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Climate change

Legumes – Swiss farmers’ secret weapon against climate change

Being resistant to cold and heat and rich in protein, lentils are making a comeback on Swiss fields and plates.

A group of farmers is betting on lentils and chickpeas as part of the solution to climate change in Switzerland.

By Sara Ibrahim

Science

Swiss farms make space for beans and lentils

By Céline Stegmüller

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Switzerland must also reduce the number of animals raised on its farms.

Science

The Swiss have to eat less meat by 2050. Here’s how.

By Sara Ibrahim

Swiss Made

Why Swiss farmers are rising in protest

By Dominique Soguel

Biden withdrawal: Swiss newspapers welcome ‘inevitable’ decision

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 Better late than never – but US President Joe Biden’s decision on Sunday to pull out of the race for the White House was far too late, reckon the Swiss media.

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.

At the Musée du Louvre in Paris, visitors can discover the work of Emile Gilliéron, including a series of plaques and medallions.

Emile Gilliéron, the Swiss iconographer of the first Olympic Games

This content was published on Jul 21, 2024 An exhibition at the Louvre in Paris is paying tribute to Swiss artist Emile Gilliéron.

Photo of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris cheering and holding hands

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 Joe Biden drops out of US presidential race, a Swiss ban on Hamas and influencers boosting – or ruining – tourism.

Art Basel keeps its lead as art fairs go corporate and scramble for markets

This content was published on Jul 19, 2024 As the leading art fairs incorporate into big holdings and expand on a planetary scale, are smaller fairs being squeezed out of existence?

Coal-fired power plant in Lünen, Germany.

Why Switzerland is diverging from Europe on a key energy treaty

This content was published on Jul 18, 2024 The EU will withdraw from the ECT, a treaty that protects investments in coal and oil. Why is Switzerland going its own way, and what could happen next?

Dr. Fernando Taveras, a psychiatrist and Hispanic mental healthcare expert with SOMOS Community Care Clinic, holds a model of a brain as he stands for a portrait in New York on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Mental health experts, community clinics and politicians are working to create new programs to break down barriers that Latinos might face to getting therapy or treatment.

Is Switzerland in a mental health crisis?

This content was published on Jul 19, 2024 Mental health has shifted more into focus in Switzerland, and the latest figures confirm an increase in mental illness.

Our highlights

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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.

Let’s talk

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

Special reports

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.

Join the conversation

We’d love to hear what you think about what’s going on in the world. You can find all of our debate questions here.

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.

Parliament committees approve Swiss UNRWA payment

This content was published on Jun 22, 2024 The foreign affairs committees of the Swiss parliament have backed – with conditions – a donation of CHF10 million ($11.2 million) to the embattled UN agency.

A light blue sign surrounded be trees. In big letters at the centre it says, ‘west bank field office’. IAt the top in smaller lettering it says United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), with ‘west bank’ in the bottom left and ‘Jerusalem’ bottom right.

Green light for Switzerland’s CHF10 million UNRWA contribution

This content was published on Jun 13, 2024 Switzerland is set to pay CHF10 million to UNRWA to cover the organisation’s most urgent needs in Gaza.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

‘Less impressive and less important’: Switzerland’s role as an intermediary in Iran

This content was published on Jun 10, 2024 Cyrus Schayegh, a professor of international history at the Geneva Graduate Institute, discusses Iran’s future foreign policy and why Switzerland’s role in the region could fade.

Swiss Parliament calls for greater control of aid in Palestine

This content was published on Jun 5, 2024 The Senate has passed a proposal calling for stricter controls to ensure that funds are not used to finance terrorism.

Swiss House of Representatives does not want to recognise Palestine as a state

This content was published on Jun 4, 2024 By 131 votes to 61 with 2 abstentions, the House of Representatives said ‘no’ to the postulate put forth by the Social Democratic Party.

Protesters light flares as they take to the streets to call on the Israeli cabinet to sign a hostage deal and hold early elections during a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 1.

