Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter has voiced caution regarding the prospects of a tariff agreement with US President Donald Trump in 2025, emphasizing that any progress hinges on the US president's approval. This comes after the US imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss exports in August 2025, leading to economic pressure and domestic scrutiny for Switzerland.
Seven injured children from the Gaza Strip, accompanied by 27 family members, have arrived in Switzerland for highly specialized medical care. This humanitarian operation, a collaboration between the Swiss government, WHO, MSF, and Rega, marks the first phase of a broader initiative to treat approximately 20 children.
Switzerland is investing 220 million Swiss francs over 15 years to overhaul its vast network of civil protection shelters. This modernization effort, driven by a changing global security situation and aging infrastructure, aims to ensure the functionality of shelters mandated by a 1963 law, which guarantees a protected space for every resident.
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) destroyed 1.5 tonnes, or approximately 7,500, counterfeit Swiss watches in Köniz, near Bern, on Friday. This significant operation highlights the industry's ongoing battle against fake products, which cause billions in annual losses and threaten the integrity of 'Swiss Made' luxury goods.
Autumn Storm Benjamin is sweeping across Switzerland on Thursday, October 23, 2025, bringing strong winds up to 100 km/h in lowlands and over 150 km/h in mountainous regions, leading to considerable danger and travel disruptions.
Switzerland's Gambling Supervisory Authority (GESPA) has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA's NFT platform, FIFA Collect, alleging it operates unlicensed gambling activities under Swiss law. The complaint, filed on October 17, 2025, asserts that the platform's 'Right to Buy' tokens and other NFT-based competitions involve monetary stakes and chance-based outcomes, classifying them as illegal lotteries and sports betting without a proper license.
Geneva authorities have decided to bar Swiss children residing in neighboring French suburbs from attending Genevan schools, effective from the 2026 academic year. This move, aimed at addressing demographic pressure and school place shortages, has sparked anger among affected parents and criticism from French officials, who will now bear the burden of schooling an estimated 2,500 students.
Singapore's Drew & Napier is set to file investment treaty claims against the Swiss government on behalf of approximately 560 Asian bondholders. They seek around US$300 million in compensation for Credit Suisse AT1 bonds wiped out during the bank's 2023 acquisition by UBS, a move recently deemed unlawful by a Swiss court.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is cutting approximately 240 positions at its Geneva headquarters. This move follows a previously announced 17% budget reduction for 2026, decreasing its budget by CHF 300 million to CHF 1.8 billion due to global funding shortfalls and rising humanitarian needs.
Swiss food giant Nestlé announced plans to eliminate 16,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years, representing about 6% of its global workforce. The move, part of a significant restructuring effort led by new CEO Philipp Navratil, aims to boost efficiency, cut costs, and accelerate the company's turnaround, with a target of 3 billion Swiss francs in savings by 2027.
Swiss construction workers, represented by unions Unia and Syna, have overwhelmingly voted for strike action amidst an unresolved dispute over working hours and conditions. Negotiations for a new national collective agreement, affecting 80,000 workers, have stalled, with the current pact expiring at year-end.
An unauthorized pro-Palestinian demonstration in Bern, Switzerland, on October 11, 2025, led to violent clashes with police, resulting in 18 officers injured, four of whom required hospitalization. Protesters, estimated at up to 5,000, threw objects and caused extensive property damage, prompting police to use water cannons and tear gas. Over 500 individuals were detained for identity checks.
A 39% tariff imposed by the United States on Swiss exports could jeopardize up to 20,000 jobs in Switzerland, according to a UBS economist. The tariffs, effective August 7, 2025, primarily impact industries like watchmaking and machinery, prompting Swiss officials to seek a negotiated solution amidst significant economic concerns.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has significantly rebalanced its foreign currency reserves in Q2 2025, with euro holdings now constituting 39% and surpassing the US dollar's 37%. This marks the first time since 2020 that the euro has held a larger share than the dollar in the SNB's portfolio, driven by efforts to manage the Swiss franc's value and diversify assets.
Nine Swiss activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla returned to Switzerland on October 5 after deportation by Israel, alleging inhumane detention conditions. Ten Swiss nationals, including former Geneva mayor Remy Pagani, remain in Israeli custody following the interception of the aid convoy bound for Gaza.
Panatere, a Jura-based company, has unveiled the world's first two solar furnaces in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. These innovative furnaces will produce fully recycled steel with a virtually zero carbon footprint, aiming for 1,000 tonnes annually by 2028.
Swiss glaciers experienced a significant 3% volume loss in 2025, making it the fourth-largest annual reduction on record. This accelerated melting, attributed to low winter snowfall and summer heatwaves, highlights a quarter of ice mass lost in the last decade, according to GLAMOS and the Swiss Academy of Sciences.
Christian Dussey, head of Switzerland's Federal Intelligence Service (SRC), resigned, detailing in his letter a severe lack of resources and personnel cuts. His departure, announced in February, comes amid broader leadership changes in Swiss defense.
Swiss citizens have approved a state-run electronic identity (e-ID) and a reform to abolish the imputed rental value tax for homeowners in national referendums held on September 28, 2025. The e-ID passed by a narrow margin of 50.4%, while the tax reform secured 57.7% of the vote.
On September 28, 2025, Swiss citizens approved a state-run electronic identity (e-ID) with 50.4% of votes and a significant tax reform to abolish imputed rents for homeowners, securing 57.7% approval. These national referendums mark a pivotal shift in Switzerland's digital infrastructure and property taxation landscape.
