This week Swiss physicists Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz, who are based at the University of Geneva, were awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering the first exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star in 1995. Exoplanets, or extra solar planets, are planets beyond our solar system. The National Geographic video above explains their discovery […]
Migros recalls cheese containing harmful bacteria
Internal testing by Migros found listeria bacteria in a Gorgonzola e Mascarpone cheese product. The cheese product shown above should not be eaten, according to Migros. If consumed it could trigger flu-like symptoms including fever, headache and nausea. Pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems who have consumed this product and who have these […]
Rumoured plan to repatriate Daesh families to Switzerland
According to various newspapers, including Tribune de Genève, some members of Switzerland’s federal government are considering a plan to repatriate Daesh families from the middle east to Switzerland. The plan, which newspapers say could find support among members of the Federal Council, would involve bringing four mothers and seven children back to Switzerland. Two of […]
Swiss parliament rejects initiative to limit immigration
Last week, Switzerland’s parliament voted against an initiative put forward by the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) to limit immigration into Switzerland, according to RTS. The idea was rejected by 123 votes to 63. The UDC was the only party to support it. If a majority of Swiss voters support the initiative the government would have […]
Parents waiting longer to have children in Switzerland
In Switzerland, on average, mothers gave birth to their children at the age of 32 in 2018. And, fathers were on average 35.1 years old, according to the Federal Statistical Office. In 1990, on average, mothers gave birth to their children at the age of 28.9. Switzerland’s fertility rate, or the average number of babies […]
Record numbers protest for climate action in Swiss capital
According to protest organiser Climate Alliance, between 60,000 and 100,000 people gathered in Bern, Switzerland’s capital, last week to urge greater action on climate change. Climate Alliance, says it represents 80 environmental organisations. 100'000 !#Berne #ClimatDeChangement #ClimateAction #ClimateJustice pic.twitter.com/Yl7ge9PNHi — Alliance Climatique Suisse (@alliance_climat) September 28, 2019 Local police did not want to comment on […]
The Swiss drone that could generate more electricity than a wind turbine
TwingTec, a company spun out of Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, is developing an alternative to wind turbines for harnessing the power of the wind. Wind speeds increase as you move further from the ground. Wind blows up to eight times faster at a height of 500 metres than it […]
Updated Swiss-US tax treaty goes into force
After years of stalemate an updated double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and the United States has been ratified and is now in force. American and Swiss representatives signed the necessary documents last week. #AmbMcMullen and State Secretary Daniela Stoffel at the @efd_dff exchanged instruments of ratification of the Protocol of Amendment to the Double […]
Thousands protest against 5G mobile rollout in Swiss capital
Rollout of the next generation of mobile technology, known as 5G, has met with resistance in Switzerland. Last week, a demonstration in Bern, organized by Frequencia against the rollout, attracted thousands, according to RTS. Frequencia claims more than 3,000 people attended the protest. Switzerland is one of the first countries to rollout the new technology, […]
Swiss federal court rules against home schooling
The Federal Tribunal, Switzerland’s highest court, recently ruled that parents have no constitutional right to school their children at home. In 2017, the canton of Basel-City refused a mother’s request to home school her 8 year old son. After a failed attempt to overturn the decision in a cantonal court the woman took her case […]
