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Democracy

Milo Rau: democracy is an ’agora open to everyone who isn’t a criminal’

On the International Day of Democracy, Switzerland’s most controversial theatre director talks about the “ritual” of public votes and the global state of political participation.

By Domhnall O’Sullivan

Swiss Politics

Swiss direct democracy

Become a democracy pro in four weeks – sign up now!

Democracy

What inspires your optimism for democracy?

By Benjamin von Wyl

Impunity is stalling all peace efforts in Sudan. Can it end?

Sudanese refugees in, Chad. 22nd June, 2024.

This content was published on Sep 14, 2024 The war in Sudan has led to the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. Impunity for war crimes has so far prevailed.

‘That mummy is my great-grandfather’

This content was published on Sep 14, 2024 Former Swiss diplomat Claudio Mazzucchelli tells the incredible story of the discovery in Egypt of the mummy of his illustrious great-grandfather.

Drug development gets sex and gender overhaul

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 Sex and gender are rarely considered in drug development. There’s now a movement, including in Switzerland, to change this.

The Week in Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 14, 2024 Paralympic success, misjudged target practice, and a mysterious mummy all feature this week.

Gender medicine is also good for men

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 Efforts to bring gender diversity to drug development aren’t just good for women’s health. They will also benefit men.

Six things you need to know about Pavel Durov and Telegram

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 Who is Pavel Durov? SWI swissinfo.ch presents six things you need to know about the founder and CEO of the social media channel Telegram.

Computer-generated image of the planned SedrunSolar park in canton Graubünden in southeastern Switzerland.

Construction starts on first large-scale solar park in Swiss Alps

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 The first major solar project under the federal government’s “Solar Express” scheme is being built near the mountain village of Sedrun in southeast Switzerland.

Recent stories for the Swiss Abroad community

Swiss Abroad

How an architect from Ticino ended up designing Bolivia’s capitals

Antonio Camponovo emigrated to Bolivia as part of the Swiss migration to the New World in the 19th century, where he shaped the face of the country’s two capitals.

By Lionel Moser

Swiss Abroad

Poll: Swiss Abroad pensioners are enthusiastic while workers struggle

By Claire Micallef

Swiss Abroad

Feline felons: what to do with Switzerland’s killer cats?

By Thomas Stephens

Swiss Abroad

Did you emigrate after retiring because you couldn’t make ends meet at home?

By Katy Romy

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Swiss Film Selection

SWI swissinfo.ch offers a selection of Swiss films in English chosen from the Swiss streaming platform Play Suisse.

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“Let’s Talk” is SWI swissinfo.ch’s format to discuss relevant topics with high-profile experts and political figures.

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Check out our long format stories on topics like the Swiss pharma industry, Switzerland’s struggles with dirty gold, and living in the Alps.

Switzerland: How To

How do you dispose of rubbish in Switzerland? What are the visa requirements? It’s all here.

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Swiss parliamentarians want to stop UNRWA funding

This content was published on Sep 10, 2024 On Monday, one of the two chambers of parliament in Bern voted to immediately stop payments to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Swiss government wants to ban Hamas from Switzerland for five years

This content was published on Sep 4, 2024 The Swiss government has submitted to parliament its proposal to ban Palestinian militant group Hamas from Switzerland for five years.

Swiss flies to Tel Aviv again on Thursday

This content was published on Sep 3, 2024 Swiss takes decision following an in-depth analysis of the situation in the Middle East.

SWISS extends Middle East flight suspensions

This content was published on Aug 19, 2024 Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has extended its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Beirut, Lebanon, until August 26 due to the current tensions in the Middle East.

University of Bern replaces controversial Middle East department

This content was published on Aug 15, 2024 Former Middle East Institute was dissolved after controversial Hamas statements from lecturer.

SWISS prolongs suspension of flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv

This content was published on Aug 12, 2024 Swiss international airlines is extending the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon until August 21.

In this image made from a video, people inspect the rubble at a school after being hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.

Swiss foreign ministry alarmed by Israeli airstrike on Gaza school

This content was published on Aug 11, 2024 The Swiss foreign ministry expressed deep concern on Saturday following an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City.

