The government wants to save around CHF700 million ($770 million) by the end of 2028 by better integrating refugees from Ukraine and other countries into the labour market and processing asylum applications more quickly. Further cost-cutting proposals are to follow. Swiss expenditure on asylum has risen in recent years, and according to the government...

The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG) says it is apprehensively monitoring the escalating mood at various Swiss universities where pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken place in recent days. Universities are democratic institutions where open debate should be fostered, the SIG told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Wednesday. “However,...

The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia as well as the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will attend the Ukraine conference on the Bürgenstock in canton Nidwalden in June, the Swiss foreign ministry has said. Switzerland is pleased that some countries have already publicly announced their participation at the June 15-16 event, said Nicolas...

In the winter season up to the end of April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average. The snow in November followed by conditions over Christmas, the New Year and in January laid a strong foundation for operations, the Swiss cable car association said on Wednesday....

As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades. Because of the risk of flooding in the lower Rhine valley, Switzerland and Austria have decided to improve protection on the basis of a new treaty, the government...

After months of debate, the government has said it wants to release CHF10 million ($11 million) for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. A decision on a second envelope of CHF10 million will be taken later in the year. This payment is in response to UNRWA’s appeal for humanitarian aid, ministers said in a press release. It is intended exclusively...