Switzerland - News and perspectives

Q1/2024 check-up: how the Swiss economy is faring

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 The highlights of the Swiss economy in the first three months of 2024 – here is our sector-by-sector review.

Inside Geneva: witnessing the Rwandan genocide and trying to stop it

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 The world is marking 30 years since the Rwandan genocide. Inside Geneva talks to those who witnessed it.

Iran-Israel tensions: Switzerland’s role as an intermediary is shrinking

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 Despite its protecting power mandate for the United States in Iran, Switzerland lacks influence to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 Switzerland Today: Swiss good offices in Iran needed now more than ever.

Switzerland braced for wave of bank staff layoffs

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 The Swiss financial workforce engage in musical chairs as the Credit Suisse staff layoffs begin.

Swiss citizen triggers uproar in Thailand

This content was published on Apr 14, 2024 A Swiss man living in Thailand lost his temper for a moment and sparked an unprecedented witch hunt. The Thai authorities have been forced to act.

The pensioners and babies behind a new era of climate lawsuits

This content was published on Apr 14, 2024 Leading courts around the world are recognising for the first time that governments have legally binding obligations on emissions.

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Swiss Film Selection

SWI swissinfo.ch offers a selection of Swiss films in English chosen from the Swiss streaming platform Play Suisse.

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Let’s talk

“Let’s Talk” is SWI swissinfo.ch’s format to discuss relevant topics with high-profile experts and political figures.

Special reports

Check out our long format stories on topics like the Swiss pharma industry, Switzerland’s struggles with dirty gold, and living in the Alps.

Switzerland: How To

How do you dispose of rubbish in Switzerland? What are the visa requirements? It’s all here.

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We’d love to hear what you think about what’s going on in the world. You can find all of our debate questions here.

US and Iran had contact ‘through Swiss intermediaries’ ahead of attack

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 The US had contact with Iran through Swiss intermediaries both before and after Tehran’s mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory, a senior Biden administration official said.

Swiss authorities condemn Iranian attack on Israel

This content was published on Apr 14, 2024 Switzerland has condemned Iran’s night-time attack on Israel in no uncertain terms and called on all sides to show restraint and prudence.

SWISS flights to skirt Iranian airspace

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 The airline has decided to temporarily avoid flying through Iranian airspace due to escalating tensions in the region.

Protesters in the Swiss capital city, Bern.

Swiss demonstrators demand Middle East peace

This content was published on Apr 7, 2024 Middle East peace demonstration draws 1,000 people to Swiss capital, Bern.

‘In Gaza, humanitarian workers are not heroes, but victims’

This content was published on Apr 5, 2024 Just back from Gaza, emergency coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières, Marie-Aure Perreaut Revial, condemns systematic attacks on humanitarian workers.

Israeli air strikes hit Deir Al Balah in Gaza.

Swiss foreign ministry warns of deterioration in Middle East

This content was published on Apr 5, 2024 In light of recent developments in the Israel-Hamas war, the Swiss foreign ministry has warned of the possibility of deterioration.

SWISS pilots concerned over safety of Israel flights

This content was published on Apr 4, 2024 Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) pilots and flight attendants are increasingly cancelling their flights to Israel due to safety concerns.

Eyewitness in a Gaza hospital and defending human rights defenders

This content was published on Apr 2, 2024 In Inside Geneva this week we get an eyewitness account of a mission to supply Gaza’s hospitals.

UNRWA head calls on Switzerland to resume financial support

This content was published on Mar 26, 2024 Some countries have resumed UNRWA funding, but Switzerland is awaiting clarification of allegations.

Israeli soldiers outside an UNRWA building in Gaza.

UNRWA chief denounces mistreatment and torture by Israel

This content was published on Mar 24, 2024 The head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) has repeated his accusations of mistreatment by Israel against staff of the UN agency who have been arrested in Gaza.

Director of Swiss development agency denied access to Gaza Strip

This content was published on Mar 22, 2024 Patrizia Danzi is among various European diplomats who have been denied access to the war-torn enclave.

Aid organisations call for release of Swiss funds for UNRWA

This content was published on Mar 22, 2024 With famine looming in Gaza, 17 aid organisations have called for the rapid release of Swiss funds for UNRWA.

Israel-Hamas: Hundreds march in Geneva urging end of Gaza violence

This content was published on Mar 17, 2024 Nearly 2,500 people marched through downtown Geneva on Saturday against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Israeli NGOS denounce ‘systemic abuse’ of Palestinian detainees

This content was published on Mar 16, 2024 Israeli NGOs this week raised concerns before the United Nations in Geneva about Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees.

Swiss Solidarity charity collects some CHF2.5 million for Gaza

This content was published on Mar 12, 2024 The donations gathered since November 1 have fed into seven projects to help victims in Gaza, the charity said on Tuesday.

What is your country doing to protect you from the impacts of climate change?

