Bitesize News
The news stories here are written for radio and designed to be read in under a minute.
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Measles is a threat
Measles cases are rising again across Europe, and experts say Switzerland could lose its measles free status.
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Switzerland battles cyber attacks constantly
This country is under constant cyber attack.
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Fire memorial tent burns down
A memorial tent that had been set up near the site of the tragic New Year's fire in Crans-Montana has burnt down - destroying many of the flowers and gifts left for the victims.
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Zurich has some of the worst traffic in Europe
Zurich is among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers, according to a new traffic study.
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Switzerland takes first gold - but still a surprise
Switzerland, and everyone else, was expecting this county to take gold in the downhill skiing on Saturday – and it did.
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Court backs school ban for non-residents
The courts have backed Geneva's move to ban kids who live in France from attending schools in the canton.
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ETH Zurich makes hospital bug breakthrough
There may be hope in the fight against hospital infections, following a breakthrough at the EHT University in Zurich.
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SSR/SRG complaints soar
Complaints against the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation are soaring in the run up to the vote which will decide if the licence fee should be slashed.
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Soral residents want border closure
Residents of the Geneva commune of Soral are raising the alarm over growing traffic problems linked to the Soral II border crossing.
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The Jonction park finally gets green light
After ten years of debate, the Jonction park project is finally moving.
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Crans Montana to donate CHF 1m to victim fund
Crans-Montana is to donate a million francs to a fund to help the victims of the New Year’s fire.
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Lausanne police set to fight discrimination
Following accusations of racism in its police force, Lausanne has published two reports highlighting serious issues.
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UBS reports $8bn profit
The bank, UBS, made a profit of nearly USD 8bn last year, around CHF 6bn, comfortably beating analysts’ expectations.
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EVs make further gains - but still behind Europe
While overall car registrations in Switzerland have been falling for six years, electric and hybrid vehicles are on the rise.
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Dog bite costs owner thousands
A German Shepherd attack has cost its multimillionaire owner CHF 330,000.
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Cassis should be investigated, say lawyers
Swiss lawyers are calling for an investigation into Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
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Jet setting minister under fire
The Federal Councillor, Ignazio Cassis , is under fire for using the government’s private jet to fly around the country.
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Geneva students book video doctors
Nearly 15% of students at the University of Geneva skipped medical care last year because of cost, according to the Student Life Observatory.
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Old scams still popular
It's an old scam, but it remains a favorite.
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Swisscom may have to pay comp for loss of TV
Swisscom is facing calls to pay its customers compensation after failures with its television service.
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We could be in for a March winter
Don’t expect summer any time soon - that’s a warning from the forecasters.
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Fire victim caught hospital bug
It’s been revealed the latest victim of the Crans Montana fire - an 18 year old man - had caught a serious infection while in hospital.
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Epstein had Swiss links
Newly released US justice documents are shedding light on Jeffrey Epstein’s deep links to Switzerland.
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Former UK residents can now give blood
People who lived in the UK during the eighties can now give blood in Switzerland.
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Should there be a drink-ski limit?
Swiss politicians are mulling if a stricter alcohol policy should be on the ski slopes.
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Zurich could be nightime transport hub
Zurich could become a major night-travel hub for Europe.
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Fire death toll ticks up
The death toll from the Crans-Montana fire has ticked up by one after an 18 year old man died at the University Hospital Zurich on Saturday.
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Carnivals bring in stricter safety rules
Following last month’s tragedy in Crans-Montana, carnivals across Switzerland are tightening fire safety.
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Geneva gets windfall from SNB
Canton Geneva is getting a windfall from the central bank.
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Winegrowers face another blow
Swiss winegrowers are facing another blow.
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Thousands march in support of the Kurds
Several thousand people took to the streets of Bern on Saturday in support of the Kurdish region in northern Syria.
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Cold weather and strong wind warning
Forecasters are warning of strong winds and bitter cold coming in central and eastern parts of the country.
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Fire council faces investigation
Prosecutors investigating the Crans-Montana fire are now turning their attention to members of the municipal council.
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A1 widening off the table
The transport minister Albert Rösti has made his priorities clear - and widening the A1 between Lausanne and Geneva is not happening anytime soon.
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Is skiing now too exclusive?
Is skiing now an exclusive sport?
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Aldi now to close flagship store
What’s happening with the discount supermarket Aldi in Switzerland?
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Fake officers attach car dealers
Suspected fake police officers have been arrested after a series of violent robberies at autoroute service areas.
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Punk fest this weekend - with a major headliner
This weekend is shaping up loud and fast in Geneva. The 5th edition of Recluses Fest kicks off tonight and Saturday at the Alhambra, with the first wave of concerts and a seriously international punk-rock lineup.
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Government wants to hike VAT
The government wants to hike VAT rates to pay for the army.
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Swiss weapons used by ICE
Swiss made weapons have been used by ICE agents in the United States.
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Major fire in Courchevel
A major fire broke out on the roof of a luxury hotel in the French ski resort of Courchevel last night.
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Satigny residents told to avoid tap water
Residents in Satigny in canton Geneva are being told to avoid drinking tap water after a technical incident hit a reservoir yesterday morning.
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Balexert rejects Primark
Cheap clothes, giant stores, and bargain prices - that’s the Primark formula.
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Zurich bans leaf blowers
Zurich is blowing the whistle on leaf blowers.
