Promoting democracy in authoritarian Tajikistan – is Switzerland making a difference?
While the government of Tajikistan’s long-standing ruler grows more repressive, Switzerland continues to support human rights – a delicate balancing act.
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With high immigration and not enough new houses and flats being built, Switzerland’s housing shortage is getting worse. Just how severe is the problem?
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Here in Switzerland, where the economics minister is also a winemaker, the Federal Office for Agriculture says it is “concerned” about the decline in wine consumption. It blames the changing habits of the younger generation.
Swiss Abroad ‘can be proud of the support they give their country’
Marianne Jenni became the director of the Swiss foreign ministry’s consular division in January. After 100 days in office, she takes stock of the challenges.
Emigrating with family: what to do if a child doesn’t want to move
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New surroundings, new school, new friends – emigration can be a daunting prospect for children. Two experts share their tips.
Tax information when emigrating from Switzerland: what you need to know
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Tax liability in Switzerland does not always end at the country’s border – here’s what you should bear in mind when moving abroad.
Voting from abroad: How to register for Swiss elections
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Switzerland grants voting rights to its citizens living abroad. If you want to exercise your voting rights, you must first get on the electoral register.
Emigration and pension benefits: how to save on taxes
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Taxes are due when withdrawing pension fund capital. Swiss citizens living abroad may, under certain circumstances, reclaim a portion of these taxes.
Swiss abroad health insurance – what are the options?
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Should you take out insurance abroad? Or with a health insurance company in Switzerland? Is that even possible? We explain.
Emigration: what steps should I take to leave Switzerland?
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This article, along with a practical checklist, will guide you step by step through the emigration process – supplemented with further helpful articles and links.
Bringing a pet to Switzerland requires meticulous preparation
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Whether visiting Switzerland on holiday or arriving to live permanently, entering the country with a pet involves a number of steps and formalities. Here’s what you need to know.
Five things to know about your Swiss bank account before emigrating
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Swiss Abroad frequently pay significantly higher fees at Swiss banks than their compatriots in Switzerland. You can find an overview of prices here.
Swiss state pensions abroad and what you need to know
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How can I claim my state pension abroad? Can I still make voluntary contributions from outside Switzerland? Answers to some FAQs.
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Moving abroad is an exciting but often challenging experience. Many emigrants experience different phases between culture shock and assimilation.
Why Switzerland is an archaeological treasure trove
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No other country offers such comprehensive, freely available, high-resolution radar scans – a unique resource for science.
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When a cold, dry wind sweeps through Switzerland, many people complain of headaches and other problems. They then often curse the bise.
Spell check: the Swiss origins of the European witch craze
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The 15th-century description of a witch hunt in the Bernese Simmental became the blueprint for witch hunts across Europe.
‘Swiss engineering at its best’: the steepest cable car in the world
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A section of the Schilthornbahn cableway is the latest example of breathtaking engineering in the Swiss Alps. But how steep is it?
An eye-opening guide to Switzerland’s ear-splitting sirens
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Every year, on the first Wednesday in February, the sound of 7,200 sirens fills the Alpine air, startling anyone who doesn’t know it’s a test.
Spring begins in Geneva when the official horse chestnut tree says so
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It’s spring in Geneva when the secretary general of the cantonal parliament sees the first leaf on the city’s official horse chestnut.
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Read selected articles from across Switzerland and discuss current issues with people living in Switzerland and fellow Swiss Abroad in our debates.
Listen to science stories with our podcast: The Swiss Connection
Explore Science stories and research from Swiss universities, research institutions and businesses. Please listen and follow the Swiss Connection Podcast.
Renewal of war in Gaza has ‘unleashed a new hell’, says Red Cross
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The resumption of the war in Gaza has unleashed a new hell in the Palestinian territory, the director of the Geneva-based ICRC has warned.
Ambassador: Israel and Switzerland ‘don’t agree on everything’
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Israel’s ambassador to Bern maintains that Switzerland and her country enjoy friendly relations. But criticises certain Swiss positions within UN bodies.
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US parliamentarians have threatened the UN Human Rights Council with sanctions similar to those against the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Swiss UN rapporteur urges Washington to release Columbia University student
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The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Nicolas Levrat, and eight other legal experts, have called on the US to release Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil.
UN officials in Geneva report over 100 civilian executions in western Syria
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Verification is ongoing, and the actual number is likely higher, said a UN spokesperson in Geneva. A Syrian NGO claims executions could exceed 1,000.
Failure of Middle East conference in Geneva reflects ‘too divided’ international society
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Switzerland has axed a conference on the application of the Geneva Conventions to the occupied Palestinian territories, following protests from several countries.
