Switzerland News in English - Expat Guide to Switzerland

February 20, 2019

Floating research platform to test changes in Lake Geneva

Swiss researchers have set up an innovative floating platform in Lake Geneva to test environmental changes, despite opposition from local inhabitants in Pully, near Lausanne. On board are “countless radiosondes and sensors which should enable reserachers […] to gain a…

February 20, 2019

Endangered lion monkeys born in Zurich Zoo

Two little golden lion tamarins, an endangered species of monkey, have recently been born in Zürich Zoo, taking to 11 the number in the Swiss zoological park. They were born on February 5 and follow their mother everywhere for the…

February 20, 2019

Switzerland denies talks with Guaido over Venezuela assets

Switzerland has denied a claim by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido that he spoke to the Swiss president about freezing bank accounts of Venezuelan officials after “irregular movements” were discovered. Guaido made the claim on Mexican television, according to Reuters…

February 20, 2019

Hefty fines given to major banks over last five years

After Swiss bank UBS was fined 3.7 billion euros ($4.2 billion) in a tax fraud case in France on Wednesday, here are some other hefty fines handed to top banks over the past five years. – Societe Generale: sanctions violations…

February 20, 2019

Glencore vows to cap coal output as profits tumble

Mining giant Glencore pledged Wednesday to limit coal production and instead prioritise investment in other commodities as part of a move towards cleaner energy and transportation. The decision by the one of the world’s biggest coal producers comes as activist…

February 20, 2019

Switzerland moves to boost International Geneva

The government has approved a new strategy to boost Switzerland as a host country, including a new foundation in Geneva to help bring science and diplomacy together, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis has announced. The “Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator”…

February 20, 2019

Government seeks to curb interest in civilian service

Following several months of consultations, the Federal Council is supporting eight measures intended to substantially curb departures from the military to pursue civilian service. From 2011 to 2017, the number of civilian service admissions has continued to rise. In 2018 alone,…

February 20, 2019

France fines UBS bank record 3.7 bn euros in tax fraud case

A Paris court on Wednesday fined Swiss banking giant UBS 3.7 billion euros ($4.2 billion) for encouraging customers to commit tax fraud, a record in France where public opinion has grown vocal for crackdowns on tax dodging. Lawyers for the…

February 20, 2019

CORRECTED: France fines Swiss bank UBS record 3.7 bn euros in tax fraud case

A Paris court on Wednesday fined Swiss banking giant UBS 3.7 billion euros ($4.2 billion) for tax fraud, a record for such a case in France. Lawyers for the bank, which was convicted of illegally helping French clients to hide…