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Switzerland violated its citizens’ fundamental rights by not taking enough climate action. Do you think your right to a healthy environment is being respected?

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Apr 12, 2024

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Moon robots learn to walk – in Zurich

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 Scientists in Switzerland are developing robots that will one day explore the Moon or Mars.

a customs officer looking through luggage

Drug-busting with customs officers at Zurich airport

This content was published on Apr 12, 2024 Watch: Gino the sniffer dog helps in the search for cocaine smuggled into Switzerland via Zurich airport.

Flexible retirement could help plug labour gaps in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 3, 2024 At a stretch, people of retirement age could be persuaded to stay at work longer.

Former CERN director Herwig Schopper – a centenarian on the impact of physics

This content was published on Mar 22, 2024 The German physicist and former director of CERN looks back at some of the highlights and encounters of his career.

Tandem jumps are even more dangerous than BASE jumping.

Should tandem BASE jumping be banned in the Swiss Alps?

This content was published on Mar 19, 2024 A new type of extreme sport is making people see red in the Alpine town of Lauterbrunnen: tandem BASE jumping.

How we work: comment moderation

This content was published on Mar 13, 2024 Are comments on SWI swissinfo.ch censored? How do we moderate your contributions? In this video we make our moderation transparent.

‘Yes’ to more state pension in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 3, 2024 Watch the reaction to Sunday’s vote on raising Swiss state pensions.

A man looking at a vegan cheese wheel on a table.

Redefining what Swiss cheese can be

This content was published on Feb 29, 2024 New Roots has managed to grow from a market stall to a 4,000m2 factory in a span of eight years.

How we work: sources

This content was published on Feb 28, 2024 How does SWI swissinfo.ch track down and vet sources? Find out in the latest installment of our “how we work” series.

Swiss research uses VR to reduce pre-surgery anxiety

This content was published on Feb 25, 2024 The use of virtual reality (VR) in medicine is becoming increasingly popular. For example, to reduce preoperative anxiety.

A call for safer ski slopes in Switzerland

This content was published on Feb 22, 2024 Ski accidents are more serious and more expensive to treat.

image showing mobile phone and map of switzerland

5G in Switzerland – where does the rollout stand?

This content was published on Feb 21, 2024 Where does Switzerland stand on its 5G rollout, and what are the risks that come with this new technology?

Pensions votes: Higher pensions and retiring later

This content was published on Feb 16, 2024 On March 3, the Swiss will decide in two separate votes whether to raise the retirement age to 66 and whether to boost their pensions.

This Day in History: when St Moritz staged the 1928 Winter Olympics

This content was published on Feb 11, 2024 The Winter Olympics in St Moritz in eastern Switzerland got underway on February 11, 1928: the first true Winter Games.

Map of Slovenia with pharmaceutical companies locations

Slovenia’s role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain

This content was published on Feb 9, 2024 Novartis and Sandoz have been investing into the Balkan nation’s pharma sector, turning into a key partner for development and manufacturing of drugs.

External Content

Each day, SWI swissinfo.ch selects and presents content from our European public service media partners as part of a project of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Reuters International

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 09:43

Sydney knife attack hero welcome to stay in Australia, PM says

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 09:39

British equities drop 1%; Dr Martens, Superdry tumble

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 09:35

Stabbed Sydney bishop is a TikTok star beloved by his community

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 09:18

Fire breaks out at Copenhagen’s historic stock exchange, spire collapses

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 09:02

US envoy to UN urges Russia, China not to ‘reward’ North Korea’s bad behaviour

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 08:54

Israel pushing for more sanctions against Iran

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 08:42

Israeli military vows response to Iran attack as calls for restraint mount

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 08:32

UK’s Superdry unveils restructuring plan, equity raise

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 08:20

UK wage growth eases as Bank of England considers rate cuts

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 08:11

Australia says Assyrian church stabbing was terrorist act

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 08:06

UK regular wages grow 6.0% in 3 months to February

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 08:02

Xi tells Germany’s Scholz to seek ‘common ground’ amid EU trade tensions

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 07:45

Technical outage crippled Dutch air traffic for hours, authorities say

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 07:08

Exclusive-Ukraine man’s torture case against Russians seeks justice in Argentina

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 06:06

Nearly 1,000 houses, plots flooded in Russia’s Kurgan region

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 05:31

Russia’s prosecutor general arrives in Cuba for bilateral talks

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 04:35

Asian shares slide on US rate cut rethink; China GDP beats estimates

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 04:30

Pentagon chief stresses Middle East stability in calls with counterparts

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 04:09

Kiribati court rules suspended Australian judge cannot be deported

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 02:48

Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli dies aged 83

Bloomberg Business

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 09:16

UBS Faces Capital Hit as High as $25 Billion, Minister Says

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 09:12

Stock Selloff Spreads as Middle East Tension Rises: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 – 22:02

