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 […]
New government private jet scheduled for 2025
The jet is used by the Federal Council, Switzerland’s cabinet, and made the news in 2021 after forced landings led to missed diplomatic meetings in Anji in China and Tokyo in Japan. This week, the delivery date for a new jet was announced, reported SRF. The current plane, a 23-year-old Cessna Citation Excel 560XL, will […]
Rising number of Swiss report sleeping problems
In 2022, a third of Switzerland’s population suffered from challenges sleeping, up 5 percentage points from 1997, according to a survey by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The proportion of people with sleep disorders in Switzerland rose 5 percentage points over the 25 years between 1997 and 2022, with a significant rise starting in 2012. […]
Federal Council aims for winter Olympics in 2038 – seventh time lucky?
The last time the winter Olympics were in Switzerland was 1948 when they took place in St. Moritz. Since then Switzerland has not been a host despite being in the running six times. This week, Switzerland’s sports minister Viola Amherd said she would welcome the Winter Olympics in 2038, reported RTS. On Friday, the Federal […]
Rise in rate of suicidal thoughts in Switzerland
A report published this week shows a mixed picture regarding suicide in Switzerland. On one hand, the number of suicides is declining. On the other, the number of people with suicidal thought is rising rapidly, particularly among young people, women in particular. In 2022, 958 people took their own lives, a rate of around 11 […]
Eurovision comes to Switzerland in 2025
Basel has been selected as the host city for the 2025 Eurovision song contest, announced the organisation on Friday. The promotional video for next year’s event is below. The next event will take place in mid-May next year. It is hoped the event will boost tourism in the city. The decision was announced 10am. Twenty […]
Swiss attorney general fines miner Glencore
This week, Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) announced it had fined and closed its criminal investigation against the mining company Glencore International AG. After a four year investigation, OAG closed its criminal investigation against the Swiss-based company and imposed a CHF 2 million fine for failing to take all necessary and reasonable organisational […]
A look back at Swiss resistance to seat belt laws
Thirty years ago, Switzerland introduced rules making it compulsory to wear seatbelts in any seat where seatbelts are fitted. This made wearing seatbelts in rear seats compulsory for the first time, reported RTS. Adding a requirement to wear rear seatbelts was met with little resistance. However, in 1980 when a referendum was run on whether […]
Swiss court decides fathers have no say in abortion
This week, Switzerland’s federal court rejected a man’s case against his ex-girlfriend, who had undergone a late stage abortion, reported SRF. Abortions are legal in Switzerland if they take place in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. If a woman has an abortion later, except in cases where her health is at risk, she faces […]
Calls for compulsory dog training courses in Switzerland as dog biting incidents rise
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 […]
