Bitesize News

After nearly 30 years on air, World Radio Switzerland (WRS) - Switzerland’s only 24/7 English-language radio station - will close at the end of 2025 unless new ownership is secured.

UN workers are planning an unprecedented demonstration on Thursday – May 1st, international labour day.

Cross border workers who bought in a house in France, after taking out a loan in Swiss francs maybe able to make a claim back against any losses due to currency rate changes.

University students and staff across the country are planning several protests as the Federal Council debates budget cuts to higher education and fee rises.

With the return of the warmer weather – if may be time for a spring renovation of our house or flat.

We’re in for a hot summer – according to one of the worst weather predictors ever.

Swiss business leaders are hailing the success of the visit by Federal Councillors, Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin to Washington.

The fact that Geneva police officers do not have any identifying marks on their riot equipment is a threat to human rights and the right to protest - say organisations, including Amnesty International.

The Stade de Genève will be given a facelift ahead of the Women’s Euro Championships this summer – which Switzerland is hosting.

The Swiss Under 23 fencing team has caused a scandal at the European Championships in Estonia over the weekend.

The battle in schools about language learning has flared up again.

Lotterie Romande still hasn’t paid out the winning ticket bought by an organised syndicate earlier in the year.

The latest figures show the number of people travelling to the United States from Switzerland for a holiday has slumped by 34%.

The foreign minister Ignazio Cassis is currently in China discussing international trade.

Last week’s heavy snowfall in Valais has caused considerable damage – and the clear up is still underway.

Swiss Federal Railways is experimenting with new solar installations – the panels will be laid on the ground, between the tracks.

There are fears the job cutting at the World Health Organisation could be worse than originally thought.

The head of the Geneva based World Economic Forum resigned earlier this week as he was about to be investigated for embezzlement.

Work to modernize Lausanne train station will finally get underway next month.

Easter traffic at Geneva Airport was slower than last year – but that’s likely to be due to the lateness of the holiday period.

Looking for a bargain? The US Embassy in Bern is holding an online auction to sell off unwanted furniture and equipment.

Thousands of people and many politicians from Geneva, Vaud and France are fighting plans for a huge landfill site to be opened along the banks of the Versoix river between Chavannes-des-Bois and Chavannes-de-Bogis.

French police are investigating a drive by shooting in Annemasse at 8.30 last night.

There are calls in parliament in Bern for tougher election laws to make sure foreign donations can’t influence outcomes.

Wages increased by more than inflation last year – with women benefitting particularly well.

The weekend’s heavy snow is still causing problems - especially in the Upper Valais.

A pensioner in canton Schwyz is facing animal cruelty charges after a cat was found shot dead.

It wasn’t unexpected – major tailbacks at the southern end of the Gotthard Tunnel formed yesterday afternoon and into the evening.

Hundreds of Catholics prayed for the late Pope yesterday at Notre-Dame cathedral in Geneva.

Geneva voters are being urged to reject a proposal to change the tax system in the canton.

Teachers in Geneva will be striking on May 13th in response to a change in their working hours.

Despite the launch of the electronic autoroute vignette, the traditional sticker remains highly popular – to the surprise of many.

Seventy residents of the landslide threatened village of Brienz in Graubünden, were allowed to visit their homes on Saturday.

Authorities in Valais have issued a weather alert around the Rhône River due to rising water levels caused by recent heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt.

Authorities in the canton of Uri are calling for a full investigation into historical cases of sexual abuse committed by Benedictine monks during the 1960s and 1970s at the Karl Borromaeus College in Altdorf.

The HR director of Geneva's public transport company (TPG), Emilie Durrer Stambolic, has initiated legal proceedings following her suspension earlier this year.

The Federal Council has postponed its decision to bring in stricter regulation of internet platforms such as Google, Facebook, and YouTube - again.

Ten sheep were killed in a wolf attack in Valeyres-sous-Rances, northern Vaud, during the night from Monday to Tuesday this week.

Negotiations between Switzerland’s private health insurers and medical associations have broken down, escalating tensions in the healthcare system.

Valais cantonal police blocked over approximately 150 travellers and over 40 caravans from France on the A9 motorway between Vevey and Martigny yesterday, diverting traffic onto local cantonal roads.

Around 1,000 members of the Swiss Armed Forces are heading to Austria for joint military training alongside Austrian and German troops.

Egg consumption in Switzerland reached an all-time high last year, according to figures released by the Federal Office for Agriculture.

A slight majority of Swiss residents support abolishing the rental value tax, according to a new survey published on Tuesday.

A Citizens’ Assembly has come out in favour of introducing a tax on sugary drinks and foods as part of a series of proposals to promote public health.

In Geneva, five men aged between 38 and 56 have been sentenced to prison for their roles in two violent home invasions — or "homejackings".

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has confirmed that it has been informed of the kidnapping of a Swiss woman in Niger.

Migros is planning to launch its first 24/7 store in Herisau, in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. The company has submitted an application to the local authorities and, if approved, test operations are expected to begin in summer this year.

The Swiss emergency hotline 147, which supports children, teenagers, and young adults, saw a significant rise in demand last year.

The canton of Neuchâtel is calling on more people to help save lives. Currently in the canton, over 1,000 volunteers are trained to deliver critical first aid before professional teams arrive.

A man has turned to the media after being scammed into buying a “junk bed” and losing CHF 40’000.

Switzerland is spending half a million francs on lobbying the United States to make sure it keeps access to the latest AI technology.

Geneva is expected to be Switzerland’s richest canton and that will mean it will be the largest contributor to the federal fund which aims to equalize standards across the Confederation.

Last week’s traffic predictions from the TCS proved correct.

After the second round of Geneva’s municipal elections, left-wing parties maintain their control of the city with a Green and Centre alliance. Also, the Administrative Council is now majority female.

Geneva school holidays will change next year.

The Geneva tram network was thrown into disarray on Friday evening after one derailed at the Place Neuve at 7pm.

Three renowned investigative journalists Cecilia Anesi, Antonio Baquero, and Frederik Obermaier are avoiding Switzerland due to fears of criminal prosecution under strict banking secrecy laws.

Switzerland will be rejoining several EU programmes following an agreement with Brussels.

There are calls for tax payers to get a rebate after most cantons have reported a tax surplus this year.

This weekend marks the start of the Easter rush to the south – and major delays are expected at the Gotthard Tunnel and other routes heading south.

A feasibility study has been launched to examine the possibility of extending the Léman Express train to serve Bellegarde and Nantua in neighbouring France.

The Federal Council is creating a special team to deal with the uncertainty coming out of the United States.

Switzerland has reported its first case of a particularly serious variant of Mpox – formerly known as monkeypox.

The pedestrian who was hit by a hit and run driver in Anières in Geneva in early March has died after being treated for several weeks – Geneva police have arrested a driver after an appeal for witnesses.

A heavily armed Geneva police unit rushed to a school in Charmilles yesterday after an active shooter AMOK alert was triggered.

More restaurants are charging a fee to those who book a table and then don’t show up.

The Trump effect is beginning to have an impact on the right-wing Swiss People’s Party.

Authorities in canton Glarus are being forced to crack down on unscrupulous tourists that flock to the prime vantage point of the Muttenchopf.

Work has started on the St. Jakobshalle in Basel for the Eurovision Song Contest.

It’s tyre change time – many will be switching their winter tyres to summer ones right now, but authorities are warning that if you’re planning to visit Italy, you must have done by next month.

**** 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