Switzerland, has a population of around 9 million people and roughly 560,000 dogs. These high numbers are one reason behind a rise in the number of dog bites. The number of reported incidents of dog biting has risen across German-speaking Switzerland. In 2023, 840 incidents (+27%) were recorded in the canton of Zurich alone, up […]
Swiss national day holiday celebrates 30 year anniversary
Before 1993, Switzerland’s national day was not a public holiday. It took a vote on 26 September 1993 to make it that way. Up until 1977, surveys showed that Switzerland’s cantons were overwhelmingly against making the day a federal public holiday. However, on 26 September 1993, 83.8% of Switzerland’s voters agreed to make the 1st […]
Storms close many Swiss hiking trails
Around 600 hiking trails covering 1,300 km of path have been closed across Switzerland after storm damage, reported the organisation Suisse Rando. Due to the weather conditions, there are currently many Swiss hiking trails that have been damaged and have been closed or diverted, said the organisation. The most affected regions include Goms, Binntal, Saas […]
Switzerland to spend 300 million defending Schengen borders
From 1 August 2024, Switzerland will begin contributing to a fund supporting the protection of the borders of the Schengen zone, a group of European nations with combined land borders of 8,000 km and sea borders of 43,000 km, reported RTS. A total of CHF 300 million has been budgeted to cover the period between […]
NATO to open an office in Geneva
NATO has signed an agreement with Switzerland to open an office in Geneva, reported RTS. The new office will be similar to ones in New York and Vienna and is the fruit of discussions that began in 2022. NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization) says it is opening the liaison office to facilitate exchanges with […]
Anti-noise vehicle radar test completed in Geneva
Vehicle noise is a problem in Switzerland. The authorities receive a numerous and growing number complaints, particularly in cities. Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) placed noise detection radars in Geneva to quantify the problem. This week, they released the results, reported RTS. Radars erected in a number of places in Geneva flashed between […]
Explore the rich history of Swiss watch making in the enchanting Vallée de Joux
There is far more to Switzerland than cheese and chocolate. Switzerland has watches too! Home to global watch brands such as Audemars Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre, La Vallée de Joux, is one of Switzerland’s most renowned watch making regions. Watchmaking is woven into the valley’s past. Farming has always been a challenge, given the region’s high […]
Swiss heating emissions down dramatically in 2023
After adjusting for weather conditions, emissions from heating oil and gas fell by 8% 2023, according to data published this week by the Federal Office of the Environment (FOEN). The main driver of the improvement is improved building efficiency from better insulation and more efficient heating technology. The fall in emissions from burning gas (-41.7%) […]
Plans to use controversial death capsule in Switzerland
The first suicide in the controversial death capsule, dubbed “Sarco”, is set to take place in the next few weeks, reported SRF. Philip Nitschke, the Australian inventor of the device, has chosen Switzerland to launch the use of his invention. The pod, which creates an airtight space, fills with nitrogen upon the push of a […]
Swiss politicians discuss making patients pay larger share of medical bills
Switzerland’s system of compulsory health insurance already requires patients to pay a portion of medical bills in addition to paying premiums. To stem the rise in premiums, an old idea has resurfaced: make patients pay an even greater share of their medical costs. This week, some political parties voiced support for a higher minimum deductible, […]