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Foreign Affairs

Defiant Hongkongers resist China with activism-in-exile from Switzerland

The Umbrella Movement was a pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong which began on 28 September 2014 when the police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators who were demanding transparent elections. The subsequent 79-day occupation brought the city to a standstill, with demonstrators calling for the right to elect their own leaders and greater autonomy from Beijing.

Amid escalating attacks by the Chinese government, exiled pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong have sought havens abroad, including in the Swiss capital, Bern.

By Swissinfo

Illustration image of Xi Jinping, an Uyghur protester, and Eleanor Roosevelt holding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

International Geneva

How China is rewriting human rights norms

By Helen James

Democracy

Democracy in action, from Hong Kong to Switzerland

By Bruno Kaufmann

episode cover image of the podcast Inside Geneva

International Geneva

Inside Geneva: how to hold China to account

By Imogen Foulkes

‘Not Heidi’: the hard work behind the Alpine idyll

This content was published on Oct 28, 2025 Life on the Alpine pastures is hard: rising at the crack of dawn, with days that never seem to end. But it’s also enriched by unforgettable moments. A reportage.

Inside Geneva: taking the pulse of the UN at 80

This content was published on Oct 28, 2025 As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, Inside Geneva asks: is the world’s most ambitious multilateral project still fit for purpose?

Irvin Mujčić in The Boy from the River Drina

Swiss Bosnians process trauma of war at Sarajevo Film Festival

This content was published on Oct 27, 2025 Two documentaries delve into a violent history, rejecting the silence over the Bosnian War maintained by those who fled the former Yugoslavia and sought refuge in Switzerland.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Oct 27, 2025 Flims, Laax and Falera have bought back their ski area for CHF100 million to protect it from foreign investors.

Renters who land a publicly owned flat in Zurich hit the jackpot

This content was published on Oct 26, 2025 Thousands of residents benefit from Zurich’s low-cost municipal housing. But not all tenants actually meet the city’s eligibility criteria.

HAYA Therapeutics CEO sees a future where his therapy could treat cancer and Alzheimer’s

This content was published on Oct 25, 2025 HAYA Therapeutics CEO Samir Ounzain says his niche therapy for heart disease could change the world of medicine.

In 2025 Swissinfo convinced with above-average quality in a comparison of Swiss media.

Swissinfo named second-best online media source in Switzerland

This content was published on Oct 27, 2025 The Yearbook of Media Quality 2025 has once again given Swissinfo a good rating in its media quality analysis.

Geopolitics

Inside Geneva: taking the pulse of the UN at 80

Defiant Hongkongers resist China with activism-in-exile from Switzerland

Swiss Bosnians process trauma of war at Sarajevo Film Festival

Anti-Trump protests, taking tariffs to court, and US funding cuts for science

Switzerland was the consensus candidate for the OSCE Chairmanship in 2026, partly due to its historical neutrality.

As Switzerland prepares to chair the OSCE, is this body still relevant?

press conference with five people in suits

Switzerland flies under the radar at NATO gathering

people in suits voting in front of flags

Why Switzerland attends NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly

Humanitarian crisis in Gaza: Swiss Solidarity launches appeal

People evacuated from close to the frontline in the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk areas gather on a platform at a railway station in Mukachevo, western Ukraine, 17 March 2025, amid the Russian invasion. Fifty people were evacuated from regions affected by the conflict, including 30 adults and 20 children. According to the Representation of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Transcarpathian region, these evacuees will be relocated to safer areas within Ukraine. In 2024, more than 30,000 people were evacuated from war zones, as reported by the Ukrzaliznytsia press service.

Switzerland breaks ranks with EU on Ukrainian refugee policy

Trump’s Gaza deal, a surprisingly resilient global economy, and Yellowstone bison

Inside Geneva: Are democracies copying Russia’s repressive playbook?

Realistic fantasy: Israel’s 3D propaganda

meeting of lots of diplomats and politicians

The UN and democracy – how do they interact?

A solidarity rally for Gaza in front of the Federal Palace in Bern in June 2025.

Could voters decide whether Switzerland recognises Palestine?

The Davos set in decline: can the World Economic Forum save itself?

Middle East crisis

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.

Swiss Solidarity collects for the Gaza civilian population

Swiss Solidarity collects CHF4.5 million for Gaza

This content was published on Oct 23, 2025 Swiss Solidarity collects over CHF4.5 million in donations for the civilian population in Gaza.

Around 2000 people attend pro-Palestine demonstration in Geneva

Around 2,000 people attend pro-Palestine demo in Geneva

This content was published on Oct 20, 2025 Around 2,000 in Geneva demanded that multinational corporations be held accountable for their complicity in the genocide in Palestine.

BE: pro-Pal demonstration, organisers complain of police violence

Organisers of pro-Palestinian protest in Bern demand investigation into violence

This content was published on Oct 15, 2025 Pro-Palestinian groups in Bern demand an independent probe into alleged police brutality at protests.

