Climate protests are becoming increasingly regular and their message appears to be aimed primarily at government. However, we are all, protestors included, contributing to the problem by consuming food, energy, clothing and by moving around. And while there are things governments could do, they appear to be largely damned if they do and damned if […]
Archives for 2019
Swiss nuclear power station automatically shut down
Over the weekend the nuclear power station at Leibstadt was stopped, according to the broadcaster RTS. At 2:16am on Sunday one of the reactors at the nuclear power station of Leibstadt was automatically stopped in response to the malfunction of a pressure regulator. After the shutdown the reactor was in a stable state with no […]
“CH” stickers might disappear from Swiss cars
The “CH” sticker that Swiss drivers must legally put on their vehicles before entering another country might disappear, according to the newspaper 20 Minutes. The sticker, a distinguishing sign of the state in which the car is registered, must be attached to rear of any vehicle driven in a foreign country1. It is required under […]
A family apartment in Geneva close to twice the price of one in St. Gallen
On average, renting a 4.5 room apartment of 100 to 110 m2 costs CHF 3,820 a month in Geneva. The same apartment in the Swiss city of St. Gallen costs CHF 2,004, 52% of the price, according to a report on rents in Switzerland’s ten main cities by the price comparison website Comparis. For an […]
Swiss politicians call for fines for those who don’t vaccinate
The recent rise in the number of cases of measles, a disease which is easily prevented by vaccination, has led some Swiss politicians to call for compulsory vaccination, and fines for those avoiding them, according to the newspaper 20 Minutes. Switzerland’s system of collective compulsory health insurance means the costs of the actions of individuals […]
Call to offer Assange asylum in Switzerland
A group of Swiss lawyers have asked the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive, to grant Julian Assange asylum, according to the newspaper Tribune de Genève. The 22 lawyers, mostly from Zurich, justify their request on the grounds of promoting civil society, human rights and press freedom. Among the lawyers are Marcel Bosonnet, Philip Stolkin and Bernard […]
The price of some Swiss train passes could rise significantly
Some travelers on Swiss trains could be in for a shock. The price of a GA travel card, an annual pass that allows unlimited travel of the Swiss Rail network, might rise 10% in 2021, according to the newspaper Le Matin. Compared to the price of other passes and tickets, the AG pass is relatively […]
Vote on Swiss gun law changes headed for yes, according to poll
Following the gun attacks in Paris and Brussels, the EU tightened gun rules in 2017. In 2018, the government of Switzerland, a nation outside the EU but within the Schengen area, changed its laws on guns to reflect european laws. However, the changes do not please everyone. Switzerland has a long tradition of gun ownership […]
Swiss vote on tax and pensions heading for yes, according to poll
Under outside pressure, Switzerland plans to abolish the tax privileges it offers to certain foreign companies, a system designed to attract businesses to the country. To reduce the risk of companies leaving, cantons will replace this system with lower standard company tax rates, a move that will lower tax revenue. Tax rates in Switzerland vary […]
FILM: AVENGERS: ENDGAME – dark, detailed but too lengthy
10 May 2019. By Neptune AVENGERS: ENDGAME *** A quality blockbuster from the Marvel studios, this is a dark, detailed but too lengthy (just over 3 hours!) final episode. Fun for the aficionados of the franchise, with all the Marvel characters brought in at various points of the scenario, sometimes with drama, sometimes with great […]
