Новости за 11.04.2024

The Swiss government has started the ball rolling on mission impossible: reducing the threat UBS poses to the Swiss economy without rendering the bank ineffective on the global stage. Since taking over failed rival Credit Suisse last year, UBS has become Switzerland’s sole surviving global bank – capable of bringing down the country’s economy if it collapses. The bank employs thousands of workers, is a major issuer of mortgage loans and provides services to many Swiss businesses. The Federal Council... Читать дальше...

The Pro Switzerland group and right-wing supporters submitted almost 133,000 signatures in Bern on Thursday in support of the initiative. The people’s initiative on “Safeguarding Swiss neutrality (neutrality initiative)” calls for perpetual and armed neutrality to be enshrined in the country’s constitution. The initiative received an unexpectedly high level of support, Pro Switzerland wrote on Thursday, adding that this was a strong sign that neutrality must remain central to the country’s foreign, domestic and security policy. Читать дальше...

Around 500 criminal investigations were pending at the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Switzerland at the end of 2023 – the highest number in years. Attorney General Stefan Blättler said on Thursday he also expects to see an increase in terrorism and cyber crime cases, and is subsequently calling for additional personnel resources. The OAG opened 21 new terrorism-related cases last year, around 50% more than in 2022, according to a report published on Thursday. A total of 121 criminal proceedings... Читать дальше...

Swiss infrastructure relies too heavily on suburban railway lines, while the construction of new tram lines or underground railways is not given enough priority, the outgoing transport ministry director has said. In an interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung on Thursday, Transport Ministry head Peter Füglistaler said the financing of tram lines or underground railways by the government must be politically scrutinised. The government could also consider the possibility of financing larger tram tunnels... Читать дальше...

Sales of organic produce increased to CHF4.08 billion ($4.46 billion) in Switzerland last year, with organic farmers achieving a retail market share of 11.6%. This compares to CHF3.87 billion in 2022 and marks a 0.4 percentage point increase in market share on the previous year, Bio Suisse, the main organisation of organic agriculture in Switzerland, announced on Wednesday. Despite dampened consumer confidence due to inflation and rising prices, shoppers increasingly turned to organic-certified products last year. Читать дальше...

The Swiss Federation of Police Officers (SFPU) is fed up with violence between fans and has called on the Swiss Football League (SFL) to take more responsibility. Clashes last weekend during a match between Servette FC and FC Zurich reignited tensions. The repeated violence is particularly tiring for police officers, who are also unhappy about the SFL’s opposition to preventative measures announced last month. The measures, set to be introduced next season, are based on the idea of increasingly severe... Читать дальше...

Political reaction has been mixed to the Swiss government’s conviction by the European Court of Human Rights for failing to act on climate change. In an interview, political scientist Marc Bühlmann explains why he thinks Tuesday’s verdict could play into the hands of the political right. “The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is a scandal,” declared the right-wing Swiss People’s Party in a statement on Tuesday. Switzerland’s largest party condemned the condemnation of the Swiss... Читать дальше...

Night trains are regaining popularity, but the Basel-Amsterdam route reveals the railway's struggle to meet growing demand. Marleen Hengeveld often travels by night train from Switzerland to her home in the Netherlands. It's cramped in her compartment. The Dutchwoman has already experienced a lot: "Once our sleeping car broke down. We had to make do with a seat for the whole night." Nevertheless, she remains loyal to the night train. "It's romantic and better for the environment than taking a plane."... Читать дальше...

The railway and ski lift operator Jungfraubahn posted record profits last year after seeing a strong influx of tourists headed for the “top of Europe”. Sales in 2023 jumped by 40.7% on the previous year to CHF195.9 million ($213.9 million), the company said in a press release on Thursday. Excursion destinations saw very strong demand and, for the first time since 2019, the Jungfraujoch – at 3,454 metres above sea level – received more than a million visitors. + Read more: the president of Swiss Tourism... Читать дальше...

Switzerland has the highest concentration of top study programmes in the world, according to an annual ranking published by British higher education consultancy Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Published on Wednesday, the ranking placed the federal technology institute ETH Zurich top in three subjects: earth and marine sciences, geophysics and geology. The EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne also defended its top spot for hospitality. Although there are overall more top-ranked degree programmes in the UK and the US... Читать дальше...

On February 16, a popular initiative entitled “Electricity for all at all times (stop the blackout)” was launched by centre-right parties in Switzerland challenging the ban on new nuclear power plants. The initiative aims to amend the Swiss constitution so that “all forms of climate-friendly electricity production are permitted” by trying to enshrine the right to produce energy with any technology that is not relying on fossil fuel. The aim is also to overturn the energy law reform that was endorsed by 58% of voters in 2017. Читать дальше...

Two refugee athletes in Switzerland are hoping to compete in the Paris Olympics under the Refugee Olympic Team. The team was created in 2016 and has grown from 10 competitors to 29. Before Habtom Amaniel arrived in Switzerland, the prospect of competing at an Olympic Games seemed impossible. Growing up in Eritrea alongside 12 siblings, his dream of becoming a professional athlete always seemed out of reach. “I knew I wanted to be a runner, but I was living in a small village. There was no structure... Читать дальше...