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Swiss Abroad

From hairdresser to consul in Pattaya: a Swiss expat’s unlikely journey

Esther Kaufmann has become an important point of contact for Swiss expats and retirees in Pattaya. She has been the Swiss honorary consul on Thailand’s east coast for two years.

By Melanie Eichenberger

Swiss Abroad

Switzerland expands voluntary honorary consul network

By Melanie Eichenberger

Swiss Abroad

Inside the unpaid mission of Switzerland’s consul in Morocco

By Emilie Ridard

Swiss Abroad

Have you had contact with an honorary consul? How was the experience?

By Melanie Eichenberger

‘Snow Compass’ guides Swiss resorts through declining snowfall

This content was published on Dec 15, 2025 As the Swiss Alps warm, resorts are being pushed to rethink their strategies and those at lower altitudes must look for alternatives to skiing. A new scientific online tool may offer solutions.

The Palestinian feminists in Lebanon working between poverty and violence

This content was published on Dec 13, 2025 Ain El-Hilweh is the largest camp for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. A feminist organisation is fighting several problems here at the same time.

The four-metre-long painting "Sonntag der Bergbauern" [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers, 1923-24/26] had to be removed by a crane from the German Chancellery in Berlin for the exhibition in Bern.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: a ‘true German artist’ who found peace in Switzerland

This content was published on Dec 14, 2025 Nearly a century after a solo exhibition that Kirchner curated himself in Bern, the Swiss capital is revisiting that show – with some help from the German chancellor.

Tariffs with the United States at 15% and a triumphant election in Bern: it was Guy Parmelin's week of glory.

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on Dec 13, 2025 Lowering of US tariffs to 15% and a triumphant election in Bern: it was a good week for Guy Parmelin.

Play it again, Sämu: decoding Bernese nicknames

This content was published on Dec 13, 2025 The Bernese are particularly creative when it comes to tweaking and shortening forenames.

US news reported by the Swiss media

Every Wednesday: “Swiss views of US news”

Professor Johan Gaume from ETH Zurich demonstrates his 3D simulation tool that accurately modelled the 10-million-cubic-metre rock-ice release in Blatten earlier this year.

Unstable slopes and warming peaks: scientists race to understand Blatten collapse

This content was published on Dec 12, 2025 The collapse of the Birch Glacier that wiped out the Swiss village of Blatten has triggered an unprecedented scientific effort to understand how it happened – and what might come next.

Geopolitics

The Palestinian feminists in Lebanon working between poverty and violence

Stadler Rail wins billion-franc night train order from Kazakhstan

AI is big business at Europe’s borders

Trump Accounts for babies, national security strategy, and chlorinated chicken

Inside Geneva: Are we throwing away international law?

SWI swissinfo.ch journalist on bribery and the Swiss Criminal Code

Is offering a Rolex to a foreign official considered bribery under Swiss law?

Irish priest praying standing near ruins.

The IRA priest and his Swiss connection

Mounting suspicion between economic superpowers has left Swiss lawmakers torn between sticking with policies that for decades helped propel business growth - and preventing potentially belligerent states getting hold of strategically important industries and technologies in an increasingly zero-sum world.

Why is pro-business Switzerland considering screening investments by foreigners?

World fights nicotine addiction but Switzerland continues to drag feet

Immigration freeze, Fed cutbacks, and an albino alligator

How Ukraine’s army is learning to protect civilians

The meeting was held ‘in a constructive spirit’.

Swiss politicians decry ‘gold bar diplomacy’ in Trump trade deal

A tent settlement photographed from above

Syrian refugees in Lebanon in dilemma over staying or returning

National park fees, rising food prices, and a crypto ‘perfect storm’

US Secretary of state Marco Rubio, talks to the press at the end of their consultations on the Trump peace plan at the US Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, Sunday, November 23, 2025. The United States and Ukraine are meeting in Geneva to discuss the American president's peace plan aimed at ending the war with Russia. (KEYSTONE/Martial Trezzini)

How Geneva returned to the world stage – momentarily

Middle East crisis

Because of Israel's participation: Nemo sends back ESC trophy

Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo returns trophy owing to participation of Israel

This content was published on Dec 12, 2025 For Nemo, Israel’s continued participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is a contradiction to the ideals and values of the singing competition.

More children from Gaza arrive in Switzerland

More injured children from Gaza arrive in Switzerland

This content was published on Nov 29, 2025 On Friday, 13 injured children from Gaza arrived in Geneva and Zurich before being sent for treatment to various hospitals across the country.

Schwyz government does not want to take in injured children from Gaza

Swiss canton has no space for injured Gaza children

This content was published on Nov 27, 2025 No room for injured children and their relatives from the Gaza Strip in the canton of Schwyz.

Swiss government pledges CHF23m for humanitarian aid in Gaza

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 Switzerland pledges CHF23 million in new humanitarian aid for Gaza in support of US-led peace plan.

Swiss Gaza flotilla members contest government bill for consular aid

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 Swiss Gaza flotilla members contest government bills for consular aid and plan to appeal.

Photo of a Palestinian young man carrying a bag containing aid near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution centre.

Controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation ends operations

This content was published on Nov 25, 2025 More than 1,000 people were killed near GHF distribution sites during clashes, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

Switzerland should recognise Palestine as a state according to survey

Most Swiss want recognition for Palestinian state

This content was published on Nov 23, 2025 More than half of the Swiss population is in favour of recognising Palestine as a state.

