Washington has refused to guarantee a fixed price for Switzerland’s 36 F-35 fighter jets, reported RTS. The total bill will therefore exceed the CHF 6 billion approved by voters. After weeks of talks with senior White House officials—including a call between America’s defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, and Switzerland’s defence minister, Martin Pfister—the United States has […]
Most Swiss against making concessions to the US
Swiss voters expect pain from America’s new border taxes but do not want Bern to blink. In a YouGov Switzerland poll, two-thirds (66%) say the 39% tariff on Swiss exports to the United States—introduced on 7 August 2025—will significantly harm the economy. Only 5% foresee little or no impact. Despite that, just a quarter (25%) […]
High Swiss multilingualism driven by English
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 […]
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 […]
Rising number of dangerous items removed from luggage at Zurich airport
Safety remains aviation’s paramount concern. Each year, tens of thousands of items deemed hazardous—ranging from lithium-ion power banks and e-cigarettes to spray cans and fireworks—are plucked from passengers’ bags at Zurich airport. The tally is growing steadily, as travellers carry ever more battery-powered gadgets and as inexperienced holidaymakers pack without following the rules, said the […]
Swiss passport ranked 5th most powerful in latest ranking
Once again, Singapore has been named the world’s most powerful passport, granting visa‑free access to 193 destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index published on 22 July 205. The ranking, released on Tuesday, highlights Asia’s growing dominance in global mobility – and the relative decline of traditional powers. Japan and South Korea share second […]
Switzerland to bolster its air defences with German equipment
Switzerland has signed a deal to acquire five IRIS‑T SLM medium‑range air‑defence systems, plugging a long‑recognised gap in its defences, reported armasuisse on 22 July 2025. The systems, made by Germany’s Diehl Defence, will be bought under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a NATO‑backed scheme to strengthen continental missile defence. The purchase agreement, worth […]
Growing resistance to Musk’s antennas in Valais
Some in the Alpine municipality of Leuk is the Swiss canton of Valais are pushing back against a plan to install 40 Starlink antennas on a hill above the village, reported SRF. The antennas will belong to SpaceX, an American firm run by Elon Musk, a business man and controversial political figure disliked by many. […]