Switzerland condemns Israeli minister’s starvation remarks

This content was published on Aug 8, 2024 Switzerland has criticised Bezalel Smotrich’s comment that starving the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip “might be justified and moral”.

Palestinian children who fled with their parents from their houses in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh, gather in the backyard of an UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) school, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

UN investigates UNRWA staff involvement in October 7 Hamas attack

This content was published on Aug 6, 2024 Nine employees of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) “may have been involved” in the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, according to the UN’s internal investigation. This involved 19 people accused by Israel.

Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern advises against travel to Israel and Iran

Swiss foreign ministry advises against travel to Israel and Iran

This content was published on Aug 3, 2024 The foreign ministry in Bern has advised against traveling to Israel and Iran.

Swiss suspends flights between Zurich and Tel Aviv

SWISS suspends Zurich-Tel Aviv flights amid Middle East tensions

This content was published on Aug 2, 2024 This is in response to recent developments in the Middle East.

Swiss foreign ministry wary of possible Middle East escalation

This content was published on Jul 31, 2024 A regional conflict must be prevented, said Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on Wednesday. Swiss citizens have been advised to leave Lebanon.

SWISS suspends flights to Beirut

This content was published on Jul 29, 2024 Like the rest of the Lufthansa Group, SWISS is suspending flights to Beirut.

Mourners carry the coffins of some of the 12 children and teens killed in a rocket strike at a football pitch in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Sunday, July 28, 2024.

Switzerland condemns rocket attack on Golan Heights sports pitch

This content was published on Jul 28, 2024 The Swiss foreign ministry has condemned a rocket attack on a football pitch in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which resulted in the deaths of twelve children and young people.

Inside Geneva – medical help in war zones

This content was published on Jul 9, 2024 From war-torn Sudan to Somalia and, finally, Gaza, these are some of the places Chris Lockyear, Secretary General of MSF, has visited during his career.

What is the future of Swiss neutrality?

Is Swiss neutrality misunderstood? Or has the Swiss model of neutrality now become obsolete?

Join the discussion

Sep 13, 2024

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Construction starts on first large-scale solar park in Swiss Alps

Should the Swiss invest more in biodiversity?

This content was published on Sep 9, 2024 The Swiss will be voting on a biodiversity initiative on 22 September. It seeks to give nature more space and resources but is considered too extreme by its opponents.

Biodiversity initiative: ‘We don’t want parts of the country sealed off’

This content was published on Sep 9, 2024 Better protection for nature or more headaches for farmers? Two politicians discuss the biodiversity initiative in our ‘Let’s Talk’ series.

Storms in Swiss mountain areas keep visitors at bay

Mountain storms put damper on Switzerland’s summer visitor figures

This content was published on Sep 2, 2024 Storms in Swiss mountain areas keep summer visitors at bay.

A CHF100 banknote lying in a cardboard coffin next to a lit candle

How a Swiss banknote’s life comes to an end

This content was published on Aug 28, 2024 A banknote’s life is not eternal. What happens when it’s time to retire?

Public asked how to recover dumped munitions in Swiss lakes

This content was published on Aug 15, 2024 Authorities have launched a public competition for the best ideas for safely removing old ammunition from Swiss lakes

Genetically engineered barley, using the CRISPR/Cas method.

Genetically engineered barley grown in a secured field in Zurich

This content was published on Aug 9, 2024 Swiss scientists use the new CRISPR method of genetic engineering to try to boost crop yield.

To induce death, individuals climb into the pod-looking chamber and press a button inside that releases nitrogen into the chamber. The individual dies as a result of nitrogen hypoxia, a method which the makers claim is not painful.

Assisted suicide for CHF18 ($20)?

This content was published on Jul 27, 2024 This would be an “egalitarian” death, says Fiona Stewart, a founding member of the organisation The Last Resort.

Swiss On shoes share the spotlight at Paris Olympics

This content was published on Jul 26, 2024 At the Paris Olympics, some of the best athletes will be wearing products made by the Swiss sportswear brand, On.

