Switzerland

Gérard Wertheimer, Chanel owner, remains Switzerland’s richest person

Gérard Wertheimer remains at the top of the list of the 300 wealthiest people in Switzerland, who together with his brother Alain, the Frenchman owns Chanel. According to the 2023…

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French President Macron speaks up for Swiss neutrality

French President Emanuel Macron said he respects the tradition of Swiss neutrality, which is behind a refusal to allow war material re-exports to Ukraine. At the same time, he expressed his…

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Photo Story: Winter arrives to St. Margrethenberg in Switzerland

Cows trott trough the freshly fallen snow towards their barn in St. Margrethenberg, Switzerland. Via EPA-EFE/GIAN EHRENZELLER

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Swiss turn to right at election as immigration fears weigh

ZURICH, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Switzerland looked set to shift to the right after national elections on Sunday, as concerns about immigration trumped fears about climate change and melting glaciers,…

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Switzerland’s right set to gain at Green’s expense in Sunday vote

By Noele Illien and Cecile Mantovani ZURICH/GENEVA (Reuters) - The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) is set to bolster its position as Switzerland's leading political force in Sunday's parliamentary elections,…

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High inflation means children go hungry around the world – survey

By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) - High levels of inflation and increased costs of living are contributing to worldwide hunger, according to a survey of 16 countries commissioned by the humanitarian…

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Global water cycle ‘spinning out of balance’: UN meteorological agency

GENEVA, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The World Meteorological Organization said on Thursday that the hydrological cycle was increasingly out of balance due to climate change and made a call for…

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UN refugee agency chief ‘extremely worried’ about funding

GENEVA, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The head of the U.N. refugee agency said on Monday that the organisation was facing one of the most difficult moments in its history, with…

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Dengue will ‘take off’ in southern Europe, US, Africa this decade, WHO scientist warns

By Jennifer Rigby LONDON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Dengue fever will become a major threat in the southern United States, southern Europe and new parts of Africa this decade, the…

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Mont Blanc loses over two metres in height in two years

Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps and Western Europe, has shrunk by more than two metres in two years and now stands at 4,805.59 m, French expert surveyors…

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Swiss accuse daughter of ex-Uzbek president of running a criminal organisation

By John Revill ZURICH, (Reuters) - Switzerland's federal prosecutor said it has filed an indictment against the daughter of Uzbekistan's former president, accusing her of taking bribes and running an…

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Swiss glaciers lose 10% of volume in worst two years on record

By Cecile Mantovani and Denis Balibouse ZURICH, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Switzerland's glaciers suffered their second worst melt rate this year after record 2022 losses, shrinking their overall volume by…

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Swiss to sell back Leopard II tanks to help restock after Ukraine donations

ZURICH, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Germany has welcomed a decision by neutral Switzerland to open the way to sell back some of its German-made Leopard II tanks to help rebuild…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Bavois Castle, Bavois, Switzerland

The picture taken with a drone shows an aerial view of the Bavois Castle, in Bavois, Switzerland. The Chateau de Bavois was built in the 14th century. Photo: EPA-EFE/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

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Ban smartphones from schools, says Unesco report

Smartphones should be banned from schools to help stop classroom disruption, a major United Nations report has recommended. Unesco, the educational, scientific and cultural wing of the UN, said the…

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Birth rate in Switzerland hits all-time low

According to the latest figures from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Swiss birth rate has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years, with 1.39 children per woman.…

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WHO warns of dengue risk as global warming pushes cases near historic highs

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization warned that cases of dengue fever could reach close to record highs this year, partly due to global warming benefiting mosquitoes that spread…

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Switzerland fights to contain forest fire near Italy border as winds pick up

By Denis Balibouse BITSCH, Switzerland (Reuters) - Swiss firefighters were battling a forest fire that has forced more than 200 people to evacuate, and authorities warned winds were making the…

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WHO cancer arm deems aspartame ‘possible carcinogen’; consumption limits unchanged

By Jennifer Rigby LONDON (Reuters) - The sweetener aspartame is a "possible carcinogen" but it remains safe to consume at already-agreed levels, two groups linked to the World Health Organization…

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AIDS can be ended by 2030 with investments in prevention and treatment, UN says

GENEVA, July 13 (Reuters) - It is possible to end AIDS by 2030 if countries demonstrate the political will to invest in prevention and treatment and adopt non-discriminatory laws, the…

