17 April 2026 JUSTE UNE ILLUSION ***1/2 (vo French) This coming-of-age story from the point of view of an adorable 12-year old boy set in 1980s Paris is utterly charming, so down-to-earth and retro. Between a self-absorbed older brother and … [Read more...]
News and Features
Swiss emissions down by 27%
Switzerland has reduced its domestic greenhouse-gas emissions by 27.3% since 1990, according to the latest figures from the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). Total emissions fell to 40.1m tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2024, about 0.5m tonnes … [Read more...]
Tick bites on the rise in Switzerland
Tick bites are on the rise in Switzerland. Suva, the national accident insurance provider, estimates that nearly 18,000 cases were recorded in 2025, close to the peak seen in 2020 and well above the 9,000 reported annually in the mid-2000s. Between … [Read more...]
Few Swiss tenants claim rent cuts after rate drops
Few Swiss tenants are asking for lower rent, despite a fall in the mortgage reference rate that entitles many to a reduction. A study by Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) finds that although nearly half of tenants could have benefited from the most recent … [Read more...]
Swiss crackdown on forever chemicals faces resistance from farmers
Switzerland’s federal government is stepping up efforts to tackle contamination from PFAS—so-called forever chemicals—but is meeting resistance from cantons and parliament. According to reporting by SRF, officials plan to issue a directive requiring … [Read more...]
Guides
15 things you should know about Swiss health insurance
It's health insurance season. Average premiums are increasing in 2018. Compulsory basic Swiss health insurance can generally only be changed once a year. To change you must notify your current provider by 30 November. This article explains the basics … [Read More...]
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...]
Activities
Foxtrail – an adventure game on the streets of Lausanne
As we zoomed down the metro line, the puzzle unfolded with the first clue we were given: watch for the fox’s green paw print on the rail track. Later, during our half-day adventure chasing the “fox”, we had to figure out a series of other clues: a … [Read more...]
Basel Fasnacht 2025 – no ordinary festival
A parade that starts at 4 in the morning? With piccolos? And drums? In winter? Really? Yes, and you’ll be enchanted by the whole thing. Every year in the city of Basel on the Monday after Ash Wednesday (this year, March 10th), the Morgestraich … [Read more...]
Renowned artist EDWARD HOPPER in Basel
Solitary, pensive figures. Deserted streets or a luminous gas station in twilight. A night diner seen from outside. These are the static, atmospheric scenes we usually connect with Edward Hopper’s paintings. A uniquely American artist, who lived from … [Read more...]
