On Monday, a referendum in Switzerland aiming to ban the use of all synthetic pesticides was launched. The popular vote, which collected the required 100,000 signatures in 2016, is scheduled for 2020, according to RTS. The pesticides that would be banned include glyphosate and neonicotinoids, a group of chemicals known to kill bees. Vote organisers […]
Mistrust of Islam nearly three times higher than negative views of muslims
A recent survey in Switzerland shows mistrust of Islam is close to three times more prevalent than negative views of muslims. Every two years, Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office compiles a survey of attitudes towards people of different race, religion and nationality. The survey entitled: living together in Switzerland, asks a wide range of questions covering […]
Decathlon to expand in Switzerland
The low-cost French sports goods chain has plans to expand in Switzerland. 14 new stores, employing between 500 and 600 staff, are planned for 2019, according to the newspaper 20 Minutes. Many of the new stores will be refurbished Athleticum stores. Décathlon teamed up with Athleticum in 2018. In German-speaking Switzerland, the first stores will […]
To save the planet Lausanne plants a tree when a baby is born
According to the newspaper Le Matin, the municipality of the city of Lausanne has a tradition of planting a tree when a baby is born, something it has been doing for 17 years. The “one tree one child” programme is intended to create a connection between the city’s residents and local forests and promote environmentalism. […]
Drug makers paid Swiss doctors 12.5 million francs in 2017
Since 2016, drug makers have voluntarily published the amounts they pay to Swiss doctors, many of whom prescribe drugs to patients. In 2017 the sum was CHF 12.5 million, according to the association Science Industries. In 2016, the same figure was CHF 14 million. While drug makers publish the amounts paid, the information published does […]
Average Swiss rent barely rises over 7 years
Recently published data show that close to 60% of households in Switzerland rented their home at an average cost of CHF 1,329 per month in 2017. Average monthly rents ranged from CHF 752 for a studio up to CHF 2,323 for 6 rooms or more. The average household size in Switzerland was 2.23 people in […]
Gilets Jaunes protest in Geneva
Today, members of the group Les Gilets Jaunes came from France to protest outside the United Nations. Geneva police gave the group, expected by organizers to be around 5,000, a permit to assemble in La Place des Nations outside the United Nations in Geneva until midday. A report by RTS said the police put the […]
Video – deadly avalanche at Crans Montana Switzerland
Yesterday, an avalanche, which started above a piste at the Swiss resort of Crans Montana, spilled out on to it. According to local police, the avalanche left a trail of 840 metres. By the evening one person, a 34 year old French ski patroller who had been helping a skier, had been confirmed dead and […]
Percentage in Geneva who are only Swiss shrinks to nearly a third
Recent figures from the canton’s statistical office show the percentage of residents 15 or older holding Swiss citizenship along with one or more other nationalities has grown to 27%. Only 36% of the population are Swiss only. The remaining 37% of residents are foreign nationals without Swiss citizenship. The figures, which take the averages over […]
Switzerland an ideal environment for the sale and consumption of drugs
A recent report by Addiction Suisse says Switzerland has created the ideal environment for the sale and consumption of drugs. The report points out the easy availability of drugs in Switzerland. It says illegal drugs can be found quickly, easily and cheaply in Swiss cities. In addition, legal drugs are available around the clock in […]
