On 26 July 2022, Switzerland’s military helicoptered water to alpine farms in the municipality of Kerns in the canton of Obwalden, reported RTS. Obwalden is the first canton to request emergency water during the current persistent dry period in Switzerland. The operation was aimed at ensuring the survival of livestock, which could not be easily […]
Switzerland faces energy uncertainty like never before, says energy authority
This week, Benoît Revaz, head of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), said there is an unprecedented level of uncertainty in Europe concerning energy provision, reported RTS. Prices have been seriously affected by the war in Ukraine and Switzerland has not been spared, said Revaz. We are now experiencing the first global energy crisis […]
3 things you should know about learning French that most schools won’t tell you
Brought to you by Swiss French School. Most language schools won’t tell you these things for fear you will never start. However, unless you know these things up front you are likely to fail. 1. Learning takes a long time Most know this but teachers don’t like to discuss it. Let’s face it it’s not […]
Swiss minister unlikely to be charged for illegal flight
On 5 July 2022, Alain Berset, Switzerland’s interior minister, took to the skies piloting a Cessna 182, a small 4-seat light aircraft. At 4:23 pm he passed close to a French military base, triggering the intervention of two French military jets, reported Blick. Two French fighter jets forced Berset, who was flying solo, to land. […]
Men continue to dominate the leadership of state companies in Switzerland
An article published by RTS presents data that shows men outnumber women among the leaders of 20 of Switzerland’s 26 largest state affiliated companies. Like in much of the developed world politicians in Switzerland are pushing to get more women into top spots. Switzerland’s Federal Council has said it aims to have 40% of leadership […]
Financial health of Swiss pension funds deteriorates in 2022
A recent report by the government that collected data from a sample of Swiss pension funds shows a significant deterioration in the financial health of Switzerland’s 2nd pillar pension funds over the first half of 2022. Inflation, higher interest rates and falling stock markets have hit the fortunes of the funds. By the end of […]
Swiss rush to buy wood as gas crisis looms
Despite the current heatwave residents of Switzerland have not forgotten about how they might heat themselves over winter. With gas shortages looming and persistently high heating oil and gas prices, some are stockpiling wood. Increased demand for wood is pushing prices higher. Wood prices have already risen 10%, according to RTS. Some vendors have never […]
Rare forest giraffe born at Basel Zoo
On 10 July 2022, an okapi, or forest giraffe, was born at Basel Zoo. The new arrival is only the fifth calf to be born at the zoo over more than 20 years. The newly born calf named “Toka” is the son of mother Ebony (10) and father Imba (15). Described as strong and curious, […]
Switzerland abandons 1 franc house offer
In 2019, the village of Gambarogno in Ticino offered abandoned houses known as “rustici” to anyone prepared to renovate them for 1 franc. Last week, the scheme ended without anyone taking up the offer. The scheme was inspired by similar schemes in Italy. However the Swiss offer ran into challenges. Some were practical and others […]
Price paid for solar electricity too low for many Swiss home owners
Home owners with solar panels can put any excess electricity the produce into the grid. However, the price paid in much of Switzerland is too low to encourage home owners to install extra solar capacity, reports RTS. Some politicians would like to see this changed. Prices paid for solar energy added to the grid in […]
