10 October 2025 A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE *** Katheryn Bigelow (Oscar-winning director of “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty” - both concerning wars and the military) is back with another testosterone-filled thriller that feels too plausible for … [Read more...]
News and Features
Vote called against tighter rules on Swiss civil service
Switzerland’s plan to restrict access to civilian service has sparked a referendum campaign, with critics warning that the reform will weaken social cohesion and harm public welfare. An alliance of civil-society groups, placement organisations and … [Read more...]
Swiss tenants squeezed as rents up one third in two decades
Swiss tenants are losing patience with rising rents, which have jumped by nearly a third over the past 20 years despite falling reference interest rates, according to a study by Comparis. © Alexandre Zveiger | Dreamstime.com Rents have risen by … [Read more...]
Swiss school leader calls for social-media ban for minors
Social media should be banned for under-18s, argues the head of Switzerland’s association of German-speaking school principals, reported RTS. Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com Thomas Minder, president of the association, says young … [Read more...]
Swiss Young Socialists launch campaign to tax the rich
Switzerland’s Young Socialists (JS) have launched their campaign for the “Pour l’avenir” (“For the Future”) initiative, arguing that the super-rich should shoulder the costs of combating climate change, reported RTS. The ultra-wealthy are … [Read more...]
Guides
Setting up a business in Switzerland – a guide
Brought to you by Winbiz online accounting for Swiss businesses. So you have decided to start a business. You have a business plan and are ready to get started. Before you launch you need a name and possibly a company. Broadly there are two options … [Read More...]
Language requirements for Swiss citizenship and visas – what you need to know
Brought to you by Swiss French School. On 1 January 2019, Switzerland’s federal government tightened and harmonised the rules on language requirements to qualify for some residence permits, B and C permits in particular, and … [Read More...]
Activities
Swiss 2021 summer music festival Paléo cancelled
In April 2020, when Covid-19 was spreading across Europe, Paléo announced it was cancelling its 2020 summer music festival. Today, it announced it is cancelling its 2021 festival. © Liamwh7 | Dreamstime.com In an announcement Paléo said: "the … [Read more...]
Halloween in Switzerland in 2024
Many expats, particularly north Americans, may be surprised to discover that Halloween is not a big event in Switzerland. But it is catching on. Photo by Monstera Production on Pexels.com Long before Halloween existed, a Gaelic festival known … [Read more...]
The best way to save forests, according to a forester
Last summer, two mates and I set out on what turned out to be a “bridge-too-far” walking project. Switzerland is blessed with more than 60,000 km of walking trails crowned by seven iconic National Routes. The National Route 5 (which extends as the … [Read more...]
