Annual Auto Accident Statistics Released; Banking Behemoths Link Up; Stinky Swiss Skivvies

News For 21 March 2023

Basel Stadt released its annual report of Automobile Accidents in the canton for the prior calendar year.  The good news is that the overall number of accidents involving motor vehicles declined to just over 500 from 577 in the prior year, 2021.  Interestingly, the concentration of accidents seem to occur during the month of May, and peculiarly, on Wednesdays.  A more obvious element of the statistics indicate that most accidents also happen between the hours of five and six o'clock in the afternoon - coincident with homeward bound rush hour.  For those of you hoping to optimize your odds of avoiding an automobile accident, Wednesdays in May between 5-6 would be a great time to avoid the roads.  

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The world of Swiss banking got a little smaller over the weekend when Credit Suisse was forced to merge with its larger rival, UBS.  In a deal orchestrated by the Swiss government, central bank, and banking regulators, Credit Suisse will be acquired, and the deposits of its customers absorbed into the balance sheets of its acquirer.  Credit Suisse had been dealing with years of scandals and losses when the latest global banking crisis shook the confidence of its depositors and quickly drained much-needed assets required to keep the bank open.  Eventually, the government intervened to prevent any further runs in the banking system and forced the merger to reassure depositors, investors and financial markets that the risks were contained.  Locally, Credit Suisse employs 330 people and the companies have yet to clarify what the merger means for their ongoing roles.  In addition, Credit Suisse has been the sponsor of many cultural, athletic and academic institutions, which no doubt, are all concerned about their viability without the banking sponsorship.

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The mega retailer Galaxus conducted an informal survey of its customers in 2022 asking them about their hygiene habits.  The shocking results indicate that one in four men in Switzerland do not change their underwear from day to day.  Naturally, you might be inclined to wonder what the statistics reveal about women.  Only one in ten women report wearing the same undergarments for more than one day.  Although the survey and its results are hardly scientific, there are some positive conclusions as well: it seems older respondents practice better hygiene than their younger peers.  Older AND wiser.