News in brief
Switzerland has announced that it will give priority to reinforcing its ground-based air defense systems as concerns grow over the increasing threat posed by drones in Europe. The Federal Council confirmed its support for multiple parliamentary motions calling for urgent measures to bolster national......
A diamond brooch once belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte has sold for 3.5 million Swiss francs, equivalent to about $4.4 million, at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva. The sale far exceeded its pre-sale estimate and reignited global fascination with Napoleonic treasures. The rare jewel is believed to......
The sixth edition of the European Railway Station Index, published by the Consumer Choice Center, has unveiled its ranking of Europe’s best-performing train stations. The study evaluates the continent’s 50 largest rail hubs based on criteria such as passenger volume, accessibility,......
Bern, October 18, 2025 — Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis urged on Saturday for a fresh approach to Switzerland’s agreements with the European Union (EU), calling the new package of bilateral accords “vital for the country’s prosperity and sovereignty.” Addressing......
Nestlé’s new CEO has announced a global workforce reduction of 16,000 jobs, representing 5.7% of its total employees, over the next two years. The decision comes as part of a broader effort to adapt to a rapidly changing market and to boost efficiency amid slowing growth. The announcement......
Europe’s long-awaited biometric border checks officially come into effect this Sunday, October 12, nearly a year later than planned. The rollout will be gradual over the next six months, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026. The new system will apply to non-EU nationals entering......
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Europe is facing a severe shortage of healthcare workers, pushing many countries to increasingly depend on doctors and nurses trained abroad. According to the latest WHO Europe report, the number of foreign-trained doctors working in the region rose......
The Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis is seeking ways to make medicines more affordable in the United States, amid growing pressure from the Trump administration and the threat of steep tariffs on the industry. Chief Executive Officer Vasant Narasimhan told the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung......
The third anniversary of Mahsa (Jina) Amini's death, which occurred in police custody in September 2022, has sparked an unprecedented wave of international solidarity. Iranian activists are urging global demonstrations to honor the young woman whose tragic passing ignited the "Woman, Life, Freedom"......
Morocco secured over 606,000 Schengen visas from European Union countries in 2024, with a refusal rate of approximately 20%, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita. This marks a significant milestone in visa issuance, reflecting improved Morocco-EU relations. France leads in visa issuance France......
Global financial markets turned their attention on Friday to rising geopolitical tensions over the war in Ukraine and the potential implications of U.S. tariffs. Early trading in Europe saw modest gains: Paris rose by 0.30%, London by 0.27%, Milan by 0.23%, and Zurich by 0.31%, while Frankfurt slipped......
Morocco has emerged as a key figure in Switzerland’s international economic strategy. During a reception hosted by the Moroccan Embassy in Bern to celebrate the 26th anniversary of HM King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne, Swiss authorities expressed their intention to strengthen bilateral......
Switzerland is redefining its approach to "death tourism" — a phenomenon involving foreign nationals traveling to the country to access legal assisted suicide. The canton of Solothurn has introduced a controversial yet cost-effective model in collaboration with the suicide-assistance......