‘Security here, freedom there’ – insights from a US trucker festival in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 25, 2024 Many attendees at the International Trucker & Country Festival in Interlaken yearn for the freedom associated with the US. An academic in a cowboy hat explains why.

What’s inside a comet?

This content was published on Jul 24, 2024 Watch how two Bern astrophysicists are hoping to dig beneath the surface of a comet to find out more about the origins of the solar system.

Swiss farms make space for beans and lentils

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 Plant breeders, scientists and farmers in Zurich’s countryside try to make the case for legume cultivation.

Trump, Biden and hatred: how US polarisation affects Americans in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 20, 2024 A Republican, Democrat and Independent living in Switzerland describe the emotional divide in US politics.

Decommissioned Bernese trams sent to Ukraine.

Swiss trams embark on a rare journey to Ukraine

This content was published on Jul 15, 2024 SWI swissinfo.ch speaks to the specialists preparing Swiss trams for transfer to Ukraine and to the Lviv public transport staff who will operate them.

How Swiss tourism bosses town deal with the effects of influencers

How Swiss tourism bosses deal with the effects of influencers

This content was published on Jul 12, 2024 Influencers tempt tourists to “must see” Swiss sites, sometimes sparking over-tourism. A Swiss tourism boss reveals how the industry deals with it.

External Content

Reuters International

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 – 00:15

Floods claim more lives as torrential rain pounds central Europe

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 23:37

UK PM Starmer pledges migration cooperation ahead of Italy talks

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 23:23

FBI investigating attempted assassination of Trump in Florida

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 21:33

Russian bomb strikes Kharkiv apartment building, one dead, 42 injured, officials say

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 20:41

Germany signs agreement on migration with Uzbekistan

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 20:40

Trump says ‘I hate Taylor Swift!’ in Truth Social post

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 19:55

Eight die in Channel crossing attempt, French authorities say

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 19:15

Houthi missile reaches central Israel for first time, no injuries reported

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 18:17

Two Spanish nationals arrested in Venezuela not linked to any plot, says Madrid

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 18:04

Putin’s options for Ukraine missiles response include nuclear test, experts say

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 17:53

Polish minister, visiting Kyiv, calls for end to benefits for Ukrainian men in Europe

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 17:28

Ukraine suffering high losses due to slow arms supplies, says Zelenskiy

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 17:00

Morocco blocks mass migration attempt into Spain’s Ceuta enclave

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 16:32

Strong winds fan dozens of fires in Russia’s Rostov region, governor says

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 16:21

Georgia’s most powerful man suggests an apology for 2008 war with Russia

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 13:01

Climate protesters block Dutch highway while police strike

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 12:56

Shanghai braces for direct hit from Typhoon Bebinca

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 12:08

Russian bombers conduct training flights over Chukchi and East Siberian seas, TASS reports

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 11:03

Floods in Romania kill at least four people as rain batters central Europe

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 10:56

Iran’s President to attend BRICS summit in Russia

Bloomberg Business

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 – 00:34

Asia Eyes Cautious Open After Worrying China Data: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 09:59

Temasek Said to Near Stake Purchase in Blackstone-Owned VFS

This content was published on Sep 14, 2024 – 16:17

Central, Eastern Europe Prepare for Worst Flooding in Decades

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 – 22:27

Stock Rotation Is Back on Bets Fed Will ‘Go Big’: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 – 19:13

SoftwareOne Is Said to Weigh Deal for Crayon as Apax Closes In

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 – 18:42

General Atlantic-Backed SMG Weighs Options Including IPO

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 – 11:34

Heavy Snow Hits Alps With Red Alerts for Rain in Central Europe

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 – 10:20

Omega Used Watch Prices Fall Despite Olympic Push

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 – 08:57

Hindenburg Fires Latest Salvo at Adani With Swiss Probe Claims

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 – 07:46

UBS Chair Kelleher Wants Better Bank Liquidity to Lift Stability

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 – 05:40

Blackstone Said to Weigh Sale of $7 Billion Consular Tech Firm

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 – 22:15

Stocks Up as This Week’s Rally Tops $1.3 Trillion: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 – 18:50

