FCB Home Town Rally; Shopping Tourism Continues to Thrive; Late Snows Arrive; Bicycle Referendum Set For Next Month

News For 25 April 2017

Basel's home town football club has secured its 20th Swiss championship title.  According to FCB spokeswoman Andrea Roth, the team has mathematically achieved its number one position in the league without even having to step out on the pitch versus Vaduz this weekend.  The team is already planning a rally to celebrate the achievement for the 3rd of June.  This year, instead of evening celebrations for adult fans only, a more family-friendly atmosphere is planned, starting earlier in the evening and throughout the inner city of Basel according to Roth.

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6.4 Million certificates of export were stamped at the Lörrach-Basel border in 2016. That is a difference of 100’000 certificates or 1.6 % compared to 2015. Certificates of export are issued to Swiss residents who shop across the border, who can then reclaim the paid sales tax on purchased items when they bring them into the country. The reason that German stores issue export documents is to entice so-called Swiss "shopping tourists" who can save on sales tax, which is higher in Germany.  In turn, German locations gain more customers.

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If you've managed to postpone your ski plans for this season until now, you're in luck.  Despite the overall lack of snow this year, Meteo Swiss is predicting snowfall of between 70 and 100 cm in parts of the Swiss Alps over the next few days.  The snow will be concentrated in the regions of Andermatt and St. Moritz.  In addition to the snow forecast, Meteo Swiss has also issued a "Level 3" warning of considerable danger associated with the sudden, intense snowfall, indicating possibilities of avalanche, and other weather related hazards.

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On May 21st, the voting population of Basel will decide whether they want a bicycle bypass street in the city. The belt road would have a 30 km/h speed limit and run through residential neighborhoods and connect them to schools and workplaces. This will make commutes efficient and safe for those who travel on two wheels. Bikes will even be allowed to ride side by side. The road is planned to lead through Kannenfeldplatz, Schützenmatt, Gundeli, and the Wettstein area, among other places. Opponents of the bicycle bypass see a disadvantage for motorized vehicle traffic and call it a waste of resources.