In 2014 the average Swiss resident ate 21.37 kilograms of cheese according to recent calculations done by the Swiss Farmers Union. A 1.6% increase on 2013 consumption, this is equivalent to two portions of fondue a week, and weighs more than the heaviest suitcase many airlines will check in for free. Around half of Swiss milk is turned […]
Archives for March 2015
Rebranding International Geneva
Michael Møller, the Danish diplomat and former aid worker appointed in November 2013 as acting director-general of the UN in Switzerland, would like to see a vibrant new International Geneva that includes not only the UN agencies and NGOS, but also multi-national corporations, Swiss businesses, donors and the local population. “We need to act together to […]
Swiss immigration vote re-run
The February 2014 vote showed just how divided Swiss views on immigration are. While 50.3% voted for the proposal to stop mass immigration, 49.7% voted against it. A re-run could easily undo the result – it should be noted that an exact re-run is not possible under Swiss law. While the amendment to the Swiss […]
A 5-step guide to Switzerland’s immigration changes
On 9 February 2014, Swiss voters decided by a slim majority of 50.3% to adopt new rules on immigration. The new rules now form part of the Swiss Federal constitution. The changes are broad and short on specifics. For this reason the adoption of new legislation implementing the changes is critical for clarifying the exact scope […]
CERN: Bigger bangs imminent
“What happens when the mass of the black hole eventually becomes extremely small is not quite clear, but the most reasonable guess is that it would disappear completely in a tremendous final burst of emission, equivalent to the explosion of millions of H-bombs.” – Dr. Stephen Hawking The scientists at CERN Geneva are gearing up […]
Swiss aviators beat Richard Branson around the world
“If the round-the-world balloon flight was the final adventure of the 20th Century, Solar Impulse is without doubt the first to encapsulate the challenges of the 21st” – Albert II, Prince of Monaco. When it comes to pioneering spirit, a few Swiss names stand proud on the international stage, including three generations of the Piccard family […]
5 dangerous things your kids should do
So, I’ve been reading a lot about dangerous play this last week. Not the Fifty Shades kind. Shame on you, dirty-minded reader. I’m talking about children’s play: specifically the kind that experts call ‘risky’ and parents call ‘incredibly stupid’; the kind of play that involves sharp objects, power tools and fire. (That does sound a […]
Feeling flat? Here are the top 3 post-winter detox tips
Three detox tips for a healthier body and a happier mind Stress, chronic fatigue, depression and unexplained allergies are just some of the typical 21st-century problems that people nowadays are being faced with and it is all taking its toll on our physical and mental health. But the good news is that we can do […]
Vaud prodigy checkmates rest of Switzerland
11 year-old chess prodigy, Johann Williams, has won the Swiss Under 12 Rapid Chess Competition held last weekend in Solothurn. Johann, who lives in Morrens near Lausanne has been creating a stir in chess circles over the last couple years with a series of superb performances at competitions around the country. Suisse romande players have […]
Swiss tourism focusing on quality – and eco-awareness
Following the recent 15 percent drop of the Euro to the Swiss franc making neighbouring Eurozone countries cheaper than Switzerland, Swiss tourism is seeking ways of alleviating the extra costs while embracing more long-term and innovative approaches. The southern Alpine resort of Leukerbad is focusing on year-round quality and a diversity of activities to attract […]