Switzerland faces a steep energy bill due to the Middle East conflict
2026-03-30
The global rise in oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East has made the import of fossil fuels more expensive. For Switzerland, the additional energy costs could amount to nearly CHF5 billion ($6.3 billion) per year, according to a researcher. The military escalation in the Persian Gulf is driving up the prices …
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Switzerland to extend US trade talks beyond March deadline, says Parmelin
2026-03-29
Switzerland will continue negotiating a trade agreement with the United States beyond the planned March 31 deadline, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said on Saturday on the sidelines of the Swiss People’s Party’s delegates’ assembly. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The March 31 deadline is “no longer valid”, Parmelin told the …
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Geneva proposes payment to winegrowers to avoid losing its vineyards
2026-03-26
Faced with a major crisis in Swiss winegrowing, the canton of Geneva wants to introduce an alternative to uprooting grape vines. The canton will pay CHF 18,000 (about $22,741) per hectare per year to maintain the plots, but with no obligation to produce grapes. The aim is to preserve vineyards. This aid will apply to …
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Swiss voters to decide on initiative to reduce the media licence fee
2026-02-12
On March 8, the Swiss will vote on an initiative that wants to almost halve the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC)’s television and radio licence fee for households and exempt companies from paying it. We explain what the vote is about here: Here is all you need to know about the upcoming votes:
Does cheese really protect against dementia?
2026-02-11
A Swedish study suggests that people who regularly eat high-fat cheese may have a slightly lower risk of developing dementia. The findings attracted a lot of attention after a report by The New York Times. But how robust is the research – and should it influence what we eat? The debate began with a large …
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Switzerland backtracks in fight against corruption
2026-02-10
Switzerland has lost ground in the fight against corruption in the public sector. In the latest ranking by the organisation Transparency International, it has dropped one place to 6th place. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox In the Corruption Perceptions Index published on Tuesday, Switzerland scored 80 out of 100 points, …
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Swiss medicine revenues pegged back by price reductions
2026-02-07
The Swiss domestic pharmaceutical market recorded a 5% increase in revenues of CHF8.1 billion at factory prices, last year. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Turnover expansion was held back 2.4% by price reductions enforced by the government, reported trade association Interpharma. + Read our extensive coverage drug prices and insurance …
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Lab-grown meat ‘not market ready for five years’: Bell CEO
2025-12-24
A phase of strong growth in meat substitute products is over, according to the CEO of Swiss food producer Bell Food Group. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Sales of Bell’s meat substitute range are only growing by 0-1% per year, Marco Tschanz said in an interview with the Neue Zürcher …
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