On Monday at around 14:50, a loud bang, that sounded like an explosion, took some people in the greater Lausanne region by surprise, prompting a number of them to call the police. The sound came from a military aircraft breaking the sound barrier, according to various newspapers, including 20 Minutes. The Swiss military reported that […]
Switzerland has highest underemployment in Europe
In 2018, 830,000 people in Switzerland were unable to find the work they wanted, according the Federal Statistical Office. While 243,000 were looking but not immediately available and 231,000 were unemployed, most (356,000) were underemployed – working but unable to find as many hours of work as they’d like. The additional hours sought by underemployed […]
Switzerland’s most dangerous terrorist being held in Syria
A 24-year-old man from Geneva known as Daniel D. is being held in a kurdish prison in Syria, according to the newspaper Le Matin. Also known as Abu Ilias al-Swissri, Daniel D. is classified by counter-terrorism experts as the most dangerous Swiss jihadist. He is the only Swiss national on an Interpol list of 173 […]
Average age of mothers reaches new high in Geneva
In 2018, 5,356 babies were born in the Canton of Geneva, 97 fewer than in 2017. For the first time since records began, the average age of mothers at the time of their babies’ birth surpassed 33 years old (33.2). The mothers of more than half (57%) of new borns in 2018 were 33 or […]
Swiss central bank under pressure as franc rises
Yesterday, the Swiss franc reached its highest level against the euro in two years. The CHF/EUR exchange rate reached 1.097 on 24 July 2019, a rate not seen since early 2017. Upward pressure on the franc is partly being driven by expectations of interest rate cuts by eurozone and US central banks. In addition, the […]
Fire restrictions continue in Switzerland
An official request has been issued to avoid open fires due to the risk of forest fires across Switzerland, according to 20 Minutes. Hot dry weather has increased the risk. The cantons of Vaud, Neuchâtel and Fribourg have all restricted outdoor fires to places that are properly equipped and have asked people to not light […]
Heat twists Swiss rail tracks
Extreme temperatures this week caused disruptions on Swiss Rail’s network. The heat caused disruptions in Zurich Oberland, Aargau and Geneva, according to 20 Minutes. The stretch of track between Meyrin and La Plaine, in Geneva was closed between midday and around 3pm and some high-speed trains bound for France were cancelled on Wednesday. Similar interruptions […]
Vevey – fête des vignerons stopped due to lightning
The once-in-25-year show in Vevey was halted on Thursday evening due to a risk of lightning, according RTS. The warning came from Meteo Swiss and a spokesperson said that the risk of lightening forced them to evacuate the stadium for safety reasons. Rain and wind were soon followed by lightning, which can be seen in […]
Temperature records broken in Switzerland
Sion had the highest recorded temperature in Switzerland this year, beating its highest temperature since records began in 1958, according to Meteo Swiss. On Thursday, the heat in the Alpine town reached 38 degrees. The previous record was set on 7 July 2015 (37.8). Records were broken in Neuchâtel (37.8), Scuol (33.8), Basel (37), Aarau […]
Over 5 million kilograms of plastic released into the environment annually in Switzerland
A recent report from Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) puts annual plastic pollution at 5.12 million kilograms in Switzerland, a figure that excludes plastic pollution from vehicle tires – road abrasion creates tire fragments, which are significant source of environmental plastic pollution. Plastic pollution represents around 0.7% of the 710 million kilograms of […]
