This week, Swiss Rail announced that its transport police would wear body cameras from September 2024. The hope is that the cameras will reduce and diffuse conflict in the face of rising violence in certain situations, said the company. Each team will be equipped with at least one of the 100 cameras purchased, which cost […]
Historic boat struck by lightning on Lake Geneva
On Tuesday night, the historic paddle steamer Vevey was struck by lightning during a storm, reported RTS. The Belle Epoque boat was struck at night while moored in Bouveret at the far end of Lake Geneva. There were no people on board the boat so no one was hurt. The rear mast was broken and […]
Group against Swiss motorway enlargement launches its campaign
This week, a group in the Lake Geneva region against the federal government’s plan to expand key stretches of the A1 motorway in Switzerland, launched its campaign against the idea ahead of a vote on 24 November, reported RTS. The federal government recently announced a plan to add lanes to six stretches of Switzerland’s A1 […]
Swiss government plans to fund higher pensions with higher VAT
In March 2024, 58% of voters voted in favour of paying an additional 13th month of state pension. That triggered a fierce debate on how to fund it. This week, Switzerland’s Federal Council said it planned to fund the increase with higher VAT with no rise in salary taxes. The news was delivered by Elisabeth […]
Swiss attorney general fines miner Glencore
This week, Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) announced it had fined and closed its criminal investigation against the mining company Glencore International AG. After a four year investigation, OAG closed its criminal investigation against the Swiss-based company and imposed a CHF 2 million fine for failing to take all necessary and reasonable organisational […]
How to avoid death and injury from lightning
Switzerland is no stranger to violent storms, which sometime come out of nowhere when hiking in the mountains. According to experts, most people struck by lightning survive. But the risks of suffering long term damage are high, reported SRF. The electricity discharged by lightning can be as high as 100,000 amperes, according to Christian Franck, […]
Instant payments to start soon in Switzerland
Currently, payments between Swiss bank accounts are typically processed the following day. From 20 August 2024, Swiss banks will start to roll out instant payments within Switzerland, reported RTS. The new instant payment system will move money within 10 seconds and will operate around the clock seven days a week. In addition to speed, the […]
Pension calculation error does not change future, argues statistician
This week, an error was found in the government’s calculation of the future hole in state pension funding. While the error, which overstates the shortfall by CHF 4 billion, is substantial, it does not change the trend, according to Stéphane Rossini, head of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), reported RTS. The CHF 4 billion error […]
A look back at Swiss resistance to seat belt laws
Thirty years ago, Switzerland introduced rules making it compulsory to wear seatbelts in any seat where seatbelts are fitted. This made wearing seatbelts in rear seats compulsory for the first time, reported RTS. Adding a requirement to wear rear seatbelts was met with little resistance. However, in 1980 when a referendum was run on whether […]
Swiss hospitals lost a billion francs in 2023
Switzerland’s health system is under strain. New drugs and treatments combined with an ageing population, along with cost inflation are the main drivers. This week, KPMG published a report quantifying the hole in Switzerland’s hospital finances. Only 30% (14) of the 48 hospitals and clinics surveyed reported generating a profit. The other 70% were running […]
