Despite the current heatwave residents of Switzerland have not forgotten about how they might heat themselves over winter. With gas shortages looming and persistently high heating oil and gas prices, some are stockpiling wood. Increased demand for wood is pushing prices higher. Wood prices have already risen 10%, according to RTS. Some vendors have never […]
Rare forest giraffe born at Basel Zoo
On 10 July 2022, an okapi, or forest giraffe, was born at Basel Zoo. The new arrival is only the fifth calf to be born at the zoo over more than 20 years. The newly born calf named “Toka” is the son of mother Ebony (10) and father Imba (15). Described as strong and curious, […]
Switzerland abandons 1 franc house offer
In 2019, the village of Gambarogno in Ticino offered abandoned houses known as “rustici” to anyone prepared to renovate them for 1 franc. Last week, the scheme ended without anyone taking up the offer. The scheme was inspired by similar schemes in Italy. However the Swiss offer ran into challenges. Some were practical and others […]
Häagen Dazs ice cream pulled from Swiss shelves
On 13 July 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) recommended that certain Häagen Dazs ice cream products not be consumed. The products include Häagen Dazs Vanilla Pint 460 ml, Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Mini-Cups 95 ml, Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Collection 95 ml x 4 and Häagen-Dazs Classic Collection 95 ml x 4. These products could […]
Price paid for solar electricity too low for many Swiss home owners
Home owners with solar panels can put any excess electricity the produce into the grid. However, the price paid in much of Switzerland is too low to encourage home owners to install extra solar capacity, reports RTS. Some politicians would like to see this changed. Prices paid for solar energy added to the grid in […]
Geneva’s strict rules boost sales of most polluting air conditioners
Rules restricting the installation of air conditioning in Geneva have led to a rise in the purchase of inefficient mobile air conditioning units. Installing air conditioning in Switzerland is often subject to rules set at the cantonal level. Geneva is the strictest canton. To qualify, a home owner must prove they have a legitimate need, […]
Switzerland unwelcoming to expats, shows survey
A survey of expats published on 12 July 2022 ranks Switzerland 43rd out of 52 nations on ease of settling in. The definition of an expat is based on the sample used in the Expat Insider 2022 survey. This group was 46 years old on average, more female (52%) than male (47%), most likely to […]
Support for neutrality declines in Switzerland
A survey published on 14 July 2022 shows waning support for neutrality in Switzerland. The Security 2022 survey run in June by the Military Academy and the Center for Security Studies (CSS), two bodies associated with EPF Zurich, shows how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has affected Swiss views on neutrality. Overall, the population has […]
Allowing trucks on Swiss roads at night under discussion
Under current rules trucks are not allowed on Swiss roads between 10pm and 5am and on Sundays, with some exceptions. However, the Swiss authorities are discussing the possibility of loosening these rules in order reduce daytime traffic, reported Le Matin. The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) is considering reducing the time period at night when heavy […]
Another heatwave forecast for Switzerland
After an early taste of high summer temperatures in May and June another hot spell is predicted to begin in Switzerland this week, according to forecasting by Meteo News. By Wednesday 13 July 2022, temperatures are expected to rise as high as 33 degrees in Geneva and Basel and 34 degrees in Sion in the […]
