Statistics published today show a significant drop in most types of crime in Switzerland. Between 2009 and 2017, the number of break ins fell by 36%, steeper than the fall in the number of vehicle thefts, which declined by 26%. In 2009, there were 64,268 break ins, compared to 41,351 in 2017, while vehicle thefts […]
100-year time lapse shows Alpine glacier shrinkage
The 100-year time lapse project, the work of aerial photographer Kieran Baxter, uses old archival photographs of glaciers to look back in time and compare them to footage today. In 1909, Swiss-born Eduard Spelterini took off from Chamonix in a gas-filled balloon and flew over the Mer de Glace glacier before continuing onwards to Switzerland. Spelterini gained his […]
How to ensure you’ll still get Le News posts on Facebook
Facebook is changing what ends up in your feed. If you want to continue to see content from Le News there are three simple things you can do. 1. Go to Le News’ Facebook page, click on the “Following menu” and then click “See First”. 2. Sign up to our weekly email newsletter. Just enter […]
Swiss government set to remove ‘marriage tax penalty’
In Switzerland, married couples file one combined tax return. Because tax rates rise in line with income it means that second incomes of married couples are taxed at a higher rate than those of single cohabitating ones. Those campaigning to have this changed argue that it is unfair and acts as a disincentive for second […]
Swiss to vote on compulsory cat castration
Switzerland has many laws relating to animals. In January 2018, it made world news after banning live lobster boiling. Now there is an initiative to prevent suffering among cats. More than 100,000 signatures, the number required to hold a federal referendum, have been collected for an initiative that aims to make it compulsory to have […]
Swiss clocks move forward one hour this Sunday
Early on Sunday 25 March 2018 – at 2am to be precise – Swiss clocks move forward one hour. This means you will miss one hour of sleep and it will be darker when you get up. On the plus side, it will be lighter for longer in the evenings. Much of the rest of […]
Raising Switzerland’s retirement age – like death and taxes
Last week, State Councillor Peter Hegglin (PDC/CVP) withdrew his motion demanding Switzerland’s retirement age automatically rise with life expectancy. He argues that Switzerland urgently needs to find a way to ensure the financial health of its pension system and raising the retirement age is the main way to do this. Across most of the OECD […]
Women in government – should gender equality be added to Switzerland’s constitution?
Should Switzerland’s constitution demand gender equality in government? This is the question being considered in Bern. Currently, the constitution only demands an equitable representation of Switzerland’s regions and linguistic groups. This text has a long history and is focused on ensuring cohesion across Switzerland’s diverse regional and linguistic patchwork. Gender has no regional dimension. In […]
Geneva’s mega apartment project now underway – 1,000 apartments and 2,500 jobs
Last week, work started on a project to construct 1,000 apartments in Geneva. The project known as the Quartier de l’Etang will unfold over an 11 hectare site in Vernier, not far from Geneva airport. The video above shows the commencement ceremony and a computer animation of the completed project. The man behind it, Claude […]
Switzerland’s parliament rejects plan to cut health insurance discounts
Switzerland has a system of compulsory health insurance. Residents must choose an insurer and pay. Those who don’t are automatically signed up and sent a bill. Other than shopping around, choosing a policy with an excess, a sum that must be covered out of your own pocket before the insurance kicks in, is one of […]