Switzerland backs Biden’s Gaza peace plan

This content was published on Jun 2, 2024 Switzerland supports a new peace proposal pushed by US President Joe Biden for a hostage agreement and a ceasefire in Gaza.

A woman in a brown top and brown and white headscarf is on her knees, screaming, amidst the wreckage of her tent. A child in a white striped blue Puma tracksuit is standing beside her.

Switzerland ‘extremely concerned’ about spiralling violence in Middle East

This content was published on May 30, 2024 Switzerland has strongly condemned Hamas’ recent rocket fire on Israel and Israel’s attacks on a camp for displaced people in Rafah.

Masked Palestinian members of the "Ezz Al-Din Al Qassam" militia, the military wing of Hamas, hold their weapons and pose for the media during a march on the streets of Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. Arabic on headband reads, "No God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet, Ezz Al-Din Al Qassam brigade." (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Swiss parties in favour of banning Hamas

This content was published on May 29, 2024 Swiss political parties want to ban Hamas and classify it as a terrorist organisation in Switzerland, which would prevent financing and propaganda activity.

Explainer: Switzerland and the recognition of Palestine

This content was published on May 24, 2024 On Wednesday Ireland, Spain and Norway said they would recognise a Palestinian state. What are the chances of Switzerland following suit?

Pro-Palestine uni protests to be debated in Swiss parliament

This content was published on May 20, 2024 The Swiss People’s Party says it will launch two postulates calling for clarifications about the recent student protests and occupations.

A group of students seated on the floor inside a university hall. In the middle of the group is a sign reading "UZH students against genocide".

Swiss student group condemns campus occupations

This content was published on May 17, 2024 Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.

Swiss police remove protestors from University of Bern.

Swiss police clear pro-Palestinian students protesting in Bern

This content was published on May 15, 2024 Police moved in early on Wednesday to remove some 30 pro-Palestinian student protesters from a Bern university building.

Red Cross sets up Rafah emergency field hospital

This content was published on May 14, 2024 The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partners are opening a field hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday.

Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva

This content was published on May 14, 2024 The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.

‘No kids’ holidays are booming in Switzerland. Blatant discrimination or a stroke of genius?

Canny tourist operators have realised that many people will pay a premium to remove kids from their holidays. What does this say about society?

Join the discussion

Jul 17, 2024

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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.

The Swiss ‘have always crossed borders’

This content was published on Jul 12, 2024 Over the centuries, the Swiss have been tireless migrants, with successive waves spreading to every continent – for various reasons.

100 years of Swiss Abroad congresses

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 A look back at 100 years of the Swiss Abroad Congress

Breaking protocol: Jojo Mayer and the machine

This content was published on Jun 27, 2024 He is one of the most influential drummers of recent decades, known both as a skilled technician and a visionary. Jojo Mayer talks to SWI swissinfo.ch about technology, tradition – and the future of music.

I spy: political snooping around International Geneva

This content was published on Jun 25, 2024 Geneva is fertile ground for spies in search of state secrets. We visited four places that have left their mark on the history of espionage.

Demolished buildings offer new home for CO2 emissions

This content was published on Jun 20, 2024 A Swiss company believes it has a solution to help the concrete industry decarbonise and permanently remove one million tonnes of CO2 by 2030.

Geneva Conventions turn 75: are they still effective?

This content was published on Jun 11, 2024 This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. But how relevant are these, and international law, especially for younger generations?

Swiss reject health insurance initiative: the reactions

This content was published on Jun 9, 2024 Here is what supporters and opponents of the “Premium Relief Initiative” had to say after Sunday’s vote.

Fighting soil contamination with bacteria in Lausanne.

Pioneering research using dioxin-eating bacteria could help clean up Swiss city

This content was published on Jun 7, 2024 Dioxin-eating bacteria developed in a lab are to be used to help decontaminate polluted sites in Lausanne in western Switzerland.

Swiss politicians agree that healthcare system has to change – but how?

