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International cooperation

Charitable giving comes under pressure as donors slash education aid

School children in Ivory Coast looking at a textbook.

Donors like Switzerland are cutting funding for basic education in low-income countries. Can charitable foundations help fill the gap and improve learning outcomes?

By Geraldine Wong Sak Hoi

girl and geese standing next to pool of water

Swiss diplomacy

End of Swiss development aid in Bangladesh sparks concern

By Samanta Siegfried

Geneva organisations

Ripple effect of aid freeze becomes real in Geneva

By Claire-Marie Dikanska

Ibrahim Mahama's installation at the Kunsthalle in Bern

Swiss diplomacy

Cultural aid cuts deal blow to Global South creatives – and Swiss diplomacy

By Geraldine Wong Sak Hoi

How an Englishman lived as a woman in a Swiss cave

The sun rises behind a chapel early morning in Ritzingen near Goms, Switzerland

This content was published on Nov 2, 2025 Almost 100 years ago, an English intellectual settled in a remote Swiss mountain village – and transformed himself into a woman.

A reconstruction of the studio of Swiss painter and sculptor Alberto Giacometti at the Institut Giacometti in Paris.

Works of Swiss artist Giacometti in Paris headed for new, grander museum

This content was published on Nov 1, 2025 The Giacometti Museum is set to open in 2028 on the Esplanade des Invalides in central Paris, a prestigious location for an artist who spent most of his life working in a modest studio.

Switzerland’s climate researchers reveal the emotional side of science

This content was published on Oct 31, 2025 Climate change not only has visible effects on ecosystems and human activities. It also has an emotional and psychological impact on those who study it.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Nov 3, 2025 The ‘cheese war’ is declared between Switzerland and Austria.

Decolonising and listening: a Swiss curator discusses the São Paulo Biennial

This content was published on Oct 31, 2025 Anna Roberta Goetz talks to Swissinfo about the inclusion of voices from the Global South in an exhibition that challenges the racial elitism of the Brazilian art scene.

US news reported by the Swiss media

Every Wednesday: “Swiss views of US news”

How Halloween became part of Swiss culture

This content was published on Oct 31, 2025 The Swiss calendar is packed with bizarre and often alarming traditions. Is there room for Halloween? Yes, say delighted children and pumpkin-sellers.

Geopolitics

Charitable giving comes under pressure as donors slash education aid

The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford passes through the Oslofjord in Norway in in September.

US intervention in Venezuela, the Trump-Xi summit, and nuclear investment

Inside Geneva: taking the pulse of the UN at 80

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.

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

Irvin Mujčić in The Boy from the River Drina

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?

Middle East crisis

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.

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.

Global trade war

Former ambassador sees the WEF as an opportunity for dialogue with the USA

Former US ambassador pessimistic about tariff breakthrough

This content was published on Oct 31, 2025 The former US ambassador to Switzerland, Suzi LeVine, does not believe that US punitive tariffs on Swiss products will be lowered any time soon.

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.