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covid-19 Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the ten countries most affected by the coronavirus worldwide, with six confirmed deaths.

By Balz Rigendinger

SWISS DEMOCRACY IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT The chance to participate in politics is the key to happiness

In many parts of the world, people’s level of satisfaction with their own democracy is diminishing according to a recent study.

By Claude Longchamp, political commentator and historian

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in depth

COVID-19 Coronavirus in Switzerland

What are the social, economic and political effects of the coronavirus outbreak in Switzerland?

The Swiss Connection Calling all podcast fans

In our podcast, The Swiss Connection, we talk to a variety of newsmakers based in Switzerland as well as Swiss nationals living abroad.

News Digest

This content was published on March 12, 2020 4:30 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 16:30 This content was published on March 12, 2020 4:30 PM

Four Swiss on board coronavirus cruise ship repatriated

This content was published on March 12, 2020 2:01 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 14:01 This content was published on March 12, 2020 2:01 PM

Swiss cantons expected to follow Ticino’s lead in emergency measures

This content was published on March 12, 2020 12:13 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 12:13 This content was published on March 12, 2020 12:13 PM

Firms lament red tape for hiring foreign talent in Switzerland

This content was published on March 12, 2020 11:38 AM Mar 12, 2020 - 11:38 This content was published on March 12, 2020 11:38 AM

Swiss file record number of patent applications

This content was published on March 12, 2020 9:12 AM Mar 12, 2020 - 09:12 This content was published on March 12, 2020 9:12 AM

Amid emergency measures, Ticino comes to a halt

Bloomberg business

• This content was published on March 12, 2020 3:11 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 15:11 This content was published on March 12, 2020 3:11 PM Europe Stocks Plunge Most Ever After Virus Response Underwhelms
• This content was published on March 12, 2020 3:01 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 15:01 This content was published on March 12, 2020 3:01 PM Stocks Tumble With Virus Responses Missing Marks: Markets Wrap
• This content was published on March 12, 2020 1:51 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 13:51 This content was published on March 12, 2020 1:51 PM Swiss Court Delays Join Global Judicial Disruptions from Virus
• This content was published on March 12, 2020 10:18 AM Mar 12, 2020 - 10:18 This content was published on March 12, 2020 10:18 AM Credit Markets Suffer Renewed Turmoil Over Pandemic Impact

Reuters International

• This content was published on March 12, 2020 2:34 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 14:34 This content was published on March 12, 2020 2:34 PM Ireland to shut schools, universities until March 29 over coronavirus
• This content was published on March 12, 2020 3:12 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 15:12 This content was published on March 12, 2020 3:12 PM Italy and South Korea virus outbreaks reveal disparity in deaths and tactics
• This content was published on March 12, 2020 3:41 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 15:41 This content was published on March 12, 2020 3:41 PM Coronavirus pandemic 'could be over by June' if countries act, says Chinese adviser
• This content was published on March 12, 2020 4:28 PM Mar 12, 2020 - 16:28 This content was published on March 12, 2020 4:28 PM France considers postponing local elections over virus concern - JDD

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Follow-up material to accompany the main content

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Opinion Swiss lawyers seek to keep special ‘advisor’ status in the shadow economy

Anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth offers perspective on how lawyers are trying to keep a loophole that allows them to set up offshore structures.

By Mark Pieth, University of Basel

Coronavirus          Can countries keep up with the spread of Covid-19?

The new coronavirus epidemic has starkly exposed the weaknesses of countries' health systems.

By Frédéric Burnand, Geneva

Manipulated media How Swiss scientists are trying to spot deepfakes

There is growing urgency among experts to prepare for cases in which deepfake techniques are used to manipulate public opinion.

By Geraldine Wong Sak Hoi

Coronavirus impact ‘Desperate measures in desperate times’ as virus affects International Geneva

Geneva has been at the sharp end of the disruption caused by the new coronavirus.

By Simon Bradley

Covid-19 What does the lockdown in Italy mean for Switzerland?

The Italian government’s decision to impose travel restrictions on Italy has raised fears for the economy in Ticino.

By Jessica Davis Plüss

Opinion Diplomacy goes virtual as the coronavirus goes viral

The spread of the new coronavirus is testing our globalised world, writes Jovan Kurbalija, head of the Geneva Internet Platform. 

By Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director of DiploFoundation, and head of the Geneva Internet Platform

Eye on the Multinationals briefing How will we judge multinationals when the epidemic is over?

Our analysis of what the biggest global companies in Switzerland are up to. This week: responsible business in an epidemic.

By Jessica Davis Plüss

Migration policy Aiding illegal immigrants remains a crime in Switzerland

People who help undocumented immigrants in Switzerland risk running afoul of the law, even if they are acting purely for humanitarian reasons.

By Marie Vuilleumier

'Humanitarian Principles. Here and Now' In global exhibition, Swiss artists mirror humanity's struggles

Swiss artists are interpreting the daily diet of human suffering in an exhibition currently doing the rounds of Swiss embassies around the world.

By Helen James photo editor, Julie Hunt, text

roger de weck ‘The more power citizens have, the more responsible they become’

Author, journalist, and ex-SBC head Roger de Weck analyses how to modernise democracy in a book to appear this week.

By Domhnall O'Sullivan

International Women’s Day It’s time for women refugees to have a seat at the table

Two women with different perspectives explain the challenges of making female refugees seen and heard in the integration process.

By Alexandra Dufresne and Anila Noor

International Women’s Day  Will a more feminine parliament advance the Swiss gender agenda? 

Last year a record number of women were elected to parliament in Switzerland. Will they help bring more equality in other spheres? 

By Julia Crawford and Jessica Davis Plüss

Swiss photography René Burri – Explosions of Sight

An exhibition of René Burri's more explorative work showcases the Swiss photojournalist’s obsession with pushing the boundaries of photography.

By Thomas Kern (picture editor and text)

Covid-19 With no prospects for profits, big pharma neglects new infectious diseases

More companies are shifting resources away from emerging infectious diseases into more lucrative areas like cancer. What does this mean for Covid-19?

By Jessica Davis Plüss

Justice reform 4.0 Swiss justice system to get a digital makeover

The planned digital overhaul of court procedures and law enforcement agencies in Switzerland faces surprisingly little opposition.

By Sibilla Bondolfi

Swiss democracy in an international context The perfect democracy does not exist – not even in Switzerland

Many Swiss pride themselves on having the oldest and best democracy in the world. The research community provides a more nuanced perspective.

By Claude Longchamp, political commentator and historian

Covid-19 First coronavirus death recorded in Switzerland

The first death in Switzerland from Covid-19 has been confirmed in canton Vaud. A 74-year-old woman died early on Thursday.

This content was published on March 5, 2020 2:14 PM Mar 5, 2020 - 14:14

Crypto spying scandal The countries that trusted bugged Swiss encryption devices

An analysis of export licences reveals how countries around the world put their trust in supposedly secure Swiss encryption technology.