Bitesize News

Geneva is becoming less popular for businesses.

The much-awaited national plan for transport is angering many politicians in Geneva as they say it favours the German speaking regions and western Switzerland is being pushed to one side.

The Federal Court has sided with the Geneva government in a dispute over Sunday shopping before Christmas.

The investigation into a group of young people who hunted suspected pedophiles in the Lugano area has wrapped up.

In Geneva, cycling and pedestrian groups are demanding safer space for bikes on the Mont-Blanc Bridge and Quai du Général Guisan.

A duck chomping catfish is in the sights of a restaurant owner in canton Bern.

Around 300 people gathered at Geneva Airport to welcome home nine Swiss activists from the Gaza flotilla yesterday.

Starting November 1st, Switzerland will tighten its asylum rules for Ukrainians.

An unauthorized pro-Palestine demonstration in Basel on Wednesday evening led to clashes with police.

The Swiss National Bank has released the six finalists for the competition to design the next series of bank notes.

Genevans will vote on whether to boost funding for culture.

What began as a peaceful pro-Palestinian rally in Geneva last night ended in violent clashes at Cornavin station.

The debate over 125cc motorcycles is heating up in Switzerland.

Geneva is finally getting a grip on construction chaos.

The Swiss Federal Railways, SBB, is under fire after a photo circulated online showing a train ticket printed with the word “Hamas” instead of the passenger’s name.

One of Europe’s most breathtaking autumn train rides runs through Switzerland – says the New York Times.

Business circles in Geneva are consolidating their support for the Swiss People’s Party candidate for a seat on the cantonal Grand Council.

The Geneva-based UN Refugee Agency says it needs at least USD 300m by the end of the year to avoid a budget deficit.

Switzerland’s labour market remains resilient despite a slowing economy and the impact of US tariffs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Swiss-made components have been found in Russian drones shot down over Ukraine.

It wasn’t an earthquake, and no, the Swiss Air Force didn’t forget to turn off the afterburners - that mysterious boom over eastern Vaud last Wednesday was, in fact, out of this world.

Health experts are once again recommending masks this autumn, more than three years after the end of the pandemic.

Milk producers are under pressure like never before. Prices are plunging, and some farmers have already sent healthy cows to the slaughterhouse, reports the NZZ am Sonntag.

In Geneva, restaurants, cafés, and hotels will soon be required to accept cash payments.

Health insurance cold calls are banned but far from gone.

It’s finally official, Lancy’s “Zero Advertising” policy is here to stay.

If you saw a hot air balloon sink into the lake yesterday morning – everyone is OK – it was an exercise.

More than three thousand people rallied in Geneva last night in support of the Freedom Flotilla, after Israeli forces began boarding humanitarian boats on Wednesday.

Health insurance premiums are set to rise faster than officially announced.

An unusual train ride from Geneva to Bern brought together politicians, business leaders, and journalists yesterday.

The Place Neuve, outside the Grand Théâtre, and some other roads in the area are being dug up at the moment to lay a new sound absorbing road surface.

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Winter is coming and it's nearly time to make sure your car is ready.

Geneva’s legal minimum wage will rise slightly next year. From January, the rate will increase from 24.48 francs to 24.59 francs per hour, an 11-cent adjustment.

The security situation in Europe is worrying politicians and many believe the army needs more money.

Students across Switzerland took to the streets yesterday to protest education cuts.

In Geneva, the Council of State wants to simplify online administrative procedures with the “once only” principle.

As the Swiss skiing elite prepare for a new season, there’s a concern about safety.

Strict smartphone rules may cause teenage groans, but they also bring extra sleep and better grades.

Health insurance premiums are becoming unbearable for many people.

A shocking medical error at Basel University Hospital: A young woman underwent unnecessary surgery after a lab mix-up.

Six months after Switzerland introduced mandatory reporting of cyberattacks, the Federal Office of Cybersecurity says it’s seeing results.

