Residential property prices continue to rise in Switzerland (www.swissinfo.ch)
In 2023, residential property prices in Switzerland continued to increase, though the growth rate slowed due to interest rate hikes. The Swiss Real Estate Institute’s analysis, based on actual sales prices from the Swiss Real Estate Data Pool, found that:...
Science diplomacy: Switzerland intensifies bilateral cooperation with partner countries in the area of higher education, research and innovation (www.admin.ch)
Switzerland and India Reach Deal on Free Trade Agreement (www.bloomberg.com)
As Switzerland’s Glaciers Shrink, a Way of Life May Melt Away (www.nytimes.com)
Switzerland's EFG bank poaches Credit Suisse teams (www.reuters.com)
Swiss farmers call for rise in producer prices (www.swissinfo.ch)
Swiss farmers are worried. Not only are they suffering from sharply falling incomes, but they also have to contend with consumers cutting back on food....
Pro Velo criticises cantons’ delays on bicycle routes (www.swissinfo.ch)
The vast majority of Switzerland’s 26 cantons have done little or nothing to implement the new law on cycle routes, criticises Pro Velo....
Switzerland and Italy resolve train issue (www.swissinfo.ch)
A normal train service can resume between Brig in southwestern Switzerland and Domodossola in Italy. This follows a decision by the Italian authorities to extend by one year a deadline for implementing new fire protection measures for railway tunnels....
Electric vehicle sales growth slows in Switzerland (www.swissinfo.ch)
One in five new cars (20.9%) sold in Switzerland in 2023 was a battery electric vehicle. Sales continued to grow last year but at a slower pace than expected....
Swiss authorised record number of ‘banned’ pesticides last year (www.swissinfo.ch)
In 2023, some 30 previously banned substances were exceptionally authorised by federal authorities, as a means of tackling growing menaces to agricultural crops....
Marble trout named Swiss Fish of the Year (www.swissinfo.ch)
The marble trout, aka Salmo marmoratus, has been named the Fish of the Year 2024 by the Swiss Fishing Federation (FSP). This freshwater fish from south of the Alps is fighting for its survival....
Zurich airport sees sizeable jump in activity in 2023 (www.swissinfo.ch)
The number of flights in and out of Switzerland’s biggest airport increased by 14.5% in 2023, but activity is still 10% lower than pre-pandemic years....
Polecat crowned Switzerland’s animal of the year for 2024 (www.swissinfo.ch)
Conservation group Pro Natura says that if the species – which belongs to the marten family – is to survive in the country, a nationwide ecological infrastructure is needed....
Most Swiss want to restrict fireworks for private individuals (www.swissinfo.ch)
More than three-quarters of the Swiss population support the initiative submitted in the autumn to restrict the use of fireworks by private individuals. According to a representative survey, the main reasons for this are animal welfare and air pollution....
Swiss government wants to facilitate expansion of landfill sites (www.swissinfo.ch)
The regulations on the expansion of landfill sites are to be relaxed in Switzerland. The department of Environment Minister Albert Rösti wants to amend an ordinance to this end and has opened a consultation process until mid-April....
Swiss voters to decide on foie gras and fur imports (www.swissinfo.ch)
Two popular initiatives calling for a ban on foie gras imports and a ban on fur imports have been submitted to the Federal Chancellery. They have 106,448 and 116,140 signatures respectively....
Swissmedic authorises new drug for respiratory disease (www.swissinfo.ch)
Swiss drugs reglator Swissmedic has authorised a new medicine to treat colds and cases of acute bronchitis in infants and young children. Beyfortus is used to treat respiratory tract diseases caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)....
Swiss prosecutor and ‘mafia hunter’ Dick Marty dies aged 78 (www.swissinfo.ch)
Former Swiss senator and prosecutor Dick Marty died on Thursday aged 78, his party confirmed....
Swiss finance minister on banking regulation: ‘We must act’ (www.swissinfo.ch)
The Swiss government intends to submit proposals to parliament in the spring to ensure that a Credit Suisse-style bank bailout will no longer be necessary in future....
Swiss retailers celebrate successful Christmas (www.swissinfo.ch)
Despite inflation, consumers in Switzerland spent more money on Christmas presents in 2023 than in previous years. Cashless payments reached a record level in the run-up to Christmas....
UBS cut most jobs in sector following Credit Suisse takeover (www.swissinfo.ch)
Swiss bank UBS has cut a particularly large number of jobs among global banks in 2023. This was calculated by the Financial Times....
Inheritance tax: signatures collected for ‘Initiative for a Future’ (www.swissinfo.ch)
The youth section of the Swiss Social Democrats (JUSO) say they have collected enough signatures for the “Initiative for a Future”....
Solidarity in Switzerland despite crises in 2023 (www.swissinfo.ch)
The crises in 2023 mobilised the willingness to donate in Switzerland despite the increasing pressure on purchasing power. However, this was at the expense of other donation needs....
Cancers among young people have almost doubled, says expert (www.swissinfo.ch)
Cancers in people under the age of 50, previously extremely rare, are on the increase. “They have almost doubled,” says Solange Peters, head of medical oncology at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in western Switzerland. In her view, this is “an alarming sign”....