17 November 2023. By Neptune HOW TO HAVE SEX *** This film by first-time director Molly Manning Walker should have been called ‘How NOT to Have Sex’. It’s about three English teenage girlfriends who go off to a Greek party resort to literally “get laid”. They’re terribly excited and the place is full of rowdy […]
Swiss government aiming for EU negotiating mandate by year end
Switzerland in not a member of the EU. However, via a series of deals it operates to a large extent as a member would. Brussels put pressure on Switzerland to replace these deals with a single agreement giving Switzerland less wiggle room. In May 2021, Switzerland said no to the deal on the table. On […]
What makes someone Swiss – a survey
A survey run by gfs.bern that asked more than 57,000 people what makes someone Swiss was published by RTS this week. One of the takeaways from the survey is that a person’s behaviour is more important than their origin. 54% said that origin was of secondary importance when establishing Swissness. The most important behaviour for […]
Fast-track heat pump approval challenged in Swiss court
Changing your home heating system is a complicated matter in Switzerland, involving much paperwork and significant administrative cost. To incentivise the installation of heat pumps, a more efficient form of electric heating, the canton of Vaud changed the rules to make it easier. A group of around 40 people, many with scientific backgrounds has challenged […]
Swiss pay rises won’t keep up with inflation in 2024
A report by UBS predicts average Swiss salary growth of 1.9% in 2024, set against expected inflation of 2%. If correct, real pay will be slightly lower by year end than it was at the start of the year. The bank said that rising health insurance premiums will mean many workers face a loss of […]
Swiss government wants to cut broadcasting fee
Switzerland, like the UK, charges households an essentially unavoidable broadcasting fee. The money raised is used to fund public news and entertainment. However, the fee is divisive. Some view it as a necessity to ensure the public is well informed. Others see its unavoidable nature as an affront to personal liberty. A public vote to […]
Electric vehicles to be taxed next year in Switzerland
From 1 January 2024, electric vehicles (EV) will be taxed like their petrol and diesel equivalents, announced Switzerland’s Federal Council this week, reported RTS. Cars imported into Switzerland suffer a 4% tax. EVs are currently exempted from this tax. From the beginning of next year all cars including EVs will be taxed. The exemption, introduced […]
Price cuts on 350 medicines in Switzerland
With the ever rising cost of of Swiss healthcare, the government has been hunting for savings. This week it announced that it has ordered price cuts on 350 medicines from 1 December 2023, reported RTS. On average the drugs on the list will cost 10% less and deliver an overall expected saving of CHF 120 […]
Future vote to ban fireworks gets enough signatures
Fireworks are a common festive spectacle in Switzerland. But for some their noise outweighs their benefits. This week, a group announced it had collected more than the 100,000 signatures required to launch a referendum on the subject, reported RTS. In the 18 months allowed, the group collected signatures 137,429 signatures, which it submitted to the […]
Gotthard train tunnel not fully open until September next year
The damage in the Gotthard Base train tunnel is greater than previously assumed and it will not reopen until September 2024, reported SRF. Swiss Rail boss Vincent Ducrot announced the news at a media conference this week where he presented the extent of damage and repair work in Switzerland’s most important rail tunnel. We knew […]