Relief at last for shopkeepers on Geneva’s Rue de Carouge.

Switzerland will soon be destroying U.S. military munitions.

Do you tip in restaurants – and where does your money go?

Geneva is gearing up for a straight left/right electoral battle for a seat on the cantonal government.

Geneva will transfer millions of francs to a health project in Equatorial Guinea.

An investigation into a truck explosion in neighbouring France says the driver was a hero.

Switzerland’s economy looks bigger than previously thought.

People are ashamed to buy Migros budget brand products – so they’re going to be repackaged.

Starbucks is cutting back - and fast.

There were two important votes yesterday – one on an electronic ID system and the other on how property is taxed.

In Geneva, voters have rejected several key proposals at the ballot box.

Geneva voters went to the polls yesterday for a by-election to replace Green politician Antonio Hodgers on the cantonal government.

Saturday saw the largest pro-Palestinian demonstration in Geneva since 2023.

Actor Colin Farrell has downplayed his latest honour, received Saturday at Zurich Film Festival.

US president, Donald Trump, has issued a hammer blow to the pharmaceutical sector by announcing a 100% tariff on drug imports.

Voters are heading to the polls this weekend – there are two federal votes and several cantonal issues.

Cross border shopping is booming – which is clearly at the expense of domestic retailers.

A new study from the Federal Statistical Office turns a political claim on its head. Foreigners living in Switzerland actually cost less in health insurance than Swiss citizens.

The Stade de Genève is battling an unexpected opponent: rats.

Switzerland is preparing a humanitarian mission: the federal administration wants to bring 20 seriously ill or injured children from Gaza to Swiss hospitals.

In Lausanne, prosecutors have filed around twenty charges against a 56-year-old man who drove his BMW into a pro-Palestine demonstration on September 6.

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research has released its 2024 severe weather report - and the toll is grim.

Canton Graubünden has taken the very unusual step of authorising the culling of an entire wolf pack.

The lower house of parliament has tightened access to civilian service, mirroring earlier decisions by the National Assembly.

Swisscom is shifting more IT jobs abroad.

Health insurance premiums are set to rise again next year.

A petition calling on Switzerland to recognise Palestine as a state has been handed over in Bern.

Several activists interrupted UBS boss Sergio Ermotti during a public discussion in Zurich last night.

This week parliament dives into a big debate: the law on debt enforcement – it could be good news for those who have over extended themselves.

Basel-City is paying people to ditch their cars.

Geneva’s primary schools will soon have an Active Shooter plan - a protocol for attacks involving armed individuals.

A Green Party parliamentarian is proposing that air travellers pay more tax on each flight they take over the course of a year.

Two out of three Swiss want another say on buying new fighter jets from the United States.

Chaos at Geneva Airport on Sunday afternoon. At around 1 p.m., passengers from a Swiss flight arriving from Marrakech were mistakenly mixed with departing travelers.

Movie lovers, get ready, Geneva’s autumn is packed with festivals.

Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis was escorted out of a conference in Bellinzona Friday evening after pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside.

Around two thousand anti-abortion protesters marched through Zurich-Oerlikon on Saturday, carrying crosses, singing hymns, and even pushing an oversized stroller.

The Geneva alternative cultural spot, the Usine, has closed for the time being after two separate violent attacks on Friday night.

Police are warning of a new trend in the country – paedophile vigilantism.

Residents in an apartment block in Servette in Geneva are protesting at plans by the property owner, UBS bank, to demolish the building.

Tension is rising in Bern as the National Assembly tackles the SVP’s “No Switzerland of 10 million” initiative today.

**** APRIL FOOL**** Many thanks for all your comments!

Residents in the threatened village of Brienz in Graubünden were allowed to visit their homes briefly yesterday.

Courtesy of the Interlaken tourist office, you can win 2 nights for two people at the Hotel Metropole in Interlaken with fantastic views of the Jungfrau.

WRS normal programming back in January