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Switzerland Recycles 3.1‍ Million ⁣Tonnes of Materials annually, Equating to 3.5 Golden Gate Bridges

Bern, Switzerland – ⁤November⁢ 25, 2025 – Swiss residents recycled 3.1 million tonnes of raw materials last year, demonstrating the nation’s⁢ commitment to waste management and resource recovery. This figure, released today by Swiss Recycle,‌ represents nearly half of ‍the ⁢670 kg of waste produced per‍ person annually – approximately‍ 350 kg recycled per inhabitant.

The considerable ‌volume of ⁢recycled materials​ underscores Switzerland’s ​progress in diverting waste from landfills and ‍incinerators, ⁣mitigating⁣ environmental impact, and fostering a circular economy. According to⁢ Swiss Recycle, the benefit⁣ of this recycling effort⁢ is comparable to the annual environmental impact of the ⁣city of Lugano and it’s 66,000 inhabitants. The data, drawn from Swiss Recycle’s 2025 activity report and waste statistics from the Federal‍ Office for the Environment (FOEN), highlights a ⁣significant shift from 1970, when much of today’s ⁣recycled materials were disposed ⁢of through⁣ incineration or landfill.

More than half (52%) of urban waste in Switzerland is now collected ​separately for recycling. The association illustrated the impact of⁤ individual ‍recycling efforts, noting that collecting one 0.5-liter PET ‍bottle avoids an environmental impact equivalent to 43 ⁤requests to ChatGPT, while one kilogram of ​recycled batteries and accumulators⁣ saves the equivalent environmental cost of a train journey between Bern ⁢and Geneva. An LCD television can yield nearly 8.7 kilos of recovered iron. ⁤

The increase⁢ in recycling comes despite ⁤a ⁤tripling in the amount of waste produced ⁢per​ person annually since 1970, emphasizing the growing ‍need⁣ for continued investment in‌ enduring waste management practices.

Swiss National Bank Will Not Accelerate Policy ​Meetings, President Confirms

Zurich, Switzerland – November‍ 21, ‍2025 – The Swiss National⁤ Bank (SNB) has no ‌plans to increase the frequency of its monetary policy meetings, despite pressure from market ⁣observers and in contrast to the more frequent schedules of the European Central Bank ‌(ECB) and the U.S. Federal Reserve. SNB President Martin Schlegel affirmed this position today during the “The SNB and its‌ Watchers”⁤ conference.

The decision ‍maintains the SNBS‌ current quarterly review cycle – in march, June,‍ September, and December – and signals a​ continued preference for a purposeful, phased​ approach to monetary policy adjustments. While ​the ECB⁣ and Fed convene‍ every six weeks, Schlegel underscored the ‌SNB’s confidence in its ⁣existing process, which prioritizes thorough analysis and flexibility. ⁣This⁤ impacts Swiss financial markets and‍ the‍ broader economy, as‌ the timing of policy shifts directly influences interest rates, ⁢inflation, and the value of the‍ Swiss Franc.⁣

Schlegel ⁣detailed the SNB’s decision-making process, emphasizing a ​two-stage ​approach: a preparatory phase immediately ⁢following each quarterly review, and a subsequent, focused ⁢examination of the ‍current economic and monetary landscape. ‍”The process leading to​ the SNB’s monetary policy decision takes place ⁣in two‍ stages: a preparatory ‌phase, followed ⁣by the examination of⁣ the economic and monetary situation strictly speaking,” he explained.

This‌ structured methodology, according to Schlegel, allows⁤ for​ the effective identification of ⁤evolving⁤ conditions and the ‌necessity for potential⁢ monetary interventions.He stressed,however,that the process is not “rigid and ⁤mechanical,” ⁢but rather allows for adaptable responses to changing circumstances. “We do not plan to increase ‍the ⁣pace” of the meetings,he underlined.

The SNB’s next ‌monetary policy review ⁣is scheduled for December.

OpenAI Found too Violate German Copyright Law with AI-Generated lyrics

Munich, Germany – November 11, 2025 – A German court ruled today that OpenAI, the⁤ creator of popular artificial intelligence models, infringed​ on the copyrights of German songwriters and publishers. The​ decision, a win for collective management organization Gema, centers on the unauthorized use ⁤of ⁢song lyrics within OpenAI’s “linguistic models” and their subsequent reproduction in chatbot outputs.

The ruling establishes a significant precedent in the rapidly ‌evolving landscape of AI ​and intellectual property. Gema initiated the‍ legal ​action,citing the use of lyrics from nine prominent songs,including ​Helene⁤ Fischer’s “atemlos durch die Nacht” and Herbert Grönemeyer’s “Männer,” as examples of copyright infringement. This case underscores the growing concern among rights holders that AI systems⁢ are leveraging creative works without proper licensing ‌or compensation, potentially⁢ undermining the livelihoods of artists and the music industry.

According to a court press release, the unauthorized storage and replication of lyrics by OpenAI’s models ⁢constitute a ‌violation of copyright-protected exploitation rights. The court⁢ mandated that OpenAI ⁣cease storing ⁤and reproducing these lyrics, and also ordered the company ⁢to pay damages to Gema.

Furthermore, OpenAI is required to disclose detailed information‍ regarding the extent of​ song ⁤usage within its models and‍ the revenue generated​ as a result. The implications of this⁢ ruling could extend beyond Germany, influencing similar legal challenges anticipated in​ other jurisdictions ⁢as AI ⁤technology continues‌ to advance and integrate into creative fields.

Swiss Home Prices Climb in Third‍ Quarter, ‍Driven by single-Family Residences

Bern,​ Switzerland – October 30, 2025 – The cost ‌of Swiss residential property continued its upward trajectory​ this summer, ​with‌ a⁢ notable surge⁣ in single-family‍ home prices offsetting⁤ stagnation in the apartment market,‌ according to ​newly released data. The federal Statistical ⁣Office (FSO) reported a ‍0.8% ​increase in the Swiss residential property⁤ price index (Impi) for the⁤ third quarter, reaching 124.3 points.

This ‌sustained rise in property values impacts prospective​ homeowners, existing⁤ mortgage holders, and⁣ the broader Swiss economy. The ⁤5.2%​ annual ⁤increase underscores ongoing demand​ and limited supply,particularly for houses. Experts anticipate continued scrutiny of the market as the ‌Swiss National Bank ‌monitors inflation ‌and potential‌ adjustments to‌ monetary policy.

The FSO data reveals a ⁢significant divergence between housing types. Single-family‍ homes experienced ‍a 1.5% price increase over⁢ the last three months and a 5.2% jump year-over-year, landing at an index ‌of 125.1 points. Geographically, ⁢intermediate municipalities saw ⁣the largest gains (+3.7%),‌ while‍ larger urban areas experienced a ​slight decrease ‍(-0.8%).

Apartment ⁤prices, however, showed minimal growth in the third quarter, ⁤rising only 0.1%⁢ compared to the ‌second. Despite this recent slowdown, apartment values are​ still ‍up 5.4% ‍over ‍the past year, with an index of⁤ 123.7 points.⁤ Smaller urban areas and those outside of major cities led the apartment price increases (+1.3%), while⁤ large urban⁣ areas ‍saw a 0.9% decline.