A recent Pew survey on national identity shows that speaking a nation’s language is by far the most important defining attribute. The Pew Research Center asked people from fourteen nations how important religion, following customs and tradition, being born in a country, and speaking the national language, were for defining national identity. The survey looked […]
Archives for 2017
Swiss vote results 12 February 2017
Today, Swiss voted on whether to make it easier for third generation residents to become Swiss nationals. This plan was accepted by 60.4% of voters. The vote to overhaul the company tax system was rejected by 59.1% of voters, and the vote to spend more federal funds on roads was accepted by 62% of voters. […]
Trump, International Geneva and the world
The election of any American president, whether by popular mandate or not, is a matter that does not just concern the United States but the entire planet. Global Geneva America’s editor William Dowell explores the possible impact of Donald Trump and his still vague new policies may have on the United Nations as well as […]
First direct flight to Sion, near Verbier, from London Heathrow, arrives
20 Minutes. Back in August last year, the French language newspaper Le Nouvelliste, reported that Swiss would start test flights direct from London Heathrow to Sion in Valais this February after Switzerland’s military stopped using the airport. Over the weekend the first aircraft and its passengers made the first 1:50 minute flight. The aircraft, an Embraer […]
Swiss might drop daylight savings
20 Minutes. Switzerland could drop daylight savings. Currently, Switzerland’s Federal Council sees no reason to abandon it, however if Switzerland’s neighbours did it would follow, mainly for economic reasons said the Federal council. National councilor Yvette Estermann (UDC/SVP), who is fiercely opposed to daylight saving, took the opportunity to point out the negative health consequences […]
The ski cola index – why Swiss resorts’ lower cola prices could be a bad thing
The website HomeToGo.fr has published its Ski Cola Index, a list of cola prices at certain European ski resorts. The prices are for a 330 ml cola in restaurants on the mountain. On this measure, Swiss resorts are far from the most expensive. The most expensive Swiss resort, Verbier, came in 6th, with a 330 ml […]
A message from Switzerland to the President. It’s terrific, it’s that good it’s ridiculous.
If anyone says the Swiss don’t have a sense of humour, send them this video. Aired on the Deville Late Night Show, a comedy show produced by Swiss broadcaster SRF, it is a message from the “Swiss government” to US President Donald Trump. It’s terrific, it’s that good it’s ridiculous. Nearly 10 million have viewed it on YouTube. […]
Dual nationals should give up one passport, says Swiss politician
20 Minutes. On 12 February 2017, Swiss will vote on whether to make it easier for third generation residents to become Swiss. The Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) is firmly against the plan. Now UDC national councillor Erich Hess is voicing his annoyance at allowing naturalised foreigners to keep their other nationality. “We will never know […]
Swiss petition to ban Trump visiting fails to take off like the one in the UK
A Swiss petition to ban Trump visiting fails to take off like the one in the UK. A parliamentary petition in the UK attracted over one million signatures in a few days. By Sunday, 4 February 2017, over 1.8 million had signed it. UK parliament must discuss the issue and has scheduled to do so […]
A recent purchase shows how hard it is to trust product packaging
Volkswagen shocked the world when it was revealed it was cheating on emissions tests on a grand scale. Now some television makers may be gaming the energy efficiency ratings of some of their televisions, according to the Economist. In their efforts to compete and sell more, some brands decide to cut corners. Sometime transgressions are major, […]
