Once again, Singapore has been named the world’s most powerful passport, granting visa‑free access to 193 destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index published on 22 July 205. The ranking, released on Tuesday, highlights Asia’s growing dominance in global mobility – and the relative decline of traditional powers. Japan and South Korea share second […]
Switzerland to bolster its air defences with German equipment
Switzerland has signed a deal to acquire five IRIS‑T SLM medium‑range air‑defence systems, plugging a long‑recognised gap in its defences, reported armasuisse on 22 July 2025. The systems, made by Germany’s Diehl Defence, will be bought under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a NATO‑backed scheme to strengthen continental missile defence. The purchase agreement, worth […]
Growing resistance to Musk’s antennas in Valais
Some in the Alpine municipality of Leuk is the Swiss canton of Valais are pushing back against a plan to install 40 Starlink antennas on a hill above the village, reported SRF. The antennas will belong to SpaceX, an American firm run by Elon Musk, a business man and controversial political figure disliked by many. […]
6-step guide to hiring a cleaner in Switzerland
Brought to you by quitt.ch – No. 1 provider of registration and administration services for domestic help in Switzerland. 1. What do cleaners cost in Switzerland? Cleaners are expensive in Switzerland and good personnel are hard to find. Prices typically range from around CHF 28 to CHF 33 an hour depending on the location and level […]
Brussels publishes Swiss-EU deal contracts
Switzerland’s Federal Council has approved a package of agreements aimed at stabilising and deepening its relationship with the European Union, reported SRF. The goal is tailored participation in the EU’s single market, said Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland’s foreign minister. We belong to Europe—not just geographically, but also economically and socially, he said. The deal, which was […]
8-step guide to hiring a nanny in Switzerland
Brought to you by quitt.ch – No. 1 provider of registration and administration services for domestic help in Switzerland. 1. What do nannies cost in Switzerland? Nannies are expensive in Switzerland. Average monthly salaries range from CHF 3,300 to CHF 6,500 depending on experience and where you live. Nannies cost more in Zurich, Basel and […]
Council of States Commission rejects Swiss neutrality initiative
An initiative, dubbed the Neutrality Initiative, aimed at adding the principle of permanent armed neutrality to Switzerland’s constitution faced a further set back this week. The wording also includes a far-reaching ban on sanctions, one of the triggers for the initiative – Switzerland has followed the EU in sanctioning Russia. The Foreign Affairs Committee of […]
Eurovision – Israel rehearsal disrupted by political protest
Rehearsals for the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest were disrupted on Thursday afternoon by a small group of demonstrators targeting the performance of Yuval Raphael, the Israeli contestant, reported RTS. Six individuals, including members of a family, unfurled large Palestinian flags and used whistles during the performance. Security personnel swiftly removed them from […]
Leaving Switzerland – the other side of the migration story
Switzerland is often seen as a magnet for foreigners. Far less attention is paid to the large number that leave every year. In a typical year, roughly 90,000 foreign nationals leave, according to new data obtained by swissinfo.ch. Between 2013 and 2022, net migration averaged more than 60,000 a year, accounting for 85% of Switzerland’s […]
Swiss government favours simple majority vote on EU deal
This week, the Federal Council said it favours putting its new package of agreements with the European Union to an optional referendum, requiring only a simple majority of voters—not the double majority of both voters and cantons required in a mandatory referendum, reported RTS. The decision, announced by the Federal Council on Wednesday, now passes […]
