Switzerland News in English - Expat Guide to Switzerland

April 7, 2020

Swiss Jura independence ‘terrorist’ dies in Spain

Self-styled “terrorist” Marcel Boillat, leader of a 1960s movement to separate the Jura region in Switzerland from canton Bern, has died in Spain at the age of 91. Boillat formed the Jura Liberation Front (JLF) in 1962, which has been credited…

April 7, 2020

Swiss concern shifts to economic fallout of coronavirus

Concerns over a Swiss health system crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic is giving way to worries about the economy, according to a nationwide opinion poll. The latest survey commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation also shows that a vast majority of the Swiss follow government measures, but they seem to become increasingly impatient. “Respondents said…

April 7, 2020

Swiss economy could lose up to CHF35 billion to pandemic

Coronavirus will cost the Swiss economy CHF22 billion ($22.7 billion) in lost productivity in the best-case scenario, economists have warned. Losses could easily mount up to CHF35 billion between March and June. A nationwide lockdown of non-essential high street shops…

April 7, 2020

Workers facing worst crisis since WWII amid pandemic: UN

Some 1.25 billion workers are seeing their livelihoods threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations said Tuesday, warning it was the “worst global crisis” since World War II. In a fresh study, the International Labour Organization warned that the…

April 7, 2020

Swiss urged to stay home during Easter break

Swiss citizens have been advised to resist the temptation to take a break over the Easter weekend despite warming temperatures and people having been cooped up under the same roof for the past few weeks. “Refrain from travelling for a…

April 7, 2020

Most Swiss Christians don’t believe story behind Easter

Almost two-thirds of Swiss Christians who took part in a survey do not think the Resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact. Three-quarters of the population as a whole don’t believe it, up from two-thirds in 2007. In addition, a third…

April 7, 2020

Donations to Covid-19 fundraiser top CHF15 million

The humanitarian charity Swiss Solidarity has raised CHF15 million ($15.3 million) in the first two weeks of a campaign to help vulnerable sections of society during the coronavirus pandemic. The humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation had launched its latest…

April 7, 2020

Italy ‘steals’ hand gel destined for Switzerland

Italy has blocked a lorry at its border and confiscated disinfectant en route to Switzerland. The Swiss commercial transport association is talking of “state theft”, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has reportedly intervened. Swiss company Victory Switzerland imports items…

April 7, 2020

Swiss avalanche deaths at 60-year low

The number of people killed by avalanches in the Swiss Alps fell significantly last winter. Experts say less dangerous snow conditions, plus a large slice of luck, saw just five people losing their lives in 2019/2020 compared with an average…