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Foreign affairs

Switzerland returns to Afghanistan despite Taliban recognition issues

Taliban security personnel take part in a military parade to celebrate the third anniversary of the Taliban government takeover, in Bagram, Afghanistan, 14 August 2024.

Many states are now softening their policy and communicating with the Taliban, at least for humanitarian purposes. Switzerland is one of them. What is going on?

By Julian Busch

An Afghan girl, pupil of Wild Flower, doing homework

Foreign affairs

How distance learning keeps Afghan girls’ education hopes alive

By Geraldine Wong Sak Hoi

International Geneva

Afghanistan: the battle to save the sick from sanctions

By Ariane Lüthi

Currency dealer holding a wad of bank notes in Kabul, Afghanistan

Foreign affairs

How a portion of Afghanistan’s foreign reserves ended up in Geneva

By Geraldine Wong Sak Hoi

Debunking Russian propaganda on Switzerland

Russian media have criticised Swiss sanctions on Russia from the start of the war, arguing Switzerland was violating its neutrality. International media followed suit.

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 Russian authorities and official media claim that Swiss sanctions on Russia and Russian assets violate Switzerland’s neutrality. SWI swissinfo.ch fact checks these claims.

circle of people in Puntland raising white flags

‘We need to put civilians at the centre of peacebuilding’

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 Building peace in times of war goes beyond shaking hands, says Renée Larivière of Interpeace on the sidelines of the latest edition of the Geneva Peace Talks.

US lawyer Ed Fagan speaking to reporters in Zurich in 1998. US-Swiss disputes

Five events that shaped contemporary Swiss-American relations

This content was published on Sep 17, 2024 The United States and Switzerland have experienced remarkable highs and lows in their post-war relationship. Their disputes have tested Swiss principles like neutrality.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 On Wednesday: a new factory for Ricola, a new job for Alain Berset, and a look at youth political participation.

Switzerland’s SIX explores launching crypto exchange

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 The stock exchange operator says digital coins are becoming a “recognised asset class”.

Protesters join thousands marching around the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, protesting the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022.

How the US and Switzerland became direct democracy ‘sister republics’

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 Political scientist Julien Jaquet explores the links and differences between popular initiatives and referendums in the United States and Switzerland.

UN summit of the future – what future?

This content was published on Sep 17, 2024 The UN is hosting its Summit of the Future next week. Will it live up to its promise?

Recent stories for the Swiss Abroad community

Swiss Abroad

Poll: Swiss Abroad pensioners are enthusiastic while workers struggle

Swiss pensioners abroad are generally happy with their lives but Swiss nationals who live and work overseas are less satisfied than the average citizen.

By Claire Micallef

Swiss Abroad

Swiss popular votes – everything you need to know

Swiss Abroad

‘That mummy is my great-grandfather’

By Zeno Zoccatelli

Swiss Abroad

Did you emigrate after retiring because you couldn’t make ends meet at home?

By Katy Romy

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Swiss foreign ministry expresses concern after explosions in Lebanon

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs has expressed its deep concern following the explosions in Lebanon on Tuesday. In a post on X, it calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in order to prevent a major regional escalation.

Switzerland receives UN mandate for meeting on Middle East conflict

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 Switzerland will organise a meeting of the parties to the Geneva Conventions on the Middle East conflict within six months.

SWISS cancels flights to and from Tel Aviv

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) has cancelled flights from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back on Wednesday and Thursday.

Swiss parliamentarians want to stop UNRWA funding

This content was published on Sep 10, 2024 On Monday, one of the two chambers of parliament in Bern voted to immediately stop payments to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Swiss government wants to ban Hamas from Switzerland for five years

This content was published on Sep 4, 2024 The Swiss government has submitted to parliament its proposal to ban Palestinian militant group Hamas from Switzerland for five years.

Swiss flies to Tel Aviv again on Thursday

This content was published on Sep 3, 2024 Swiss takes decision following an in-depth analysis of the situation in the Middle East.

SWISS extends Middle East flight suspensions

This content was published on Aug 19, 2024 Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has extended its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Beirut, Lebanon, until August 26 due to the current tensions in the Middle East.

