الجمعة, أغسطس 12th 2022
A celebration of Swiss trains, diptheria returns to Switzerland, and more in our roundup of Swiss news from August 9 – 12.
“Running like a Swiss train,” has become synonymous with punctuality and efficiency
Swiss trains have been in use for 175 years
Switzerland this week celebrated the 175th anniversary of the first passenger train services with a recreation of that original journey. The first train service in the country was on August 9, 1847 between Zürich and Baden – a steam locomotive traveled 23 kilometers in about 33 minutes. For the anniversary, transport minister Simonetta Sommaruga and 150 special guests rode a historic train along the original route – one of the original bridges from the 1840s is still in use. “The train is part of our basic service. It brings people together and strengthens cohesion in our country,” Sommaruga said, underscoring how Switzerland has become synonymous with trains and reliable travel since that first ride. اقرأ المزيد.
Why Swiss mountain rails are a feat of engineering
Swiss farmers warned of increasing wolf population
For the second time this summer, wolf packs in Switzerland have made headlines – this time for their rapidly growing population. More than 250 wolf packs were living in Europe’s Alpine region last year, but the population will likely increase to 800 packs over the next five years, according to the Wolf Switzerland group. “Given the present growth rate,” it is imperative for Swiss farmers to bolster protection of their livestock, the group said. Earlier this summer, farmers reported a rise in wolf attacks on cows. They are known to kill about 300-500 sheep and goats every year, but cattle attacks are uncommon. Under current Swiss hunting laws, a wolf is allowed to be shot as soon as it has killed at least ten sheep or goats over a period of four months. In Valais, farmers shot a wolf after he had exceeded that number. And in Graubünden, the farmers’ association is calling for the eradication of the entire local wolf pack. In 2020, Swiss voters vetoed a parliamentary rule that would have allowed more hunting of the wolves. اقرأ المزيد.
Has diphtheria returned to Europe?
Eight cases of diphtheria have been recorded in Switzerland this month. Diphtheria, an illness which can cause respiratory issues, heart failure, paralysis and even death was thought to have been eradicated from the European continent. The eight patients are believed to have been infected outside of Switzerland. They are all living in a Bern-based center for asylum seekers. Although diphtheria is “not a benign disease,” officials from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health say “there is no increased risk for the population.” اقرأ المزيد.
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