20 Minutes. In Switzerland all able men must serve in the country’s military when they turn 18. Women can sign up however this is not legally required and few do. The minimum military training male Swiss citizens must undertake depends on rank. For the lowest rank of corporal the minimum is 260 days, which starts with initial […]
Switzerland sees steep rise in number of mothers working
Recent figures from Switzerland’s Federal Statistical office show that in 2016 74% of women with children under 15 were working. In 1996, the same percentage was 61%. The percentage of mums working climbs significantly with the level of education. In 2016, 79% of those with tertiary qualifications were working, compared to 61% of mums in […]
Vegan condoms launched in Geneva
When most think of vegan products they think of food, however this product is not for eating. Launched this week by Gabrielle Lods, a Geneva-based scientist, the product is certified to european conformity, known as CE marking. Baisez bien – baisez bio! Choisis tes préservatifs en latex bio, sans parabènes ni produits toxiques #condom #vegan #organic #freeshipping […]
Roger Moore’s love of mountains and life in Switzerland
On 23 May 2017, Roger Moore passed away at the age of 89 after a short battle with cancer. Born in 1927 in Stockwell in south west London he started his film career at the age of 17 achieving fame in the fifties and sixties after starring in the British television series Ivanhoe and The […]
Big debts at 18 because parents didn’t pay Swiss health insurance bills
20 Minutes. A recent article in the newspaper 20 Minutes highlights the nasty surprise some young people experience when their parents fail to pay their health insurance premiums. Turning 18 is one of life’s key milestones. It corresponds with the end of school and entry into a new world. In Switzerland it is also a […]
Some Swiss cantons overwhelmed with confessions of tax evasion
Ahead of the automatic exchange of bank account information, which comes into effect at the beginning of next year, Swiss residents with undeclared foreign bank accounts are rushing to come clean to the tax authorities, according to Swiss broadcaster RTS. According to RTS, 380 have come forward in Fribourg, 173 in Valais, 254 in Jura, around […]
Get ready for heavy traffic
Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) issued a traffic warning today ahead of the long weekends in May and June. The public holiday this Thursday (Ascension) means many will take a day of leave on Friday to make a four-day weekend. Monday 5 June is also a public holiday (Pentecost) creating a three-day weekend. Later in […]
How Switzerland is turning tunnels into huge batteries
The problem with wind and solar power production is that the wind sometimes blows and the sun sometimes shines when the energy isn’t needed. Batteries are needed to store excesses until they are needed. One form of storage, which has earned Switzerland the nickname of the battery of Europe, is hydro. Excess power is used […]
Voters in Zurich reject plan to axe French at primary school
On Sunday, 60.8% of voters in the canton of Zurich rejected a plan to reduce the number of languages taught in primary schools to one. Part of a long running saga starting in 2004, the vote put forward by some teachers in Zurich, is based on the concern that primary school children and their teachers […]
Vaud cabinet remains left-leaning and majority female after Sunday’s vote
Le Matin. Voters in the canton of Vaud put two more politicians from the left into the canton’s diving seat on Sunday. The first round of voting left two of seven cabinet (Conseil d’Etat) positions open. Sunday’s winners, the two with the most votes, were existing councillor Béatrice Métraux (49.96%), from the Green party, and the socialist Cesla Amarelle […]
