https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed It may be unusual for a neutral nation to have a military presence abroad — even if it is partially ceremonial — but there is a historic reason why the Swiss are protecting the Pope. https://www.thelocal.com/20211019/why-do-the-swiss-guard-the-vatican Tue, 19 Oct 2021 14:21:49 +0200 why-do-the-swiss-guard-the-vatican Shooting training is now mandatory in schools in Poland, a country which shares a border with Ukraine. Some in Switzerland also believe that Swiss students should follow suit. https://www.thelocal.com/20250425/should-swiss-students-be-taught-shooting-skills-in-schools Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:49:39 +0200 should-swiss-students-be-taught-shooting-skills-in-schools Switzerland is a nation that takes its customs seriously. So perhaps it's no surprise that traditions still popular today are given a special status. We look at some of the most recent entries to the 'living traditions' list. https://www.thelocal.com/20230823/cowbells-and-snow-cycling-what-to-know-about-switzerlands-living-traditions Wed, 23 Aug 2023 13:14:39 +0200 cowbells-and-snow-cycling-what-to-know-about-switzerlands-living-traditions With four official spoken languages—French, German, Italian, and Romansh—Switzerland has a linguistic diversity that puts other European nations to shame. You won’t be surprised to learn, then, that this isn’t a static situation. https://www.thelocal.com/20240313/why-and-how-often-do-swiss-towns-change-their-official-language Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:19:03 +0100 why-and-how-often-do-swiss-towns-change-their-official-language Switzerland's Alpine pasture season has been included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. But what makes it so special? https://www.thelocal.com/20231208/what-makes-switzerlands-alpine-pasture-season-worthy-of-global-recognition Fri, 08 Dec 2023 15:40:12 +0100 what-makes-switzerlands-alpine-pasture-season-worthy-of-global-recognition As Switzerland gets ready to hold its general election, here are five things that shape the Alpine nation. https://www.thelocal.com/20231017/language-divide-to-neutrality-five-things-everyone-should-know-about-switzerland Tue, 17 Oct 2023 12:20:32 +0200 language-divide-to-neutrality-five-things-everyone-should-know-about-switzerland In a recent international survey, Switzerland ranked near the bottom in terms of friendliness of the local population toward foreigners, and the general difficulties they face in the country. But is this assessment justified? https://www.thelocal.com/20230719/is-switzerland-really-a-difficult-country-to-settle-in Wed, 19 Jul 2023 17:56:32 +0200 is-switzerland-really-a-difficult-country-to-settle-in Industrial action, like the strike in Geneva airport last month, is exceedingly rare in Switzerland. This can’t be explained by good pay and working conditions alone, Clare O’Dea writes - striking is just not part of the culture.  https://www.thelocal.com/20230710/opinion-its-not-just-the-good-wages-that-explain-why-the-swiss-rarely-strike Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:50:52 +0200 opinion-its-not-just-the-good-wages-that-explain-why-the-swiss-rarely-strike Hundreds of regions, towns and landscapes across the globe bear the name ‘Switzerland’ in some way. Here are some of the prettiest. https://www.thelocal.com/20211109/in-pictures-ten-swiss-inspired-places-from-across-the-globe Tue, 09 Nov 2021 16:06:33 +0100 in-pictures-ten-swiss-inspired-places-from-across-the-globe