Switzerland - News and perspectives

Switzerland needs energy, but what kind?

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 With the Energy Law Switzerland wants to promote renewable energies. Voters will decide on this on June 9.

Swiss federal votes on June 9: what’s on the agenda?

Two initiatives aimed at stemming healthcare costs will take centre stage when voters go to the polls on June 9.

People dancing at Montreux Jazz Festival.

The Montreux Jazz Festival in numbers

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Here’s a look at some eye-catching facts and figures behind the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland’s biggest annual music festival. The line-up for the July 5-20 event was announced on Thursday.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 In the Swiss news: how jihadist recruiters ensnare youngsters on computer games.

Sudan: senior Red Cross official reflects on devastating year-long war

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Patrick Youssef, regional director for Africa at the ICRC, talks about the humanitarian needs in Sudan, one of the world’s worst crises.

Around 300 right-wing extremists celebrating a belated National Day on the Rütli.

‘Dialogue’: are you concerned about increasing violence and radicalisation among young people in Switzerland?

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Radicalisation of young people in Switzerland is increasing. Read up on the topic and join the discussion on dialogue!

Swiss climate activists continue to protest, but change ‘is not easy’

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 On Friday activists gather in Swiss cities for the latest “global climate strike”. As numbers on the streets dwindle, is the movement still influential?

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

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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.

SWISS resumes flights to Tel Aviv

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 Following a thorough analysis of the situation, it has been concluded that safe operations can be ensured, the airline said on Tuesday.

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.

June 9 votes in Switzerland: how can healthcare costs be reined in?

On June 9, Swiss voters will decide on two initiatives aimed at capping the cost of healthcare in the country. Have your say on the issue here.

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Apr 19, 2024

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Switzerland’s long-standing love of cartography

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 Long world-renowned, Swiss maps have in recent years managed to reach a wider public.

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.

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 20, 2024 – 00:59

Ukraine downs Russian strategic bomber after airstrike kills eight, Kyiv says

This content was published on Apr 20, 2024 – 00:01

Proceeds from Russian assets could fund bond sales, Ukraine’s central bank says

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 23:52

Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 23:42

Iran signals no plan to retaliate against Israel after drone attack

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 23:30

US House advances $95 billion Ukraine-Israel package toward Saturday vote

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 22:49

IMF committee acknowledges conflicts risk but opts against joint communique

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 22:32

Dutch privacy watchdog recommends government organisations stop using Facebook

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 21:21

Russian missiles destroy grain storage facilities in Odesa region, Ukraine says

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 20:49

French, Lebanese leaders discuss effort to quell Hezbollah, Israel clashes

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 20:42

Israel’s Iran attack carefully calibrated after internal splits, US pressure

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 20:05

Croatia’s top court bars President Milanovic from PM post

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 19:24

Factbox-Airlines suspend flights due to Middle East tensions

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 19:21

UN rights chief urges states to act on slavery reparations

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 18:48

Airlines reroute flights after Israeli attack on Iran

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 18:48

U.S. national dies in Russian-controlled Donetsk – Russian journalist

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 18:34

UK’s FTSE 100 rises as traders ramp up rate cut bets

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 18:07

WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated J&J cough syrup

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 17:58

Indians vote in huge election dominated by jobs, Hindu pride and Modi

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 17:57

Factbox-Iran oil sanctions in US aid package for Ukraine

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 17:45

‘Get your hat and leave,’ Hungary’s Orban tells EU top officials

Bloomberg Business

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 23:12

‘Mag Seven’ Get Crushed Before Next Week’s Results: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 13:57

Slovakia Ventures Beyond Euro Bonds for First Time in Decade

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 11:55

SoftwareOne Shares Rise After Board Ouster Spurs Bid Speculation

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 09:30

Barclays, BNP, Deutsche Bank Earnings Hinge on Trading, Rates

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 05:23

It’s Taken 100 Scientists Two Years to Rename Airborne Viruses After Covid Mistakes

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 – 23:06

Treasuries Hit as Hawkish Fed Views Keep Piling Up: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 – 19:36

Swiss Chocolatier Invests in Cocoa Farming as Supply Crunch Bites

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 – 19:23

SNB Acknowledges Market Expectations of Further Rate Cuts

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 – 10:01

Swiss Watch Exports Plunge as China and Hong Kong Demand Dries Up

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 – 22:46

S&P 500 Suffers Its Longest Slide Since January: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 – 21:07

UBS Plans Next Round of Layoffs in Credit Suisse Integration

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 – 20:13

SNB Can Continue to Ignore Climate Risks, Swiss Lawmakers Say

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 – 11:39

Swiss Parliament Rejects Joining Russia Sanctions Task Force

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

Asia Gas Prices Rise Near Highest in 2024 Amid Conflict Risk

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 23:05

US Yields Spike as Hawkish Powell Puts 5% in Play: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 17:08

Permira Considers Sale of German Chemicals Firm CABB

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 – 12:38

UBS Is Said to Face $20 Billion Capital Hit Under Swiss Plan

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

A snowplough clears the road during snowfall in Crans-Montana ski resort in southern Switzerland.

Swiss luxury chalet market runs out of steam

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 Luxury chalet prices are expected to fall in Switzerland, but demand remains strong.

In the European court on human rights, an assembly in gathered with elderly women in front of the judges of Strasbourg moments before the landmark ruling that condemned Switzerland for climate inaction.

UN Special Rapporteur urges Council of Europe to recognise the right to a healthy environment

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 David R. Boyd explains what the recent ruling condemning Switzerland for climate inaction means for the UN and states’ accountability.

epa01096613 Director of 'Google Earth' in Zurich, Samuel Widmann, presents the new 'Google Earth' enhancement 'Sky' during a press conference at the planetarium in Hamburg, Germany, 22 August 2007. The updated version makes use of mounted recordings by the astronomical telescope Hubble and photographs by Palomar Observatory, showing about 100 million stars to the Sky-user. EPA/ULRICH PERREY

Google Maps – a Swiss story

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 Few people know that behind Google Maps lies a Swiss entrepreneur’s intuition as well as the Alpine nation’s long history of cartography.

Read more: Google Maps – a Swiss story

‘The Swiss Abroad deserve better representation in parliament,’ says right-wing politician

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Should the Swiss Abroad have their own electoral constituency? The House of Representatives doesn’t think so.

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.

Rwanda: witnessing genocide – and trying to stop it

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 Thirty years ago, the Rwandan genocide claimed 800,000 Tutsi lives. The international community asked how those killings could have been prevented.

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.

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.

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