This content was published on May 30, 2024 Parliament believes the Swiss healthcare system needs to be reformed, but the solutions differ. We discuss the issue in our Let’s Talk programme.

Who is Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo?

This content was published on May 29, 2024 A documentary follows the career of Nemo Mettler, who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 for Switzerland.

What is at stake in the two initiatives on healthcare costs?

This content was published on May 22, 2024 Rising healthcare costs are the main concern of Swiss voters going to the ballot boxes on June 9.

External Content

Reuters International

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 – 05:58

Flight carrying Malaysians evacuated from Bangladesh to arrive on Tuesday

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 – 05:47

Spain’s PM summoned as witness in wife’s alleged corruption case

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 – 04:28

Harris secures delegates needed to become Democratic nominee for president

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 – 03:44

Growing cooperation between Russia and China in Arctic, Pentagon says

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 – 03:11

Russia’s defence systems shoot down more than 15 Ukraine-launched drones near Sevastopol, official says

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 – 01:15

Russia restricts entry to border areas in southern Belgorod region

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 – 01:13

Slovakia gets first new F-16s to boost air defence

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 23:30

CrowdStrike update that caused global outage likely skipped checks, experts say

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 23:06

UK Conservative Party to announce new leader on Nov. 2

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 22:05

France to give 24-hour protection to Israeli Olympics team amid Gaza tensions

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 21:40

Hungary and Slovakia ask EU to mediate with Ukraine over Lukoil

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 21:29

Israel sends tanks back into Khan Younis area, 70 killed after new evacuation order

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 20:30

Ukraine reaches preliminary deal with bondholder group on $20-billion debt restructure

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 20:29

Moscow jails Russian-American journalist Kurmasheva for over six years

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 20:19

EU drops Hungary meeting over Ukraine war stance

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 20:09

Gunman kills six in Croatia nursing home shooting

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 19:19

French centre-right offers ‘legislative pact’ that could help Macron

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 19:14

UK Conservatives planned to spend 10 billion pounds on Rwanda migrant scheme, minister says

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 18:35

Spain detains cargo ship over fuel spill near Ceuta

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 18:30

Italy has spent 45% of EU COVID recovery cash secured so far, government says

Bloomberg Business

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 – 05:03

Asian Stocks, Currencies Rise Ahead of Earnings: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 23:12

Dip Buyers Wade Back In to Drive Wall Street Gains: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 14:19

Struggling Thames Water’s £10 Billion Bonds Face Double Blow

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 14:05

GAM’s Sustainability Head Is Latest Senior Exec to Depart Swiss Money Manager

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 – 11:36

Porsche Mulls Buying a Stake in Troubled Battery Maker Varta

This content was published on Jul 20, 2024 – 01:04

Stocks Slide Before High-Stakes Megacap Earnings: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 19, 2024 – 16:54

Copper Set for Worst Week Since 2022 as China Plenum Disappoints

This content was published on Jul 18, 2024 – 23:49

Wall Street’s ‘Great Rotation Trade’ Takes a Break: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 18, 2024 – 22:08

Novartis Raises 2024 Profit Forecast on Demand for New Blockbuster Drugs

This content was published on Jul 18, 2024 – 08:56

Swiss Watch Exports Fall as Chinese Demand Drops Further

This content was published on Jul 17, 2024 – 23:47

High-Flying Chipmakers See Worst Plunge Since 2020: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 17, 2024 – 14:06

Roche Jumps After Weight-Loss Pill Shows Promise in Study

This content was published on Jul 16, 2024 – 23:57

S&P 500’s $18 Trillion Rally Is ‘Broadening Out’: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 16, 2024 – 13:23

Swiss Luxury Watch Market Succumbs to a Brutal China-Led Slump

This content was published on Jul 16, 2024 – 09:14

Richemont’s Resilience in Jewelry Offsets China Watch Slump

This content was published on Jul 16, 2024 – 00:40

Stocks Up as Trump Picks VP in Generational Shift: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 15, 2024 – 17:05

