntagsZeitung” wrote on the basis of notes from conversations. Talks took place in early May between representatives of the Confederation, employers and cantons. Those present spoke of mock negotiations for a new edition of the framework agreement. There is no room for maneuver for the negotiations scheduled for the autumn. Switzerland even threatened to decline. Secretary General of the State Department Markus Seiler, meanwhile, heads the selection committee for Leu’s successor, “SonntagsBlick” wrote. Favorites included Alexandre Fasel, currently Special Adviser on Science Diplomacy in Geneva, and Rita Adam, EU Ambassador in Brussels.

The umbrella organization of commodities traders is suing for radio and television compensation

The umbrella organization of commodities traders has filed a lawsuit against the radio and television fee in the Federal Administrative Court. Some 35 companies protested that in extreme cases they had to pay almost 50,000 francs for the public media service, the “NZZ am Sonntag” wrote. They urged the court to correct the provision. Other companies of similar size would only have to pay a few hundred francs or nothing. The rate depends on turnover: the more turnover a company makes, the more it has to pay. There are currently 71 similar lawsuits pending with the authorities. According to the newspaper, the Federal Administrative Court will soon issue a trial ruling.

New yes committee for Covid-19 law

The supporters of the Covid-19 law have formed a yes committee. “Yes, it took a long time for the impartial commission to be established,” said Central National Councilor Lorenz Hess (BE) of the “NZZ am Sonntag”. In the election year, people do not want to remind the population of the time of the pandemic. The Yes Committee has a broader party political spectrum than its opponents. The Uri Council of States Josef Dittli is committed to the FDP, the Zug National Council Manuela Weichelt to the Greens and the Basel National Council Sarah Wyss of the SP, as the newspaper went on to say. The Covid law prevents an emergency drill, Wyss said.

Labor participation of refugees

According to a study, the restrictions imposed by the cantons have had an impact on the low employment rate of refugees. If a refugee moves from a restrictive canton like Glarus to a liberal canton like Graubünden, his chance of finding work almost doubles, as “SonntagsBlick” wrote. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by ETH migration researcher Dominik Hangartner. The strict rules would not encourage refugees to leave Switzerland more quickly, Hangartner said. He and his team examined four restrictions: the work ban, national priority and regional restrictions.

CDU politician says Switzerland should reconsider neutrality

German CDU politician Wolfgang Schäuble has called on Switzerland to reconsider its policy of neutrality. The Swiss commitment to permanent neutrality had to be decided again because of the war in Ukraine, he told “SonntagsBlick”. Schäuble added that Switzerland does not need to help the West, but should stick to its own beliefs. But this is a debate that Bern would do better for himself. “And not because of precocious advice from politicians based outside Switzerland and on their way to retirement,” said the 80-year-old politician. He has been a member of the German Bundestag for 50 years.

Criticism of export regulations for demining equipment

Depending on the production location, different rules apply to Swiss manufacturers of demining equipment for export to Ukraine. The Bernjurassic organization Digger has criticized Switzerland’s strict export regulations, as the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” wrote. The Federal Council qualified mine clearance equipment as goods that can be used for both civil and military purposes. Although they differed significantly from military devices such as demining tanks. In contrast, the Schwyz-based company GCS has established itself as the market leader for mine clearance equipment in Ukraine. It will deliver up to 30 machines to Ukraine by the end of the year. She produces them in southern Germany, where the export rules are less strict. She estimated that it would take five to ten years to clear key areas in Ukraine.

Ask about low-level vaccine donation

According to the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG), international demand for vaccine donations has stagnated at a low level. Another 13.5 million cans must be ordered before 2023, the French-language Swiss newspaper “Le Matin Dimanche” reports. Most vaccines against the coronavirus are destined for waste. According to the BAG, only 17 million of the 61 million doses ordered were injected in Switzerland. The federal government currently stores 13 million doses. As only 62,000 people received a vaccine against Covid-19 from January to the end of April 2023, more than 12 million doses will end up in landfills, in addition to the 10.5 million already disposed of at the federal level. (sda)