In a short Twitter message on Tuesday, the Swiss embassy in Rome expressed thanks for the Italian contribution which it said was part of cross-border cooperation. The Italian effort includes bringing two Canadair aircraft. These large fire-fighting planes can fly low, notably into the valley, to extinguish flames above the village of Indemini, where houses have not yet been touched by the fire.
The fire has been raging since Sunday morning on Monte Gambarogno, near Lake Maggiore in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino which borders Italy. Several dozen people have been evacuated from their homes, but no injuries have been reported.
Swiss authorities have already been fighting the flames from the air with six helicopters, including two Super Pumas of the Swiss Air Force, the Ticino authorities said on Monday. Further reinforcements were being sent, according to the Swiss public broadcaster RSI on Tuesday.
The flames are raging across an area of more than six hectares, according to Ticino authorities who estimated that firefighters would need several more days to contain the blaze.
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The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
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Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum
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The Italian authorities have recovered over 2,500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally dug up and sold in Switzerland, Eurojust announced on Monday.
PrimeEnergy Cleantech declared bankrupt by Swiss authorities
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PrimeEnergy Cleantech has been officially declared bankrupt, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) reported on Monday.
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The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.
Swiss financial watchdog foresees greater uncertainty due to geopolitics
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The Swiss financial sector will face greater uncertainty due to the numerous geopolitical conflicts around the world, warns the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Swiss museums to mark centenary of death of painter Félix Vallotton
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Swiss museums will celebrate the centenary of the death of the artist Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) next year. A major retrospective is planned in Lausanne, his birthplace, in autumn.
Russian mission installs more ‘spy’ antennas in Geneva, Swiss TV report claims
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Russian spies are strengthening their presence in Geneva, according to a report by Swiss public television, RTS. Russian officials have placed new satellite dishes on their diplomatic buildings without authorisation.
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Switzerland should join NATO, as in the future it cannot rely on its long-standing tradition of neutrality for its defence, John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, declared in an interview on Sunday.
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A demonstration was held in Geneva on Sunday calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Around 50 Russians took part in the gathering outside the UN building.
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Economic losses caused by natural and human-caused disasters have been on the upswing for years, a separate survey by German reinsurer Munich Re revealed. They caused global economic losses to the tune of $77 billion, with the insurance industry responsible for covering $42 billion. Swiss Re notes that this is the second-highest loss value ever recorded during the first six months of a year and is above the ten-year…
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