First Malaria Shots From Biggest Vaccine Maker Deployed in Africa

This content was published on Jul 15, 2024 – 13:00

Ex-Mozambique Minister Faces US Trial in Tuna-Bond Bribe Case

This content was published on Jul 15, 2024 – 10:12

Hong Kong Tycoon Adrian Cheng to List His Venture Fund in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 15, 2024 – 09:22

Swatch Shares Plunge as Profit Falls 70% on China Weakness

Swiss direct democracy is Eurovision’s latest challenge

This content was published on Jul 19, 2024 As the country gets closer to naming the city to host next year’s Eurovision, political and financial wrangles have entered the fray.

Raphael Gross, president of the German Historical Museum in Berlin, at a media conference on the results report and the recommendations for dealing with the Buehrle Collection. Zurich, June 28, 2024.

Inquiry finds ‘tainted’ Bührle art collection needs much more provenance research

This content was published on Jul 17, 2024 The Bührle collection, on loan to the Kunsthaus Zurich fine art museum, is “historically tainted, on a scale that is possibly unique in Switzerland”, says historian Raphael Gross.

OSA President Filippo Lombardi poses with participants of the Swiss Community Youth Camp on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Anniversary Trip to the Square of the Swiss Abroad

This content was published on Jul 17, 2024 The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad came to an end with a visit to the Swiss Abroad Square in Brunnen. A photo gallery.

Data centres are the beating heart of the digital infrastructure.

A Swiss label wants to make data centres greener

This content was published on Jul 16, 2024 Every time we book a hotel online, stream a movie or make a video call, data centres worldwide consume a lot of energy and water. A label launched in Switzerland wants to reduce the centres’ energy impact.

Who benefits from free trade agreements with Switzerland?

This content was published on Jul 16, 2024 Switzerland has 35 free trade agreements (FTAs) with 45 countries or blocs. Some benefit more than others.

Zurich "Tram 2000" trams parked at depot

Why Swiss trams have become sought-after vehicles in Ukraine

This content was published on Jul 15, 2024 Decommissioned trams from Bern and Zurich are set for a new of lease of life in Ukraine as part of a Swiss-backed aid programme.

The Swiss ‘have always crossed borders’

This content was published on Jul 12, 2024 Over the centuries, the Swiss have been tireless migrants, with successive waves spreading to every continent – for various reasons.

The Congress of the Swiss Abroad, taking place July 11-13 in Lucerne, will mark the 100th time that Swiss citizens living abroad will meet in Switzerland.

After 100 years, the Swiss Abroad Congress remains politically significant

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 While the Congress has evolved over the years, its core mission remains the same: to unite the Swiss Abroad and raise awareness of their specific needs.

Albert Anker's "The Reader" (Die Lesende), 1883. The exhibition at the Bern Museum of Fine Arts highlights the artist as a promoter of literacy for women when this idea was a taboo.

The revival of Albert Anker: from old-school artist to progressive activist

This content was published on Jul 6, 2024 The quintessential Swiss artist, much-loved by traditionalists, has found new praise as an early advocate of women’s education.

Swiss theatre director Milo Rau stages revolution in Vienna

This content was published on Jun 30, 2024 As new artistic director of the Vienna Festival, the Swiss director Milo Rau is putting the Austrian government, the Freedom Party and himself on trial.

Breaking protocol: Jojo Mayer and the machine

I spy: political snooping around International Geneva

This content was published on Jun 25, 2024 Geneva is fertile ground for spies in search of state secrets. We visited four places that have left their mark on the history of espionage.

View of the exhibition "Surrealism. The Great Game", at the Lausanne Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA)

Switzerland, Dada and 100 years of Surrealism

This content was published on Jun 18, 2024 Why did Dada disappear from Switzerland after it was launched in Zurich in 1916? Curator Juri Steiner sets the record straight.

In Focus

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.