Dying from asbestos… and having to prove it
The number of cases of illness due to asbestos is on the rise, with hundreds of deaths expected in Switzerland in the next years.
United tax evasion defences start to crumble
All eyes will be on the year end results from Switzerland’s biggest banks this coming week, but thoughts will also be turned to the fallout from tax evasion scandals.
Needle Park remembered
20 years after the closure of Zürich’s notorious drug scene.
Five more consulates to disappear
Swiss living in Uruguay, Paraguay, Ireland, Malaysia and Portugal will this year have to turn to other countries for their consular services.
Wine makers urged to take marketing lessons
Times are tough for Swiss wine producers grappling with cheap imports, the strong franc, new drinking trends and low demand abroad for their little-known products.
Italian money heads back to Switzerland
Italians are shifting money into Swiss banks, prompting fears that vast sums are crossing the border illegally and adding to the billions of euros already stashed away.
Army munitions to remain underwater
Swiss army munitions dumped in lakes from the 1940s to the 1960s will not be retrieved as a recovery operation would be more dangerous than leaving them in place.
Business and green interests clash ahead of vote
A proposal to limit the number of holiday homes across the country appears to enjoy widespread support, according to a representative opinion poll.
US charges Wegelin with aiding tax fraud
The United States Justice Department says it has indicted Switzerland’s oldest private bank, Wegelin & Co.
U-turn announced on failing asylum process
Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga has said she will partially reverse the reorganisation of the Federal Migration Office in order to speed up asylum requests.
Swiss homeowners face tighter mortgage rules
Mortgage rates have never been so low in Switzerland but the days of easy money may be numbered.
Roche looks to personal future
Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, with over SFr9.5 billion ($10.35 billion) in profits for 2011, is looking to secure its future and betting on personalised medicine in the process.
Rubik gives EU new hope for Swiss tax accord
Denmark, which took over the presidency of the European Union in January, has set its focus on reopening negotiations with Switzerland on taxation issues.
Swiss lose ground over global warming
Environmental groups have slammed a government decision to compensate an increasing share of its greenhouse gas emissions outside Switzerland.
Andermatt’s fairytale gets a dose of reality
The first cracks are appearing in a project to rescue the Swiss resort of Andermatt, with the financial crisis and bad planning dealing it a double blow.
Sensitive Swiss bank data handed to US
The Swiss finance ministry has confirmed that encrypted data relating to Swiss banks’ clients in the United States has been transmitted to the US tax authorities.
Disability assistance provides lifeline at home
An assistance policy rolled out nationally from January 1 is a blessing that has been a long time coming for Swiss families affected by disability.
Secrecy hampers money laundering fight
Switzerland’s bank secrecy legislation is causing problems in the international fight against money laundering.
Rich Greeks balk at financial aid for homeland
Wealthy Greeks living abroad, including in Switzerland, are extremely wary about investing in their cash-strapped homeland to help create jobs and boost the economy.
Europe spoils WEF party in Davos
The continuing European debt crisis dominated debate in Davos and cast a huge cloud over the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) showpiece event.
Big business pushes for higher cocoa yields
Multinational food firms are stepping up efforts to encourage farmers in developing countries to keep pace with spiraling consumer demand for chocolate.
