As Swiss voters head to the polls tomorrow, the country is weighing a proposal that could redraw its economic future and strain its ties with the European Union — a high-stakes referendum some have compared to Britain's Brexit vote. What does the proposal envisage? Under the plan, Switzerland's population, now at 9.1 million, would be barred from rising above 10 million before 2050. Current projections do not expect that threshold to be reached until the early 2040s. If the population climbs to 9.5 million, the government…

A major shift in UK welfare policy takes effect as the two-child cap on benefits is formally abolished, a move expected to lift an estimated 450,000 children out of poverty. Introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, the measure limited child tax credit and universal credit payments to the first two children in most households. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her November budget that the cap would be removed on 6 April, following months of sustained pressure from Labour backbenchers. The end of the two-child cap comes…

Pompeii, one of the world’s most renowned archaeological sites, is making moves to tackle the increasing issue of overcrowding. Starting now, this iconic UNESCO World Heritage site will limit daily visitors to a maximum of 20,000, a significant step aimed at preserving both the site and the safety of its guests. This innovative measure is part of what officials are calling an "experimental" program, necessitating that each visitor purchase a named ticket. During the summer months, these tickets will be allocated into…

Its fine sandy beaches, lush forests and mangroves have made Casamance, the southern part of Senegal, one of the most attractive in the country for travelers. Since last March, however, tourists have left after the Covid-19 pandemic and the successive border closures. Surrounded by palm groves and postcard beaches, the seaside…