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UN agencies warn surging bird flu outbreaks raise human-infection risk

Three UN agencies warned that an ongoing rise in avian flu outbreaks globally raised concerns that the virus might adapt to infect humans more easily, and urged countries to strengthen…

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Swiss inflation dips to 1.7% in June, but rate hike still expected

By John Revill ZURICH, July 3 (Reuters) - Swiss inflation dipped to 1.7% in June, the government said on Monday, although economists expect the Swiss National Bank to stay its…

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Geneva Airport staff end strike after dozens of flights hit

By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Cecile Mantovani GENEVA (Reuters) - Geneva Airport said it had reached a deal with public service staff to end a strike over pay which led to…

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Flights cancelled at Geneva Airport as staff plan to extend strike action

By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Cecile Mantovani GENEVA, June 30 (Reuters) - Air traffic at Geneva Airport was at a standstill early on Friday, with 64 flight arrivals and departures cancelled,…

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Invasive Asian hornet rapidly spreading in Switzerland

The Asian hornet is spreading rapidly in Switzerland, with 66 sightings already reported in seven cantons this year, according to a bee health organisation. Favourable weather conditions are aiding the invasive…

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Russia says no to idea of Swiss peace summit on Ukraine

GENEVA (Reuters) - Russia's ambassador to Switzerland said Moscow could not accept any Swiss-hosted peace summit on Ukraine after it joined European Union sanctions against his country, adding Switzerland had…

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Geneva Airport says flight cancellations likely as strike set for Friday

GENEVA, June 29 (Reuters) - Geneva Airport said some of its employees were planning to stage a strike on Friday that was likely to cause flight delays and cancellations at…

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Switzerland adopts sanctions against people involved in undermining Moldova’s sovereignty

June 29 (Reuters) - Swiss financial regulator FINMA on Thursday said that the Federal Council yesterday adopted financial sanctions and travel restrictions against five people over actions to undermine the…

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Swiss President Alain Berset to step down at end of the year

ZURICH, June 21 (Reuters) - Swiss President Alain Berset is to step down at the end of the year and leave the country's multi-party cabinet after 11 years, he said…

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Swiss voters approve global minimum corporate tax, climate goals

Swiss back 15% minimum business tax Minimum tax backed by business groups Climate law, rejected in 2021, passes Extension to COVID-19 law wins approval By Noele Illien ZURICH, (Reuters) -…

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Climate law divides Swiss voters ahead of referendum

By Emma Farge and Cecile Mantovani GENEVA (Reuters) - The Swiss government hopes voters will support a draft climate law aiming to cut emissions to net zero by 2050 as…

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WHO says toxic syrup risk ‘ongoing’, more countries hit

By Jennifer Rigby LONDON, June 16 (Reuters) - There is an ongoing global threat posed by toxic cough syrups, the World Health Organization (WHO) told Reuters, saying it was now…

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Low-tax Switzerland votes on global minimum corporate tax rate

Swiss citizens vote this weekend on whether to raise business tax to 15% from an average of 11% to align with a global minimum tax rate, although even with the…

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Swiss parliament greenlights investigation into Credit Suisse crash

ZURICH, June 8 (Reuters) - Switzerland's parliament has formally agreed to establish a parliamentary commission (PUK) to look into Credit Suisse's collapse and rescue in a deal engineered by Swiss…

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Swiss inflation dips in May but remains above central bank target

ZURICH, June 5 (Reuters) - Swiss annual inflation dipped to 2.2% as expected in May, government data showed on Monday, although the Swiss National Bank is still expected to hike…

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Companies like Microsoft can help manage migration: incoming UN migration chief

By Emma Farge 9th American Amy Pope set to lead UN migration agency Says Western asylum systems are 'completely overwhelmed' Mediterranean deaths are symptom of broader trend GENEVA (Reuters) -…

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Cash still king in Switzerland despite rising mobile app use

ZURICH, June 1 (Reuters) - Cash still remains the most commonly used method of payment in Switzerland, the Swiss National Bank said on Thursday, despite increasing use of mobile payment…

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Don’t delay reforms to prepare for next pandemic – WHO chief

GENEVA, May 22 (Reuters) - The head of the World Health Organization on Monday urged countries to carry out the reforms needed to prepare for the next pandemic and honour…

