Switzerland News in English - Expat Guide to Switzerland

December 16, 2019

Landmark forum seeks ‘better answers’ to refugee response

The first-ever “Global Refugee Forum” opens in Geneva on Monday to identify practical solutions to improve the lives of refugees and host communities. But weaknesses remain in its underlying framework, say critics. Around 2,000 people are expected for the international conference in the Swiss city, which runs from December 16-18. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of…

December 15, 2019

UBS accused of investing in Chinese firm behind surveillance of Uighurs

Switzerland’s largest bank is believed to hold shares in the Hikvision group whose products are used to monitor the Uighurs in detention camps and public spaces. The Chinese state owned firm was blacklisted by the US Department of Commerce in…

December 15, 2019

Swiss disappointed by lack of progress on carbon markets at COP25

As the longest ever UN climate talks concluded on Sunday, the decision to postpone the decision on the thorny issue of carbon markets for next year has left Swiss negotiators disappointed. Over 40 hours of overtime negotiations, including two back-to-back…

December 15, 2019

US wants to buy ‘retired’ Swiss fighter jets for training purposes

The American navy is in talks with the Swiss army to purchase 22 decommissioned F5 Tiger fighter jets to help train its pilots in air warfare. According to the SonntagsZeitung paper, a sum of $40 million has been set aside…

December 15, 2019

French strike puts a damper on first run of Léman Express

The inaugural train service of the cross-border Léman Express service from Switzerland was only able to make it as far as Geneva due to strikes in France. The first train of the Léman Express left the town of Coppet on…

December 15, 2019

How Swiss tunnel technology is controlling pollution a continent away

Throughout Latin America, pollution from transport and machinery has been adding to greenhouse gas emissions while causing growing health issues. A Swiss programme based on technology developed for trans-Alpine tunnels has helped Chile become a leader in addressing vehicle smog. …

December 15, 2019

As displacement soars, global meet to seek new paths to help refugees

As the number of people forcibly displaced from their homes continues to climb worldwide, a global summit in Geneva next week will aim to drum up fresh and concrete support for refugees. The Global Refugee Forum will officially open on…

December 14, 2019

Switzerland helps set standards for carbon markets as COP25 drags on

The Alpine nation has taken on a leading role in the laying down principles that should govern a fair and robust carbon market. As the UN climate conference (COP25) in Madrid reached its final stages, Switzerland played an important role…

December 14, 2019

Extinction Rebellion repeat climate protest in western Switzerland

Around 500 highly-organised group members blocked a street in the city of Lausanne on Lake Geneva calling for urgent measures to combat climate change. On Saturday morning, activists claiming allegiance to the Extinction Rebellion movement lay down on Rue Centrale…