Multilingualism is widespread in Switzerland. Nearly two-thirds use more than one language regularly in daily life, and according to the Federal Statistical Office, 86% of residents believe speaking several national languages is important for national cohesion. Overall, 63% of Swiss residents are multilingual – 37% of the population speak one language, 37% speak two, and […]
Trump tariff u-turn triggered by Swiss gold refiner’s request for guidance
After 23 hours of pandemonium in bullion markets, the White House has hinted it may row back on a decision that sent gold traders scrambling. An executive order, to be issued “in the near future”, will clarify that imports of gold bars are not, in fact, subject to tariffs, according to an official statement, reported […]
Switzerland’s jobless rate holds steady
Switzerland’s unemployment rate held steady at 2.7% in July 2025, unchanged from the previous month, according to data published this week by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Adjusted for seasonal variation, the figure remained flat at 2.9%. SECO’s Directorate of Labour, noted that current joblessness is broadly in line with the Swiss labour […]
Stolen boat engines – Switzerland’s growing theft problem
Switzerland is facing a sharp rise in stolen boat engines. A surge in thefts across the country points to the emergence of a low-profile but lucrative trade, driven by organised criminal networks—many of them originating in Eastern Europe. Once rare, the scourge of boat engine theft has prompted a growing number of boat owners to […]
The Swiss cantons hit hardest by Trump’s tariffs
Not all Swiss cantons are equally exposed to America’s new tariff regime. Some—particularly those with close industrial or economic ties to the United States—stand to lose far more than others, reported RTS. Nidwalden tops the list of those most affected. Nearly half of its exports cross the Atlantic, largely thanks to Pilatus, the aircraft manufacturer […]
Anti-noise radar use blocked by Bern
Discontent over noisy vehicles is growing louder in Switzerland. Several cantons are calling for the nationwide deployment of noise-activated traffic radars. The devices, already tested in places such as Basel-Landschaft, Zurich and Geneva, are designed not to catch speeding drivers, but those making too much of a racket. In Geneva, the trials were deemed a […]
The West Nile Virus – how high is the risk in Switzerland?
Cases of West Nile virus are climbing in Italy. Since the start of the year, 173 infections have been confirmed, 84 of them in the past week alone, according to national health authorities. The Lazio region, which includes Rome, has been the hardest hit, accounting for 104 cases this year. Eleven deaths have been reported […]
Where Swiss fly during the summer travel peak
Summer is peak season for Swiss airports. But where are all those passengers headed? Data from 2024 reveal not only the most popular final destinations but also how preferences shift with geography, season, and language. Europe dominates. In 2024, 79% of passengers departing from Swiss airports flew to European destinations. The rest were split between […]
Two initiatives against wind farms surpass vote signature hurdle
Switzerland’s push for renewable energy has met with resistance. Late last week, a nature conservation group submitted two popular initiatives aimed at curbing the expansion of wind farms, reported RTS. Each has garnered over 110,000 signatures—above the 100,000 signature threshold required to trigger a nationwide vote. The first, dubbed the Forest Protection Initiative, seeks to […]
Switzerland burning more and more of its wood to heat
In Switzerland, more and more timber is being burned. According to the Federal Statistical Office, nearly half of all wood harvested from Swiss forests is now used for energy—twice the share recorded two decades ago. The proportion processed in sawmills for construction or carpentry has declined over the same period, falling from 70% in the […]
