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Week in Numbers Rehoused pets, Schengen visas and prison earnings

Here’s a round-up of some of the most interesting statistics to appear in the past week’s stories.

CITES conference Swiss expert warns over lucrative illegal wildlife trade

The illegal trade in wildlife has become a massively lucrative, low-risk activity controlled by criminal groups, warns Swiss expert Mathias Lörtscher.

By Simon Bradley

Follow-up material to accompany the main content

Here are additional stories besides the main content

Accident on the rails Defects found in train carriage doors following fatal accident

The Swiss Federal Railways has identified problems linked to the train type involved in the accident that killed a conductor on August 4.

This content was published on August 14, 2019 5:14 PM Aug 14, 2019 - 17:14

Endangered species Tougher sanctions mooted on illegal trade in animals and plants

The Swiss government wants to tighten sanctions against the illegal trade in protected wild flora and fauna.

This content was published on August 14, 2019 2:26 PM Aug 14, 2019 - 14:26

Bikers paradise Does your country do enough to promote cycling?

Going to work on your bike is a great workout, plus it's good for the environment! Many people think of Switzerland as a country that's ...

Carriage checks  Safety concerns raised after conductor fatally trapped in train door 

The head of the Swiss rail union has called for all carriages like the one involved in a fatal accident last weekend to be withdrawn.  

This content was published on August 9, 2019 3:30 PM Aug 9, 2019 - 15:30

Conman  British love fraudster jailed for five years after Swiss extradition

A British man has been jailed in the UK for five years and eight months for swindling his ex-girlfriend out of her life savings. 

This content was published on August 8, 2019 3:08 PM Aug 8, 2019 - 15:08

100th anniversary Swiss foreign minister supports Romansh cultural celebrations

Foreign minister Ignazio Cassis, attending the opening of a Romansh cultural festival, says Switzerland needs its endangered fourth language.

This content was published on August 3, 2019 11:45 AM Aug 3, 2019 - 11:45

Annemarie Huber-Hotz First female Swiss cabinet chief-of-staff dies

The former Federal Chancellor, Annemarie Huber-Hotz, has died following a heart attack, aged 70.

This content was published on August 2, 2019 8:39 PM Aug 2, 2019 - 20:39

Station death Suspected Frankfurt attacker was wanted by Swiss police

A canton Zurich resident is suspected of pushing an eight-year-old boy and his mother in front of a train at Frankfurt’s main station.

This content was published on July 30, 2019 4:17 PM Jul 30, 2019 - 16:17

Caiman went Swiss call off hunt for lake-dwelling reptile

Swiss authorities say they are calling off the hunt for an alligator-like reptile spotted in an inland lake, saying it isn’t doing any harm. 

This content was published on July 30, 2019 3:25 PM Jul 30, 2019 - 15:25

Road safety Brain overload and faulty judgment cause most road accidents

Almost all road accidents in Switzerland are due to human errors of judgment or analysis in the preceding moments, a recent study found.    

This content was published on July 26, 2019 7:49 PM Jul 26, 2019 - 19:49

Primate births Basel monkey house welcomes new residents

Newborns of three Latin-American monkey species – coppery titis, spider monkeys and cotton-top tamarins – have come into the world at Basel Zoo.

This content was published on July 25, 2019 2:10 PM Jul 25, 2019 - 14:10

Mysterious death Headless, trouserless man found on Swiss border

The body of an 81-year-old Swiss citizen has been found in a field on the Swiss-French border. His head was next to his body.

This content was published on July 25, 2019 11:25 AM Jul 25, 2019 - 11:25

Bushmeat Brit busted at Swiss station with 23kg of antelope meat

A British citizen has been caught with 23 kilograms (50lb) of antelope meat in his luggage on a night train at Brig.

This content was published on July 18, 2019 7:05 PM Jul 18, 2019 - 19:05

Affordable property For sale: Rustic cottage with lake view. Price: CHF1

Nine stone cottages have gone on the market in Italian-speaking Switzerland at CHF1 ($1.01) each – on condition that the buyers do them up.

By Rino Scarcelli

League tables Why are there no school rankings in Switzerland?

Although common in the United States and UK, you won’t find any state school rankings in Switzerland.

This content was published on July 10, 2019 11:00 AM Jul 10, 2019 - 11:00

Lukas Bärfuss Acerbic Swiss author awarded top German prize

Swiss author Lukas Bärfuss has won this year’s Georg Büchner Prize – the most prestigious German-language literary awards.

This content was published on July 10, 2019 10:52 AM Jul 10, 2019 - 10:52

Rainbow celebration Large turnout for Geneva Pride march

Around 35,000 people took to the streets in Geneva on Saturday for a LGBTIQ+ parade, the culmination of a week of activities. 

This content was published on July 6, 2019 7:15 PM Jul 6, 2019 - 19:15

Lack of instructors  Wanted: 10,000 teachers a year for Swiss schools 

The summer holidays are upon us, but some Swiss schools are already wondering how to counter next term's teacher shortage.

WCSJ When the world’s science writers gather in Switzerland

What do visiting science journalists think of Swiss contributions to research?

By Julie Hunt