Switzerland recorded 1,211 cases of racial discrimination in 2024, an increase of 335 compared with the previous year, according to a report published by the country’s network of anti-racism centres. The 40% annual rise is the steepest in recent years. Most incidents occurred in schools and the number of reported cases has been climbing steadily […]
Hamas officially banned in Switzerland from 15 May
From 15 May 2025, Hamas will be banned in Switzerland, under a five-year measure approved by the Federal Council on Wednesday, reported RTS. Parliament had given the green light for a ban in December 2024, following the attacks by the Islamist group in October 2023. The ban, drawn up at Parliament’s request, targets not only […]
US wants to prioritise trade negotiations with Switzerland
Karin Keller-Sutter, Switzerland’s president and finance minister, met Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, in Washington on Thursday for what she described as a productive exchange. The two discussed ways to strengthen economic collaboration between their countries, reported RTS. Switzerland is among 15 countries with which the United States is seeking a swift resolution to […]
The strange departure of Klaus Schwab
Klaus Schwab, 87, the founder and long-time figurehead of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has resigned as chairman, marking the end of an era for the organization he created in 1971. His departure was announced on 20 April 2025, following an extraordinary board meeting, according to a WEF official statement. Interim CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, a […]
Swiss tourists avoiding the US
Travel from Switzerland to the United States has dropped sharply, especially among the young and families, according to recent US travel data. The number of Swiss holidaymakers visiting the United States fell steeply in February and March, according to figures released this week by America’s International Trade Administration. The decline, which began in February, intensified […]
Swiss officials not following EU use of burner phones for US travel
The European Commission is reportedly tightening internal security guidance for staff travelling to the United States, placing the country on a par with China, Iran, and other sensitive destinations in terms of data protection, reported SRF. The aim of the EU move is to guard against potential espionage, a reflection of growing mistrust between Washington […]
Toblerone reclaims its Swiss identity
Since shifting part of its production to Slovakia in 2023, Toblerone has no longer qualified to claim it is Swiss made. The iconic Matterhorn vanished from its packaging, replaced by a generic peak. Now, its owner, the US multinational Mondelez, plans to reconnect the product with Switzerland, reported SRF. After losing the right in 2023 […]
Swiss exporters brace for US tariff blow
The 31% tariffs announced by the Trump administration this week, were described by some analysts as like taking a sledgehammer to Swiss trade. Some industries are already eyeing alternative markets to cushion the blow, reported RTS. However, Switzerland’s industry sectors will feel the impact of new American tariffs unevenly. While the pharmaceutical industry has so […]
Swiss government decides against a direct response to US tariffs
Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 31% tariff on Swiss goods, the Federal Council has opted for diplomacy over retaliation, it announced on Thursday. It said it will closely examine the measures and their implications but has no immediate plans to introduce countermeasures. The Swiss government expressed concern over the steep tariffs, describing them […]
The Swiss who lost their nationality
Swiss citizenship is typically for life, except in rare cases where it was obtained fraudulently or if an individual with another nationality is deemed to seriously harm the interests and reputation of Switzerland and in doing so compromise the nation’s security – this happened in 2019 for the first time. However, retaining Swiss citizenship was […]
