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 […]
Medical association raises alarm about the number of foreign doctors in Switzerland
The number of medical professionals in Switzerland rose by 3.7% in 2024. However, the proportion of foreign doctors working in the country continues to increase, reaching 41.3% of all doctors in 2024. Relying so heavily on foreign medical professionals is risky, according to a representative of a medical association who spoke to SRF. In 2003, […]
Switzerland should prepare for war, according to former US general
The withdrawal of US troops from Europe is a question of time, Ben Hodges, a former US general, told SonntagsBlick in an interview this week. Switzerland should prepare itself for war, he said. The best way to prevent war is to prepare for it, said Hodges. Not being prepared invites attack, said the retired general […]
One fifth of staff to go at UN migration agency in Geneva
the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which has been hit hard by US foreign aid cuts, is laying off around 20% of staff at its Geneva headquarters, reported RTS. Around 20% of the organisation’s roughly 1,000 staff based in Geneva are to be cut according to several sources familiar with the situation. One employee told […]
Planning a trip to the UK? Don’t forget a visa
From 2 April 2025, travelling to the United Kingdom will require a visa. EU and EFTA nationals, including Swiss passport holders, can now (from 5 March 2025) apply online for an U.K. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA costs £10 and lasts for 2 years from the date of issue. Currently, only citizens of EU […]
Most Muslims in Switzerland don’t report racist incidents
A recently published report shows that only a tiny percentage of rascist incidents affecting Muslims in Switzerland are reported. Around a third (35%) of Switzerland’s 450,000 Muslims report being victims of racism. However, only around 60 people a year report such incidents to Switzerland’s official racism reporting centres. Marianne Helfer, head of the Federal Office […]