Initiative calls for recognition of the State of Palestine

Swiss initiative demands Palestinian state recognition

This content was published on Oct 14, 2025 Coalition launches popular initiative for Switzerland to officially recognise Palestine as a state.

Peace summit in Egypt: Switzerland will not be present

Switzerland absent from Egypt peace summit

This content was published on Oct 13, 2025 Switzerland will not be present at Egypt-hosted peace summit to end conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Police officials: 'severe punishment for violent protesters'

Swiss police condemn pro-Palestinian demo violence

This content was published on Oct 13, 2025 Police demand punishment for troublemakers at pro-Palestinian demo that turned violent.

18 police officers injured during the pro-Palestine demonstration in Bern on Saturday

Pro-Palestine protest in Bern: 18 police officers injured

This content was published on Oct 12, 2025 Eighteen police officers were injured during a pro-Palestinian protest in the Swiss capital Bern on Saturday, according to local police.

5,000 people hold a tense demonstration in Berne in support of Palestine

Thousands join pro-Palestinian protest in Bern amid clashes with police

This content was published on Oct 12, 2025 Around 5,000 people marched through the Swiss capital, Bern, on Saturday to protest against the war in Gaza.

ICRC to support implementation of Israel-Hamas agreement

This content was published on Oct 10, 2025 The ICRC will help reunite Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees with their families under the agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Could voters decide whether Switzerland recognises Palestine?

This content was published on Oct 10, 2025 A committee wants to force the Swiss government to recognise Palestine as a state – by referendum. Is that possible?

Police from several cantons at the Middle East demo in Bern on Saturday

Heavy police presence planned for Saturday Middle East protest in Bern

This content was published on Oct 10, 2025 Police in Bern plan a major deployment for an unauthorised Middle East protest on Saturday, aided by emergency teams from other cantons to protect the public and critical sites.

Global trade war

US duties? 'Chill out,' suggests former WTO ambassador

US tariffs? ‘Keep cool,’ suggests former WTO ambassador

This content was published on Oct 25, 2025 Robust Swiss companies should not react too soon to the 39% customs barriers imposed by Washington.

Negotiations on the customs dispute continue

Talks with US on tariffs ongoing: Swiss economics minister

This content was published on Oct 18, 2025 A Swiss delegation led by Economics Minister Guy Parmelin held talks with US representatives on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank meeting in Washington.

German economists expect subdued growth due to US tariffs

Swiss economists expect slower growth due to US tariffs

This content was published on Oct 16, 2025 The Swiss economy is not gaining momentum, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs said on Thursday, blaming US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

US duties, '20,000 jobs in Switzerland in worst-case scenario'

‘Around 20,000 jobs at risk’ in Switzerland over US tariffs

This content was published on Oct 8, 2025 UBS economist warns up to 20,000 Swiss jobs could be at risk from US tariffs.

Swiss watch industry faces problems due to US tariffs

Study: Swiss watch industry shows resilience in face of US tariffs

This content was published on Oct 8, 2025 Swiss watch exports show resilience despite US tariffs and strong franc.

The President of the Confederation meets Pope Leo XIV

Swiss president discusses tariffs with Pope Leo XIV

This content was published on Oct 3, 2025 Swiss president discusses tariffs and global affairs with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican.

Government circles: New US pharmaceutical tariffs to start later

US delays pharma tariffs to push for more drug pricing deals

This content was published on Oct 2, 2025 US delays pharma tariffs, urging companies to relocate production or lower prices.

Pharma tariffs could trigger Swiss recession, warns economist

This content was published on Sep 30, 2025 US tariffs on pharmaceutical products could lead to a recession in Switzerland but there remains a lot of uncertainty.

Swiss economy likely to grow much slower than expected in 2026

Tariffs dampen Swiss economic growth prospects

This content was published on Sep 24, 2025 Swiss economy likely to grow much more slowly in 2026 than was assumed in the summer.

US tariffs force Switzerland to rethink trade ties

This content was published on Sep 24, 2025 United States trade policy is rattling countries worldwide and prompting them to redirect trade flows at record speed.

If the Swiss Army knife is made in America, is it still Swiss?

This content was published on Sep 22, 2025 US President Donald Trump’s 39% tariff on Switzerland has forced some companies to consider whether they could produce in the US while still retaining their Swiss identity.

Swiss Jura region hit hard by US tariffs

This content was published on Sep 18, 2025 Since the beginning of September, more than 100 Jura companies, employing a total of 4,000 people, have applied for short-time work compensation.

Fall in watch exports to the United States in August

Swiss watch exports to US take tumble amid high tariffs

This content was published on Sep 18, 2025 Swiss watch exports went into a tailspin in August, plummeting by almost a quarter, following a 45% jump in July.