University of Bern replaces controversial Middle East department

This content was published on Aug 15, 2024 Former Middle East Institute was dissolved after controversial Hamas statements from lecturer.

SWISS prolongs suspension of flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv

This content was published on Aug 12, 2024 Swiss international airlines is extending the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon until August 21.

In this image made from a video, people inspect the rubble at a school after being hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.

Swiss foreign ministry alarmed by Israeli airstrike on Gaza school

This content was published on Aug 11, 2024 The Swiss foreign ministry expressed deep concern on Saturday following an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City.

Switzerland condemns Israeli minister’s starvation remarks

This content was published on Aug 8, 2024 Switzerland has criticised Bezalel Smotrich’s comment that starving the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip “might be justified and moral”.

Palestinian children who fled with their parents from their houses in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh, gather in the backyard of an UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) school, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

UN investigates UNRWA staff involvement in October 7 Hamas attack

This content was published on Aug 6, 2024 Nine employees of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) “may have been involved” in the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, according to the UN’s internal investigation. This involved 19 people accused by Israel.

Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern advises against travel to Israel and Iran

Swiss foreign ministry advises against travel to Israel and Iran

This content was published on Aug 3, 2024 The foreign ministry in Bern has advised against traveling to Israel and Iran.

Swiss suspends flights between Zurich and Tel Aviv

SWISS suspends Zurich-Tel Aviv flights amid Middle East tensions

This content was published on Aug 2, 2024 This is in response to recent developments in the Middle East.

Swiss foreign ministry wary of possible Middle East escalation

This content was published on Jul 31, 2024 A regional conflict must be prevented, said Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on Wednesday. Swiss citizens have been advised to leave Lebanon.

What is the future of Swiss neutrality?

Is Swiss neutrality misunderstood? Or has the Swiss model of neutrality now become obsolete?

Join the discussion

Sep 13, 2024

67 Likes

53 Comments

View the discussion

Watch now

A popular initiative demanding greater living choices for people with disabilities in Switzerland has collected enough signatures for a national vote.

A better way to live for the disabled in Switzerland?

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 A popular initiative demanding greater living choices for people with disabilities in Switzerland has collected enough signatures for a national vote.

Computer-generated image of the planned SedrunSolar park in canton Graubünden in southeastern Switzerland.

Construction starts on first large-scale solar park in Swiss Alps

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 The first major solar project under the federal government’s “Solar Express” scheme is being built near the mountain village of Sedrun in southeast Switzerland.

Should the Swiss invest more in biodiversity?

This content was published on Sep 9, 2024 The Swiss will be voting on a biodiversity initiative on 22 September. It seeks to give nature more space and resources but is considered too extreme by its opponents.

Biodiversity initiative: ‘We don’t want parts of the country sealed off’

This content was published on Sep 9, 2024 Better protection for nature or more headaches for farmers? Two politicians discuss the biodiversity initiative in our ‘Let’s Talk’ series.

Storms in Swiss mountain areas keep visitors at bay

Mountain storms put damper on Switzerland’s summer visitor figures

This content was published on Sep 2, 2024 Storms in Swiss mountain areas keep summer visitors at bay.

A CHF100 banknote lying in a cardboard coffin next to a lit candle

How a Swiss banknote’s life comes to an end

This content was published on Aug 28, 2024 A banknote’s life is not eternal. What happens when it’s time to retire?

Public asked how to recover dumped munitions in Swiss lakes

This content was published on Aug 15, 2024 Authorities have launched a public competition for the best ideas for safely removing old ammunition from Swiss lakes

Genetically engineered barley, using the CRISPR/Cas method.

Genetically engineered barley grown in a secured field in Zurich

This content was published on Aug 9, 2024 Swiss scientists use the new CRISPR method of genetic engineering to try to boost crop yield.

To induce death, individuals climb into the pod-looking chamber and press a button inside that releases nitrogen into the chamber. The individual dies as a result of nitrogen hypoxia, a method which the makers claim is not painful.

Assisted suicide for CHF18 ($20)?

