Private jet traffic to the World Economic Forum in Davos is climbing again, with Greenpeace reporting a 10% rise compared to recent years. During WEF week alone, hundreds of extra flights landed near Davos-many for trips that could have been done by train in a day. Greenpeace says private jets emit up to ten times more CO₂ per passenger than commercial flights, a detail that slightly undermines all that climate-conscious panel talk. As leaders gather to solve global problems, their carbon footprints seem to be arriving well ahead of them.

Despite a new customs deal with Washington, Swiss supermarkets have made it clear that US meat won’t be joining their shelves anytime soon. Retail giants say local meat still reigns supreme, even as small quantities of American beef and bison quietly cross the border. Restaurants, however, are more curious, with caterers already importing US meat and some even flirting with bison burgers and chlorine-washed chicken. In classic Swiss fashion, consumers may not see it in stores-but they might find it on a plate, with a disclaimer attached.

Flu cases in Switzerland have dipped slightly, but only enough to remind everyone that the outbreak is still very much alive and kicking. Health officials say it’s far too early to declare a peak, as case numbers, wastewater data, and doctor visits all remain stubbornly high. A new H3N2 strain is circulating, though authorities stress it’s not more severe-small comforts during flu season. In short, the flu may be pausing for breath, but it’s clearly not ready to leave the room.

US tariffs were expected to hit Gruyère cheese hard, but the damage turned out to be more bite than bite-sized disaster. Sales in the US did fall by 17% in 2025, yet strong demand at home in Switzerland largely cushioned the blow. Producers even trimmed output to keep stocks in check, proving that careful planning can be just as important as good aging. Despite the tariffs, the US still accounts for 30% of Gruyère exports-suggesting Americans aren’t quite ready to give up their taste for Swiss cheese, even at a higher price.

Swiss consumer watchdogs are sounding the alarm as dropshipping scams surge, with around 1,500 complaints filed against fraudulent online shops. These sites often pose as trustworthy Swiss retailers, only to deliver poor-quality goods from China-or nothing at all-after a long wait and with no refunds in sight. While dropshipping itself isn’t illegal, Konsumentenschutz says the business model has become a playground for deception. The advice is familiar but timely: if an online deal looks suspiciously Swiss and surprisingly cheap, it probably isn’t what it claims to be.

After the deadly fire in Crans-Montana, Lausanne University Hospital’s unique skin cell production center has gone into overdrive, working seven days a week to help patients with severe burns. Using small samples of patients’ own healthy skin, specialists can grow large sheets of lab-made skin, reducing rejection risks when burns cover more than half the body. Normally treating about 20 patients a year, the center has already received 15 urgent requests linked to the tragedy alone. It’s a sobering reminder that when disaster strikes, some of the most advanced-and quietly vital-technology in Europe is found not in headlines, but in hospital clean rooms.

Six Swiss cantons have warned that the country’s famously punctual rail network is running out of space, calling for urgent investment before overcrowding becomes the new normal. In a joint appeal to the Federal Council, they want CHF24 billion set aside to expand key east-west and north-south routes, boost regional services, and improve international links. Officials say commuter and freight traffic are already straining the system, and doing nothing will only make delays more democratic. In short, even Switzerland’s trains may soon need more room to breathe.

Swiss cinemas had a quiet year in 2025, with admissions falling 7.5% to 9.85 million as Hollywood blockbusters became a rare species. The dip is largely blamed on the US studio strikes, which left screens short of crowd-pulling hits-though Avatar: Fire and Ash still managed to dominate despite a late release. French-speaking Switzerland felt the slump most, while German-speaking cities oddly saw a slight uptick thanks to local films. The silver lining: Swiss productions held their ground, proving that when Hollywood stays home, local cinema gets a moment in the spotlight.

Lucerne has once again switched on the charm, transforming itself into a glowing open-air gallery as the Lilu Light Festival returns until January 25. Visitors can wander past 24 free light installations lighting up landmarks from the Lion Monument to the railway station arch-proof that winter tourism doesn’t have to be dull. This year’s program mixes Van Gogh’s luminous sunflowers, experimental art for young creators, and live concerts ranging from indie pop to classical heavyweights. With 150,000 visitors last year, Lucerne is reminding everyone that when it comes to winter flair, it prefers LEDs over hibernation.

Southern Switzerland’s ski resorts are feeling the heat-literally-as warmer winters leave Ticino’s slopes short on snow and long on uncertainty. Resorts like Carì and Airolo have already turned to short-time work schemes, with green hills replacing what used to be reliable January snow. Operators are investing in snow cannons, solar power, and subsidies to keep seasons alive, even if nature isn’t cooperating. For now, skiing continues thanks to technology and public funds-but winter is clearly no longer sticking to the old script.

