Expertise: European politics, language, cinema. Initials: ts
Born in London, Thomas was a journalist at The Independent before moving to Bern in 2005. He speaks all three official Swiss languages and enjoys travelling the country and practising them, above all in pubs, restaurants and gelaterias.
How Swiss festive bad boy Schmutzli cleaned up his act
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Once upon a time, a mysterious dark-faced figure would enter Swiss homes on December 6, beating and (briefly) abducting children into behaving better. Schmutzli needed an image makeover.
Heard the one about the Swiss company installing laugh detectors?
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A Swiss insurer is testing the frequency of laughter in an office to improve job satisfaction. Workers who don’t laugh enough are sent an email with a funny video.
Feline felons: what to do with Switzerland’s killer cats?
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Cats kill millions of animals every year in Switzerland, but most politicians are reluctant to do anything about it. Would a “cat moratorium” make a difference?
Faster, higher, stronger, Swisser: let the 2024 Olympic Games begin!
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On Friday evening 128 Swiss athletes will float down the River Seine in Paris as part of the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
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Better late than never – but US President Joe Biden’s decision on Sunday to pull out of the race for the White House was far too late, reckon the Swiss media.
Switzerland’s 19 living ex-presidents: a world record
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Nineteen former Swiss presidents are still alive. What does this record say about the country’s political stability and leadership?
‘Visibility’ or ‘poisoned chalice’? Reaction to Swiss Council of Europe appointment
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Swiss politician Alain Berset will be the next head of the Council of Europe – a win not only for Berset himself but also for Switzerland, say the Swiss media.
‘Real peace closer for Ukraine’ despite lack of consensus at Swiss summit
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Historic? Disappointing? Western powers and their allies have denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but they failed to persuade major non-aligned states to join their final statement.
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With Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games just weeks away, bookmakers and punters are looking forward to a summer of betting on sports. But how easy is it to have a flutter in Switzerland?
Explainer: Switzerland and the recognition of Palestine
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On Wednesday Ireland, Spain and Norway said they would recognise a Palestinian state. What are the chances of Switzerland following suit?
From the cute to the horrific: Switzerland’s weirdest museums
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Switzerland has some of the biggest and best museums in the world, but it is also home to some really bizarre and niche ones.
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News that Switzerland is one of the favourites to win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has got a country used to Eurovision disappointment thinking the unthinkable. But victory would raise several tricky questions.
‘Political earthquake’: papers react to Swiss pension vote
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Foreign and domestic media are speaking of a “political earthquake” and “shock” following Swiss voters’ backing of a 13th monthly pension payment.
Switzerland at Eurovision: the colourful hits and misses
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In anticipation of victory this year, here’s a look at some of Switzerland’s highs and less highs at the kaleidoscopic Eurovision Song Contest.
Giving expats the vote: what can the UK and Switzerland learn from each other?
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Has the British government shot itself in the foot by giving voting rights to citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years?
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As the political dust settles, we look at the main talking points – and some memorable images – from this year’s World Economic Forum.
What do you think of Migros’ decision to consider selling alcohol? How would you vote?
Migros, one of Switzerland’s largest and most popular retailers, is thinking about stocking alcohol after almost a century of abstinence. From the article Retail giant Migros confronts its complicated history with alcohol
Do you agree with a recent survey of expats that Switzerland is beautiful but it’s tough to settle in and make friends?
According to an annual survey, foreign workers still love Switzerland’s quality of life but still hate how hard it is to settle in and make friends. Do you agree?