Europe Faces Early Snows, Floods as Extreme Weather Grips Region

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 – 18:48

Baloise Strategy Overhaul Stops Short of Cevian Demands

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 – 17:46

European Stocks Advance as Traders Await Fed Rate Cut After ECB

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 – 09:19

Roche Shares Drop on Concern About Obesity Pill Side Effects

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 – 02:08

Red Sea Crisis Produces Winners and Losers in Asia as Freight Rates Spike

This content was published on Sep 11, 2024 – 22:48

Stocks Wipe Out CPI-Fueled Slide as Big Tech Jumps: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Sep 11, 2024 – 14:02

Richemont’s Rupert Says Luxury Watchmakers Must Cut Production

This content was published on Sep 11, 2024 – 08:39

Franc’s Bumper Rally Spurs Calls for Big Swiss Rate Cut

Swiss prosecutors freeze $310 million as part of Adani investigation

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 Swiss prosecutors have frozen $310 million held at six Swiss banks by a person they suspect to be “a frontman” for Adani, the controversial Indian conglomerate fighting accusations of fraud.

What price the perfect apple?

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 Plant growth hormones are widely used in fruit cultivation to give consumers uniform, blemish-free products. But with little published research, the risks are as yet unknown.

A smartphone with the APP of social networks Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Mastodon and X is pictured in Lausanne, Switzerland, Tuesday, September 12, 2023.(KEYSTONE/Laurent Gillieron)

Poll: Swiss are fed up with social media

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 According to the latest figures, social media is being used less. One of the reasons: the platforms are no longer truly social.

How AI is affecting Switzerland’s creative workforce

This content was published on Sep 11, 2024 Workers in the creative sector are under increasing pressure from the launch of AI software such as ChatGPT. This is a global trend that is transforming the labour market.

Swiss votes on September 22: pension reform looks unlikely

This content was published on Sep 11, 2024 With less than two weeks to go, most Swiss voters look set to reject a referendum on reforming occupational pensions, according to the second and final poll.

Sperisen case in Switzerland a ‘legacy of the dirty war in Guatemala’

This content was published on Sep 10, 2024 The trial of the former Guatemalan police chief Erwin Sperisen has been going on for ten years. The Swiss-Guatemalan dual citizen is now on trial in Geneva for the fourth time. An explainer.

Meet the foreigners who make up a quarter of the Swiss population

Swiss residents hold a number of passports

This content was published on Sep 6, 2024 Who are the foreign nationals who make up 27% of Switzerland’s population?

Swiss film exposes xenophobia as weapon against the working class

This content was published on Sep 6, 2024 Filmmaker Samir’s new documentary about Italian immigrants is a tale of xenophobia, resilience, and a call to avoid past prejudices.

Dossier Center identifies Putin’s two secret sons with Alina Kabaeva

Russian investigation confirms Putin’s son was born in Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 5, 2024 Vladimir Putin’s and Alina Kabaeva’s first son is believed to have been born in Switzerland under secretive circumstances.

From absolutism to democracy in Bhutan: 50 years of Swiss support

This content was published on Sep 1, 2024 In 1975 Helvetas was the first international development organisation to work in Bhutan. It now plans to withdraw from the Himalayan country.

In the city of Bucharest, Romania, temperatures reached 42 °C this summer.

How to keep cities cool during heatwaves

This content was published on Aug 29, 2024 How can hot summers be made more tolerable for city-dwellers? SWI swissinfo.ch asked an expert at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich.

How a Swiss banknote’s life comes to an end

This content was published on Aug 28, 2024 A banknote’s life is not eternal. What happens when it’s time to retire?

The colors inside and outside the Villa reflect Le Corbusier's purist palette: blue, light gray, burnt amber, pink, green, and medium gray.

Villa Baizeau: The domino piece left by Le Corbusier in Tunisia

This content was published on Aug 27, 2024 In the 1930s, Le Corbusier’s Villa Baizeau in Tunisia marked a bold departure from traditional architecture, embodying a quest for freedom and unique beauty. Today, it houses Tunisia’s secret police.

In Focus

Swiss federal votes on September 22

Biodiversity and pensions are on the agenda for the federal votes on September 22.

Taiwan: a model democracy

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.