Switzerland Today

Swiss news in English

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Switzerland Freezes $7.4B in Russian Assets

Switzerland has frozen an additional 1. 6 billion Swiss francs in Russian assets, bringing the total to 7.

15 h

World

Swiss Airport Faces Uncertain Future

The future of St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport, the only airport in Eastern Switzerland, is under threat due to proposed budget cuts by the Swiss government.

Yesterday

Business

Zurich's Mobility Initiative Sparks Debate

The Zurich Cantonal Parliament has narrowly approved the controversial Mobility Initiative with a vote of 88 to 87. This initiative aims to strip the cities of Zurich and Winterthur of their authority to set speed limits on major roads.

Yesterday

Politics

Swiss Intelligence Faces Crisis

The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (NDB) is under fire from cantonal police forces for inadequate support, particularly in critical operations like the Ukraine Conference in Bürgenstock. A recent survey revealed widespread dissatisfaction, with complaints about slow response times, lack of expertise, and disrupted networks due to internal restructuring.

28 March, 09:59

Politics

Tax Deadline Extended Amid IT Issues

The Canton of Zurich has extended the deadline for submitting 2024 tax returns to April 30, 2025, due to ongoing technical issues with its online tax platform, ZHprivateTax. The system experienced disruptions during peak weekends in March, causing delays and frustration for users.

27 March, 20:54

Technology

Tragic Fire Claims Life in Worb

A 33-year-old Syrian woman was found dead following a residential fire in Worb, Bern. Authorities have not ruled out foul play, as investigations by the University of Bern's Institute of Forensic Medicine continue.

27 March, 16:15

Crime

Zoo Zürich Unveils Unique Big Cat Habitat

Zoo Zürich has opened its groundbreaking "Panthera" habitat, a 10,000-square-meter space designed for Amur tigers, Asiatic lions, and snow leopards. The innovative enclosure features four interconnected zones, mimicking natural environments like forests and mountains.

27 March, 16:15

Environment

Swiss Senator's Election Overturned

The Swiss Federal Court has annulled the election of Simon Stocker as Schaffhausen's Senator due to residency issues. Stocker, who defeated long-time Senator Thomas Minder in 2023, was found to have primarily lived in Zurich at the time of the election, violating Schaffhausen's strict residency requirements.

26 March, 12:58

Politics

Rider Injured in Equestrian Accident

A serious accident occurred on a horse farm in Heiden, Switzerland, on Tuesday evening. A 19-year-old rider was training on a course when she and her horse fell at an obstacle.

26 March, 12:58

Sports

Zürich's Budget Surplus Sparks Debate

The city of Zurich has reported a record budget surplus of 518 million Swiss francs for 2024, despite initially forecasting a deficit. This marks the third consecutive year of significant miscalculations, with higher-than-expected tax revenues being a key factor.

25 March, 23:15

Finance

IT Error Forces Printing Firm's Closure

The Swiss printing company Abächerli Media AG has declared bankruptcy, resulting in the loss of 30 jobs. The collapse stems from a catastrophic IT error in June 2022, when an external IT provider accidentally deleted all company data and backups.

25 March, 23:15

Business

Crime Surge Hits Basel in 2024

Crime rates in Switzerland have risen in 2024, with Basel experiencing a 7% increase in reported offenses. The surge is particularly notable in sexual offenses and online crimes, according to the Basel-Stadt prosecutor's office.

25 March, 23:15

Crime

Tax Software Glitches Frustrate Zurich Residents

Technical issues with Zurich's tax software, ZHprivateTax, have persisted, causing frustration among residents. The software, used for digital tax submissions, has been intermittently unavailable or slow since last week.

25 March, 05:53

Technology

Car Trapped at Uster Rail Crossing

A potentially dangerous incident occurred in Uster, Switzerland, on Monday morning when a car became trapped between railway barriers on Winterthurerstrasse. The driver, a 54-year-old Bulgarian, managed to maneuver the vehicle parallel to the tracks, leaving just enough space for an oncoming train to pass safely.

24 March, 21:16

Local News

Crime Surges in Switzerland

Switzerland has seen a significant rise in crime in 2024, with violent offenses reaching their highest levels since 2009. The country recorded 563,633 crimes, an 8% increase from the previous year.

24 March, 16:37

Crime

Teen Crashes BMW in Zurich

An 18-year-old driver lost control of his high-powered BMW M3 early Sunday morning in Zurich, crashing into a tree near Landiwiese. The incident occurred on Mythenquai, where the young driver, an Italian national, accelerated excessively, causing the car to veer onto the sidewalk and collide with a barrier and a tree.

24 March, 16:37

Local News

Teen's High-Speed Chase Shocks Switzerland

A 14-year-old boy in Switzerland was arrested after a dangerous high-speed chase through several villages in the Zurich Oberland. The teenager, driving a stolen car, reached speeds of over 100 km/h in residential areas, ignoring police orders to stop.

23 March, 18:51

Crime

Left Alliance Triumphs in Neuchâtel Elections

The left-wing alliance in Neuchâtel, comprising the Social Democratic Party (SP), Greens, and the Workers' Party, has achieved a historic victory in the first round of the cantonal government elections. SP candidates Frédéric Mairy and Florence Nater were re-elected with significant majorities, marking a milestone for the party.

23 March, 18:51

Politics

Gotthard Traffic Crisis Sparks Heated Debate

Traffic jams at the Gotthard Tunnel have tripled since 2012, with over 1,800 hours of congestion recorded in 2022. As Easter approaches, the issue is expected to worsen, prompting SVP National Councilor Benjamin Giezendanner to propose a controversial solution: keeping the Gotthard Pass road open year-round.

23 March, 09:53

Transportation

Rise in Phone Scam Alarms Authorities

Authorities in Bern and Emmering are warning residents about a surge in phone scams involving so-called "shock calls. " Scammers falsely claim that a loved one has caused a serious accident and demand immediate cash payments to avoid legal trouble.

22 March, 16:22

Crime

Melting Glaciers: A Global Wake-Up Call

Glaciers around the world are vanishing at an alarming rate due to climate change, with profound consequences for ecosystems and human life. In Austria, iconic glaciers like the Pasterze are shrinking rapidly, with experts predicting their disappearance within 50 years, even under the most ambitious climate goals.

22 March, 07:37

Environment

Swiss Immigration Tax Sparks Debate

The Swiss Free Democratic Party (FDP) has proposed a 3% income tax on immigrants for their first 11 years in the country, aiming to manage immigration and counter the Swiss People's Party's (SVP) controversial 10-million population cap initiative. The tax could generate up to one billion Swiss francs annually to benefit the population.

22 March, 07:37

Politics

Swiss Wage Protection Deal Reached

Swiss unions and employers have reached an agreement on 13 measures to safeguard wages, a critical step in ongoing negotiations with the EU. The measures aim to address concerns over potential setbacks in wage protection under a new EU agreement.

22 March, 07:37

Politics

Baar Celebrates Martin Pfister's Rise

Martin Pfister, the newly elected Swiss Federal Councillor, received a grand celebration in his hometown of Baar. Thousands gathered to honor him with a festive parade, music, and speeches.

21 March, 05:53

Politics

Zurich's Successful Reintegration Program

The Canton of Zurich has successfully concluded a two-year pilot program aimed at helping foreign offenders reintegrate into their home countries after serving prison sentences. The initiative provided return counseling and support, enabling voluntary departures without police intervention, saving the canton significant costs.

21 March, 05:53

Society