A majority of Swiss are in favour of reaching a framework agreement with the EU, according to a poll run by Sotomo on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. Negotiations on a framework agreement have become fractious over the summer especially discussions between the Swiss government and trade unions over job and salary protection measures that the […]
Russian billionaire Abramovich hoped to live in Verbier
According to reports by Tamedia, the billionaire football-club owner was applying for residency in the ski resort of Verbier when Switzerland’s Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) intervened and put an end to the process in June last year. The reasons for Fedpol’s intervention were unknown until this week when the Federal Tribunal in Lausanne lifted […]
Switzerland slides significantly in expat country ranking
A recent survey suggests Switzerland might be losing its attractiveness as a place for foreigners to live and work. Switzerland fell 17 places from 27th to 44th in the ranking of 68 countries done by the networking company Internations. Switzerland’s overall ranking is a mix of good and bad. 78% of expats in Switzerland said […]
Switzerland ranked 11th for global arms exports
In 2016, Switzerland exported CHF 412 million of weapons, according to the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO). This ranks Switzerland 11th globally, according to RTS. The five largest importers of Swiss weapons were Germany, South Africa, the US, India and Pakistan. Weapons exports made up only 0.14% of Switzerland’s total exports in 2016, said the […]
Steep rise in number of Catholic church sexual abuse reports in Switzerland
The Episcopal Conference of Switzerland (ECS) recently released figures that show a steep rise in the number of cases of sexual abuse reported in 2017 in the Catholic church in Switzerland. After a steep fall in reported cases from 115 in 2010 to 9 in 2012, the number rose to 65 in 2017. The ECS said […]
Most Swiss for neutrality and against EU membership
An annual survey on security by ETH in Zurich reveals widespread support Switzerland’s neutrality. Since 2015, support for the principle of neutrality has remained constant at 95%. 85% feel neutrality is inseparable from the Swiss concept of the state and 60% think Switzerland’s armed neutrality contributes to security and stability in Europe. In addition, 94% […]
International aid – Switzerland gives less but still 8th most generous
A club of countries known as the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) together gave US$ 147 billion in international aid in 2017, 0.6% less than in 2016. The figure includes money spent on refugees. In percentage of GDP terms, the most generous nations were Sweden (1.01%), Luxembourg (1.00%), Norway (0.99%), Denmark (0.72%) and the UK (0.70%). […]
Swiss Muslim academic accused of rape remains in prison
According to LeMonde.fr, Tariq Ramadan remains in a French prison, despite the efforts of his lawyers. Under investigation for accusations of rape, the judge decided to keep Ramadan in prison to protect witnesses from pressure, said those close to the case, according to the newspaper. Investigators hope keeping him in prison will encourage other women […]
Swiss government warns of cancerous palm oil
Today, the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) warned that the colouring substance Scarlet Red (Sudan IV) had been discovered in palm oil. The banned substance was discovered by FSVO staff in Vaud. The synthetic substance can metabolize into carcinogenic amines after it has been ingested. Amines are used to make some dyes. […]
Most Swiss against 1.3 billion franc EU payment, according to poll
A poll by Swiss media company Tamedia, suggests a majority of Swiss are against the CHF 1.3 billion payment the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive, agreed to contribute towards EU payments to EU members in eastern Europe over 10 years. The poll results were reported in 20 Minutes. After agreeing the sum in November last year […]
