In a newly launched campaign, the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) is calling parties on the left climate devils (“klimateufel”) for their stance on immigration. It argues that more immigration leads to greater strain on the environment, citing more cars, higher electricity consumption and more construction. The UDC, a party with a focus on controlling immigration, […]
Archives for 2019
Women to go on strike in Switzerland
On Friday, 14 June 2019, women across Switzerland plan to go on strike as part of a global movement calling for gender equality and an end to violence against women. Over the last 10 years, an average of 25 people have been killed annually as a result of domestic violence in Switzerland. 75% of the […]
Overnight trains could return to Switzerland
Last week a spokesperson for Swiss Rail told Swiss broadcaster SFR that the rail company was discussing reintroducing long distance overnight sleeper trains. 15 years ago, Switzerland had an extensive overnight train network with destinations including Rome, Barcelona, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Graz Zagreb and Moscow. Progressively nearly all of these […]
Switzerland world’s 4th most competitive nation, according to business school ranking
Every year, Lausanne-based IMD business school publishes its global competitiveness ranking. Switzerland climbed from 5th last year to 4th behind Singapore, Hong Kong and the US. Venezuela (63rd) was last. The ranking, established in 1989, incorporates 235 indicators and takes into account a wide range of “hard” statistics such as unemployment, GDP and government spending […]
Swiss government’s counter proposal to tackle high Swiss prices
Many new to Switzerland are shocked by the prices of things. High Swiss prices have not gone unnoticed by locals either, many of whom shop in neighbouring countries to avoid them. However, cross-border shopping hurts the environment – more time is spent in cars – and hurts local Swiss retailers. There are many reasons for […]
Switzerland ranks near bottom for solar and wind energy
While Switzerland makes the most of the hydro generation potential of its snowy mountains, it scores less well on wind and solar generation. In a Europe-wide comparison by the Swiss Energy Foundation (SEF), Switzerland ranks near the bottom for per capita solar and wind power production. In addition, growth in solar is slow and growth […]
FILM: PAIN AND GLORY – My personal Palme d’Or
31 May 2019. By Neptune Run to these before they are gone from the Geneva screens… PAIN AND GLORY (Douleur et Gloire) **** (vo Spanish) Pedro Almodovar was back at the Cannes Film Festival for the 7th time on the Côte d’Azur where he has always felt highly appreciated by the public and has obtained […]
Question of the week: how ethical are addictive video games used by children?
In most countries many addictive products are restricted. Gambling, tobacco, alcohol and many other drugs are controlled or kept out of reach of children. While video games are not in the same league as these things, in the hands of children, addictive games can consume precious time and stand in the way of sleep and […]
Smoking ban on Swiss train platforms faces delays
From 1 June 2019, Swiss train platforms are to be smoke free, in theory at least. In practice the ban could take longer at some train stations, according to the news website Watson. Implementing the ban involves creating designated smoking areas, something which will require more time in some locations, particularly at small regional train […]
Geneva considers changing school holiday calendar
Geneva’s education authority is considering changing the canton’s school holiday calendar. The holidays under discussion are Easter, the long weekend of Ascension and the summer break. Proposed changes would extend the Easter break from one to two weeks, make the Friday following Ascension – Thursday 30 May 2019 this year – a school holiday and […]
