Climate change is warming not only the air, but rivers too. A study published by Nature warns that “riverine heatwaves”—prolonged periods of unusually high river temperatures—are becoming more frequent and intense across Alpine Europe. A temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in the Aare river at the end of May is record-breaking for this time of […]
Swiss cocaine use extending into everyday working life
A new report by Addiction Switzerland argues that cocaine consumption in Switzerland has become more widespread, socially normalised and detached from its former association with nightlife and marginal groups. The report describes a steady rise in cocaine use since the early 2000s, driven by greater availability, falling prices and higher purity levels. Wastewater analyses place […]
Swiss parliament chooses VAT rise to fund extra pension payment
Two years after Swiss voters approved the introduction of a 13th monthly state pension payment, parliament remains divided over how to finance it. The debate has further sharpened concerns about the unsustainability of Switzerland’s pay-as-you-go pension system as the population ages. Left-wing parties accuse conservative and liberal politicians of trying to use the funding debate […]
New EU rules on offshore migrant-return centres will apply to Switzerland
Switzerland will be required to adopt legislation allowing the use of migrant-return centres outside Europe, following a new agreement reached by the European Union. Despite being outside the EU, as a member of the Schengen area, Switzerland must incorporate the new rules into domestic law. The agreement, struck in Brussels on Monday evening, forms part […]
Swiss-led project identifies promising target for treating age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness among older people in rich countries, may eventually be treated by restoring the eye’s natural cellular recycling system, according to research led by the University of Fribourg. As populations age, retinal diseases are becoming increasingly common worldwide. AMD damages two types of cells that […]
No more military exemption for young French-Swiss men
Franco-Swiss dual nationals may no longer be able to avoid Swiss military service under a bilateral agreement between Switzerland and France, decided a parliamentary majority. On Thursday the National Council approved, by 129 votes to 61, a motion already backed by the Council of States. The proposal, put forward by Mauro Poggia, a politician from […]
“No Switzerland of 10m” — second poll shows narrow majority against
A slim majority of Swiss voters intend to reject the “No Switzerland of 10m” initiative, according to the second SSR poll ahead of the June 14th referendum. With only days remaining before the vote, the campaign over the immigration initiative looks set to remain tight. Had the vote been held on May 23rd, 52% of […]
The politics of air conditioning in Switzerland
As heatwaves become more frequent across Europe, Switzerland is confronting an unfamiliar question: whether rules around air conditioning should become less restrictive. The country does not prohibit air conditioning outright. But installing a permanent cooling system in Switzerland is often far more difficult than in neighbouring countries, especially in some of its most populated cantons. […]
Knife attack suspect active in the Islamic extremist scene in Winterthur
Swiss investigators believe the man suspected of injuring three people in a knife attack in Winterthur had longstanding links to the local Islamist extremist scene, reported SRF. The 31-year-old allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) during the attack. Mario Fehr, Zurich’s security director, later described the incident as a terrorist act at a press […]
What impact could a 10m population cap have on Swiss pensions and health premiums?
Switzerland’s referendum on June 14th is ostensibly about immigration and relations with the European Union. But the outcome could also have far-reaching consequences for the country’s welfare state. Supporters of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) initiative argue that immigration must be curbed to limit population growth and pressure on infrastructure. Critics counter that restricting immigration […]