This content was published on Jul 27, 2024 This would be an “egalitarian” death, says Fiona Stewart, a founding member of the organisation The Last Resort.

Swiss On shoes share the spotlight at Paris Olympics

This content was published on Jul 26, 2024 At the Paris Olympics, some of the best athletes will be wearing products made by the Swiss sportswear brand, On.

‘Security here, freedom there’ – insights from a US trucker festival in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 25, 2024 Many attendees at the International Trucker & Country Festival in Interlaken yearn for the freedom associated with the US. An academic in a cowboy hat explains why.

What’s inside a comet?

This content was published on Jul 24, 2024 Watch how two Bern astrophysicists are hoping to dig beneath the surface of a comet to find out more about the origins of the solar system.

Swiss farms make space for beans and lentils

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 Plant breeders, scientists and farmers in Zurich’s countryside try to make the case for legume cultivation.

Trump, Biden and hatred: how US polarisation affects Americans in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 20, 2024 A Republican, Democrat and Independent living in Switzerland describe the emotional divide in US politics.

Decommissioned Bernese trams sent to Ukraine.

Swiss trams embark on a rare journey to Ukraine

This content was published on Jul 15, 2024 SWI swissinfo.ch speaks to the specialists preparing Swiss trams for transfer to Ukraine and to the Lviv public transport staff who will operate them.

External Content

Reuters International

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:58

EU antitrust regulators tell Apple how to comply with tech rules

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:56

Accused in France’s mass rape trial apologises to Gisele Pelicot

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:50

Bulgaria to probe company links to pagers that exploded in Lebanon

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:47

Pope Francis allows devotion to Medjugorje, where Virgin Mary said to appear

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:46

Exclusive-US keeps missile system in Philippines as China tensions rise, tests wartime deployment

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:45

Russia attacks Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure, officials say

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:44

Germany set to approve 397 million euros in Ukraine military aid, letter says

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:40

UK’s Ocado Retail lifts revenue outlook after shopper numbers grow

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:29

Czechs to provide $1.3 billion for flood damage in 2024 budget amendment

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:29

EU to send 160 million euros from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:25

Analysis-Big Fed cut puts an ECB move next month on traders’ radar

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:13

Bank of England set to hold rates with bond sales in spotlight

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:11

Germany has stopped approving war weapons exports to Israel, source says

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:08

Norway keeps rate on hold, says restrictive policy needed

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 10:58

Large Fed rate cut drives global markets higher

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 10:54

Britain needs new strategies to tap foreign billions and spur savings, trade bodies say

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 10:53

Poland’s third-largest city braces for peaking floods

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 10:38

EU car sales at 3-year low in August, EV sales plunge 44%

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 10:37

Israel bombs Lebanon, says it thwarts assassination plot

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 10:34

Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region hit by new devastating floods

Bloomberg Business

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 11:39

Nasdaq Futures Jump 2% as Big Fed Cut Spurs Rally: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 09:44

Swiss Watch Industry Warns of Weakness Even as Exports Rise

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 09:00

Swiss Government Sees Sharp Drop in Inflation Rate Next Year

This content was published on Sep 19, 2024 – 02:06

Fed Opens Up Policy Space Around the World Without Feeding Panic

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 – 23:45

Stock Traders ‘Sell the News’ After Fed Goes Big: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 – 17:49

Spain Tipped for Over 20 Stock Listings This Year, SIX Group Says

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 – 17:09

JPMorgan, UBS Join BIS Blockchain-Based Plan to Overhaul Cross-Border Payments

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 – 13:05

Africa Floods Prompt Warnings of Disease Outbreaks, Dam Bursts

This content was published on Sep 18, 2024 – 12:53

Banks Ready to Forget Pain of Hung Debt Go Big on Buyout Funding

This content was published on Sep 17, 2024 – 22:58

Stocks Balk at Record as Fed Bets ‘Up in the Air’: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Sep 17, 2024 – 16:02

