Bitcoin Suisse says Switzerland is losing ground as a crypto hub

Housing

High rents push more residents from Swiss cities to neighbouring cantons

Rising rents are prompting more residents to leave expensive Swiss cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Basel for neighbouring cantons, according to The Local. New arrivals from abroad are increasingly filling the resulting gaps in city populations.

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Government

Switzerland launches new biometric identity card

Switzerland’s new biometric identity card is being introduced on November 2, according to The Local’s report on the launch. The change gives residents a new national ID option alongside existing identity documents.

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Society

A national conference in Bern is examining the risks associated with the ‘manosphere’ after a study found that one in five men surveyed in Switzerland endorsed a form of masculinity based on domination. The study also found particularly high scores among young men.

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Foreign affairs

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has visited North Korea and attended the reopening of Switzerland’s office in Pyongyang as the country seeks to revive political dialogue. The trip has prompted differing views among Swiss foreign-policy experts about the risks and value of the diplomatic effort.

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Crans-Montana

Jacques Moretti, who is under investigation over the deadly Constellation bar fire, faced further questioning in Sion on Monday. Prosecutors postponed the planned questioning of his wife, Jessica Moretti, until December 2, citing her fragile mental state.

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Environment

Graubünden says it relocated about 5,000 fish from small watercourses during this summer’s severe drought, but several hundred died despite rescue efforts. The canton reported historically low water levels across most river basins and significant effects on agriculture and the alpine economy.

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