On 20 December 2024, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Bern to conclude the long negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on their future relationship. The terms agreed between Brussels and Bern now need to be formalised in legal form. However, it is likely that those against the relationship or the form of […]
Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei barred from entering Switzerland
On Monday, the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was denied entry to Switzerland because he was unable to present a valid visa, reported RTS. Forced to spend Tuesday night at Zurich airport, the well-known dissident artist took to social media. On Instagram, he said “I’m sleeping on a bench with a blanket tonight and waiting to […]
The rise in rental scams in Switzerland
Finding a place to live in Switzerland is increasingly difficult. Scammers have noticed and are cashing in on the desperation experienced by some seeking a place to live, reported the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a federal government agency. Across much of Switzerland housing vacancy rates are less than 1%. In the cantons of Zug […]
Return of asylum seekers accelerates in Switzerland
Last year, Switzerland sent more than 7,000 asylum seekers back to their country of origin, which is around 18% more than the year before, reported RTS. The figure was revealed by Beat Jans, the Swiss minister in charge of asylum, in conversations at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this week. With a rate […]
Switzerland bans Hamas and its content
This week, Switzerland’s federal government approved a five-year ban on Hamas, reported RTS. The ban will prevent the organisation from using Switzerland as a refuge. It will also make it illegal for anyone in Switzerland to like or forward digital content related to the organisation. After being accepted by a majority of the Council of […]
EU and Switzerland aim to conclude negotiations by year end
This week, Maros Sefcovic, the vice president of the European Commission, met in Bern with Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland’s foreign minister to progress talks on Switzerland’s future deal with the EU with the aim of concluding negotiations by the end of the year, reported RTS. Responding to questions, Ignazio Cassis said they’re on the home straight […]
University of Lausanne takes legal action against Gaza protesters
In May, the University of Lausanne was hit by protests. This week, cantonal prosecutors confirmed that three proceedings had been opened in relation to these protests, reported RTS. Dozens of protestors and pro-Palestinian activists occupied the entrance hall of the university for two weeks. Supported by some teaching staff and employees of the university they […]
Switzerland’s cross border workers reach record level
At the beginning of the Covid pandemic there was talk of closing Switzerland’s borders. However, it was clear that Swiss hospitals and businesses near Switzerland’s borders would not function without the workers who cross the border daily to work for them, and the notion was dropped. Statistics published this week by the Federal Statistical Office […]
Majority of Swiss favour current deal with EU shows poll
A recent poll on the 25th anniversary of Switzerland’s current agreement with the EU shows a majority supports the agreements Switzerland has signed with the bloc. The poll run by gfs.bern for RTS shows that 73% believe Switzerland is better off with the current deal. Of the 73%, 8% say the agreement brings nothing but […]
Government recommends Swiss nationals leave Iran
This week, Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) recommended Swiss nationals leave Iran in a post on X. It also advised against travel to the country. According to the FDDA, the situation regarding the conflict in the Middle East is very volatile. The risk of escalation has continued to increase, the evolution of the […]
