Anti 4×4 and SUV sentiment is being supported by a system of penalties being charged for importing polluting vehicles by the government. In a report by 24 Heures, importers of cars into Switzerland last year paid penalties of over CHF 5 million to the government for importing large polluting vehicles such as 4x4s. The penalties […]
Volkswagen’s viral video poll
German car manufacturer Volkswagen recently released a public information video that has been viewed over 26 million times since June. Claimed to be controversial by some and classified as a “must see and share” by many others, opinion is divided. Le News is interested to know what you think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHixeIr_6BM online poll by Opinion Stage […]
More right-wing curbs on foreigners
Despite a formal refusal of the European Union to make any special concessions on last February’s migration vote, Switzerland’s right-wing UDC party seems determined to push for even more curbs on foreigners. Catherine Ashton, the EU’s chief diplomat, has transmitted a letter to Bern agreed by the European Union’s 28 member countries that it cannot […]
Can sports can play a more positive political role in this violent world?
GENEVA The World Cup has ended. An orgy of flag waving and anthem singing has concluded for at least another four years. Germany won, as could have been expected. What wasn’t expected was how the threats of street violence and protest within Brazil over the lavish preparation did not materialize. But more interesting, and worthy […]
Asian Killer Hornets in Switzerland
BERN Swiss farmers are increasingly concerned by the impact of invasive species on agriculture. Europe currently has some 12,000 invasive species, both flora and fauna. While only 15% are considered dangerous or otherwise harmful, this is enough to threaten long-term food production. One of these is ambrosia, a weed introduced from North America during the […]
Swiss law priority over international law?
BERN The question of whether Swiss law should have priority over international law is expected to be decided when the Council of States convenes its next session either this summer or early fall. The issue is whether to go along with suggestions by the Swiss People’s Party (UDC) and others that Swiss law should stand […]
Keep your data private in Switzerland
Companies are increasingly regarding Switzerland as key to security and the protection of private data. Over 140 companies, many of them start-ups, have now established themselves in the EPFL’s Innovation Park in Lausanne. One of the principal reasons for locating to the Lake Geneva region, some maintain, is that Switzerland is one of the few […]
REGA requests investigation into Schumacher files
ZURICH Amid allegations by the French newspaper Dauphiné Liberé that REGA, the Swiss air rescue service, may be involved in the mis-appropriation of the medical files belonging to German Formula One racing driver Michael Schumacher, the Zurich-based non-profit has filed charges against ‘unknown’ persons and requested an official investigation. According to REGA spokesperson Sasha Hardegger, […]
Drones for relief
LAUSANNE Medair, a Swiss aid agency, is using innovative technology to help refugees. Ever since international relief agencies began becoming more involved with helping refugees and other crisis victims worldwide at the end of the 1970s, much of their response has been focused primarily on traditional food, shelter and medical aid. More recently, however, some […]
Tougher Swiss customs allowances – don’t get caught!
Swiss Customs has introduced new regulations for personal importation of food and other goods. This is vaguely good news for true carnivores and pet owners, but bad news for lovers of delicatessen. Whereas a person used to be able to bring 500 grams of fresh meat or fish and 3.5 kilos of other meat products […]
