More refugees are arriving in Switzerland via the Balkans and other routes. The need for civil defence facilities and multi-purpose halls to accommodate them is therefore increasing.
The government assumes that 19,000 asylum applications will have been received by the end of the year and that an additional 80,000-85,000 people from Ukraine will be in Switzerland. The Federal Office for Migration (SEM) has reacted by temporarily re-opening closed shelters and opening new facilities, an SEM spokesperson told Swiss public radio, SRFExternal link on Friday.
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Ukrainian refugees still welcome in many private Swiss homes
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The commitment of Swiss citizens who took in Ukrainian refugees is proving more persistent than expected, according to a media report.
In canton Aargau, in northern Switzerland, a shelter for refugees from Ukraine is scheduled to open on Monday. The head of the St Gallen migration office, Jürg Eberle, said the accommodation facilities in his canton were currently at around 75% capacity.
The cantonal directors of social affairs have an overview of vacant places in cantons and say the number has dropped from 9,000 at the beginning of summer to 7,000. Further centres are to be opened in the coming months, depending on demand.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Vast majority of Swiss support social media ban for under-16s
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Around 80% of people who took part in a recent survey in Switzerland said they were in favour of a social media ban for under-16s.
Koyo Kouoh, prominent art world figure, dies aged 58
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Koyo Kouoh, curator of the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, Biennale Arte 2026, has died, aged 58, it was announced on Saturday.
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One in seven adults in Switzerland has fallen victim to a cyber scam, according to a survey published by the SonntagsZeitung newspaper. One-third of victims have lost over CHF1,000 ($1,200).
Treasury secretary says Swiss firms want to invest up to CHF200 billion in US
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According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Swiss companies have indicated their interest in investing CHF150-200 billion ($180-240 billion) in the United States.
Trump hails ‘great progress’ at US-China trade talks in Geneva
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US President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed the "great progress" made at talks between the US and China in Geneva on tariffs.
Switzerland plans to open Venice’s Palazzo Trevisan to wider audience
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The Swiss foreign ministry is taking over the management of the Palazzo Trevisan in Venice, which until now had been overseen mainly by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia.
United States and China start tariff talks in Geneva
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The United States and China have started talks in Geneva aiming to de-escalate a dispute that threatens to cut off trade between the world’s two biggest economies and damage the global economy.
Switzerland takes over investigation into SWISS emergency landing in Austria
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Following the emergency landing of a Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) plane in Austria last December, during which a crew member died, Austria has now handed over the investigation to Switzerland.
‘September 5’ takes top honours at German Film Awards
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Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum's real-life thriller September 5, based on the terrorist attacks on the 1972 Munich Olympics, has won the Golden Lola.
Switzerland and US agree to accelerate tariff talks
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After a meeting with US ministers in Geneva on Friday, the Swiss president intends to present Washington with a declaration of intent in the next two weeks.
Almost 10% of eligible Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland have a job
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A total of 9.4% of adults in possession of a special “S” permit are in work, with most employed in the restaurant sector.
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