Switzerland is cautiously stepping into the digital age, with parliamentary committees approving trial runs for collecting initiative and referendum signatures electronically. Lawmakers insist on limited, region-by-region experiments first, while double-checking safeguards against fraud and threats to ballot secrecy-because even innovation must pass a trust test. The move also includes better voting access for blind and partially sighted citizens, proving convenience isn’t the only goal. In classic Swiss fashion, progress is welcome, just as long as it’s carefully tested, regulated, and thoroughly debated.

Greenland has quietly joined the global gold rush, with Switzerland emerging as the main destination for its freshly mined metal. Swiss gold imports from the island jumped from zero to CHF 18 million in 2025, largely because Greenland has no refinery and Switzerland has plenty. About 200 kilograms of raw gold made its way to a Neuchâtel refinery, reinforcing Switzerland’s role as the world’s favorite finishing school for precious metals. It’s a small stream compared to Switzerland’s massive gold trade-but proof that even geopolitically awkward places can shine, once polished in Switzerland.

Crans-Montana’s tourism industry is feeling the aftershock of the deadly New Year’s Eve bar fire, with hotels and holiday rentals hit by a wave of cancellations. Italian visitors-long a loyal pillar of the resort-are staying away in particular, their confidence shaken by a tragedy that killed 40 people and injured more than 100. Even Switzerland has toned down promotions and festive events, opting for empathy over après-ski glamour for once. For a resort built on safety, luxury, and celebration, rebuilding trust may prove harder than filling hotel rooms in peak season.

Swiss-Italian shipping giant MSC is betting big on Libya, signing a $3 billion deal to modernise and expand the port of Misrata alongside a Qatari fund. The plan aims to boost capacity to four million containers a year at Libya’s busiest non-oil port, while creating thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in annual revenue. As Libya’s first major public-private infrastructure project outside energy, it’s being billed as a turning point for trade and logistics. For landlocked Switzerland’s shipping champions, it’s another reminder that geography is optional when you run global ports.

A powerful solar storm lit up Switzerland with rare northern lights overnight, giving the country a celestial show it didn’t exactly order. MeteoNews called it the strongest geomagnetic storm in 20 years, strong enough to paint green auroras across the sky-when the fog wasn’t getting in the way, of course. The storm reached level four out of five, meaning beautiful skies came with the small bonus risk of satellite hiccups and power glitches. Scientists say it was triggered by a major solar flare, proving once again that even Switzerland isn’t immune when the Sun decides to show off.

Swiss authorities have stepped in to protect UNESCO-listed prehistoric pile dwellings on Lake Inkwil-from beavers with an overenthusiastic taste for ancient wood. After spending CHF800,000, officials covered the lakebed and island with grids, gravel, and special materials to keep the rodents at bay while preserving the site for future generations. Nature conservation wasn’t forgotten: beavers were protected too, deadwood was restored, and habitats for fish and birds were rebuilt. In classic Swiss fashion, it’s a carefully balanced solution-saving 4,000-year-old history from Europe’s most industrious rodent, without offending biodiversity in the process.

Switzerland’s food bank Schweizer Tafel rescued 8,500 tonnes of perfectly good food from the bin last year, an 11% increase that proves waste reduction can actually go up for the right reasons. Thanks to better logistics, freezer capacity, and smarter routes, the foundation handed out 1.7 million food bags worth nearly CHF62 million to people in need. The effort also spared more than 14,000 tonnes of CO₂, showing that kindness can be climate-friendly too. In a country famous for efficiency, it seems even leftovers are now being managed with Swiss precision.

Swiss safety inspectors had been raising red flags about a bar in Crans-Montana for years before a deadly New Year’s Eve fire finally forced attention. Authorities were aware of repeated violations as far back as 2018, including overcrowding, missing fire extinguishers, no evacuation plans and poorly trained staff. Inspections in 2016, 2018 and 2019 produced warnings and deadlines, but after that, oversight quietly disappeared. As the tragedy now shows, in Switzerland even a well-documented problem can apparently wait - until it can’t.

A Swiss-funded study has discovered that cows may be far brighter than their long-suffering reputation suggests - and one named Veronika is leading the charge. Researchers watched in awe as she used a broom as a multi-purpose tool, carefully choosing bristles for tougher spots and the handle for more sensitive areas. This kind of flexible tool use was previously seen mainly in chimpanzees, not animals usually mocked for staring blankly in fields. The finding gently reminds humans that underestimating cows may say more about us than about them.

Swiss local authorities are finally discovering social media, with nearly half now using at least one platform - up from just 30% two years ago. Facebook still reigns supreme, while Instagram and LinkedIn follow closely, proving even town halls like to diversify their feeds. TikTok, however, remains largely ignored, suggesting Swiss municipalities prefer press releases to dance trends. Slowly but surely, local government is learning that if citizens won’t come to the noticeboard, the noticeboard has to go online.