Launch of a petition in support of the artist dismissed by the OSR

Support for pro-Palestinian musician sacked by Swiss orchestra

This content was published on Nov 18, 2025 An open letter has been launched in support of a musician who was dismissed by the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande after wearing a keffiyeh at the end of a performance.

CHF 20 million to support the Gaza peace plan

Switzerland supports Gaza peace plan with CHF20 million

This content was published on Nov 5, 2025 Swiss to give CHF10m in humanitarian aid in Gaza, followed by another CHF10m.

Zurich government does not want to take in children from Gaza

Zurich government rejects proposal to take in Gaza children

This content was published on Oct 30, 2025 The Zurich cantonal government is sticking to its guns: it does not want to take in any injured children from Gaza. The security concerns are too great.

Zurich court partially acquits ETH squatters

Zurich court partially acquits pro-Palestine university squatters

This content was published on Oct 28, 2025 Zurich court partially acquits four pro-Palestine activists who had occupied the main hall of ETHZ.

Cassis welcomes a common position on Gaza at the end of his tour

Swiss foreign minister hails Mideast unity on Gaza at end of tour

This content was published on Oct 26, 2025 Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait were aligned on the Gaza peace plan, supporting a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, as he ended his Middle East visit on Saturday.

Seven children from Gaza and their families on their way to Switzerland

Seven injured children from Gaza and families travel to Switzerland for treatment

This content was published on Oct 24, 2025 Seven injured Palestinian children from Gaza took off on Friday morning from Amman in Jordan for Switzerland. They are to be treated in Swiss hospitals.

Ignazio Cassis was welcomed to Amman by his Jordanian counterpart

Switzerland and Jordan discuss Gaza peace plan

This content was published on Oct 23, 2025 Swiss Foreign Minister to discuss US sponspored Gaza peace plan with Jordanian counterpart.

Switzerland donates two million francs for humanitarian aid in Gaza

Switzerland pledges CHF2 million for humanitarian aid in Gaza

This content was published on Oct 23, 2025 Switzerland donating CHF2 million in humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Global trade war

Economiesuisse: Tariff reduction saves "numerous jobs"

US tariff reduction will save Swiss firms: business federation

This content was published on Dec 11, 2025 Swiss Business Federation economiesuisse relieved about US reduction.

US tariffs on imported goods from Switzerland fall to 15 per cent

Switzerland gains retroactive US tariff cuts

This content was published on Dec 11, 2025 US tariffs on Swiss goods will fall from 39% to 15% with retroactive effect from November 14.

Is offering a Rolex to a foreign official considered bribery under Swiss law?

This content was published on Dec 9, 2025 Swissinfo examines whether the Swiss Criminal Code would apply to Swiss company executives who brought a pair of valuable gifts on a recent visit to the White House.

Federal Council adopts draft for customs negotiation mandate with USA

Switzerland adopts negotiating mandate for tariff agreement with US

This content was published on Dec 5, 2025 The Swiss government approved the draft negotiating mandate for a trade agreement with the United States on Friday.

A survey shows public scepticism about a tariff deal.

Swiss public sceptical over US tariff deal: survey

This content was published on Dec 3, 2025 Two-thirds of Swiss have misgivings over the recent tariff deal struck with the US, suggests survey.

Swiss economy shrinks significantly in the third quarter

Swiss economy shrinks significantly in third quarter

This content was published on Nov 28, 2025 As expected, US President Donald Trump’s tariff blow against Switzerland left its mark on the local economy in the third quarter.

Swiss politicians decry ‘gold bar diplomacy’ in Trump trade deal

This content was published on Nov 28, 2025 Backlash over role played in talks by executives from companies including Rolex and Richemont.

Criminal report against Swiss gold bar US trade delegation

This content was published on Nov 27, 2025 Swiss lawmakers lodge criminal complaint against business leaders who gave Trump Rolex and gold ingot.

Analysts' expectations brighten significantly after customs deal

UBS survey: Swiss economic outlook brightens after US trade deal

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 UBS survey shows Swiss economic outlook improves sharply after US trade deal.

Lower tariffs likely to come into force from December, according to Federal Councillor Parmelin

Lower US tariffs likely in December: Swiss minister

This content was published on Nov 22, 2025 Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin hopes to see reduced US tariffs next month.

Explainer: Will Swiss supermarkets be inundated with cheap, hormone-filled beef after US tariff deal?

This content was published on Nov 20, 2025 The US has reduced tariffs on Swiss exports from 39% to 15% but has wrangled duty-free access for American meat, fish and chicken in return. Should Swiss consumers be worried?

Victorinox relieved by announcement of lower customs duties

Swiss army knife maker relieved by US tariff cut

This content was published on Nov 19, 2025 Swiss army knife maker relieved by US tariff cut.

Timeline: How US President Trump upended the pharma industry in 2025

This content was published on Nov 18, 2025 US President Trump’s tariffs and price reforms have disrupted the pharmaceutical industry in 2025.

US trade deal forces reckoning for Swiss pharma powerhouse

This content was published on Nov 18, 2025 Swiss pharma made massive investment promises to the US that are fueling anxiety about the industry’s future in Switzerland.

Parmelin on agreement with USA: "We haven't bought anything"

‘Bought nothing’: Swiss economics minister defends US tariff deal

This content was published on Nov 18, 2025 Economics Minister Guy Parmelin has responded to criticism of Switzerland’s customs agreement with the United States.