SNB Should Distribute Profits Directly to Citizens, Study Says

This content was published on Sep 17, 2024 – 13:36

Africa Floods Affect 4 Million People, Deepen Food Crisis

This content was published on Sep 17, 2024 – 12:34

Swiss Watchmakers Demand SNB Act on Franc as Exports Drop

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 – 22:03

S&P 500’s Equal-Weighted Index Hits All-Time High: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 – 16:11

Sam Nazarian and Tony Robbins Are Launching Longevity Clubs and Hotels

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 – 13:00

Markets Risk Similar Volatility to Carry Trade Unwind, BIS Warns

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 – 13:00

Private Equity’s Insurance Bets Raise Risks, BIS Researchers Say

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 – 12:33

Nestle Gets Rare Sell Rating as Morgan Stanley Adds to Tide of Growing Skepticism

This content was published on Sep 16, 2024 – 01:00

German Border Checks Take Effect as Tensions Over Migration Rise

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 – 09:59

Temasek Said to Near Stake Purchase in Blackstone-Owned VFS

Milo Rau: democracy is an ’agora open to everyone who isn’t a criminal’

This content was published on Sep 15, 2024 On the International Day of Democracy, Switzerland’s most controversial theatre director talks about the “ritual” of public votes and the global state of political participation.

Sudanese refugees in, Chad. 22nd June, 2024.

Impunity is stalling all peace efforts in Sudan. Can it end?

This content was published on Sep 14, 2024 The war in Sudan has led to the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. Impunity for war crimes has so far prevailed.

Six things you need to know about Pavel Durov and Telegram

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 Who is Pavel Durov? SWI swissinfo.ch presents six things you need to know about the founder and CEO of the social media channel Telegram.

Rarely are clinical trial results broken down by sex and gender and reported publicly. When they are, differences in the efficacy and safety for men and women are rarely considered in the approval and prescribing information for drugs.

Drugmakers are finally making medicine for women

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 Sex and gender are rarely considered in drug development. There’s now a movement, including in Switzerland, to change this.

Gender medicine is also good for men

This content was published on Sep 13, 2024 Efforts to bring gender diversity to drug development aren’t just good for women’s health. They will also benefit men.

Construction starts on first large-scale solar park in Swiss Alps

Cosmetic pesticides are making it to your apple. Is that a bad thing?

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 Plant growth hormones are widely used in fruit cultivation to give consumers uniform, blemish-free products. But with little published research, the risks are as yet unknown.

A smartphone with the APP of social networks Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Mastodon and X is pictured in Lausanne, Switzerland, Tuesday, September 12, 2023.(KEYSTONE/Laurent Gillieron)

Poll: Swiss are fed up with social media

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 According to the latest figures, social media is being used less. One of the reasons: the platforms are no longer truly social.

Swiss residents hold a number of passports

Meet the foreigners who make up a quarter of the Swiss population

This content was published on Sep 6, 2024 Who are the foreign nationals who make up 27% of Switzerland’s population?

Swiss film exposes xenophobia as weapon against the working class

This content was published on Sep 6, 2024 Filmmaker Samir’s new documentary about Italian immigrants is a tale of xenophobia, resilience, and a call to avoid past prejudices.

Dossier Center identifies Putin’s two secret sons with Alina Kabaeva

Russian investigation confirms Putin’s son was born in Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 5, 2024 Vladimir Putin’s and Alina Kabaeva’s first son is believed to have been born in Switzerland under secretive circumstances.

From absolutism to democracy in Bhutan: 50 years of Swiss support

This content was published on Sep 1, 2024 In 1975 Helvetas was the first international development organisation to work in Bhutan. It now plans to withdraw from the Himalayan country.

In the city of Bucharest, Romania, temperatures reached 42 °C this summer.

How to keep cities cool during heatwaves

This content was published on Aug 29, 2024 How can hot summers be made more tolerable for city-dwellers? SWI swissinfo.ch asked an expert at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich.

In Focus

Swiss federal votes on September 22

Biodiversity and pensions are on the agenda for the federal votes on September 22.

Taiwan: a model democracy

Taiwan has developed into an exemplary democracy. This can be seen in schools as well as in election campaigns – despite or because of its precarious status.