June 22, 2010

Politicians in Basel have expressed interest in joining Zurich pilot project that could lead to legalizing hemp and cannabis. The project would allow cannabis to be regulated similar to schnapps.

In order for the pilot project to succeed, it would have to show that age restrictions are effective. Thomas Steffen of Basel's health department says that trained sales staff would need to prevent sales to minors and limit sales to individuals. Advertising would also be banned.

Source: Bazonline
----------------------

A 40 meter deep tunnel under the Rhine is considered the best option to connect the SBB main station with the German Baden train station when the region's planned S-Bahn rail line is built. Peter Scheidegger, the project coordinator, said six options were reviewed and that the five kilometer tunnel is the most direct and would allow the most traffic.

The project will cost around a billion francs to build, according to Scheidegger. The regional S-Bahn is planned to be built over the next 30 years.

Source: 20min.ch

----------------------

Sympany, the health insurance company, is cutting 50 jobs to reduce costs. The executive board will also be reduced from seven to four people. Layoffs are not currently planned according to CEO Beat Ochner.

The efficiency measure comes in response to increasing costs and follow Sympany's 28 million franc loss last year. Sympany also announced that its take-over of Carena, the financially troubled health insurer in eastern Switzerland, will not take place. Sympany currently insures 230'000 people.

Source: 20min.ch

----------------------

While Baselstadt is using all legal means to prevent the a replacement nuclear power plant in Beznau from being built, Baselland is mostly silent. One reason for the difference is how the two Basels assess the risk from a serious nuclear accident. Baselland uses the federal government's estimates that only a 20km zone around the reactor would be severly affected, while Baselstadt estimates that the radioactive fallout could reach the city and taint the drinking water.

Both cantons agree on promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, but Baselland believes that nuclear power plants will be needed to ensure the electricity supply in the coming years.

Source: Bazonline

----------------------