Switzerland cancels Middle East humanitarian law conference
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Switzerland has called off a conference on applying the Geneva Conventions in the Middle East following protests from several countries.
Israel criticises Swiss decision to host Middle East conference in Geneva on Friday
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Israel has condemned Switzerland for planning to host a meeting on international humanitarian law in the Middle East next Friday in Geneva.
Middle East conference in Geneva aims to revive international humanitarian law
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The conference on the Middle East will focus on banning the forced displacement of people, among other issues. A non-binding declaration is expected.
Geneva to host conference on Middle East conflict on March 7
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A conference on the situation of civilians living in the Israeli occupied territories will take place in Geneva on March 7, the Swiss foreign ministry has confirmed.
Swiss Senate committee wants to stop UNRWA funding
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Switzerland should stop payments to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) immediately, according to a Senate committee.
Switzerland adopts wait-and-see approach to Trump Gaza plan
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The Swiss foreign ministry is waiting for concrete details about US President Donald Trump’s plan to take control of Gaza.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
International public media face uncertain future in democracies
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More and more Western governments are paring down their funding for international public media, even as authoritarian regimes beef theirs up.
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Looming US pharma tariffs could challenge the status quo in pharmaceutical hubs like Switzerland as investment shifts to the US.
Switzerland is home to Europe’s only psychedelics treatment
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Doctors at Swiss hospitals and private practices are turning to alternative methods such as psychedelics. But the therapies are costly, rare and sometimes informal.
American author turns Bern into a stage for murder mysteries
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Kim Hays talks about her crime series “Polizei Bern”, which explores Switzerland’s dark past and taboos creeping under the peaceful capital city.
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A documentary film about the dramatic double murder case involving the married couple Peter and Ursula Breitschmid, instigated by their adopted son.
Taiwan has developed into an exemplary democracy. This can be seen in schools as well as in election campaigns – despite or because of its precarious status.
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The vote to decide Viola Amherd’s successor in the Federal Council – Martin Pfister or Markus Ritter – is set for March 12, but the ‘dialogue’ community appears to have already made up its mind.
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A non-representative survey reveals that approximately nine out of ten users (87%) of the “dialogue” community perceive the super-rich as a threat to democracy.
Is the job of Swiss government minister too complex and ‘politically exposed’?
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The position of Swiss government minister seems to have lost its shine – that is according to a non-representative survey of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC)’s “dialogue” community.
Are initiatives to combat gender-based violence having an impact?
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Authorities and civil society are looking for ways to deal with gender-based violence. Are these initiatives having an impact? Join the discussion.
Most Swiss doubt politicians’ ability to deal with climate change
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Two-thirds of Swiss believe global warming is a serious problem. However, only about a third thinks Swiss politicians can take sufficient measures on the issue.
Hard drugs: does prohibition sometimes do more harm than good?
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How can the growing consumption of crack cocaine in Switzerland be tackled? And what support can be provided to addicts? Join in the discussion!
Cost-of-living crisis: only a minority of Swiss say they feel the pinch
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Around one-third of Swiss residents and the Swiss Abroad say their financial situation is a strain, while four out of five believe the wealth gap in Switzerland is too wide, a new survey shows.
New Swiss tobacco law: are minors sufficiently protected?
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Are minors in Switzerland sufficiently protected from the risks of tobacco consumption? Join the multilingual debate on “dialogue”!
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It’s the hunting season again in Switzerland. Hunting is a well-established tradition in rural and mountain regions in Switzerland, but it also sparks criticism.
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According to the latest figures, social media is being used less. One of the reasons: the platforms are no longer truly social.
Poll: Switzerland is rather sceptical about the future
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Overall, people in Switzerland and the Swiss Abroad are doing well. But they are more pessimistic about the future than they were a year ago.
Poll: Swiss Abroad pensioners are enthusiastic while workers struggle
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Swiss pensioners abroad are generally happy with their lives but Swiss nationals who live and work overseas are less satisfied than the average citizen.
‘Dialogue’: should the 2022 vote on the Swiss pension system be re-run?
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After news of miscalculated financial forecasts on the pension system, left-wingers want a re-run of a 2022 vote. What’s your opinion? Join the discussion on “dialogue”!
The ‘dialogue’ community wants to know: do we need a four-day work week?
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Should Switzerland introduce a four-day work week? Learn more about the topic with a selection of multimedia content and join the discussion.
Assisted suicide: death with dignity or ethical dilemma?
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Assisted suicide is considered a controversial and personal topic. Does it mean death with dignity, or does it inevitably lead to an ethical dilemma?