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UK targets services boost as Swiss trade talks begin

LONDON, May 15 (Reuters) - Britain and Switzerland will begin talks on an upgraded free trade agreement on Monday, with British trade secretary Kemi Badenoch flying to Bern aiming to boost financial…

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Number of internally displaced people hits record due to war, climate change

GENEVA, May 11 (Reuters) - The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) reached a record 71.1 million worldwide last year due to conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and…

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Switzerland holds military drills, its role in European defence in focus

By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Denis Balibouse LES PRADIERES, Switzerland, (Reuters) - In one of Switzerland's largest military exercises in more than three decades, soldiers rehearsed repelling a fictional enemy, tossed…

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UPDATED: WHO declares end to COVID global health emergency

By Jennifer Rigby and Bhanvi Satija LONDON, May 5 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization ended the global emergency status for COVID-19 on Friday more than three years after its…

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WHO dismisses lead COVID origins investigator for sexual misconduct

By Emma Farge GENEVA, (Reuters) - The World Health Organization announced that it has dismissed a senior scientist, known for his role as the head of an international mission to…

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Swiss gold exports to China rose in March, shipments to India and Turkey fell

LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - Switzerland exported more gold to mainland China in March than in any month since July 2022, but shipments to India and Turkey fell from February's…

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Swiss govt, parliament favour minimum tax for large corporations

BERLIN, April 24 (Reuters) - Switzerland's federal council and parliament recommend that voters accept a push to implement minimum taxation on large multinational enterprises ahead of a referendum on the…

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Credit Suisse rescue package rejected by Swiss parliament

By Noele Illien BERN, (Reuters) - Switzerland's parliament rejected on Wednesday the government's 109 billion Swiss francs ($120.82 billion) aid for Credit Suisse's merger with UBS, leaving the fallen bank's…

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Swiss parliament meets for a second day over Credit Suisse rescue

By Noele Illien ZURICH, April 12 (Reuters) - Swiss lawmakers resumed their debate over the rescue of Credit Suisse on Wednesday, after parliament's two chambers failed to reach an agreement…

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Swiss parliament’s lower house rejects Credit Suisse rescue package

BERN, April 12 (Reuters) - The lower house of Switzerland's parliament voted late on Tuesday to retrospectively reject the 109 billion Swiss francs of financial guarantees the government gave to…

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Climate change activists glue themselves to road to Alpine tunnel

ZURICH, April 7 (Reuters) - Climate change activists brought holiday traffic to a halt in Switzerland on Friday when they blocked the main route beneath the Alps to demand urgent…

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Swiss inflation eases in March as fuel costs fall

ZURICH, April 3(Reuters) - Swiss inflation edged below forecasts in March as fuel costs fell sharply, data showed on Monday, but it remains well above the central bank's target level…

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Swiss economists question UBS takeover of Credit Suisse in poll

ZURICH (Reuters) - A poll of Swiss economists found that nearly half think the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS was not the best solution, warning the saga has dented…

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WHO revises COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for Omicron-era

March 28 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization has tailored its COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for a new phase of the pandemic, suggesting that healthy children and adolescents may not necessarily…

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Swiss finance minister defends rushed banking takeover

ZURICH, March 25 (Reuters) - Switzerland's finance minister defended the shotgun merger between the country's two largest banks in an interview with Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung on Saturday, saying…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Zurich, Switzerland

An aerial view shows the headquarters of the Swiss banks Credit Suisse (C) and UBS (L), at Paradeplatz in Zurich, Switzerland. The bank UBS took over Credit Suisse for 2…

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UBS swallows doomed Credit Suisse, casting shadow over Switzerland

By John O'Donnell and Stefania Spezzati LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) - UBS Group UBSG.Shas emerged as Switzerland’s one and only global bank with a state-backed rescue of its smaller peer…

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How Credit Suisse has evolved over 167 years

ZURICH, March 20 (Reuters) - Following is a timeline outlining the 167-year history of Credit Suisse Group , the Zurich-based bank that is being bought at a knockdown price by…

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UPDATED: Giant bank deal triggers political backlash in Switzerland

By John Revill ZURICH, March 20 (Reuters) - Switzerland's two biggest political parties sharply criticized UBS's UBSG.S takeover of Credit Suisse CSGN.S saying multi-billion state support for the deal created…

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