https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The latest heatwave sweeping across Europe is a stark reminder that it is the world's fastest-warming continent, stretching into an Arctic that is heating at an even greater pace https://www.thelocal.ch/20260624/explained-why-europe-is-the-worlds-fastest-warming-continent Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:42:20 +0200 explained-why-europe-is-the-worlds-fastest-warming-continent The extreme heat baking much of Europe this week is exposing the limits of rail infrastructure made during cooler times, leading to delays and cancellations along with warnings to travellers with health problems to avoid trips if possible. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260623/why-the-extreme-heat-is-wreaking-havoc-on-europes-trains Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:47:44 +0200 why-the-extreme-heat-is-wreaking-havoc-on-europes-trains Europe on Tuesday braced for more extreme weather as a deadly heatwave threatened fresh temperature records, with trains disrupted and hospitals across the continent preparing for an influx of heat-afflicted patients. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260623/latest-more-records-set-to-fall-as-deadly-europe-heatwave-drags-on Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:39:12 +0200 latest-more-records-set-to-fall-as-deadly-europe-heatwave-drags-on EU countries have finally agreed on a raft of reforms around air passenger rights that covers everything from compensation for disruption to seating rules for those travelling with children. So how will the changes impact you and why have airlines reacted angrily? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260616/what-europes-new-deal-for-airline-passenger-rights-means-for-you Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:31:49 +0200 what-europes-new-deal-for-airline-passenger-rights-means-for-you With the referendum on Switzerland's controversial anti-immigration proposal soon approaching, new polling data shows that voter sentiment is shifting and experts warn the Winterthur knife attack could have an impact. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260529/could-knife-attack-impact-switzerlands-crucial-anti-immigration-vote Fri, 29 May 2026 12:40:21 +0200 could-knife-attack-impact-switzerlands-crucial-anti-immigration-vote So far, mosty Swiss opponents have spoken out against the far-right’s ‘No to 10 million’ initiative. But as the June 14th referendum date is getting closer, criticism is coming from abroad as well. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260529/a-covert-attack-eu-lawmakers-slam-swiss-anti-immigration-vote Fri, 29 May 2026 10:00:42 +0200 a-covert-attack-eu-lawmakers-slam-swiss-anti-immigration-vote A man wounded three people with a bladed weapon at the Winterthur train station near Zurich on Thursday morning, in what Swiss authorities have said was a "terrorist act". https://www.thelocal.ch/20260528/breaking-three-wounded-in-blade-attack-at-winterthur-train-station Thu, 28 May 2026 11:46:47 +0200 breaking-three-wounded-in-blade-attack-at-winterthur-train-station The new and expanded SBB timetable and more Swiss Alpine slopes opening for winter sports, are among changes that are happening in Switzerland this December. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251119/everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-december-2025 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:39:15 +0100 everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-december-2025 New travel rules and consultation about the Swiss-EU agreement, are among changes you can expect in Switzerland in October 2025. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250918/everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-october-2025 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:44:29 +0200 everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-october-2025 Foreigners in a handful of Swiss municipalities and cantons are able to vote in some elections, but many of them don't. We look at the reasons behind this, and how the canton of Fribourg wants to change this. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250917/why-do-so-few-foreigners-vote-in-switzerland-even-though-they-can Wed, 17 Sep 2025 17:18:56 +0200 why-do-so-few-foreigners-vote-in-switzerland-even-though-they-can Swiss voters will have their say on two issues during the second round of this year’s national referendums, to be held later this year. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250522/digital-id-and-second-home-taxes-switzerland-announces-next-referendums Thu, 22 May 2025 12:12:43 +0200 digital-id-and-second-home-taxes-switzerland-announces-next-referendums Switzerland’s flagship airline SWISS has announced plans to slash 1,400 flights until October 2025. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250519/swiss-airline-cuts-hundreds-of-flights-from-summer-schedule Mon, 19 May 2025 12:19:25 +0200 swiss-airline-cuts-hundreds-of-flights-from-summer-schedule From health insurance premiums rising steeply to cross-border shopping becoming less lucrative — these are the changes you can expect in Switzerland in January 2025. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241219/everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-january-2025 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:57:02 +0100 everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-january-2025 As is the case each year on the second Sunday of December, the national rail company, SBB, will change its 2025 schedule on December 15th. Here’s a preview of what’s ahead. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241118/what-will-switzerlands-new-train-timetable-change-for-passengers Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:30:30 +0100 what-will-switzerlands-new-train-timetable-change-for-passengers From hundreds of medications that will become cheaper to the inauguration of world's steepest cable car — these are some of the changes that will happen in Switzerland in December 2024. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241114/everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-december-2024 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 13:55:06 +0100 everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-december-2024 The return of Donald Trump to the White House may be catastrophic for US democracy. It could be even more destructive for Europe, writes John Lichfield. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241106/opinion-trumps-win-spells-crisis-for-europe-but-it-could-save-the-eu Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:06:36 +0100 opinion-trumps-win-spells-crisis-for-europe-but-it-could-save-the-eu New driver licenses, and the possibility to register names bearing foreign characters, are among changes you can expect in Switzerland in November 2024. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241023/everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-november-2024 Wed, 23 Oct 2024 18:33:23 +0200 everything-that-changes-about-life-in-switzerland-in-november-2024 The date of November 10th for the launch of the new EU border system, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), is “no longer on the table”, the EU s Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced on Thursday afternoon following a meeting of EU home affairs ministers in Luxembourg. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241010/launch-of-europes-new-ees-border-system-officially-delayed-again Thu, 10 Oct 2024 21:53:08 +0200 launch-of-europes-new-ees-border-system-officially-delayed-again Swiss police announced Tuesday that several people were taken into custody after the controversial Sarco suicide pod was used to end an American woman's life. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240924/breaking-swiss-police-make-arrests-after-use-of-controversial-suicide-pod Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:09:07 +0200 breaking-swiss-police-make-arrests-after-use-of-controversial-suicide-pod On September 22nd, Swiss voters will weigh in on a variety of issues of national importance. But in some cantons, local matters are on the ballot as well. Here's a rundown. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240916/from-zurich-to-basel-whats-at-stake-in-switzerlands-cantonal-referendums Mon, 16 Sep 2024 17:25:11 +0200 from-zurich-to-basel-whats-at-stake-in-switzerlands-cantonal-referendums