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TODAY IN SWITZERLAND

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Olympic medals for Switzerland; cross-border train route disruption and other Swiss news in our roundup on Friday.

Published: 2 August 2024 07:49 CEST
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Parts of Léman Express' route will be closed. Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

SWISS airline cancels flights to Tel-Aviv, extends cancellations of service to Beirut

After suspending its flights to the Lebanese capital for security reasons until today, the national airline is extending the cancellations up to and including August 12th.
All flights to Tel Aviv will be temporarily suspended as well, from today until August 8th, the airline said.

In the event your flight to these two destination is cancelled, SWISS will rebook you free of charge on another flight once service is resumed.

You will be informed via your mobile phone. If you do not receive a message from SWISS, please check the current status of your booking online.

More travel news:

Sections of cross-border train route are closed due to maintenance works

A portion of the route of Léman Express, which links Vaud and Geneva communities with with surrounding towns and villages in neighbouring France, will be closed between today and August 11th.

Specifically, the train will not run between Geneva main station and Lancy-Pont-Rouge from 10 pm to 4 am tonight, as well as on the night of August 4th to 5th.

Another route, between Annemasse (France) and Chêne-Bourg (Geneva) will also be closed from August 4th 11 pm to August 11th at noon.

In both cases, replacement buses will be provided.

And more train disruptions:

Various other train routes are disrupted as well

Currently and until mid-August, train travel to, from, and within Switzerland will be chaotic and not very reliable.

Maintenance and repair works on tracks and other railway infrastructure, both in Switzerland and abroad, means that a number of trains will be delayed or cancelled altogether, with alternative routes and / or replacement buses put into service.

Lines between Zurich and Stuttgart, as well as between Domodossola and Milan, will be among those affected. Basel-bound traffic from the German city of Karlsruhe will also face disruptions.

Within Switzerland, one connection out of the six that usually run each hour and each direction (IR90 ‘non-stop’ trains) have been dropped between Geneva Airport and Lausanne to allow maintenance of the track between Renens and Denges.

READ ALSO: How your train travel in Switzerland will be disrupted in August 

Switzerland wins three Olympic medals so far

Halfway through the Olympic Games in Paris, Swiss athletes have won their first one gold, in addition to one silver and two bronze medals:

  • Chiara Leone, gold in 50m Rifle Three Positions
  • Julie Derron, silver in Triathlon
  • Audrey Gogniat, bronze in Shooting
  • Roman Mityukov, bronze in  Swimming

If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
 
 

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TODAY IN SWITZERLAND

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

MPs vote against an 'entry fee' for foreign tourists; British couple make plans to end their lives together in a Swiss 'death capsule; and other news in our roundup on Monday.

Published: 9 September 2024 07:39 CEST
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

MPs turn down motion to tax foreign tourists

The National Council’s Committee on Political Institutions voted on Friday to reject a parliamentary initiative filed by deputy Thomas Aeschi from the rightwing Swiss People Party (SVP), which called for the introduction of a 25-franc ‘entry fee’ for foreign tourists. 

According to the motion, this tax would be used to combat ‘overtourism’ and its proceeds would be donated to the state pension fund.

The MPs decided, however, that this measure would be “extremely complicated and costly to implement”: for example, it would require the reintroduction of systematic border controls.

It would also go against the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons that Switzerland signed with the European Union.

Another, somewhat similar motion, is still before the MPs: they have not yet weighed in on a proposal of another SVP deputy, who wants to make foreign nationals pay a tax for the privilege of living in Switzerland.

READ ALSO: Could foreigners in Switzerland be forced to pay ‘immigration tax’? 

Self-driving cars will soon be allowed on Swiss roads

The first ‘autonomous’ vehicles could be permitted in Switzerland from 2025.

According to Jürg Röthlisberger, head of the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), cars with ‘level 3’ driver assistance systems will soon approved. 

These types of automobiles allow drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel on motorways while the car brakes, accelerates, changes lanes, and avoids obstacles on its own. However, the systems are not yet able to drive safely at night or in the rain.

Currently, FEDRO is working on creating the legal basis for this measure to be introduced.

“The Federal Council is expected to adopt the necessary ordinances still this year,” FEDRO spokesperson said. 

British couple want to die together in Swiss ‘death capsule’

Peter and Christine Scott told UK media on Sunday they are in contact with the Swiss assisted dying organisation, The Last Resort, which created the controversial ‘death pod,’ Sarco.

They decided to go this route after the 80-year-old Christine was diagnosed with early-stage dementia.

The fear of medical costs and the poor health system prompted the couple to decide to go to Switzerland and die together.

The date has not yet been set, as they must undergo various verification procedures to comply with the requirements set out by Swiss assisted dying law:

READ ALSO: What you should know about assisted dying in Switzerland 

Eurovision makes hotel prices in Basel skyrocket

If you want to visit the Swiss city on or around May 17, 2025, you will have to dig deeper into your pockets than normally.

Due to the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Basel on that date, hotels and Airbnbs have doubled and, in some cases even tripled their prices.

And this phenomenon is not limited to Basel: since Zurich is only 75 km away and within an easy train or car ride, prices of accommodations there have also soared significantly, according to a report by RTS public broadcaster. 

If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch.
 

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