The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has started the process of issuing a new series of banknotes by launching a design competition, it announced this week. The new banknotes will not be issued until the early 2030s at the earliest, said the bank. The new series will be dedicated to the unique topography of Switzerland and […]
Switzerland exploring new form of burial
In Switzerland, 90% of people opt to have their remains cremated. The other 10% opt for burial. However, traditional burial contaminates soil and takes up valuable space. While cremation consumes significant energy and pollutes the air. Four women who created the organisation Werde Erde hope to make compost burial an option, reported SRF. When someone […]
Majority of Swiss favour current deal with EU shows poll
A recent poll on the 25th anniversary of Switzerland’s current agreement with the EU shows a majority supports the agreements Switzerland has signed with the bloc. The poll run by gfs.bern for RTS shows that 73% believe Switzerland is better off with the current deal. Of the 73%, 8% say the agreement brings nothing but […]
End of lifelong widows’ pensions moves closer to reality
Pending new legislation means widows and widowers will soon receive a pension only until the youngest child reaches the age of 25. Currently, widows, but not widowers, receive a pension for life. For widowers the payments currently stop when the youngest child turns 18. This week, the Federal Council sent instructions to parliament to enact […]
Swiss government deficit shrinks further
This week, Switzerland’s federal government said it expects to run a deficit of CHF 900 million in 2024, a figure significantly below the original forecasted deficit of CHF 2.6 billion. The original figure has now dropped twice, once in June by CHF 1 billion and now by a further CHF 0.7 billion to CHF 0.9 […]
Swiss government wants to invest more in bomb shelters
In 1962, Switzerland introduced a law that required underground bomb shelter space be constructed for all residents. Since then shelters have been built into houses and communal spaces have been built by municipalities for those living in a building without one. This week, the federal government announced plans to increase spending to renew and maintain […]
How changing clocks back leads to more wildlife accidents
On 27 October 2024, daylight savings time ends when at 3am clocks are turned back one hour. However, this small change increases the number of collisions with wild animals on Swiss roads, reported SRF. In 2023, around 20,000 animals were hit on Swiss roads. Swiss motorists are most likely to hit a deer. In 2023, […]
FILM: MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR **** an outstanding story
25 October 2024. By Neptune MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR **** (vo French) Writing last week about excellent to failed biopics, I mentioned that the best are often about musical artists. Well, here’s yet another example – this outstanding story of Charles Aznavour’s fascinating life. Who does not know the great songwriter, singer, actor Aznavour? From his poor […]
New initiative launched to require votes before Switzerland accepts EU law
Currently, Switzerland is negotiating an update to its relationship with the EU. Some fear the new deal will include clauses that lead Switzerland to automatically adopt EU laws and to fall under the authority of the European Court of Justice, something the initiative organisers call passive EU membership. Known as the Compass Initiative, the new […]
Children most affected by poverty in Switzerland and need more assistance, says report
A study published this week found that nearly 1 in 20 (4.8%) people under 18 in Switzerland received social welfare in 2022, reported RTS. Children made up 33% of the total population on welfare. The report called for more money to ensure this group is sufficiently supported. The 76,000 children in Switzerland receiving social assistance […]