S&P 500 Breaks Below 5,100 as Big Tech Sells Off: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 – 15:40

SNB Didn’t Reveal Full Carbon Footprint in Report, Activists Say

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 – 14:45

Currency Volatility Is Back as Geopolitics Add to Dollar Bets

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 – 10:50

Rate Chokehold on World Economy Is Set to Loosen Only Slowly

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 – 09:45

Shippers in Baltimore Disaster Face ‘General Average,’ MSC Says

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 – 07:25

How a Group of Elderly Swiss Women Won a Historic Human-Rights Verdict

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 – 07:00

Traditional German, Swiss Chocolate Makers Feel the Cocoa Crunch

This content was published on Apr 12, 2024 – 22:55

Stocks Get Hit as War Jitters Fuel Rush to Bonds: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 12, 2024 – 21:34

Israel Bracing for Unprecedented Direct Iran Attack in Days

This content was published on Apr 12, 2024 – 18:28

Copper’s Rally Continues as Ore Shortage Meets Resurgent Demand

This content was published on Apr 12, 2024 – 13:31

Swiss Head for Neutrality Vote After Adopting Russia Sanctions

This content was published on Apr 11, 2024 – 22:57

‘Mag Seven’ Power Stocks in Run-Up to US Earnings: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 11, 2024 – 17:49

European Stocks Drop After Hawkish Federal Reserve Commentary

This content was published on Apr 10, 2024 – 23:30

S&P 500 Hit by Fed-Pivot Rethink and War Jitters: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 10, 2024 – 18:10

UBS Faces Substantially Higher Capital Rules Under Swiss Proposals

This content was published on Apr 10, 2024 – 17:18

FDIC Chief Says US Ready If Big Wall Street Bank Ever Failed

This content was published on Apr 10, 2024 – 16:33

UBS Chief’s $16 Million Pay Draws Finance Minister’s Concern

This content was published on Apr 10, 2024 – 14:50

Swiss Stop Short of Giving Regulator Power to Fine Banks

Swiss canton ‘honoured’ to host Ukraine talks

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 Local Swiss authorities are delighted about the chance to host the illustrious Ukraine peace conference, even if it means logistical challenges.

Zurich Zoo unveiled: animal life as you’ve never seen it

This content was published on Apr 14, 2024 The German film maker Romuald Karmakar premiered in Berlin his three-hour documentary about the inner life of one of the top zoos in the world.

Moon robots learn to walk – in Zurich

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 Scientists in Switzerland are developing robots that will one day explore the Moon or Mars.

Alice Diop in a debate at the Monte Verità Literary Festival, in March.

Alice Diop shares her views on the future of cinema on a grand tour of Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 The award-winning French filmmaker spoke to SWI swissinfo.ch about the need to pay attention to an overlooked past and a disenfranchised present.

Why Switzerland is not the best at recycling waste

This content was published on Apr 12, 2024 Switzerland has one of the highest municipal waste recycling rates in Europe, at least for aluminum and glass. However, most plastic is burned. A new initiative aims to reverse the trend.

How to tame UBS without making the bank toothless

This content was published on Apr 11, 2024 Swiss government proposals to regulate Too Big to Fail banks meets sceptical response.

Libby Heaney’s quantum soup served in Basel

This content was published on Apr 6, 2024 Quantum Soup is the first solo exhibition of visual artist and quantum physicist Libby Heaney in Switzerland.

Mikhail Shishkin: ‘It pains me to be a Russian writer’

This content was published on Apr 4, 2024 In an in-depth interview Mikhail Shishkin discusses how he witnessed Switzerland welcome dirty money with open arms and whether Russia and Ukraine will ever be able to reconcile.

Electric dreams: the Swiss origins of the electric guitar

This content was published on Apr 1, 2024 The story of how two people from Basel helped invent the electric guitar.

How Swiss-designed wigs make their way from Bali to the big screen

This content was published on Mar 30, 2024 In Bali, Swiss expat Orlando Bassi makes handmade wigs for Hollywood and Broadway – so successfully that he can afford to pay two butlers.

Record-breaking Switzerland: from the world’s steepest railway to the largest igloo

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 Some of the most impressive – and surprising – world records held by Swiss engineers, scientists and adventurers.

Le Corbusier sitting on the front seat of the jeep while studying a map

Le Corbusier’s Punjab album sheds light on India’s modernist drive

This content was published on Mar 25, 2024 The publication of the Swiss architect’s sketchbooks for the creation of the city of Chandigarh in the 1950s is a snapshot of the moment when India finally felt free to shape its own future.

Looming disaster: one of Switzerland’s last weaving mills faces closure

This content was published on Mar 23, 2024 While the textile industry in Europe is rediscovering local craftsmanship and sustainable development, the situation at the Valposchiavo mill is more precarious.

In Focus