World Radio Switzerland

Using the Internet consumes eight percent of country's electricity

Alex Helmick — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:10:00 UT

According to a study from the Federal Office of the Environment, the Internet consumes a whopping eight percent of all the electricity used in Switzerland. WRS’s Alex Helmick chats with Michel Monteil, head of the Waste Recovery and Treatment Section at the Environment Office, about what everyday web surfers can do to reduce consumption:

Richemont posts sparkling results

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:52:01 UT

Royal diamond goes for 9 million

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:50:28 UT

Vaud uses new radar to catch speeders

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:35:27 UT

Would be Rhine swimmer throws in towel

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:32:20 UT

Cantons try to restrict second homes rule

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:29:26 UT

6 injured in Fribourg scuffle

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:13:15 UT

Brain Freeze: Who has Switzerland received the most points from in the Eurovision song contest?

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:04:15 UT

Parties put squeeze on family reunification

Lucas Chambers — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:07:46 UT

The squeeze on family reunification for foreigners in Switzerland is getting tighter. It’s estimated about half the country’s immigration occurs this way. A new law clamped down on it four years ago. But now right wing parties want more. Even the Christian Democrats, a party that styles itself as a defender of family rights, is calling for stricter rules. Meanwhile the official watchdogs keep barking “watch out!” WRS’s Lucas Chambers reports:

'Greece is just the canary in the mine'

Pete Forster — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:52:13 UT

The political elite of Greece is preparing to form an interim government today, ahead of a new nationwide vote in around a month’s time. The meeting comes after days of coalition talks failed to deliver a new government. In elections 10 days ago, a majority of Greeks backed political parties which had taken a stand against austerity measures. But European leaders say they’ll cut off funding to Athens if voters reject the external bailout deals. That could mean effective bankruptcy for Greece and an almost inevitable exit from the euro. WRS’s Pete Forster spoke to Yanis Varoufakis, a Greek political economist who’s written extensively about the eurozone and on globalization:

Near misses at Zurich airport

Jo Fahy — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:42:16 UT

Last March two airplanes narrowly escaped colliding on takeoff at Zurich’s Kloten airport. It was an incident that both air traffic control and the Swiss Air Accident Investigation Bureau have been analysing—and their findings have just been revealed. WRS’s Jo Fahy has more:

EU ministers disagree on Swiss tax talks

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 UT

Vaud doubles number of Lausanne LEB trains

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 UT

Health authorities monitor spread of Asian tiger mosquito

Adam Beaumont — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:10:00 UT

The Asian tiger mosquito is an aggressive little beast with a reputation for spreading diseases such as dengue fever, and it is on the move. A recent study by scientists at the University of Liverpool shows the Asian tiger mosquito is set to spread throughout northwestern Europe thanks to climate change. The mosquito was first spotted in Switzerland in 2003 when it crossed into Ticino from Italy. WRS’s Adam Beaumont asks Dr. Mauro Tonolla, who is head of Ticino’s mosquito control group, whether this black and white striped mosquito has spread to other parts of the country:

Swiss Parents' Club aims to ease juggling act

Dave Goodman — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:59:22 UT

In the last few years, the number of parents who say they feel overwhelmed has been steadily increasing in Switzerland. That’s why Swiss foundation Pro Juventute decided to create a new nationwide service to help them cope. It’s called the “Swiss Parents’ Club,”and it was launched on Sunday, to coincide with Mother’s Day. WRS’s Dave Goodman spoke to Marianne Affolter, spokesperson for the Pro Juventute Foundation and began by asking her how the idea came about: