On 8 March 2023, a case was brought against the boss and three employees of the Zurich office of Gazprombank in a Zurich court. The four faced charges of alleged money laundering linked to Russian president Vladimir Putin, reported RTS. On 30 March 2023, the four men were found guilty and sentenced at a hearing […]
Switzerland implements 10th round of sanctions against Russia
On 29 March 2023, Switzerland’s federal government announced the implementation of further sanctions against Russia. In response to Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine and its continued destabilising actions that undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and security, the EU adopted new measures against Russia on 25 February 2023 in a tenth package of sanctions, said […]
Narrow majority of Swiss favour closer NATO relationship
The war in Ukraine has forced Switzerland to reflect on its neutrality. Alongside rising pessimism is a growing willingness to cooperate with international agencies. A study published this week shows that 55% would like to see greater Swiss alignment with NATO. The study, published by the Military Academy (MILAK) at ETH Zurich and the Center […]
Swiss rules to force removal of Matterhorn logo from Toblerone
Toblerone, the iconic Swiss chocolate brand, will soon be forced to remove the Matterhorn mountain peak logo from its branding, reported RTS. The Toblerone chocolate brand is owned by the US company Mondelez, which plans to move production of the product from Switzerland to Slovakia this year. Strict Swiss rules introduced in 2017 restrict the […]
Bankers in Zurich charged with helping to launder suspected Putin funds
On 8 March 2023, a case was brought against the boss and three employees of the Zurich office of Gazprombank in a Zurich court. The four face charges of alleged money laundering that may be linked to Russian president Vladimir Putin, reported RTS. The case has garnered international interest as it may provide insights into […]
Gruyère cheese can be made in America, rules US court
In Europe, Gruyère, the name of a cheese and a small picturesque Swiss town (Gruyères), is legally reserved for specific cheeses from parts of Switzerland and France made to strict recipes. However, in the US it is also applied loosely to a type of cheese that differs from the Swiss and French originals. European producers […]
Swiss ambassador angers Iranians with chador
Switzerland’s ambassador to Iran angered Iranians around the world by wearing a chador, a traditional full-body-length garment that is pulled over the head, while visiting Qom, a holy city in Iran, reported RTS. People from around the world, including Switzerland, reacted with outrage at the images. For many months, a large number of Iranians have […]
Public funding of WEF security angers critics
The World Economic Forum (WEF), an exclusive gathering of wealthy folks dropping in on private jets is viewed by many as out of touch with the key challenges currently faced by the global population. Swiss critics of the event are angered that an event closed to the public is provided with publicly funded security, reported […]
Switzerland joins UN Security Council for first time
On 3 January 2023, Switzerland began its first term as a member of the UN Security Council in New York, a position it will hold until the end of 2024. After a UN vote in June 2022, Switzerland was elected to the position after 10 years of preparation. Over the years there has been significant […]
More than a third of asylum seekers arriving in Switzerland from Afghanistan
As the Taliban tightens its grip on life in Afghanistan more Afghans feel the need to leave. Of the 3.568 asylum applications made in Switzerland in November 2022, 1,266 (35%) were made by Afghans, according to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Nearly all of those arriving from Afghanistan are young males. Women, who have […]
