Switzerland’s Federal Council has pledged swift support for the victims of the tragedy in Crans-Montana and their families, announcing plans for a federal solidarity payment and the creation of a government-led round table, reported SRF. The cabinet has instructed the Federal Department of Justice and Police to draft the necessary legislation by the end of […]
How eight remarkable Ghanaian women began a soil revolution
Scott Poynton, a forester based near Nyon in the canton of Vaud, spent last Wednesday in unusual company. In northern Ghana he met eight women who had taken their livelihoods firmly into their own hands. Impressed by their initiative, he later dubbed them the “Inspiration Sisters”, a title they accepted with quiet pride. The encounter […]
Swiss cohesion weakens but remains robust in everyday life
Social cohesion in Switzerland is weakening overall, but remains robust in everyday life. That is the picture painted by the second Cohesion in Switzerland barometer, published on Wednesday by the polling institute Sotomo. Respondents see direct democracy as the country’s most effective defence against fragmentation. According to the survey, external shocks—from wars and geopolitical tensions […]
How some Swiss struggle to integrate in Switzerland
Internal migration across Switzerland’s linguistic borders sometimes tests local integration. In the canton of Fribourg, growing numbers of French-speakers are settling in German-speaking municipalities, drawn by cheaper housing and proximity to the canton’s capital. The shift is quietly reshaping local administration, schools and civic life, reports SRF. In villages such as Giffers and Tentlingen, construction […]
Fire safety inspectors’ training varies sharply across Switzerland
The deadly fire in Crans-Montana has exposed wide disparities in how Switzerland’s cantons train those responsible for enforcing fire-safety rules. In the wake of the tragedy, the canton of Valais has acknowledged that the knowledge of communal safety officers is not always adequate and says it wants to strengthen training. The problem is structural. Although […]
Crans-Montana fire: who missed what?
As investigations into the tragedy progress lapses in oversight are emerging. The authorities appear to have been lax in their enforcement of rules. A licence despite a convictionInvestigations into one of the managers of the Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana have raised uncomfortable questions about regulatory oversight. Why was Jacques Moretti, one […]
Switzerland pauses to mourn those who perished in Crans-Montana
At 1.59pm on Friday, Switzerland fell silent. Across the country, people observed a minute’s silence in memory of those killed and injured in the New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana. Many remained quiet for far longer, reported RTS. They chose not to speak—not just for a minute, but for almost half an hour, said Véronique […]
Taiwan becomes “super-aged”. Switzerland close behind
Taiwan has crossed a demographic threshold. For the first time, more than 20% of its population is aged 65 or over, officially classifying the island as a “super-aged” society under United Nations criteria, reported Focus Taiwan. According to government figures released on Friday, 4.67m people in Taiwan were aged 65 or above last year, accounting […]
Pyrotechnics and acoustic foam: a lethal mix in nightclub fires
Nightclub fires, like the recent tragedy at Le Constellation in Switzerland, have once again highlighted a grim reality: indoor pyrotechnic devices and combustible acoustic insulation dramatically increase the lethality of fires in entertainment venues. An examination of the 15 deadliest nightclub fires since 2000 shows how frequently these two factors recur. In 80% of cases, […]
Swiss canton bans pyrotechnics in public venues
On January 8th 2026 the canton of Vaud announced a ban on pyrotechnic devices inside public venues. The decision follows the fatal New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana and is part of a broader effort to tighten fire safety standards. Deeply affected by the tragedy, the cantonal government has ordered urgent measures to review and […]