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Franc strengthens further
The Swiss franc is on a roll.
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Housing remains tight
Nearly six out of ten people say they’re struggling to find housing - and it’s worse in the cities.
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Pensions contributions could start earlier
Young people could soon start paying into their pension fund much earlier - from age 20 instead of 25.
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Trains get more punctual
Trains are more punctual than ever - and when they are late, the blame normally lies with another country.
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Laptop causes flight chaos
A United Airlines flight from Washington to Geneva had to turn back over the Atlantic last week - and the reason is a bit wild.
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Unqualified mountain guide fined
A woman offering high-mountain climbing trips without the proper qualifications has been fined CHF 5,000 in Valais.
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Woman dies in Carouge after home attack
In Geneva, a 52-year-old woman was found dead early Saturday morning in her apartment in Carouge.
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French speaking cantons unite against SSR vote
The French-speaking cantons are drawing a firm line against cutting the licence fee that funds the Swiss public broadcaster, the SSR.
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US is now in surplus with Swiss trade
In the tariff dispute with Switzerland, Donald Trump is suddenly short one key argument.
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Migros recalls baby formula
Babybio Optima infant formula has been pulled from Migros shelves in French-speaking Switzerland.
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Geneva teachers warn over Roblox
Geneva is sounding the alarm over Roblox.
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Italy angered at decision to release fire bar owner
Italy has expressed its anger at the decision to release the owner of the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.
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Nightclub fire exit locked
More than three weeks after the deadly fire in Crans-Montana, serious doubts are emerging about the owners’ version of events.
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No to 10 million initiative would harm the economy
Capping Switzerland’s population at 10 million would come at a heavy price.
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Sick days climb in 15 years
We’re all taking more sick days.
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Warning of jams in February
The Federal Roads Office is warning of heavy congestion throughout February, especially on weekends.
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Careful of vignette scams
Just a few days left to buy your autoroute vignette.
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Ukriane will get Swiss electrical equipment
Ukraine has sent a list of electrical equipment it needs to the Swiss government.
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Brutal attack on grandmother
A brutal home invasion in Onex in Geneva is still haunting a family one year on.
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Residents can move back into Brienz
The village of Brienz in canton Graubünden which has been empty since May 2023 can now be lived in again.
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Aldi to close some stores
The supermarket chain Aldi is closing several stores in German-speaking Switzerland.
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Dust kills thousands of insects at vivarium
It’s suspected asbestos dust killed 2,000 insects at a vivarium in canton Neuchatel.
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Macron becomes Davos fashion icon
The French president Emmanual Macron is becoming a fashion Icon in Davos.
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AI could be worth billions to Switzerland
Artificial intelligence could give Switzerland a serious economic boost.
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Swiss study shows AI is addictive
Artificial intelligence is becoming so present that it may also be becoming addictive.
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Trump 'rambles' in Davos for more than an hour
Donald Trump used his Davos speech to take aim at Europe - and to double down on his Greenland ambitions.
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Iranians protest in Geneva
Around 150 people gathered yesterday evening on the Rue de Mont-Blanc in Geneva to show solidarity with the Iranian people, as the political and social situation in Iran continues to worsen.
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Army underestimated F-35 housing costs
The cost of buying American F-35 fighter jets continue to rise, but in this instance, the problems are all home grown.
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Former bond girl loses CHF 18m
Legendary screen actress Ursula Andress believes she’s been robbed.
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Parmelin gives very Swiss speech in Davos
The Swiss president opened the World Economic Forum in Davos with a very Swiss message: neutrality, dialogue, and cooperation.
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Several Geneva nightclubs violated safety laws
Several nightclubs and public venues in Geneva have been cited over the past decade for serious breaches of fire safety rules, some described as endangering the public.
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New atomic plants a step closer
New nuclear power plants could be built. A parliamentary commission has voted in favor of lifting the current ban on new power stations.
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Extended parental leave may be coming - finally
Young parents in Geneva could soon benefit from 24 weeks of parental leave, which will be a first in Switzerland.
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Geneva car derails tram
A car making an illegal turn caused chaos on Geneva’s tram network yesterday morning.
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Bern gives up on silent tire
It steals sleep, harms health, and even drags down house prices - and it seems the government can’t do anything about it.
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Gov Newsom will be in Davos
The World Economic Forum’s meeting in Davos is underway, and it’s expected Donald Trump’s threat to takeover Greenland will be dominating the agenda – but a major Trump critic will also be in town.
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More passengers, fewer flights at Geneva
Air traffic remained high at Geneva Airport last year, with nearly 18 million passengers passing through. It’s a slight increase on 2024, despite fewer flights overall.
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Switzerland may bring in transit fee
Switzerland may bring in a transit fee for those who solely pass through the country.
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Northern lights visible in Switzerland
Residents in many areas of the country enjoyed a spectacular view of the northern lights.
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Clock change sends people to the ER
Clocks change at the end of the week - and it could be dangerous - as it sends more people to hospital.
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CERN to raise money with hamster toys
**** APRIL FOOL**** Many thanks for all your comments!
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Rockfall alert could last for weeks
Residents in the threatened village of Brienz in Graubünden were allowed to visit their homes briefly yesterday.
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Win a weekend away in Interlaken
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.
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Merry Christmas - we're taking a break
WRS normal programming back in January
